Cars Floating Down Wall Street or Timeout for Sandy

If you live in North America and weren’t under a rock somewhere, you knew Hurricane Sandy was coming. It’s now come, and the full brunt of its aftermath has yet to be determined. Surfing the Net is not a good way to get some idea and especially a bad idea if you have two precious considerations smack dab in the middle of the thing. If I had a nickle for the pictures I’ve seen that have put me in panic mode, I could buy a nice dinner. Even the ‘fake but awesome’ pics couldn’t lighten my mood:

A few news entities have taken it on themselves to verify what was real. Check out The Atlantic’s coverage of the real and fake photos from Sandy.

Thankfully, SO and I have just finished Skyping with the ‘considerations.’ They told us about cars floating down Wall Street, that they themselves are fine, are actually in a good part of Manhattan, and do not need to go anywhere today. I hope they stay in that apartment! SO told them he was much more concerned about the freaky things people do in these situations than about the elements. And I heartily agree. But he and I also know that they are too much like us, and it would be completely in character for them to go out and check the scene and see what they can do to help. Argh! Yeah, I think I really did just say argh.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are in a bad place with this storm, and hopefully, there will be aid coming soon. I will update this post with information about where those who are inclined can help out.

One last thing. Thank you to those of you who live in the NYC area and offered to lend assistance to my girls. You will never know how much that means to me and my husband!

October 30, 2012
Categories: SO, Timeout . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 8 Comments

Is This Normal?

My sane self keeps rearing its ugly head. It’s been in control for almost two weeks now and has prompted me to organize my basement. I always said if I was organizing the basement, I didn’t have enough to do. Actually, it’s more serious than that. With the fires that have been raging around me (some way too close for comfort), it dawned on my slow self that if a fire hit, I needed to be ready.

Not being one bit funny now. I’ve actually been participating in efforts designed to help those who have been devastated by the fires. Some of it is to provide places to stay even a few hours away as I am. And it’s been painful to hear of their loss. I can do no less than help them any way possible.

Perhaps you can help as well — with your finances if not with your time and other resources. Red Cross is always a good choice for helping, but the Salvation Army has been consistently on the ground in this situation, and there are other groups helping. I’ll send along information if you’re interested.

And thank you for anything you can do including your prayers.

July 2, 2012
Categories: Timeout . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

Timeout for New Zealand — a year ago

It’s stunning to me the earthquake in New Zealand occurred a year ago today, and I’m embarrassed to admit I probably would have paid little attention to its aftermath if not for Richard Armitage. But what a difference a year makes. Since ‘The Hobbit’ began filming there, I have met some very lovely New Zealanders, and they have made my association with the country personal.

It occurred to me early this morning how much I feel a kinship with the Kiwis, and really all of the people in that part of the world, when I was reading about experiences during the quake.

Famous Cantabrians’ quake experiences

Cullen Smith | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 6:00

Renowned Christchurch children’s author Margaret Mahy, OBE, was on the move in Beckenham when the quake struck.

“I was in a car going down Colombo St. I thought a wheel had come off but the driver, my helper and chauffeur Lisa Anson, said ‘no, it’s an earthquake’.”

The 75-year-old former librarian said they immediately headed back home to Governors Bay via Dyers Pass.

“We were a bit apprehensive. We didn’t know if the road was open or if we could get through. The earthquake was quite jolty.

Read the rest here.

Mark Hadlow’s situation in particular got to me. My father was in a plane crash when I was a kid. When we first got the news, it was fairly grim. The plane had been mangled almost beyond recognition. It was an hour before we knew if Dad was alive, and I will never forget the feeling of terror.

In our case, my father was very bruised yet able to walk away, but I know there were those in Christchurch who were not as fortunate as my family and Mark Hadlow’s. My heart still goes out to them. If I had it my way, there would be no death and destruction, and there would always be joy in the morning. It’s morning a year later, and I continue to pray that those so severely affected are able to continue healing. Knowing what I now do about the personality of the people from Down Under and Slightly to One Side, I’m confident they have it in perspective but still wanted to share my thoughts.

And a message of hope from their countrymen.

February 21, 2012
Categories: The Hobbit, Timeout . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

And Now for Tuscaloosa

Almost 300 tornadoes occurred on Wednesday and killed that many people and more. The last count I heard was 318 dead from the Southern U.S. to Canada with Alabama bearing the brunt of it and in particular Tuscaloosa. The devastation is overwhelming:

Chances are good that I know someone who was hurt or killed, and I’m sure I’ll be finding out very soon. I am and will be mourning those who died, praying for those left behind and looking for a way to help. It was helpful to me personally to remember what happened to another town that was devastated a few years ago (2007) — Greensburg, Kansas. Virtually the entire town was wiped out:

Greensburg, KS May 16, 2007 – The center of town resembles a bomb site twelve days after it was hit by an F5 tornado. Cleanup and reconstruction will take years. Photo by Greg Henshall / FEMA

Thankfully, Greensburg made a decision, and they were able to bounce back with help and forward thinking, and now it’s Tuscaloosa’s turn.

Greensburg today:

Some may think it’s a little too soon to say something about Greensburg’s comeback, but obviously, I disagree. Yes, there needs to be mourning for those who lost their lives, but there should always be a specter of hope while it’s occurring.

If you want to help the victims of the tornadoes, I’m putting my plug in for Samaritan’s Purse, which is an organization I’ve been involved with and supported for several years. They have very low overhead; almost everything goes to those in need. The best part of their help is the people who come with it. The ones I’ve known are doing it as an act of love, and it’s obvious. There is also the Red Cross who always needs donations to continue their help, and I’m sure Greensburg will be doing their part to help.

For more information on Greensburg, please visit their site GreensburgGreenTown.org

April 29, 2011
Categories: Timeout . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 15 Comments

Timeout for New Zealand

Last time I had a timeout was for something devastating in Queensland, Australia. I’m sorry to say that this is something devastating as well. Since Richard Armitage is in New Zealand, I am probably more aware of what’s going on there than I would be. However my sensitivity came about, my thoughts and prayers are with those in Christchurch who have experienced a significant earthquake.

And it is a testament to our present age that I and many others could learn so quickly about this through first Twitter and then YouTube. I hope that speedy knowledge will help facilitate aid to those people.

I don’t know what’s going on in NZ, but I saw this video not long after the quake, and it looks pretty bad:

There are reports that people are possibly trapped under the rubble.

edit: Sadly, death’s have been confirmed.

I will update with any information about sending aid.

For those looking for friends and loved ones, Google has set up an application to help.

Update: here is a link to TheOneRing.Net’s piece about helping those in New Zealand.

February 21, 2011
Categories: Timeout . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 22 Comments