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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Fire Warning Spring Cleanup Can Start a Wildfire


Fire Warning Mowing and Weed Whacking Can Start a Wildfire


As a former volunteer fire fighter and K9 search and rescue team leader, I would like to let all of my readers know that in the windy dry weather conditions we are experiencing across the United States there is a danger to doing spring yard cleanup.



I want to ask everyone to Please try to do your best to prevent a fire so that you and neighbors do not have to evacuate or lose everything.  
 

As I write this article, we are experiencing an extremely windy low humidity day with very dry conditions due to less rain this spring season.  It’s perfect wildfire weather and there are many out of control fires burning in several states. 


Our county is under a Red Flag Fire Alert - meaning the possibility of a wild fire starting is much more likely due to the weather.  We are also under a Burn Ban - meaning Do Not Burn anything until further notice. 


We were going to yard work today, rake or blow leaves, weed whack and mow for spring cleanup but I decided to follow my own instinct and experience to wait for a better day. 


I came inside to write this article instead.  Here are a few facts that may help you prevent a fire from starting.  


Please be careful outside. 


Yes, it is spring cleanup time of the year but mowing dry grass can potentially start a fire, especially during hot dry and extremely windy conditions like we have in many parts of the country.  


Fire Hazard:


Dry grass, especially when tall and "cured" (brown and brittle), is a significant fire hazard. 


Ignition:


These sparks can easily ignite dry grass, especially if the grass is very dry and the conditions are hot and windy. 


Sparks:


Lawn mowers and weed whackers, yard tractors and 4 wheelers can generate sparks from the engine, exhaust system, or when the blade or a metal part strikes rocks or other hard objects. 


Other Fire Hazards:


Besides yard equipment like weed eaters, even chainsaws, and vehicles parked in dry grass can also pose a fire risk. 


Additionally, camp fires and recreational fire pits should not be used. 


Prevention:

  • To reduce the risk of fire, it's important to: 


Mow during cooler hours: Early morning is generally the safest time to mow. 


Avoid windy or dry conditions: Do not mow when the weather is excessively dry or windy. 


Keep grass short: Trim grass and weeds to a height of 3" or less, especially within 100 feet of buildings or fences. 


Be cautious with yard equipment: Follow manufacturer's safety guidelines and be aware of potential fire hazards. 


Check for fire restrictions: Be aware of any fire restrictions or bans in your area.


Stay safe everyone and keep your dogs close! 


To prepare for evacuation please read my short but very helpful book here.   It’s free on kindle unlimited and audible. A paperback is available for a small fee to cover publishing on paper. 





Tuesday, February 15, 2022

My Books and Projects from the Covid19 Era 2020-2021

 Hi everyone, 

Oh what a year or two its been living through the Covid19 pandemic era with the the rest of the world!

we have all been touched by a change in our lives in one way or anything during this time and, we are going through the decline of Omicron variant, which isn't over yet. I wish you all the best in the coming days and years.

Although I have spent much of the last two years in self-imposed and sometimes state-imposed Covid lockdown I have managed to start and finish a few online writing projects while not having wifi and only using my phone iffy hotspot! 

Here's a couple projects I finished....





And I wrote and published a new 220 page dog training book! Yay!! 

Since publication the new book, Start Mantrailing has traveled around the globe helping people start dogs on finding lost and missing persons. 

Please leave a review of the books on social media or the book page
Thank you for visiting Family Disaster Dogs!

New Book Release Sept. 11, 2021

Release date set to honor 9/11 - K9 Search and Rescue Teams
 Also
The 10 year anniversary of Family Disaster Dogs books, blog and lesson

Sign up for updates at the pop-up window by reloading this page or 
email me for a book copy using the contact page

START MANTRAILING

TRAIN A DOG TO FIND PEOPLE

STEP BY STEP FOR FUN, SPORT AND WORK.







A share of book sales is donated to RRI North Scotland in appreciation and support for their cause. They provide trained operational dog teams that aid for missing persons.

Start Mantrailing is the 3rd book from USA search dog trainer and author 
Amber Higgins founder of Family Disaster Dogs


GO TO AMAZON FOR OTHER BOOKS BY AMBER HIGGINS CLICK

Plus I added an online store to my Family Disaster Dogs site where you can order all my books signed and delivered with a nice note directly from me. 
Here's the FDD books page  <<<click


The biggest news is I have found a great place in the countryside where I will be organic gardening, raising chickens and training a few dogs. I can't wait to share more alternative ways of doing everyday things with you here as I become more sustainable and self-sufficient myself !

I would like to welcome you to follow me and share any ideas you have for herbal medicine from the wild, growing food and sustaining our lives on this beautiful planet we call home..

Check back here for updates or visiting my author page on facebook, my dog site or any of the many other online ways to follow me. 

Have a great year 2022 everyone!

Cheers!





Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Journey the River to the Sea

Journey Down the River to the Sea



From the Mountains to The Coast 





The River meets the Sea


 Rivers bring water and life to the world's oceans

What do humans bring to this beautiful world?


Take a journey through 300 years of history and the settlement of America 
under the branches of a stately Oak Tree. 

From an acorn to old age, the forest changes with time from the arrival of native tribes
 and settler families on horseback to retirement homes on wheels 
as the modern age came to live life next to the old tree by the brook.









Like a River


Stay Safe Everyone in these Uncertain Times

Until we meet again,,,,,each step begins a new trail

Thursday, November 7, 2019

My Puppy Can Find Me by Amber Higgins

Does your child know what to do if they are lost?

Do you know what to do? 

Do you have a pet dog of any age,size or breed? 


Thank you for reading my blog, I'm based in the USA and this children's book is a 3 year project come to life Nov 1, 2019. During this book's writing journey I connected online with a wonderful talented dog cartoonist and graphic artist who happens to live across the pond in the UK. Together and with her unwavering help, the draft for this book's vision was created. 


After failed attempts unloading the drafts to Amazon which can be tricky to say the least, even after having self-published my other books without graphics. I was lucky to find and be accepted as 1 of 50 books released in 2019 under Waldorf Publishing- (Thank you BT !).
 

A special thanks goes out to these two talented women and everyone involved at so many different levels in the publishing world who brought this idea to life. Thank you! 

Read on to see how "My Puppy Can Find Me" picture book with illustrations from UK dog cartoonist shows the whole family what to do if a child is ever lost or missing and how a pet dog can find the child. 


Available worldwide online and in book stores everywhere.

My children's book is available directly from Waldorf Publishing



Help me spread the word by leaving a honest review on book's page, or in the comments below. Online reviews help online search engines find this valuable book. 
Please share so other families can learn how a dog can help find a child. 









A fun story teaches your child and pet dog to "Go find Mom!"

Celebrate!



My Puppy Can Find Me picture book is your child’s first step on an exciting learning experience that will teach them what to do if they are lost or find themselves alone. 

By reading this picture book with your children the whole family will learn what to do if they are ever separated or missing and how the family dog can be of assistance during emergencies. 

This new concept of dog training teaches search dog skills to family dogs for in-home family rescue and missing person emergencies. Your children will learn valuable lessons by doing these fun exercises that reinforce and teach the pet dog and family to work together during crisis situations to overcome fear and survive. 

The whole family learns how to use the family dog to the full advantage regardless of the age, size or breed of the dog. As a family member and part of the pack your dog always knows where each member of the pack is at, this is natural for the dog to know and we as dog owners only need to learn how to take advantage of this natural instinct our dogs possess.

See my USA Author page on Amazon 

Go to UK Author Page on Amazon

Email me to have a signed copy delivered to your door 

I hope you enjoy my new book ! 


Saturday, July 13, 2019

How to heal Sunburn and other uses for Tomato

Did you know that in 1893 the Supreme Court of the United States reclassified the Tomato as an official vegetable? Even though it is botanically a fruit and always will be and up until 1812 it was feared poisonous, like other members of the Deadly Nightshade family. The Tomato is now the most consumed fruit or vegetable in the US.
Photo by Alex Ghizila on Unsplash

Sunburn Remedy

As a healing herb, the Tomato has many uses. Peeled and sliced then soaked in buttermilk is helpful when applied directly to sunburned skin. Not only will this help the pain, it will also turn the redness to a moderate tan color. If you would rather not place the Tomato slices all over yourself, you can puree them into a cream.

Photo by Dennis Klein on Unsplash


Tomatoes can be used for to halt the festering of wounds and sores with good
results.

The Tomato contains a high level of potassium making them beneficial for
hypertension and it has been said they help build strength in those people who lack energy.

Tomatoes are known to stimulate the liver and help dissolve fat which may help
prevent hardening of the arteries.

Photo by Maja Petric on Unsplash



Monday, March 25, 2019

Alternative Avenues to Self Sufficiently

Alternative Ave

Alternative Living Articles

Information about living more Self Sufficiently

Safe and Natural Alternatives to Chemicals

Why ?



Using plants for healing and herbal cures can save money and peace of mind.
Many ingredients are safe for your family and already in your kitchen.
Saving money and making your family safe will make everyday life a little easier.
Every tip and hint found in the articles on this blog are time-tested and proven by many years usage
By the author, friends and neighbors

These articles are written from personal experience.
They are not copied here for you to find.
Some are very common recipes or remedies.

Others unknown and lost in folktales only to be brought back to life here for your enjoyment.

I penned a herbal healing newspaper column for two years in the 1990's

I will one day get those articles typed into the computer and here for everyone...they were originally typed on an old royal typewriter, I have the drafts and newspapers. Hard to believe after so many moves and miles and years,


yes I still have them :) pat me self on the back ...

Go to the home page for more!



Along with writing about Herbal Medicine and Folklore, I enjoy writing about Dogs and Puppies






Based on thirty years of professional experience

Master Groomer, Certified Search Dog instructor,

Pet trainer and Breeder of award winning

A.P.B.T, German Shepherd Dogs
And Bloodhounds

Thank you for visiting, liking and sharing !

Be sure and Bookmark in case you ever need a remedy!!


Check out my Books 
on










This site is for information purposes only.










La de da! 

Enjoy-
You Only Live Once!

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