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

The Dawn of the Day After

| Flower Roberts

Helene lived up to the second L that I gave her. It was hard to sleep after scrolling photos of all the devastation and wondering what was silently floating past in the darkness.
I crept out at dawn to a glorious sky full of stars and a moon that looked like a smile. The calm after the storm is both un-nerving and comforting, like chit chat at a funeral.
The insects were singing. I could see the silouette of our local deer herd grazing on the wet grass.
What will the sun expose?
I will share some photos of the unmanned boat and boathouse parade of yesterday evening.

This is one of many boathouses. If you are missing one, head south. Watch out for massive amounts of debris. It has been mayhem on the river.
Loose Pontoon

This pontoon came by three times. The island splits the flow of the river. We saw it pass, circle back up river, then get caught in the  main current again.

We are thankful to be safe, high on a hill. Our power was restored after only twelve hours. Grateful for every little thing as the sun rises on a new day after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

I will add my thoughts that not only do I believe in death and gravity, but I am a firm believer in the power of weather and water.

FLOW SAFE & DRY

Hellene in Swing

| Flower Roberts

We are being visited by Hellene with her wild wind and crazy rain.
The river is high, brown and choppy. This ribbon of water will be a parade of debris, loose boats and boat houses later.
We have been here a long time. Long enough to not be surprised by the power of water and wind.
What happens is beyond our control. All we can do is watch the show and clean up the mess when its over.
I will have my camera ready for action. Until then, I will watch the trees dance wildly then stop abruptly…like the music ended only to begin again suddenly.
FLOW

Just One Butternut

| Flower Roberts

It happens every summer without fail. One appears in my garden from the place where I buried compost. If more show up, they are removed. It takes just one you see.

Butternut on the move.
Butternut hanging around in the garden.

That one butternut vine winds its way around the garden, over and under the fences. It will not be contained.

Its gorgeous leaves hide its treasures. First they are a lovely green. Then they ripen to a color I call babydoll beige.

This year’s haul from one butternut.

That is when they are ready to be removed. We harvest all the butternut squash and haul away the massive vine, about the time of the equinox.


We store our stash in a cool, dry place. These are the winter’s vitamins and sunshine soups. All from one butternut.

FLOWER  is still trapped on the deck and using a walker.

RAILING ARRIVES TOMORROW!

Stay tuned.