Hurticane Helene 2024

After the Water

| Flower Roberts

I wondered if Alice was concerned about some special plants that she treasured most. Her answer surprised me. “No” she said “I will miss them all being together.”

Drowned garden after the water

This is why her garden glows. She sees the plants as part of a mosaic. Alice designs a living,  green community. She makes tapestries of flowers and leaves.

Alice and her Mexican Sunflower.

I have to admit I have never thought this way. I garden one plant at a time. I guess that’s the biologist in me. This thought is so new! I am glad I am not on the river right now. I would be tempted to hobble out with a shovel to rearrange my colors and textures and heights.

I did finally get Alice to name several plants that she was happy to see come up after the flood. A Lenten Rose from her mom survived. It is small with crumpled leaves, but is putting out new leaves. She was also glad to see the white Clematis that she rescued from a construction site. This photo is my favorite from all the ones I took. It looks like a shining star.

Rescued White Clematis

A redbud and dogwood came through unaffected. An azalea survived but looks sick.

Dogwood thriving

Two pink Star Gazer lilies came up in pink profusion.

Looking at Alice’s garden gives no hint of the past disaster. She said she bought bags of wildflower seeds and threw them everywhere. Alice healed her garden, and maybe herself, with bulbs and seeds. I would need that, too. I have said many times “My hope is green!”

Queen of the Night

I bet Alice and Palmer would say that, too. I know ‘My Friend the Fairy’, Madge would second that. She gave me the Cereus. All this is probably her doing.

My Friend the Fairy, Madge

Talking with Alice and Opal has filled my head with stories that came back to me as I marveled at the many changes that they have navigated through. I thought of changes in my own life that I neither caused nor expected. We all have our own hurricanes and floods. We all must survive hardships that show up uninvited. I guess that’s why Alice’s garden and Opal’s lamp meant so much to me.

I get it. This rising up after a storm. Do you?

FLOW

Alice Underwater

| Flower Roberts

I knew that Alice’s garden must have been flooded by Hurricane Helene last September. I asked her for a blow by blow of the events leading up to her evacuation. I was on the edge of my seat. I could not even take notes. It was like hearing about an apocalypse. She says she is just now confronting the trauma.

Water rushing by her raised deck.

I inquired about exactly what moment she  knew it was time to leave. She said it was when she took this picture of her pumpkin floating. Alice said she ran to grab some valuables and when she opened the door to run out, water rushed in.

Let that sink in readers. (No pun intended) Water rushing into your home. I closed my eyes and asked her to describe the water. It was moving, nasty and dark she said.

We sat in silence. Her home was no longer her priority, her safety was. She drove to higher ground as debris floated past in the dark flow in the streets. Whoa!

Here is Alice showing how high the water got on her lovely home and garden. She said there was also a storage unit of family art and a camper stored near a river that were also a concern. I cannot imagine how scattered her thoughts must have been, with one goal; front and center…GET HIGHER!

Alice showing the high water mark during Hurricane Helene September 2024.

This brave woman was telling this without breaking down. This is grit people!

She could have walked away and started over, but home is home. I asked many questions about when she decided to replace her precious garden. This is when I wanted to cry. She had already ordered bulbs before the hurricane. She opened the packs and planted them as soon as the water receded. Any bare spot got a bulb. I told her it seemed like she was dressing a wound. She agreed. There was no choice made. Like a mama healing a hurt child, she moved forward. She filled the emptiness and healed the wounds and moved forward with a faith that I marvel at.

Bulbs as bandages.

Think of it Readers. I did not stop to leave a note at a recovering garden. I stopped to visit a gorgeous garden. The most lovely garden I have seen in this town. Little did I know I would be hearing a tale of resilience and survival…not gardening tips…but LIFE tips. Once in a while this world gives you more that you asked for. That is what happened when Lucy and I met Alice and Opal.

Bulbs and a resilient redbud.

This amazing woman that the Universe chose to connect me with is a beacon of hope for ALL who struggle. Who of us can say our home was full of brown water and our garden drowned and survived to thrive? Alice can!

Next post is about when the water receded and what plants survived. This is so inspiring. Go plants!!!

Goosebumps again!

Alice you are a WONDER!

FOWER…your biggest fan.

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

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