#AtoZChallenge: #Firefighter #Safety: S is for Safety

S is for Safety.......  Your Safety. I'm not trying to lessen the desire of a firefighter, paramedic, or police officer to get in there and take action...  That's what you guys are trained for.  That's what you do - run towards those dangerous situations when others are either not moving or running away.  But in the process don't forget your own Safety.  Remember, you can't help others if you yourself become a victim.
Make sure you and your gear are "game ready" every call, every time.

Make sure you you keep current with your skills - Practice Practice Drill Drill.

Make sure you are taking care of your health - eating right, staying in shape, and taking any offered medical & physical fitness tests.

Make sure you are doing everything feasible to ensure your safety and that you make it home at the end of your shift.

There really isn't a lot more for me to write on this one....  The theme I've used throughout this little challenge has been all about Safety and your need as a firefighter/paramedic/police officer to stay safe and the job and to ensure that you do all possible to make it home to your loved ones.  

Remember STAYSAFE!!!!  That's all

Swimming: Random Topic Writing Challenge

Before I start I must make my apologies for not keeping up with this challenge.  I have no excuses and no-one is making me do this.  I only have my self to be accountable to (and I'm not being all that accountable in this).  I took a glance at when I last posted something for this challenge and realized it was back towards the beginning of the month (almost 2 weeks ago) - EEEEK!!  I really need to do a better job.  

Swimming

I love swimming, but much prefer to swim alone than in a crowded pool (or really a pool with much of anyone in it).  Because of problems I have with my ears, all the waves from other people in the pool tends to make me dizzy and get me all disoriented.  I would generally end up getting out of the pool barely able to walk a straight line.  All that bobbing up and down that occurred with those waves created by others.   I say this in "past tense" because I haven't been swimming in a public pool in, well, forever....  The last time I swam in a pool at all was something like 2 or 3  years ago (not sure, but it's been awhile) and that was a friend's pool - not a lot of people in the pool when I was in it. Despite the trouble I have with being in the pool with other people, swimming is one of those sport like things that I enjoy doing the most.  Up there with bike riding.  Walking use to be up there too, but age (and aching knees) makes that one not so enjoyable.  And, with the swimming, unless I head over to a public pool swimming isn't really an option.  So looks like biking is my best bet.

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Writing

Today's Random Topic is Writing.....  Seems appropriate somehow.  I've recently started yet another challenge...  This time an A-to-Z Challenge (though I am not doing this one "Officially' as I missed the deadline for this year (can hope for net year though right)....  In addition to this Challenge I have a couple others I've either gotten involved in (or came up w/ myself). Writer Wednesday Blog Hop Photo Prompt with Carrie (Chasing Revery), Nicole (The World of My Imagination), and LeAnne (Writing & Ruminations) is a lot of fun and involves coming up with a short story that must contain 500 words or less and include both the aspects of a photo (which is included) and 5 words (also included). Collaboration Challenge (headed up by Carrie (Chasing Revery) is another one where various bloggers take part in a story each writing a separate week.  You have know idea what the person before u has written till the reveal, then you have a week to come up w/ yours.   You think you know where the story is going and what you might want to say when it's your turn and then the story can take an unexpected turn. Random Topic Writing Challenge is an idea that was given to me by Leanne (Writing & Ruminations).  You pick a word or topic (in my case I put a bunch on slips of paper into a container and then "blindly" choose a topic - Never know what your gonna get..  The idea is to write 5 minutes on the topic chosen (just start writing no stopping to think)

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Prayer

Starting off my "blogging" today with the Random Topic Writing Challenge.....

The Rules:

Pick a word or topic randomly

Write for 5 minutes....  Whatever pops into your mind.

PRAYER

When it comes to prayer, I often find myself at a loss as to what to say.  How does one pray?  What does one say?  If you stop and analyze it too much it can seem overwhelming.  But prayer is best done from the heart.  You see Elohim (G-d) already knows what we need, what we are going to be praying for.  He knows the hairs on our heads every one, He knows everything there is to know.  So why pray?  what is the purpose if G-d already knows what your going to ask for.  That is one I cannot adequately answer.  I believe it has to do with having a relationship with G-d to be able to go to him as a beloved father knowing that he has your best interest at heart and that he wants whats best for you.  Just like with our earthly fathers (and mothers), we might not agree with they're idea of "what's best" - But G-d knows us intimately and truly knows what's best for us.  We have but to reach out to him.

Random Topic Writing Challenge – Childhood Memories

Childhood memories to make me smile.....
Childhood memories to make me laugh.....
Childhood memories to make me cry.....
Childhood memories to make me angry.....
So many childhood memories.....
Tooo many count

One of my earliest memories is one where I am sitting on a floor somewhere (I'm not sure where - perhaps my mom's studio). I can't see my mom's face in the memory, but I know she's there. I can sense it.

Another memory of chasing my dad across a low river as he is chasing our neighbor's cows.

The sadness of sitting in science class watching on TV as the space shuttle challenger (1980's) blew up. The whole class in awe (our teacher was next in line to be on that).

The embarrassment of having a teacher announce to the entire class that I had "the hots" for one of the guys in my class (and he was standing right there).

The memory of laughter of a college EMT/security overhanding an ice-pack onto a hard floor and having it bust open.

Is that all there is? By no means.... Too many to count to many to list in 5 minutes time........

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Emergency Vehicles

After a bit (ummmm did I say bit?? --  What an understatement.  Seems like I've been gone from the Blogging World forever) of a break.  I'm finally at a point where I'm settled into my new home enough to get back into (or try to get back into doing more blogging. I've got just under an hour before I go to meet my son (first day at new school)..... and I still need to figure out something for lunch.... But I've got time (hopefully) for a quick Random Topic Writing Challenge  So let's see what' today's word is.....


Fort Worth Fire Department (picture taken by me).    

 .....  "Emergency Vehicles"......  Timer on......Go.....        

 So what goes through your mind when you hear sirens blaring behind you?   Do you "look" to see where they might be coming from?  Pay attention to whether or not there nearby (maybe even behind you, or about to cross in front of you)?  Did you know that the most dangerous position for an Emergency Vehicle is position #2.  Yep the second vehicle in the line....  When people hear the sirens (assuming they're paying attention),  They'll look for the first EV  and when that one goes by they assume that it's safe to continue on without stopping to think that their could very well be others coming right behind it....  They pull into traffic and BAM!!!  (sometimes even literally).  So here's a word of warning....  Whenever you see an EV going by (either past you or in crossing in front of you) - Don't just pull out into traffic after the first one goes by, take a minurte and make sure they're isn't another coming along right behind. Drive Safe everyone and watch out for the Emergency Vehicles...  The call they're heading to might one day be for you.

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Depression, PTSD, and a "glimmer of hope"

Actually, I'm not gonna pick a "random topic" today...  Today what I'm going to write about is Depression and about PTSD and the strength that those of us who deal with (and maybe even struggle with) these things have.

If you struggle with Depression/PTSD and you are reading this post, then you have shown to have much strength....  More than you may even be aware that you have.  I don't mean to sound morbid, but a person can easily come up with a wide variety of ways to "off" themselves or take their own life.  The fact that you are still here and still struggling on shows that you (or at least your sub-conscious) recognize that there is a reason for you to be alive on this earth and that you have the strength to hold on to that hope (no matter how small it is).  It is this holding on to this hope that shows our strength.  It shows your unwillingness to give up on life and to keep reaching for the next "tomorrow" and the next and the next.

As those of you who struggle with Depression and/or PTSD know, each day can be a struggle not to want to give up.  Thankfully I don't have as much trouble as some, but it does run in my family  - and my mom killed herself due to having Depression (as well as Bi-Polar Disorder, I believe).   But all it takes is a small glimmer of hope to keep us reaching for "tomorrow" and the next and the next.  Some people may need a bigger "glimmer of hope" than others, but as long as there is that glimmer of hope we'll keep reaching.....  And if your among those who struggle with Depression and PTSD, Keep reaching for that "tomorrow" and the next and the next....  Don't Give Up!!!  Don't Give In!!!  Keep holding on and being strong.

Random Topic Writing Challenge - Parenting

Today I ended up choosing the word "Parenting"

Timer Set... Go.....

 

Parenting, it's an interesting journey with many ups and downs (much like that of a roller coaster ride). You go along the journey not knowing if your doing the right thing till your child (or children - each one's different) is grown. Well okay, you might have an idea as they develop into tween and teen-agers. Speaking of tween age years those have ogt to be the most ummmm interesting times. I am constantly faced with self debate as to whether I want to hug & cuddle my son or hang him from ceiling fan... And I'm sure its no picnic for him either ("Mom, I wish you weren't here" - while he's hugging & climbing on me.


My son can be a constant source of *headshaking* moments as he goes on about some idea or another, usually related to science or technology or something.  I can hardly keep up with him some days.  I wonder what he'll end up becoming.