Category Archives: Self Reliance

Graham resident – Gina Blanchard-Reed – Candidate for WA State Senate in 2nd LD

Posted on May 18, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Gina Blanchard-Reed, a long-time resident of Graham and currently a Commissioner of the Graham Fire and Rescue Department, is running for the State Senate seat being vacated by Senator Randi Becker (R), who is retiring.

Posted in Cops and courts, Covid-19, Health, Politics, Self Reliance | 3 Comments

Yanah G. Cook running for Pierce County Council, District 3

Posted on May 6, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Yanah G. Cook, a Democrat who resides in McKenna, is seeking the seat at the Pierce County Council for District 3, the region that encompasses all of South Pierce County. This chair is being vacated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Environment, Graham News, Health, Politics, preparedness, Self Reliance, Smoke, Spanaway | 3 Comments

A Covid Journal – Day 39 – April 18, 2020 – America prepares to re-open, or not

Posted on April 19, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith The big question pounding in everyone’s brain this week is: When can I leave my house and get back to my life? Politically, it is the dominant subject and two routes are emerging. One path forward … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Environment, Self Reliance | Leave a comment

A Covid Journal – Day 28 – April 7, 2020 Dark Days and Bright Sunshine

Posted on April 7, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith The US Surgeon General, Admiral Jerome Adams, and President Trump are calling these next two weeks our darkest hours, forecasted to be filled with death and suffering, and comparable to “our Pearl Harbor.” Their mortality estimates … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Graham News, Health, Self Reliance | 1 Comment

A Covid Journal – Day 20 – “Hello in There” poignant testimony as singer-songwriter John Prine critically ill with Covid – Monday, March 30, 2020

Posted on March 30, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Despite his chemo this week, my buddy James has recovered sufficiently to send me a missive informing me that sing-songwriter John Prine is critically ill with Covid-19. In addition, Prine’s wife, Jane, has also tested positive … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Eatonville News, Family, preparedness, Self Reliance | 2 Comments

A Covid Journal – Day 17, Friday, March 27, 2020: Dylan’s dirge strikes a chord in quarantine

Posted on March 27, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Bob Dylan released a new song today titled, “Murder Most Foul.” It’s a studio production of Bob’s stream of consciousness review of all the dramas of the past fifty years, starting with JFK’s assassination. As such, … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Nature, Politics, Self Reliance | 4 Comments

A Covid Journal – Day 15, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 – Contributors come forward with songs, stories, and creative ideas to help us cope

Posted on March 25, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith As I go into my third week of selective self-quarantining, I am amazed at the outpouring of creative tips from around the world on how to stay safe and sane. These welcomed suggestions range from Neil … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Health, Politics, preparedness, Self Reliance | 1 Comment

A Covid Journal – The Great Calm: Day 13, Monday, March 23, 2020

Posted on March 23, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith As my second week in quarantine comes to a close, I feel a great calm emerging upon the land. Life is simpler, the world quieter. There is less traffic, less air pollution, less hustle and bustle. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bethel News, Covid-19, Culture, Graham News, Kapowsin, Mount Rainier, Nature, Politics, Self Reliance | 6 Comments

The Covid Crisis: Tips for homebound kids

Posted on March 22, 2020 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News Editor’s Note: As school close and families sequester themselves at home, millions of families world-wide are wondering: what do we do with the kids? Here are some ideas from a young woman on the front … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Family, Gayle Tice, preparedness, Self Reliance | Leave a comment

A Covid Journal, Day 9 of my Self-Quarantine –  1st Day of Spring arrives, along with distinctions between Covid, a cold, allergies, and the flu

Posted on March 19, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Happy Spring, everyone! It comes early this year, March 19, 2020, due to the leap year and other astronomical perturbations that occur once every 400 years or so. Usually, spring arrives on March 21 but can … Continue reading →

Posted in Covid-19, Culture, Eatonville News, Health, Politics, preparedness, Self Reliance, Weather | 3 Comments