Month: October 2024

Looking for Normalcy

| Flower Roberts

I needed to focus on what has not changed this morning. It has been troubling to follow the updates about Hurricane Helene’s damage.

I wanted a photo of my Pink Muhly Grass in the morning sun.

Pink Muhly grass


Then I spied last fall’s mum thriving along the side of the house.


Before I knew it I was out in the yard in my new house shoes and without my stick.


The Lablab purpureus is still blooming and making purple pods.

Lablab purpureus


The purple ginger is blooming again.

Purple Ginger


I will relish these sights as I go through my tasks.


Well, maybe not this one.

Wet and dirty…now that is normal!

FlOWER

My Tiny Friends

| Flower Roberts

There are two chipmunks that stay close to the house. Stubby has a short tail and Flash is fast as lightning. They both were on the deck this morning gathering acorns which constantly fall from the giant oak above. This is what I have referred to as the Magic Tree in past posts.

FLASH


This gorgeous tree has its roots in the septic lines so it has grown three times as fast as its neighbors. It seems to be leaning over the house now. I will stop there.

The Magic Tree full of acorns


Anyway, the acorns are plentiful and noisy. You cannot sit outside without threat of a ping to the head. Many times they bounce and hit the glass doors.  This bounty is a boon for my tiny friends who stuff their jaws full and run to stash their booty.

This is what goes on here as the planes and helicopters fly overhead to help victims of Helene.


Friends around me and helpers overhead.
Life is good.

FLOW

The Quiet After the Storm

| Flower Roberts

I have done about all I can do at this point. I have donated supplies and money. I have offered showers and shelter.
Rose is sending supplies to displaced friends directly. They are safe but with almost nothing to wear. Think of starting over with nothing.
It is hard not to feel guilty as I rest comfortably today after a busy week of headless chicken mode.
Both hips are healing well. I have carefully gone down steps and took my first shower standing up. The pain reminded me to back off a bit.
The world has changed again. I am happy to see humanity at work and furious to see rumors of false information.

We must be our very best during the worst of times.

The feature is of my walker I painted glossy plum for my 45th class reunion. I colored my white hair, too. I could not stand the thought of showing up looking old. It might depress my classmates, you see.

Did I dance? Only once…with my walker. I will always be a fool for my friends.


FLOWER

A Basket from Ukraine

| Flower Roberts

A bright spot in all the chaos was delivered to my porch this week. My neighbor texted me that an infant carrier had arrived. I was afraid a mistake had been made.

It was not an infant carrier. It was a flower harvesting basket from Ukraine.

I order things from all over the world through Etsy. I find hand-made buttons brooches that are unique.


This basket is a beautiful masterpiece. I will haul cut flowers in it for years to come. I do not plan on using it to haul any infants.



FLOW

Horrible Helene

| Flower Roberts

We are fine. We have power and water. I drive to a near-by Coffee Lodge to use the internet once each day.
The Statesville Airport is shipping supplies non-stop by way of pilots using their own planes and helicopters.

I sit out on my porch and watch them fly over headed north.
Many families are taking shelter at the KOA Campground off I-77 exit 45.
I have taken supplies to both sites.


Now, we are ordering from Amazon and shipping supplies directly to friends in need and the airport has a wishlist.


I will try to share it below


Thousands of folks in the south eastern USA need help. This will not be over anytime soon.
I will stay busy to prevent going crazy.

FLOW

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jfyRM6qbJ45c9A96/

I think our airport is overwhelmed.

They have shared other links and addresses.

HELP ANY WAY YOU CAN

The Hope is in the Help

| Flower Roberts

Parts of North Carolina and Tennessee have been destroyed. I had to stop scrolling and do something.


The Statesville Airport is going full throttle sending out supplies. The private planes fly cargo to the Hickory Airport where the boxes and bags are transferred to helicopters which head to the mountains where help is critical.


They have a list of what is needed. I loaded up all my Amazon boxes with the help of my neighbor, Nancy, and drove to the supply line. I even included Barley and Charlotte’s pet carriers.

Poptop cans do not need a can opener.

I just bought two of my favorite lanterns and put in new batteries. Imagine that kind of darkness!


A plane took off while we were unloading. Cheers rose from the helpers. I hugged the lady as the last box was lifted from my vehicle.


Sometimes we have to BE THE HOPE.
I hear planes and helicopters flying over my house to head up river to Hickory. I love the sound. That is what hope sounds like.


HOORAY for the HELPERS

FLOW