Come on In - The Water's Fine

This week it seems that Outdoor Recreation on base has said that the prices for passes for the pool on base has increased. Last year, I believe the price was 60 dollars for a family. This year the price has increased to $150 for a family of 4 and $10 for each additional family member.

Now,  many of you are up in arms about this and to some degree, I do understand. As military families, we are on a fixed income. Its a bit unfair of the base to pop this information on families a week before school lets out and kids are expecting frequent visits to the pool. A fair warning to save for this expense would have been nice since its not like our spouses can just work overtime to help make a bit of extra cash to cover it. The increase in prices definitely puts a damper on the possibility of spending the days relaxing in the sun, so I understand.

But, in the same breathe, I understand where the base is coming from as well. Budget cuts have hit the branches hard and when it comes to providing equipment for the troops who are fighting overseas or family recreation, well, family recreation is going to be cut. The current administration over time had cut the funds given to the military drastically over the last few years and the various branches have to make due with what they are given. If you're husband were to be deployed, what would be more important to you - that he has the equipment that he needs (armored vehicles, weapons, ammunition, ect) or a cheaper pool pass? I think given the choice, we're going to pick our spouses safety over our luxuries.

150 dollars may seem like alot, but for those who choose to utilize the pool on a regular basis - it equals out pretty quickly. The pool currently charges $4 per person/per visit.  For a family of four, this equals 16 dollars per visit.  If you visit the pool ten times during the summer, you have just spent $160 and most people plan to visit the pool more than 10 times in the course of the 3 summer months. This makes the pool pass a great deal, even at the higher price.

The money you are paying is covering the upkeep of the pools and for the lifeguards who are there to protect you. These expenses use to be paid for by the military, hence why the pool passes in the past were much cheaper. Alas, budget cuts and allotment of funds are dictated by the needs of the troops and so pool upkeep and lifeguards are unnecessary expenses in the eyes of the government.  However, Edwards has decided to try to keep the pool open for us but that comes with a price tag.

Many have mentioned going offbase and paying cheaper prices for pools off base.. This is a choice we all have but know one thing - when the cost of operations for the pool exceeds the amount of revenue being brought in by paying customers, the base will have no choice but to close yet another "luxury" that we have and we will be without.

If I were Outdoor recreation, I think I would have done things just a bit differently. I believe the price is fair, but to me the upfront cost is high. I don't know about you but my family actually has to save for luxury expenses and I am sure that those higher ups on base probably understand this as well. I think it would have been a better decision to offer a payment plan of some sort.. Or, have a "punch card" system - once your family visted the pool enough times to equal a pool pass price (whether its 13 times for a single person to equal the $50 single pass or ten visits for a family of 4) then you automatically are given the pool pass to use for the rest of the season. I think if options like this were given, rather than hitting everyone with a high price tag 1 week before the start of summer, many more people would be less upset with the increase in pricing.

Now on to something a little less serious...

I've been reading your comments both here and on facebook over the course of the week. For the most part, I think many people are glad I started this, if nothing else for the entertainment factor. Some people, not so much. But I wanted to respond to a few comments.

First, on this page itself a comment was left by Mr Robert Petty. (I'm using your name since you went out of your way to leave a second comment to let me know who you were).. Mr Petty, I'm at a complete loss as to any meaning to what you wrote. But, I can assure you, I do not routinely watch reality TV (I think I watched Season 1 of Survivor) and tend to spend most of my time reading. I can assure you that my parents are both extremely proud of me and what I have accomplished in my life and I think I'm safe saying you do not need to worry about my mental health. But thank you so much for your concern.

Mr Adam Hancock - thank you so much for your reply as well.. I do agree, kids misbehaving is not an epidemic limited only to Edwards AFB but since that is my target audience with this blog, I decided to discuss the problem here.  There are some good parents out there who are indeed scared of disciplining their children - we live in a world right now where CPS has way too much power and parents are not given enough. I also believe we as a culture rely way too much on television and not enough of getting our children outside with us. When was the last time you saw someone outside playing catch with their kids?? TV is a terrible influence on our generation, we wouldn't hire a babysitter who said or did some of the things we allow our kids to watch, so why do we feel its appropriate on tv. I commend you on being active in raising your kid, my hat is off to you - Good Job Dad. I wish more parents were like you  and Mrs Jillian Johnson :)

To the rest of the comments here on the blog, thank you. Munoz family, Brenda Prince, LeaLynn, Morpheus. I appreciate your feed back. (PS - Morpheus - I absolutely loved the "go do some yard work" comment. Spot on)

Now on to the FB comments. I will leave those nameless as I said I would not plaster anyones name on this blog. I saw alot of comments that were in support of this blog - thank you. Like what I say or don't, that's perfectly fine and I am glad you are taking this blog for what it is, my opinion. One person said it best - "Opinions are like assholes - we all have one".. Yup, this is for certain. With that said - here's my response to some of the others. First, threatening to report me to the Commander of base - absolutely ridiculous. The Commander would probably laugh and hell, for all I know, he already reads this blog and agrees 100%.   (Morpheus??)

As military spouses, we still have this thing called Freedom of Speech - nothing in the paperwork my husband signed when he joined the Armed Forces revoked my right to this. I am indeed allowed an opinion about things that affect my life. I stated in my first posting, I will not write anything about the AF itself - if I were to step over that line THEN there might be a problem that Command would worry about. Until then, I'm just another spouse running off her big mouth - pure and simple.

Until next time....

Memorial Day News Flash

It seems that some wives just don't get the memo that all holidays related to the military is not about them, their status as a military wife, or their husbands. No day of remembrance displays this more nauseously then when it comes to today, Memorial Day.

Year after year, Memorial day rolls around and you see the posts. "I want to thank my husband for his service". I even saw a post (Not by you ladies thank God or I'd have to come out of the woodwork and come slap you) where a wife was talking about thanking other wives today. I guess the mentality is that if it involves a flag and the military, hey, its another day for you to flaunt the fact you're a military wife.  They change their profile picture to photos of their husbands in their uniforms and post how proud they are of their husbands service. Some people are a bit better but still do not comprehend the idea of Memorial day by posting photographs or updates about how proud they are of fathers or grandfathers who served but are still living. There's a day to honor those as well - its called Veterans Day and is in November.

Maybe people just don't understand the difference between Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Armed Forces Day. And maybe, some people just don't care - I have one wife on my "friends list" (and I use that term loosely as she is a family member) who only cares that she is a military wife and that anything and everything that might even refer to the military is about her as well. You know the type, she's the one who will tell everyone she's married to the military, how she has it so hard and sacrifices so much. She will talk about how hard deployments are, even though her husband is fresh out of AIT and she has never been through a deployment in her life. But she has to have the attention, has to make it about her. She never says how proud she is of her husband (even when he graduated Basic) but instead made it all about her. People like that you cannot educated - when she posts how Memorial Day is about celebrating her husband the all American Hero you can't correct her - she doesn't care. Its yet another day for her to get attention - and unfortunately she's not the only one like that out there.

Its days like today where one can read their fellow military wives posts and know who gets it and who's just in it because its a status thing. The ones who get it know what memorial day is about - a day of remembrance to remember the fallen. To honor those who went off to fight a war in a foreign land but never came home or who came home in a flag draped wooden box. Its about the 405,399 who died in World War 2, the 36,516 who died in Korea, 58,209 in Vietnam, the 258 in the original Gulf War, and in the more recent the 1,803 in Afghanistan and 4,800 in the Iraq War. Putting it in words you might understand - if your husband is outside barbequing then today is not about him or about you.

When I see posts like I do today, I wish that I could take the offending wife (and actually, I did see an actual military member who had no clue what today was about so I'll include him as well) out to Arlington National Cemetery.  Walk among the white marble headstones and actually feel the silence and vastness as far as you can see. I've had the honor of visiting Arlington in the past and its an experience I believe every military member and spouse should experience because it puts so much in perspective. No longer is it about a dependent ID card, BX privileges and free tickets to Sea World. Military discounts seem like such a very small compensation when you're looking over the 624 acres of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I think every military wife should be required to watch movies like "We Were Soldiers", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers". Lord forbid if one ever has to be notified that their loved one has been killed in combat - I wouldn't wish that on anyone - but maybe by watching a movie showing how war really is, not how its depicted on "Army Wives", one might obtain a bit more understanding. We've toned down the realities of war, made it politically correct and more digestible when the realities are gruesome and heart wrenching. Very rarely are groups of women sitting together drinking wine, the kids at the babysitters, when a wife is notified that their husband gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be flying home with honors.  The realities are closed caskets, children who lose their parents long before they will have memories of them, and a spouse trying to pick up and rebuild after the fact.  Its the rows upon rows of marble headstones in Arlington, the white crosses in Normandy American Cemetery in France, or the silent markers in the various military cemeteries throughout the country.

Until Next Time.....

Buy, Sell And Trade.... And Get Screwed

Everyone loves a good deal - And people who have an abundance of things like to make money. The barter system has always been around, going so far back long before George Washington graced the dollar bill. As long as there have been items people needed, there has been trading to help acquire those items.

Normally, this is a fine way to conduct business. People have something they don't need, they offer it at a fair price and then someone who has the money and could use it barters for the item. Usually, both people make out pretty good - the item has been marked down considerably so the buyer gets the item for a good price and the seller gets some cash in their pocket.. But, for some reason, that's not the case on Edwards.

For some reason, many people mark their items up considerably. I once saw a pair of shoes that were purchased on Shoedazzle.com (when all their shoes were originally $39 with free shipping) that someone was selling for $60.  Like somehow, by adding their foot funk to the shoes, it increased their value? Many times you can look for the exact item being sold on websites like Amazon and purchase the item brand new for the exact price as what someone on the yard sales site might want - sometimes much cheaper.  In other words, you're trying to sell something used (which many times is in less than stellar condition) for the exact retail price that it would cost new, in pristine condition? Where is the logic in this?

For Sale:  IPAD 2nd Generation. Slightly used. Paid 600, asking $550. Message me if interested

But then, you have the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Someone honest decides to sell their item for way lower than what its worth. They post pictures and you can tell the item has been taken care of and in great condition. Maybe the object is $100 new, they've had it for a few months and they're asking $50. A great deal, right? But, no, you start seeing everyone start lowballing their offers. "Will you take $10?".. I remember once a used grill, the woman wanted $80 for it, it sold new for over $200. Someone offered 5 bucks. Seriously? I would have been insulted.

We talk about wanting to support each other as wives. Each of us understands the hardships we sometimes face by being military and by being stuck in this crappy base to begin with (I think I saw one person today refer to it as an Armpit?). So why do we insist on screwing each other over? Sometimes I get the feeling you take your husband's Star Card to the BX, buy something and then turn around and sell it to make money because there's several days left before payday.

Now, I should point out, this isn't ever seller on base. There are plenty of very honest people who aren't looking to screw you over. But I'm always shocked at how some of these sales go down.

But what really burns my biscuits is when I see someone selling something I know they picked up at the Airman's Attic for free. The Airman's attic is a blessing for many of the younger families who are just starting out, lower ranked Airman who make barely enough to get by on what the government pays then while supporting their families. People generously donate items to this program in order to help other families and those who make use of the program  are expected to pass on the goodwill that others have shown by re-donating the item (for free) when they are finished with it. Instead, people go and pick out good quality items knowing they do not need it but knowing they can sell it and make a ludicrous amount of money off of it.  It goes along the same lines of those who get WIC and turn around and sell the formula or breast pumps that they are given - if you don't need it, don't take it. Save it for someone else who does need it.


On another note - today is Memorial Day. The day when everyone should take a moment to remember those who have falling serving this country. 

Sorry so short and sweet tonight but its been a long day at work. So

Until next time...

Edwards Kids Need a Serious Manners Makeover

There's just no easy way to write this - there are alot of undisciplined and disrespectful kids on this base.  To put it bluntly, a large percentage of your kids are shits, pure and simple.  Don't believe me? Speak to any member of Security Forces how they feel about your precious angels when they are released from school and most will begin a diatribe about exactly what they think of your kids.  I'm not so much referring to those with the 5 years and under set - it's kinda hard for an infant to be in the classification of "annoying shits" but when it comes to the kids at the middle and high school ranges, Damn!  Need proof? Go stand around the shoppette after school and just observe as they grab a snack before heading to the teen center - grab a coke and sit at a table and watch what goes on. In roughly 10 minutes you'll have a strong desire to strangle 3/4 of them. They are foul mouthed, disrespectful to adults and obnoxious to a great fault. Yes - you're kids are indeed shits.

And then as I read comments on facebook or have conversations with other parents on base, I hear even more horror stories. Granted, there's nothing to do on this base - I'm an adult and I'm bored out of my ever loving mind here - but throwing rocks at peoples cars has never crossed my mind as a suitable activity to pass the time.  Parents on base are describing problems at the base parks and older children and preteens talking about using illegal drugs. Security Forces will tell you that they have little to no authority over the high school while they are on campus and that the kids not only know this but flaunt it by smoking marijuana on school property as the SF cars drive past.

A survey by U.S. News & World Report revealed that nine out of ten Americans feel that the breakdown of civility (this is how we treat each other) is a problem, and nearly half rate the problem as extremely serious. Ninety percent of Americans polled said manners and good social graces have significantly eroded over the past ten years and that the situation is only getting worse. What's more, 93 percent of adults feel that the major cause of all rudeness is that parents have failed to teach respect to their kids.  What this means is that kids today are little shits and we have allowed them to be this way. We find it cute when 3 year old Johnny says "fuck you" after hearing mom or dad say it in the household - we laugh and giggle and say "little Johnny, say it again for Daddy" and we teach our kids its okay to say it. Then when Johnny is a teenager and a teacher upsets him and he uses the same words, suddenly its not so cute but by then its too late..

We coddle these children and make so many excuses for their bad behavior til we're blue in the face: They have autism, ADHD, their daddy is deployed, we're on a military base and so they are safe playing outside unsupervised.  But honestly, there's never an excuse for the behavior that is displayed in our youth. I don't care if dad is on his 4th deployment in 6 years - there are plenty of children who have dealt with the same and their parents tore their asses up the first time they displayed this behavior and they turned out to be perfectly well behaved children. They weren't allowed to wander the streets long after dark when the only fun to be had is usually destructive.  You've raised a generation of kids who are given anything they want when they want it, allowed to do anything they want because you feel guilty saying no or disciplining them for whatever reason. Well, here's a news bulletin - you're not doing your kids any favors. Maybe you expect the school system to teach your kids the lessons you have failed to teach but their job is to teach them math, science and history - not manners and good behavior.

Sometimes I'm not at all surprised at the kid when I see the parent though. After all, bad behavior usually begins at the home. Why are kids out long past curfew, vandalizing other peoples property? Because mom and dad have allowed them to be out in the first place. My favorite is hearing women complaining about teenage drivers speeding in housing areas yet I see that same behavior displayed by adults on base every day as they fly through the commissary parking lot to get to Starbucks. You show up at the Air Force Ball looking like you just got off work from The Hustler Club and you allow your teenage daughter to borrow your clothes.

When did this become acceptable attire for our teens and tweens?

 You drive the wrong way into the elementary school when picking up your kids because the 10 extra seconds to go in the correct way is an inconvenience.  I was shocked the other day when driving by the school - a mom actually picked her kid up in the middle of the road. She stopped her car (with several cars behind her), motioning for the kid to run across the two lanes of traffic (and darting in front of an oncoming truck) so that he could get in the passenger side. And we wonder why these very kids grow up feeling they are entitled to do the same type of things. Your kids watch what you do and the lesson you are teaching them is "Its okay for us to do it because we're better than everyone else".  Your kids are shits, well, because you are a shit.

This just in - You are not special. I don't care if you're an officers wife or Michelle Obama herself . Maybe you wipe your butt with only the finest toilet paper, drink only bottled water imported from a remote lake where Jesus himself drank, paid 20K for boobs and have a whole collection of Coach purses. It doesn't matter.  The Pope may have hand blessed your kids but they aren't special either. 

To me, the special kids are the one who say "please" and "thank you", who say "yes ma'am" and "no sir" and who stand silently while the National Anthem plays.  When I see those types of kids, I want to just walk up and say "Good job" to those parents.

But when I see your kids - I just wanna slap the shit out of both of ya.

Until Next Time....

Here's Your Sign

This will be a short but feel good piece. Don't get use to it as I am sure within the next few days things will return back to normal on base and I will have more ludicrous things to discuss.  But for now, I'll keep this lighthearted and uplifting.  I do have a bit of a rant to include that I will save for last but I will keep it short and to the point.

First, I would really like to thank everyone who has so far shared this website with others that they know. I'm actually friends with many of you and so each time I saw another share show up on my feed, I was thrilled. I was very careful who I slipped the URL to and it seemed to have spread like wildfire. I did get a good laugh each and every time I saw someone wondering who I was. As of yet, nobody has messaged me and asked if I am indeed "Jane Doe" so I guess I did it right.  I was touched to see my writing described with such words as "genuine and honest" and "genius". I am touched beyond words and hope that the reception will continue to remain positive. I'll more than likely piss a few of you off from time to time - it's the nature of the beast when approaching some of the topics I plan on writing about - but please know ahead of time it's nothing personal. I just know that I will not always be able to go with the flow of the most popular opinions.

Now - on to greener pastures.

Today I was really surprised to see all the outpouring of compassion that many of you ladies are showing today. Not that I did not believe the people of Edwards were capable of compassion but more times than not, I see bickering and discourse among the ranks. I cannot tell you how many times today I saw Britta's pooch Onyx on my wall feed as people shared the link to donate money towards his medical care. I also saw the outpouring of love and support for Angelica Palomino as she deals with a difficult time in her life. Finally, over and over I saw members of Edwards Security Forces change their facebook profile picture in support and memory of a young man lost in the early morning hours on Thursday.

Security Forces stand of unity in tribute to Fernando Flores

 Sometimes I see people make posts in "support" to things that seem so saccharin in nature that the taste of it reeks of attention seeking. I'm sure you've seen the postings - every time a national tragedy hits they start posting to arrange something. Many times, you see the postings but never anything that comes from it. Or there's always some hard knock story about someone obscure that nobody knows in dire emergency that someone asks for immediate handouts for. But I did not see that today. Today you ladies pulled through - at last count you have generously given 40 dollars toward Onyx's care. While it may not seem like much, I'm sure to the Thomassee family it is more than they could have imagined. I have a feeling that that total will grow rapidly as the end of the month approaches and payday arrives. I've also heard mention of a bake sale to help raise more funds for the veterinarian bill so I'm willing to bet the out of pocket expense the family will have to endure will prove minimal. I haven't heard anything regarding what Security Forces have planned to help the family of their lost member but I am sure it will prove equally amazing.

Now - on to the negative. Hope you're ready.

Over and over again, I get irritated when I see posts asking for re-homing of a pet. Going along the same lines as my post last night, I believe when you decide to bring a pet into your home, you're taking on the responsibility of caring for that pet for the remainder of it's natural life. In the case of an animal adopted from a shelter, we're opening our homes to an animal who most likely had a pretty rough start in life in the hopes the animal will never have to suffer again. Now,  I understand there are cases where keeping a beloved pet is not an option - PCSing overseas for example, moving to a base where a particular breed has been banned or even unknown medical issues that arose after bringing home that cute mass of fur.  But seriously - You ladies have some seriously screwed up reasons for abandoning your pets and if it were up to me you would never be allowed another.  Probably the one that I couldn't help but shake my head at was the case of a grey male cat. Day one has one person advertising the cat - that the cat did not get along with her other cat. So someone posts about wanting the cat. The very next day, the person who took the cat starts posting looking for a home for the exact same cat because it doesn't get along with her cat. Seriously? I'm a cat owner. I have always had a multi-cat home and any cat owner knows it takes more than one day for cats to acclimate to each other. Do these people honestly think you bring a new cat into your home and they are going to sit down together with a cup of tea and have a social?  Maybe play a little bunco?  So this poor animal has been thrown in with not one but two cats in two different households in a matter of hours?? I want to pull a Bill Engvall- you know, walk up to the offender and say "here's your sign" as I hand them a sign that says "I'm Stupid".

But the idiot that takes the cake posted yesterday. Originally she posted an 8 month old female Aussie Sheppard mix claiming she did not have the yard for the dog. The pup is not up to date on its shots (of course).  Strike one.  Today, the very same girl posted on another Edwards FB page - another dog  - this time a 2 year old purebred boxer that she claims she did not have time to take care of.  Strike two.  Looking at her facebook page, this isn't her first rodeo - she is a repeat offender . In June of last year she posted an ad both on facebook and craigslist for a free 3 month old male puppy that she claimed she "rescued" from the pound - she ended up returning the pooch to the pound.  Hunny, if this is your idea of rescuing an animal, please, in the future, refrain from rescuing again.. Strike 3 and you're out!   But wait, it gets better. Once again, at the exact same day she posted to give away the 3 month old puppy, she also advertised for free a 10 month old female pooch - that one she gave away. She claimed the dog was nervous. Well no shit Sherlock - I'd be nervous too if I saw you coming to adopt me.  The irony of the situation is at the same time she posted a copy of her report card (yup, the girl had just graduated HS at the time) and she was studying Veterinarian Science. Lord I hope this girl never works in a veterinarian clinic.  Thank God she cannot give her kid away as quickly as she gives her dogs away. You, my friend, are beyond an idiot but instead you are an immature twit.  Maybe, just maybe, if you stopped constantly taking slutty selfies that would make Amanda Bynes look prudish, you might have time for your poor dogs. Do everyone a favor, especially the animal population, and never ever even think about adopting another animal at any point in this lifetime.

Here's your sign!  

Lions and Tigers and Bobcats - Oh My!

As many of you may be aware of,  there have been multiple attacks on pets on base over the course of the last few weeks. This has been an on going problem for some time - I am willing to bet its safe to say as long as there have been houses and pets on Edwards AFB, there have been attacks on those pets. (Chuck Yeager may have even lost a pet to an attack while stationed here.)  The perpetrators in these attacks have been the local wildlife - namely coyotes and bobcats that are frequently seen wandering around the housing areas.

Lets begin with a brief history lesson. Edwards AFB was built in 1933 when the military decided the land here beside the dry lake beds would be ideal for bombing practice because it was out of range from any populated areas and eliminated the possibilities of  civilian casualties in the event of a malfunction. While the Antelope Valley was populated at that time (Rosamond and Lancaster were both established during the Gold Rush years earlier), homesteads were few and far between and so the land originally known as Muroc Field (present day Edwards AFB) was completely isolated - with one exception - the wildlife.  The Antelope Valley was originally named for the huge herds of pronghorn antelope who roamed freely among the valley, feeding off the grasses, but as man encroached upon the valley, the herds were diminished. Luckily, other wildlife continued to flourish even with the development of the base. Edwards AFB covers roughly 430 square miles of land, much of it completely untouched allowing wildlife like gila monsters, desert tortoise, roadrunners, kit foxes and other various creatures to remain in their habitat. Among these desert creatures were also the coyote and the bobcat.

With the establishment of housing on the base, Edwards saw a new population of animals - the domesticated dog and cat. Scientifically speaking, all domesticated dogs are derived from grey wolves. Man learned he could breed certain traits in and out of these dogs to serve a purpose - for working, hunting, for companionship, and in some cultures for food. Over time, man began to breed not so much for purpose but for an overall appearance, which is how we established the various breeds of dog over time. Dogs were bred for various lifestyles - large dogs for working the fields and smaller dogs for people who didn't have room for a larger dog but wanted a canine companion. And they kept getting smaller - from standard - to miniature - to toy - to tea cup varieties.  And with over 400 houses on base, many of these smaller breeds made their way among the population of Edwards to share the desert with the local wildlife.

Unfortunately, the local wildlife didn't get the memo that they were to co-exist with the smaller companion animals who started making their way into their habitat. While we view Yorkies, Chihuahuas and the Dachshunds as our furry friends, the bobcats and coyotes look and see an appetizing dinner just waiting for the taking. Little Fluffy the toy poodle is nothing more than steak tar tar to a hungry bobcat who has a den of kittens depending on her. To her, your pet is nothing more than a piece of the food chain and her instinct tells her dinner is served.

We cannot fault the coyotes and bobcats for doing what they do - its instinct.  Both creatures have whats known as a high prey drive. Lets define prey drive - is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to pursue and capture prey. We sometimes fail to remember that the very animals that we have brought into our home to be our close companions have resulted from years of breeding from either the wolf or from various breeds of wild cats.  Many times our pets show residual traits from the original species - a cat catching a mouse or a bird, a dog who likes to chase (and usually kill) rabbits or other smaller mammals. Many breeds of dogs we keep as pets have high prey drive. The English Foxhound was bred with this drive intact for the sole purpose of hunting foxes, Greyhounds chase after rabbits while people place bets on who will be the fastest.  Many times it is suggested that certain breeds of dogs not be kept in a household with cats or smaller animals because of their high prey drive. Occasionally we see stories in the news of larger dogs attacking smaller dogs - if you have lived in Edwards for longer than 2 years, you might remember this very thing happening at Petsmart in Lancaster.  When we look at a wild creature such as the bobcat or the coyote we are seeing our pets in reverse - untouched and not manipulated through man's understanding of DNA. You are seeing a creature as nature intended with all its instincts intact. They have both adapted to live in this harsh environment where food sources tend to be scarce. Maybe three, four or more days have passed since they have eaten last and that meal was nothing more than a squirrel that barely put a dent in an empty stomach. Suddenly, lil Fluffy is outside in the yard and they think they've hit the jackpot.

High prey drive is why certain breeds make great police dogs.

Over the course of the last few days, there's been alot of talk about the coyotes and bobcats. People are upset and that is understandable. Beloved pets have been attacked, a few of them even killed. We love our pets and when we lose one, it breaks our hearts. The collective cry is that we need to do something about the animals to protect our pets and our children. Since reading these arguments, I did a bit of research and here's what I found. Almost every state in our country has a population of bobcats yet over the course of history, very few attacks on humans (adults and children) have occurred. The few on record were results of two factors - people feeding the wildlife and then thinking they could approach and touch the animal and animals with rabies. However, in the U.S. there are approximately 3-5 million people attacked by domestic dogs every year, averaging 20 deaths per year.  A child is much more likely to be hurt by a domestic dog then a bobcat. In fact, statistics prove that your family dog or your neighbor’s dog is a hundred times more likely to kill someone then a bobcat.  There is a greater risk when it comes to attacks on humans from coyotes - a few coyotes have become increasingly aggressive toward humans. They will stalk and even attack children or adults, or attack pets being walked on a leash by their owners. More than 160 such attacks have occurred in California since the 1970s, and they are becoming more frequent, particularly in suburban areas of Southern California. However, the coyotes on base have not displayed this type of aggressive behavior and tend to shy away and flee in the presence of humans - So, eliminating a majority of the risk of attack on humans, we're left with little Fido.  All the dogs that have been attacked on base are small dogs, on average weighing below 15 lbs (and many weighing closer to the 3 to 7lb range). Coyotes and bobcats are both opportunist predators - they're going to go after something small that they can snatch and run with until they are in a safe place to enjoy the spoils. The bottom line is - the smaller your pet the more of a target it is.

Everyone who moves into housing on base is given information regarding the wildlife on base.. In it, it tells you what wildlife is on base and what one should do in order to avoid problems with them. Housing made sure you knew that the bobcats and coyotes were here, they weren't afraid to enter your yard and they would indeed make a snack of your pet if given the opportunity. We're told not to leave pet food and water outside and to keep our trash can lids shut to avoid attracting predators. But most important was do not leave your small pets unattended outdoors. However, many of us are too busy to take heed to this important piece of information. Fido has to pee and so we open the sliding door to the back yard - after all, there's a 6 foot brick fence back there - and figure in 10 minutes we will open it back and let Fido back in.. Or maybe we have a doggy door installed so that we do not have to be inconvenienced when Fluffy needs to go out. It only takes one moment of opportunity for your pet to be gone or attacked and in dire medical need. Then, how do we respond?? By throwing up a cry of alarm - the wildlife is out of control and there needs to be a solution to protect our pets.  Some suggestions were just plain ridiculous - I saw one person say they were going to grab a kitchen knife and go find a bobcat or coyote and stab it to death.. But more logical, the talk turned to shooting them with paint ball guns as a mean to "train" them to stay away from our property. It is said that what bit of physical pain they would experience would be worth it for the safety of our pets. However, there's one piece of information that seems to be missing - the contents of paintballs is lethal to animals when ingested. This little tidbit doesn't matter so much with coyotes but when it comes to bobcats who meticulously groom themselves by licking, its a whole different scenario. Shoot a momma cat who then returns to her den of older kittens and the paint transfers on to them and they then groom themselves and next thing you know, all are dead. The contents of paintballs are an osmotic diuretic and will cause acidic pH in the bloodstream.  This means that the chemicals within paintballs will pull water from all parts of the body into the gastrointestinal tract resulting in an increase in sodium in the bloodstream.  Osmotic movement of water out of the brain and increased sodium will results in neurological signs. Basically, we're talking about a very slow, agonizing, painful death - vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, blindness, elevated heart rate, seizures, coma and eventually death unless medical intervention is given.

Humans act as if we are superior to all of the other creatures we share this planet with. We kill off entire ecosystems, hunt animals for the pure sport of it which often has resulted in entire species being killed off, and we build homes in areas where established wildlife habitats exist. But animals do not understand that fences are meant to keep them out and until people realize that the changes that need to be made are with them and not the animals, nothing will eliminate the attacks. So long as people allow their smaller pets outside unattended, pets will be attacked.  The fence does nothing to prevent attacks, if nothing else it just makes it much more convenient for the predator because your pet has no means of escape.

Cute as can be - but leave me alone and you can just call me "Snack"

So what is the solution?? Plain and simple - supervise your pets when they are outside. It only takes a matter of seconds for Fluffy to become part of the food chain - and contrary to belief, yes, poodles, yorkies and chihuahuas are part of the food chain. Don't let your dog out alone. Take a handful of pennies, put them in a coke can and seal it shut with duct tape and carry that with you when out with your pet. If you see a coyote or bobcat, start shaking the can, wave your hands and make noise.  Get your pet and bring it inside. Or, better yet, take your pet outside the front door, on a leash and stand there while it does its business. It might be an inconvenience but it is the responsibility you took on when you bought/adopted a small dog. Don't be lazy and install a pet door and give your dog free roam to your back yard whenever it wants unattended - your just asking for kitty to make a meal out of your pooch and you won't even know what happened.  Small dogs are ill equipped and defenseless against the sharp claws and teeth of a predator outweighing it by 30 lbs, it's our job to protect them.  Wildlife should not be punished because we are inconvenienced by this responsibility - but if we do what we are suppose to do we will significantly reduce the number of attacks on our smaller pets and the wildlife will learn that there's no easy buffet to be found in your back yard..

Until next time ......

EDIT:  On a personal note,  It was brought to my attention, there is a fundraiser being held in order to help raise funds to cover the veterinarian care costs for the dog who survived the attack earlier this week.. So I'd like to go ahead and include a link to that page now - I'm sure the family would be greatly appreciative to any help.. I know they have been hit by a streak of bad luck lately and a small miracle from generous hearts would make a huge difference.

Funds For Onyx

The Start of Something New

If you've managed to stumble upon this blog, let me welcome you.  You're about to enter a world few people can truly understand until the unfortunate experience of having your husband receive orders to this God Forsaken place. A place from straight out of the Twilight zone where very few are fortunate to escape for some time after first passing through the gate. A dimension where Joshua trees, coyotes and bobcats are the norm, where rain rarely falls and the nearest town equates to twenty minutes of vast expanse of nothingness. Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base.

Edwards AFB - Wish You Weren't Here

One may ask why did I decide to write this blog, what I care to accomplish. Let me begin by addressing what this blog will NOT be.. Many military wives by now are probably well acquainted with the facebook page known as Oversensitive Military Wives (OSMW).  That is NOT what this blog is aiming to be. This blog will not be a way for me to belittle, bash or embarrass anyone in particular who lives at Edwards AFB. Instead, I would like to maybe establish more of a running commentary of life and events that occur here, like an editorial normally found in a newspaper. These writings will be my opinions of various topics that effect those living on the base. It will not be used to criticize the Command on base - I am not a military member and as a spouse I do not feel I have the education to write regarding the military aspect of the base. I plan to write regarding topics that affect the spouse side of living here. Yes, there will be posts from time to time that will discuss wives on this base - but they will be discussed in a collective manner. I will not use terms such as "dependapotamus" or anything derogatory of that nature. I will not criticize you if I saw you at the BX wearing pajamas and flip flops, no makeup, spit up on your shirt and Cheerios in your hair.  But as I notice opinions regarding topics being thrown around in various Edwards facebook pages, I might refer to general statements and opinions to show a different opinion to what I'm expressing or to elaborate on something I might not agree with. I will never use anyone's name unless its in regards to a news story that has been publicly released.  You will never have to worry about coming to this site and seeing a photograph of you plastered all over the current post.

Now would be a good time for me to take the opportunity to describe my writing experience. I've written numerous editorials for smaller newspapers in the past. While it may not be as impressive as being a headline writer for the LA Times, those articles were well received and at one point I was offered a regular editorial column. I studied Journalism in college for many years after writing for my high school newspaper.  Now, I spend time writing general fiction that has also been well received.  I have lived on Edwards AFB for a number of years now and have observed the dynamics that tends to develop between the people living here. I tend to be opinionated but honest - I try to view issues from different perspectives rather than lock myself into one opinion. I have known to be wrong and will be happy to admit it when this occurs.

If one takes the moment to look at my profile, you will find that I will refer myself to Jane Doe..  Writing anonymously allows me to present my opinion without the influence of friends who may or may not agree with me. It gives me the freedom to express my ideas without holding back under the fear of what others may think. But, it also gives you (the reader) and I (the writer) the opportunity to interact one on one without any preconceived notions between us.  Consider this a reality version of "The Help".  I hope to entertain, to educate and to hopefully give you a place where you can make your opinions known.

I named this blog "Welcome to Edwards: Leave Your Brain at the Gate" for a reason.. This is not to insinuate that anyone living here is brainless. After being on this base for a few years, I've made a bit of an observation, one that is of nobody's fault but is a product of this base..  Before I reveal this observation, let me explain my rational so that you do not find offense in the statement.  This base is unfortunately situated in the middle of absolutely no where.  The nearest city with a Walmart is roughly 45 minutes away, the closest gas station is a good 15 miles from the gate. After 8pm (sometimes earlier) this base becomes a virtual ghost town. Want a burger at midnight? Jack in the Box is only 20 miles away but luckily they are open 24/7. There is very little to do here besides watch your garbage cans fly away in the 70MPH winds every Thursday afternoon. Those who newly arrive will have the excitement of sonic booms causing them to jump out of their skin on a daily basis but after a few months here, that novelty quickly begins to wear off. So, unfortunately, people begin to have to look for things to do to entertain themselves.  I pray if you are new here that you have deep pockets because about the only thing to do on base is buy things from direct sales parties. Body by Vi, Avon, Scentsy, Dove Chocolates, Pure Romance, Body Wraps - if if can be sold, you'll receive multiple invitations by multiple venders each week - because there's nothing else to do. There are no jobs available on this base unless you are literally a rocket scientist. And so, the crazies start setting in.. Its not your fault - its a product of being on this base. People get frustrated, bored and many times discouraged from living here and it does affect them on emotional and psychological level. Hence, leave your brain at the gate - you're not going to need it when living here.

Don't Run out of Gas.. You got a long ways to go!!

If you're new to Edwards AFB or have just found out that your heading our direction, I'm so very sorry.  If you've been here for a while (and I know who you are as I can see the emptiness in your eyes when I pass you in the commissary) I'm doubly sorry and will pray that the powers that be cut orders to get you out of here. But until then, sit back, grab your morning coffee and lets trudge through this base assignment together. Sometimes you might spit coffee on your keyboard, sometimes you might have steam coming from your ears but I think I can promise you that it won't be boring.