I never use binoculars. Except when I really need them.

I can go for months without picking up the pair I’ve had for several decades. And then suddenly I really need them. There might be something out at sea I really need to see, or an aircraft I’m curious about. I pick them up, sling the strap around my neck (I always put the strap around my neck because binoculars by their very nature are easy to drop) and suddenly my sense of sight is magnified enormously. I see what I need to see and then I’m done with them for however long.

I’m awfully glad I have them. Especially for emergency situations when I might really need to see something approaching.
(more…)

There are all sorts of categories of emergency power, but I’m narrowing my focus today to a backup battery for lights and small appliances.

Many of you have a backup power supply for your computer. It has enough electricity stored to allow you to shut your computer down safely when the power goes out. If you have a large enough backup, it may allow you a few minutes of using your computer before you shut it down. Depends on the capacity of the battery and how much current your devices draw.
(more…)

I know where things are in my garage storage area. There are also emergency lights and flashlights in various places. Even at night, there is some light from moon and/or stars, or from the streetlight that is not too far away. That’s a good thing, because there are sharp instruments and tools and very sturdy iron pieces sticking out from equipment, and I really do not want to run into any of them.

I was totally surprised one night when the garage door light went out before it’s normal turn-off time and suddenly… I was in total darkness. The power had gone out. It was very cloudy, so no moon or stars, and for some reason the emergency light did not come on automatically. So… total darkness. Now, most of the time I don’t really need light in a dark place. But this time, it was totally unexpected and I did not have time to orient myself to where I was in relation to the things I do not want to run into.
(more…)