Now is the Time to Shine
The recent hurricane has left many with nothing39 total reviews
Comment from gramalot8
I, like you, have been in earthquakes and tornadoes but never had any personal disasters occur directly upon me. I truly feel and hurt for Asheville and all affected by Hurricane Helene. Such greater destruction and devastation occurred than was initially expected.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
  |
I, like you, have been in earthquakes and tornadoes but never had any personal disasters occur directly upon me. I truly feel and hurt for Asheville and all affected by Hurricane Helene. Such greater destruction and devastation occurred than was initially expected.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
-
Hello gramalot *,
thanks for taking the time to review this post and commenting on it. I've never seen such a mess in one place, and unfortunately it sounds like the folks who are supposed to be helping out in the government are hindering more than helping. I hope that the good people of this country will step up to the plate and extend a helping hand. Lord knows they're going to need help for a long time to try and get back to normal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from estory
Your post articulates a feeling I have long had myself; that disasters come every year, and we all need to chip and help out when they come, because one day, it might be us on the receiving end. For this reason, I always give something to the Red Cross, for many decades now. I actually went through Sandy on Long Island, and just missed a few tornadoes around here in North Carolina, but this event in the mountains is far worse because of the destruction of infrastructure. This is not something that will ease up in a month. This will have to be a sustained effort, over maybe months and years. It will be a big challenge because usually this aid fades after a couple of weeks. Anyone interested in helping out can also give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. estory
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
|
Your post articulates a feeling I have long had myself; that disasters come every year, and we all need to chip and help out when they come, because one day, it might be us on the receiving end. For this reason, I always give something to the Red Cross, for many decades now. I actually went through Sandy on Long Island, and just missed a few tornadoes around here in North Carolina, but this event in the mountains is far worse because of the destruction of infrastructure. This is not something that will ease up in a month. This will have to be a sustained effort, over maybe months and years. It will be a big challenge because usually this aid fades after a couple of weeks. Anyone interested in helping out can also give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. estory
Comment Written 07-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
-
Hello estory,
thanks so much for the outstanding review. You're saying exactly what I've been realizing. A few dollars one time isn't going to cut it for the folks who have lost everything. As Americans, we have to step up to the plate and help where we can. Most of us have a good bit of disposable income, and one of the most unselfish things we can do with it is to help those in such desperate need. I applaud you for having a giving heart and know that you will be blessed for it.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from pome lover
You are truly a neat guy, Mr. Botts! But that is nothing new.
This is a wonderful call to fellow Fan Storians to open hearts and purses to the devastated people ruined by the hurricane.
I am hoping and praying November will bring fair election results and this nation, too, can start to heal. And also, that more needed help will be sent from our government to the hurricane victims. They will still be needing it, then.
Congratulations of receiving All Time Best, Tom! You deserve it.
Katharine
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
 |
You are truly a neat guy, Mr. Botts! But that is nothing new.
This is a wonderful call to fellow Fan Storians to open hearts and purses to the devastated people ruined by the hurricane.
I am hoping and praying November will bring fair election results and this nation, too, can start to heal. And also, that more needed help will be sent from our government to the hurricane victims. They will still be needing it, then.
Congratulations of receiving All Time Best, Tom! You deserve it.
Katharine
Comment Written 07-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2024
-
Hello Katharine,
thanks so much for the exceptional review gal. You're always so generous to me, and I appreciate it. Given the response by the government so far, I don't expect them to be much help. At this point, I think the best thing they can do is get out of the way and let the people who care take over, and stop being a hindrance to progress down there. I hope this will be a wake up call to the folks who feel like bigger government is better. The bigger they are, the more bloated and incompetent they become. Thanks for chiming in gal, it's always good to hear from you.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
-
I agree with what you say, and I thought your title was perfect!
I just don't understand how anybody could think Harris
/Walz could be good for a ring toss game, much less a country's government. But to change the subject, we are beginning to be a little cool in the early mornings, but it's still air conditioning weather going up into the 90s. I am so ready for cool weather.
Hope all is well at your house.
My granddaughter (and dog) has said she might come down today from Austin but no word from the little twit yet. I'm a planner, and like to know what to fix for meals and when to be home, and a few details like that. :)
We are ankle deep in acorns from our big oaks. This house has a large driveway in the front and I have swept and blown it until I'm blue in the face, as my mother used to say, and still they rain down. The squirrels are in hog heaven of course.
Well, take care.
fondly,
Katharine
-
Hi Katharine,
I don't know how you folks deal with the constant heat down there. It's cooled down here considerably, now it's in the upper forties for the highs. We've had several frosts so far this fall. Most of the leaves have fallen, which I hate so much. Our winters are so long and dark, but everyplace has to deal with something I suppose.
I'm not looking forward to the winter. I still need to go out and put away my garden hose and put protective covers on the hose bibs. My lawn could probably stand to be mowed again, but I've already run all the gas out of the mower, and I don't want the grass to be too short when the snow comes. A lot of lawns around here are freshly mown, and they look pretty yellow or brown. In the spring I'll thatch the lawn and maybe get someone to come in and cut plugs out of it so it can breath better. I love the way a lawn looks, but it's lots of work. That's OK though, its not like I've got a real job to go do every day.
I went to the Blood Bank yesterday to give them another pint. I like to do that every six weeks or so. I'm allowed to give five times a year I think. My son Ben is visiting right now, and he's on his way to give some B+ blood. Apparently there was a real need for it last week.
He's here doing some training for an instrument rating for flying. He's got a small plane down in Ketchikan and wants to be able to fly for one of the companies that flies tourists around in the summer I guess. I'm not sure how much longer he'll be here. One way or another it will come to an end when the weather gets foul, whether he's finished his course or not.
OK gal, I guess that's what I've got for now. Take care of yourself.
Blessings,
Tom
-
my daughter used to give blood like that several times a year. That's good of you to do that! Is your's and your son's blood needed locally? And what kind of plane does he have? I am full of questions. Sorry.
My internist's lab tech takes 5 tubes of my blood every three months it seems. I wonder how many tubes it takes to make a pint.
He gets paid for all the tests run from it - from my insurance - and It goes on for pages! Oh well, enough of that.
Now to your yard. I never heard of taking plugs out to air it? I guess that's what you do after a snow?
I don't blame you for not liking long dark cold months. I wouldn't like it either. Maybe you could write another book?
Speaking of books, have you been keeping up with Rachelle Allen's and Gretchen Hargis's story about being stuck in Amish country? I feel like I've asked you that before. Anyway, it's cute because each of them doesn't know what the other is going to write and they have to adjust, except I think Rachelle started it, so Gretchen has to follow her lead.
I bet you do have all kinds of hobbies to keep you busy all winter.
Well, take care, yourself, Mr. B. I love hearing from you.
Katharine
-
Hi Katharine,
blood, no matter the type, is always in demand. If they don't need it locally, it goes to Anchorage I believe and then ships throughout the state to wherever the need is. When I was giving the other day, the gal mentioned that last week a little boy in the hospital was in desperate need of the type of blood my son has, so he went down and gave it yesterday. It won't help the boy, but it will help someone else. I'm not sure how many vials make up a pint. I imagine it would take quite a few.
I'm not sure of the plane. I think it's a Cessna. It was built in 1956, but apparently planes aren't like cars. They don't get the same amount of use and so I guess they last longer.
Yes, I've been following that story, and I've been highly entertained by it.
I spend much more useless hours watching TV or movies in the winter. It gets dark so early that I get tired sooner and end up going to bed early and usually read. My youngest daughter, Autumn's mother in law wrote a book about her life in the Arctic. She and her husband lived up near Prudhoe Bay and homesteaded there for a number of years. They raised four boys and had to be self sufficient. I just finished reading it and it was quite fascinating. She's a small gal who had polio when she was young, but overcame umpteen obstacles and made a good life for her family. Good read.
The lawn plugs just allow more air and nutrients into the ground. The soil is shallow here, and full of rocks, as it is glacial till. It takes a lot of care to get a nice lawn.
Well, we had our first snow last night. Ugh! It stayed on the roofs, but not on the lawns so much. Still it's the beginning of sorrows. Oh well. Life in Alaska.
Take care of yourself gal.
Blessings,
Tom
-
ok, probably a dumb question, but why won't your son's blood help the young boy? He can't get it in time?
They won't let me give blood. I've forgotten why. I'm forgetting lots of things these days and I don't like it.
There's a really long and weird piece for The Thinker contest, called, It Must be a Camus, I just read it and I'm trying to comment on and I'm having trouble trying not to be too political. If you happen to read it, I'd love your opinion, but I warn you it goes on and on and on. I wanted the points and once I started it, I thought I might as well finish it, but I kinda wish I hadn't.
Your daughter's mother in law sounds like quite a brave and energetic gal, overcoming polio, and just life up there. Heavens! what a strong lady!
Well, I can't imagine snow. If you come across a good movie, let me know. I watch them too. Do you rent them or get them from the library?
Take care. I know you're enjoying your son's visit.
Katharine
-
Hi Katharine,
yes, the boy was in the hospital before Ben got here. I'm sure they got the blood they needed, as there are a lot of people in both the Wasilla area and Anchorage. However, blood is always needed. I wish those that could give would step up to the plate. Most people don't think of it though, unless they or a loved one needs blood. I think hospitals or whomever could do a better job advertising the need.
Honestly, I doubt that I'll look at that post. I've got 22 unread posts to read right now, and I don't have time to read a long drawn out article.
All the snow is gone now. We actually had a sunny, pleasant afternoon. I made some beef/vegetable soup today for supper. Frankly, it was delicious. This is soup weather. Jan made some sweet corn bread to go with it, and now I'm stuffed. I can never seem to stop at one serving.
Of course I don't know what kind of movies you like. One of my favorites is Meet Joe Black, starring Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. Its based on a book from the thirties titled, Death Takes A Holiday. It's much better than the book. We've watched all 8 or 9 Jessie Stone movies, starring Tom Sellick. On the darker side, I enjoyed watching Billy Bob Thornton playing a retarded man who killed his mother in Sling Blade. For a light fantasy, I enjoyed Star Dust. We watch a lot of movies. One last one you might enjoy is one titled August Rush. It was pretty good. Oh I almost forgot, I've watched One Day starring Anne Hathaway three times so far. I'll probably watch it again. Anyway, if you haven't seen those, I would recommend them, though you might not care for them like I do. Yes, we just go the library and get a handful every week. We watch lots of movies.
OK gal, you're probably in bed by now. Hope it cools down soon for you.
Blessings,
Tom
-
thanks for the movie suggestions, I will write them down and see if the libe has them. Tonight I watched one that was totally not what I expected, but then, I didn't read the plot, I just got it because of the actors. It was The Talented Mr. Ripley with Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other good people. Dark.
Don't blame you for not reading that FS post.
Your soup and Jan's corn bread sound delicious. I think it's so neat that you cook! My next door neighbor had the best corn bread I ever tasted in my life, though she called it a corn casserole, cut in squares. It's late tonight, but I'll send it to you to see what you think. I'm going to make it for sure.
Going to call it a night. Later.
K
Comment from Sally Law
Jack and I do and we are helping No Child Hungry this week as they deliver over 500,00 packed meals as well as toiletry kits to Ashville, North Carolina. From what I understand, they may have much more than that. Pray for this group because they will be leaving Tuesday and hurricane Milton is supposed to hit us on Wednesday, coming in at Tampa and across the state. We live in Central Florida, 90 miles east of Tampa. I just got out of the hospital too. Good heavens!
I so appreciate your call to help. People think their contribution has to be big. It doesn't. Together, things add up. Sometimes we just need to be creative and of course, we should always pray.
--Nochildhungry.net has a donation button. They are good people.
--Red Cross accepts cash, credit, checks and money orders. Most don't realize that. Specify that it is for Asheville, North Carolina relief.
--Samaratian's Purse is a great organization too, and is helping there too. I can't seem to find a link at the moment.
Thank you agu for sharing, my friend. It's a good thing!!
Blessings to you and yours.
Sal :))
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
|
Jack and I do and we are helping No Child Hungry this week as they deliver over 500,00 packed meals as well as toiletry kits to Ashville, North Carolina. From what I understand, they may have much more than that. Pray for this group because they will be leaving Tuesday and hurricane Milton is supposed to hit us on Wednesday, coming in at Tampa and across the state. We live in Central Florida, 90 miles east of Tampa. I just got out of the hospital too. Good heavens!
I so appreciate your call to help. People think their contribution has to be big. It doesn't. Together, things add up. Sometimes we just need to be creative and of course, we should always pray.
--Nochildhungry.net has a donation button. They are good people.
--Red Cross accepts cash, credit, checks and money orders. Most don't realize that. Specify that it is for Asheville, North Carolina relief.
--Samaratian's Purse is a great organization too, and is helping there too. I can't seem to find a link at the moment.
Thank you agu for sharing, my friend. It's a good thing!!
Blessings to you and yours.
Sal :))
Comment Written 06-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
-
Hi Sally,
thanks so much for the very thoughtful review gal. I'm glad you included a few other places to donate. I've been supporting Samaritan's Purse for years. If someone wants to donate they can click on their website. I don't usually donate anything over the internet myself. I like to send a check, as I'm old fashioned and want to make sure the full amount goes to the place I want.
I didn't realize you were in the hospital gal. I hope everything is alright. I think it would be better to be out of the hospital if you're going to have to deal with another hurricane. I'll be praying for you all down there. My older brother lives in Sarasota. He said they did OK on this last hurricane. I'm sorry that you guys are dealing with so much foul weather. God bless and keep you.
Tom
-
Thank you, Tom, yes,I'm home from the hospital recovering at home. Do pray as Hurricane Milton is heading for Florida as a Category 5 today. We need a miracle.
Blessings,
Sal :)
-
Will do Sally. God bless and keep you all down there.
Blessings,
Tom
Comment from LateBloomer
Tom, what you have written is heartfelt and most timely. Hurricane Helene has devasted the south. Asheville is well known and has been getting a lot of press coverage. There are so many other, smaller towns that have also been washed away with little or No warning. You are correct. Prayer is needed, and prayer is powerful. However, man cannot live on prayers alone. Now is the time for action. A time when everyone needs to dig into their pocket and give generously if they can, or give what they can afford. Eventually, the government will show up and step up, but it can/may/will take years to rebuild. Hurricane Sandy made a direct hit on my township. There were people who did not get back into their home for 10 years. Some people had to walk away from their home, and others sold the property for land value, resulting in a decrease in the township's population by around 10%(?). I'm sure that scene will repeat itself in NC and the other states hard hit by Helene.
Tom, thank you for sharing this and for heightening our self-awareness to do something. Well done; well stated. Margaret
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
|
Tom, what you have written is heartfelt and most timely. Hurricane Helene has devasted the south. Asheville is well known and has been getting a lot of press coverage. There are so many other, smaller towns that have also been washed away with little or No warning. You are correct. Prayer is needed, and prayer is powerful. However, man cannot live on prayers alone. Now is the time for action. A time when everyone needs to dig into their pocket and give generously if they can, or give what they can afford. Eventually, the government will show up and step up, but it can/may/will take years to rebuild. Hurricane Sandy made a direct hit on my township. There were people who did not get back into their home for 10 years. Some people had to walk away from their home, and others sold the property for land value, resulting in a decrease in the township's population by around 10%(?). I'm sure that scene will repeat itself in NC and the other states hard hit by Helene.
Tom, thank you for sharing this and for heightening our self-awareness to do something. Well done; well stated. Margaret
Comment Written 06-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
-
Hello Margret,
as always, it's a delight to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear that you folks were hit so hard by Sandy. I would imagine that sometimes its easier to take your losses and hope for the best. Of course that's never a good scenario, especially when so many people have their entire lives caught up in their town and their homes. Most of us have at least some extra income that we can give. Giving up the Starbucks or whatever for awhile or even passing on some dinners out. The people who are suffering don't even have a roof over their heads. How people respond to other's misery is a chance to determine their moral standing. I know there are those who are just scraping by themselves, in which case prayers are still so welcome and effective.
Have a blessed evening my friend.
Tom
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Hi Tom,
You've written a heartfelt plea to all of us to step up to the plate and put our money where our mouths are. You were eloquent and persuasive. Great job. Thank you for giving us ideas of where to contribute. It is a terrible tragedy, and may effect some of our own members.
Thanks again,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
|
Hi Tom,
You've written a heartfelt plea to all of us to step up to the plate and put our money where our mouths are. You were eloquent and persuasive. Great job. Thank you for giving us ideas of where to contribute. It is a terrible tragedy, and may effect some of our own members.
Thanks again,
Rhonda
Comment Written 05-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024
-
Hello Rhonda,
thanks so much for the delightful review gal. Sometimes we get complacent in our lives, caught up in our own problems. There is so much bad news on the TV that it's easy to overlook the serious suffering that others are going through. The folks in Asheville and other towns affected by the hurricane are going to need help for some time to come, and as time passes, they will be less and less in the spotlight, but unfortunately they will be still dealing with the issues of rebuilding their lives from nothing. I hope we can all remember them both now and in the future.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
As ever, Tom, you hit the nail on the head and I'm reminded of Catherine Pulsifer's quote: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they want to be." A small effort or gesture is a start. Your compellingly expressed story reminds us of our responsibility as a community to help each other in practical terms as well as simply offering sympathy. There should never be a road closed as you so symbolically illustrate in your visual. Well done,Tom! A virtual six from me. Take care Debbie
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
|
As ever, Tom, you hit the nail on the head and I'm reminded of Catherine Pulsifer's quote: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they want to be." A small effort or gesture is a start. Your compellingly expressed story reminds us of our responsibility as a community to help each other in practical terms as well as simply offering sympathy. There should never be a road closed as you so symbolically illustrate in your visual. Well done,Tom! A virtual six from me. Take care Debbie
Comment Written 05-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
-
Hello Debbie,
Thanks so much for your very kind words gal. I'm honored by the exceptional review. We all have within us the ability to be a hero. Obviously there are some who just aren't in a position to go to where the trouble is and assist, which is fine. The need for everything from tarps to generators to bottled water will be an ongoing thing for awhile, and for that, money will be needed. I hope that those that can will donate, keeping in mind that most of us are just one disaster away from financial ruin. For the people who just can't donate, we all can pray. The bible mentions that the effectual prayers of a righteous person avails much. There is a lot of power in prayer.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Thesis
TB, I agree with everything you said in this post. If we cannot help those in need, we have lost all compassion and become uncaring. Whatever one can give to help another is appreciated more than people thing. Good job sharing this!
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
|
TB, I agree with everything you said in this post. If we cannot help those in need, we have lost all compassion and become uncaring. Whatever one can give to help another is appreciated more than people thing. Good job sharing this!
Comment Written 05-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
-
Hello Thesis,
thanks so much for the wonderful review and the extra star. When a disaster strikes, there will always be those who will see it and feel bad for those affected, and while sympathy is good, it doesn't do much to help fix the problem. When we're left with nothing at all, anything is welcome, no matter how large or small. Of course prayers are needed, not only for the people affected, but for the volunteers and organizations, for their safety and wisdom in the best way to use the resources.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Sanku
Very true .In this case as is in all the other cases , what is needed is not just prayers. Organising food ,clothes and medicines becomes the high priority .In India what we do is to collect food stuff, medicines ,clothes and blankets and send them over to affected area .Doctors volunteer and Charitable organisations helpin building and repairing homes...
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
|
Very true .In this case as is in all the other cases , what is needed is not just prayers. Organising food ,clothes and medicines becomes the high priority .In India what we do is to collect food stuff, medicines ,clothes and blankets and send them over to affected area .Doctors volunteer and Charitable organisations helpin building and repairing homes...
Comment Written 05-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
-
Hello Sanku,
thanks so much for the great review. The need of people to help each other out is universal. We have to choose to have compassion, but it's something we all can do. I'm encouraged by your review, thanks for sharing that.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Excellent points.
I wish evil-hearted politicians would not be given air time.
I wish insurance companies would do the right thing.
After Katrina, insurance companies used wind vs water to wiggle out of paying. I'm sure there will be a lot of mountain NC and TN people w/o flood insurance.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
|
Excellent points.
I wish evil-hearted politicians would not be given air time.
I wish insurance companies would do the right thing.
After Katrina, insurance companies used wind vs water to wiggle out of paying. I'm sure there will be a lot of mountain NC and TN people w/o flood insurance.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024
-
Hello Wayne,
thanks for pointing out the glaring faults of insurance companies as well as the incompetence of the government in dealing with issues that they have taken money from the populace to deal with. We can't depend on either entity to do the right thing. We need to be able to count on our fellow man for help.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
