Be Prepared For Inauguration Day
Please be prepared for Inauguration Day! I’m watching the weather and the news on TV today and hoping for a wonderful Inauguration Day on Monday, January 20th, 2025. Let’s not talk about Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. Let’s talk about the unity of our country and the world and unity with family and friends.
I don’t remember this negative nature among all parties in my lifetime. This includes tension among family and friends over who might be or was elected. It’s like the elephant in the room, so to speak. I typically don’t say much about my feelings regarding current events since it often brings on a negative reaction from others. I’m pretty quiet except when I get the giggles, but in some circles, the election results became no laughing over this election.
We all know there were repercussions after the election of Joe Biden four years ago. The pundits aren’t expecting an uproar as the preparations take place for the inaugural ceremonies for current President-Elect Donald Trump to be our new President Donald Trump. Of course, what may happen along Pennsylvania Avenue and the National Mall in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., is much different than what residents may experience in their hometowns across America.
There have been extensive construction activities to erect public viewing areas and needed road closures will be monitored by capital police along the parade route for the Inaugural Parade and near the stage area where the inaugural address is given. For those who were lucky enough to be given one of the limited number of tickets, plan on long lines, particularly at the portable toilet facilities.
Don’t Forget Hurricane Helene Families and First Responders
During these times of political turmoil, we often think the government, as represented by our preferred candidates and leaders, will be the ultimate problem solvers. We wonder: “What can I do to make a difference for struggling people?”
As shown by the challenges faced by the families affected by Hurricane Helene, government agencies couldn’t cover the vast areas the hurricane-affected. While some people waited for help, many others, even those whose homes and property were significantly damaged or destroyed, were out rescuing others. That mainly was the case with first responders called into duty, rain or shine. There are still areas where FEMA hasn’t been able to set up shop. Still, concerned neighbors, civic clubs, religious organizations, and various non-profits have jumped in and provided food, shelter, and safety.
Pray for Families and First Responders in the California Fires
We’ve all been touched by the devastation we see on the TV while numerous fires destroy whole neighborhoods in Southern California, and they continue to rage on. Our family has been praying for those families and businesses ravaged by these wildfires.
Again, there haven’t been enough firefighters to stem the tide of the fires advancing from one city to the next as the winds seemed never to let up. There have been numerous deaths reported as many people were caught off guard when told to evacuate.
Thank goodness some service-oriented organizations and businesses have put out the word that displaced families can come and find refuge indoors, get food and water, and financial counseling as needed. Our daughter in CA has a wonderful friend, Rocsii, who is on Instagram @thesourcela, whose mission is to provide “a diverse range of services and programs” to help people in and around Los Angeles facing difficulty on many fronts. She’s organized food pantries, rounded up water sources, temporary shelter space, clothing, financial donations, and so much more. We all could be more like Rocsii as our fellow Americans face daily struggles.
I suggest the following before Inauguration Day:
We must go forward and hope for a better America and better relations with other countries. The votes came in, and whatnot, and I’m excited about a change, and our government needs one badly. No matter where you live, there are things you should consider doing before, during, and after the swearing-in ceremony. I hope we have a smooth and uneventful transition, so you’ll see I’m suggesting things you’d prepare to do with family and friends. I’ve also listed a few things that may help if things get out of hand close to home.
- Fill your gas tank before the weekend.
- Please stock water in case local riots break out and you must hunker down.
- Have at least 30 days’ worth of food in your home by this weekend.
- Get some popcorn; it’s a great snack, or you can make my Caramel Popcorn.
- Choose some drinks to serve to friends and family.
- Chips and Dips are excellent, or Appetizers.
- Make Hot Cocoa or Hot Chocolate.
- Make a platter with vegetables, cheese, meat, and fruit.
- Order hot wings.
- Order pizza.
- My favorite would be Mexican food.
- Be aware of your surroundings in your neighborhood and if you see anything out of the ordinary, call 911. We all appreciate a safe and secure environment no matter where we live and what our political feeling are.
- Stay home like me, if possible, and enjoy the musical performances, opening remarks, and a better view of events than even foreign leaders in attendance experience.
- Pray for our Country and our new Leaders.
- No matter what you do, enjoy a well-deserved day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which happens to also be Inauguration Day, Monday, January 20, 2025.
Final Word
I’ve been wanting to write about Inauguration Day for a few days. I contacted those family members and friends to be prepared before the big day if things happen that we may not expect, like riots. I don’t want to be fearmongering, but we must be realistic, be prepared for the worst, and enjoy the best. May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Inauguration Day AdobeStock_1170304163 By Abay, American Flag AdobeStock_554627784 By Hanna Aibetova
Even if everything is perfect on Inauguration Day, there is bitter cold and snow coming. Another reason to be prepared.
Hi Janet, oh I saw that on the weather channel this morning!! Let’s make a pot of soup and biscuits and sit back and relax and watch the snowflakes. Yes we mus be prepared for harsh weather. Linda
Thank you for this, people do need to be prepared – I have a mixed feeling of what’s going to happen Monday. Even after, it’s going to be tense. I’ll be at the doctor, but will be wearing my Never Surrender t-shirt.
Hi Barb, the t-shirt, great idea! I love it! Thank you for your kind words, be safe. Linda
Use your heads. Full tank of fuel, cash on hand, armed and simply paying attention.
The initial event most likely won’t affect you directly it’ll be the residual.
Think about a list of what might need to be bought should you be able to.
Stay safe
Hi Matt, you nailed it. I sent text messages to everyone I could think of to fill their tanks. (not you, I knew your tank is full, LOL) Great comment as always, be aware of our surroundings and safe safe, so true. Linda
Linda, thank you for your wise words and help. I so agree that we all need to be united no matter our political leanings. I’m sad at the mess our country is in and hope and pray we will all help to fix it in positive good ways.
Hi Janet, thank you for your kind words, my sweet friend. It’s one more reason to stock what you can NOW, just in case. It’s the unknown, stay safe and keep praying. Linda
Since we live in a small town, well, outside of town. Population around 4,000, I’m not too worried about riots here, but other places? Yes. We don’t talk politics. We aren’t Republicans nor Democrats. My party is American. I vote for the American people.
Hi Deborah, I love your comment, My party is American! I’m glad you live in a small safe town, that’s awesome. Linda
I’m a small town girl. I’ve never lived in a big city. Don’t want to. I don’t like heavy traffic.
Hi Deborah, I love small towns. Heavy traffic is not my favorite either. Linda
Linda: Your kind words of wisdom never cease to amaze me! Yes, people should get ready. There is a lot of negative/dangerous stuff predicted, and I pray against all of those issues regularly. President Trump already had 2 more assassination attempts at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral, as many of must already know. Being out in the open on the 19th and for the inauguration on the 20th makes me think he might be taking undue risks for the celebrations. There is more predicted to take place at the inaugural balls, but I don’t want to scare your readers by passing on what I’ve heard from people with inside intel. Like I said, I pray against those attacks constantly! Since my husband found that our local Aldi’s store was 70% empty three days ago (but never before), I DO suggest very explicitly that people go back to making sure they top off all of their supplies while they are able, especially gasoline or whatever fuel you use the most, get some cash on hand, refill all life-saving prescriptions and get extra water!! If you don’t already have one, it might be good to invest in a quality water filter now while you still have a couple of days in which to do that! Me, myself and I just finished ordering a bunch of natural and homeopathic medicines for flus and plagues, with the advice of my dear friend who is a professional homeopath and nutritional counselor.
Hi Jess, wow we don’t have Aldi stores in Utah, 70% empty, yikes! It sounds like people are starting to understand they need to stock up right now. I keep telling my family to stock water and food, they can’t depend on me. Some roll their eyes and some ignore me. Tough love is hard but that’s how I roll. Stay safe, Linda
I just filled my vehicle gas tank yesterday. I used my Safeway points (Safeway is the only real grocery store in town!!), and I paid a whopping $1.96/gallon! Without the points, I would have paid $2.75!!
I have water and of course, my food preps. All topped off!
As for unrest, when the election was over, I remarked – Let the chaos begin!! I am sure that chaos will reign as it has since, what, 2016?? I live in a small town and don’t really anticipate any chaos but am prepared if it happens.
HI Leanne, yay for full gas tanks! I love the discount on the gas! Squeal! Yay for small towns and less people. Yes you are prepared, good job! Linda
Remember those stupid pink hats from the protests during President Trumps first term. Who would take anyone serious when they looked like a complete idiot. I am quite content to stay home, frankly until spring. I will pray for those people trying to put America back on sound footing. I am not trying to bury my head in the sand, but I also can’t make myself sick over things I can’t control. I will take Linda, Matt, Ray, Jess, and everyone else’s wisdom to heart and do my best to keep me and mine safe. God Bless America.
Hi Chris, I’m staying home, but that’s okay I’m a homebody. We do need America back on sound footing. Great comment, Linda
Just heard, the Inauguration ceremony will be moved indoors because of the weather. I suspect it is more about safety, and I am grateful for that.
Best of luck to all in the USA, whatever their political stripe. We don’t all need to love each other but there is no reason to not at least treat each other with respect and there’s no excuse for the intense incivility so prevalent these days. Here in Canada we are a bit nervous about the coming tariffs and hope we can maintain good relations between our two countries. With increasing worldwide instability it’s important to have good partners, friends and allies. Living on an island you tend to be more prepared than the average mainlander because you just never know when the weather or mechanical issues might cut off transportation or communications. Luckily we have a lot of cooperation between islanders to get things done, regardless of what the personal politics might be.
Good afternoon, Linda and all, I, too, am ready for Inauguration Day. I will not be going out anywhere unless it’s an emergency. I finished getting what I needed yesterday. I needed some milk and cold cuts. We are expecting some snow starting Sunday afternoon, not much information on how much (1-3; 3-5; maybe more), they are not sure but I’m ready. I will let you know how much we eventually get. Everyone, have a safe and warm weekend. Mildred Stephens