If there's one thing a writer doesn't need as a deadline closes in, it's a major interruption. One week ago, Hurricane Helene slammed into northern Florida on its way to a destructive rampage through Georgia and the Carolinas.
I'm going to put things into perspective quickly. I was without power for four days, without Internet service for five. I have one trunk of a shattered water oak down in my front yard. I lost the contents of my refrigerator and freezer. Inconvenient? Yes. Extra expenses involved? Yes.
Big deal.
My loved ones are accounted for and all are well. My pets are safe. My house and cars are intact. And I will make my deadline, though I'll have to push a bit harder to get there. (A shout-out to Bill Denver, BTW, for agreeing to license some of his beautiful photos of Holy Bull and friends that are part of his Equi-Photo collection.)
Those of you who can, please pray for those who are still awaiting word on whether loved ones have survived, those who are grieving deaths, and those who are now homeless or living in homes that need major repairs that many cannot afford. Pray for the volunteer organizations---the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization, and others---who are on the ground in the worst-hit areas and helping to provide basic supplies and recovery services. Pray that the volunteers will avoid injury and sickness as they clear yards; remove mud, soaked carpeting/flooring, and damaged drywall from homes; tarp roofs to prevent further damage; and provide evidence to storm victims that they are not forgotten.
If you are able, please consider providing financial support for storm relief as well. Times have been getting harder for most of us; for some, times just went from hard to horrible. (That being said, look out for scams; if you want to donate money, do it through a reliable organization, not something that you never heard of before that suddenly sends you a text or email.) No money to spare, but you're healthy? Blood banks are in great need of donations, and the process isn't all that painful or time-consuming. If you're in or near an area where power is still down and you have power, offer to let friends or neighbors who are still doing without come over to get a shower and do laundry. Small kindnesses mean a lot.
God bless and help us all.
I'm going to put things into perspective quickly. I was without power for four days, without Internet service for five. I have one trunk of a shattered water oak down in my front yard. I lost the contents of my refrigerator and freezer. Inconvenient? Yes. Extra expenses involved? Yes.
Big deal.
My loved ones are accounted for and all are well. My pets are safe. My house and cars are intact. And I will make my deadline, though I'll have to push a bit harder to get there. (A shout-out to Bill Denver, BTW, for agreeing to license some of his beautiful photos of Holy Bull and friends that are part of his Equi-Photo collection.)
Those of you who can, please pray for those who are still awaiting word on whether loved ones have survived, those who are grieving deaths, and those who are now homeless or living in homes that need major repairs that many cannot afford. Pray for the volunteer organizations---the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization, and others---who are on the ground in the worst-hit areas and helping to provide basic supplies and recovery services. Pray that the volunteers will avoid injury and sickness as they clear yards; remove mud, soaked carpeting/flooring, and damaged drywall from homes; tarp roofs to prevent further damage; and provide evidence to storm victims that they are not forgotten.
If you are able, please consider providing financial support for storm relief as well. Times have been getting harder for most of us; for some, times just went from hard to horrible. (That being said, look out for scams; if you want to donate money, do it through a reliable organization, not something that you never heard of before that suddenly sends you a text or email.) No money to spare, but you're healthy? Blood banks are in great need of donations, and the process isn't all that painful or time-consuming. If you're in or near an area where power is still down and you have power, offer to let friends or neighbors who are still doing without come over to get a shower and do laundry. Small kindnesses mean a lot.
God bless and help us all.