Fall came in with a Splash (or Splat!)
Posted on October 3, 2024 by
Fall greetings to all readers! It has been wet weather with remnants of Hurricane Helene blowing through, but it is starting to dry and it is time to plan an autumn outing to Smith Mountain Lake. Upcoming events include the Charity Home Tour October 11-13 and the Chilifest on November 2.
It’s ok to walk on them
Just a quick recap, Jack and Karen recently returned from an annual vacation, this time returning with two Turkish carpets. Mind you, that the 9×12 full size costs about $30,000. Instead, we purchased a lovely, colorful runner that will adorn the welcome hallway (for far less) and a small area run that will most likely go in the corner where the rocking chair sits. One of them has already arrived.
We never cared one way or another about Turkish rugs, but the onsite presentation was so cool, it was a great sales pitch! They rolled out rug after rug, then flipped them to show how the colors change when laying in the opposite direction, like the nap in velveteen! All hand woven, it takes years to make these! I hated to walk on them, but the carpet makers encourage you to do so. Yikes!
To the left is the runner in place. The silk area run has no arrived. This vacation, rugs served as the art that we purchased on our travels this year. So there is nothing new on the walls!
Update on Miss Pine
With reference to “killing Miss Pine,” I didn’t kill her! She is flourishing. I just had given her the pruning she needed.
Karen continues to sing with the SML Boomer Band. There is a Facebook page for this band. Only playing for charity, this week, the band is plating at the Waterfront Country Club to benefit the Franklin County Humane Society. Next week, they will play for the Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council and November 15, for the SML Lions Club Scholarship Fund. Known for playing great oldies dance music, the band has a good following at the lake. (Photo was when the Boomers (roasted) played outside on the hottest day of the summer to benefit the Moneta Library).
Flooding and power outages
Last week we were without power for 6 hours. But it is nothing compared to one week or more without power in many parts of Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. Today Jack used his airplane to fly flood relief supplies. It is the least we could do. There is an airport in Concord, NC where pilots landed, gathered supplies, then flew to another site to deliver what they had picked up. The organization Operation Airdrop is the organizer.
Operation Airdrop
Of course everyone wants to do something to help with a disaster. Jack’s plane was among 100’s of airplanes flying into Concord, NC to pick up supplies. There was a team that met him, refueled him, asked how much load (in pounds) he could carry. He told them about 440 lbs. He accepted 446 pounds in the plane and headed to Ashe, NC. In comparison to the need, this was literally a drop in the bucket!
The most impressive part was the degree of organization that this operation carried out. He was on the ground a minimal amount of time. Many thanks to our airport owner at W91 (Moe) for providing fuel and accompanying Jack. The ride was stressful with so many pilots in the air. It helped to have another set of skilled eyes (and hands!) Some have asked how to help. If you are a pilot, check the link. We hear, however, that tomorrow may be the last day to donate to those particular locations. But we don’t know how long they will need pilots to fly supplies.
If you want to help after Red Cross and FEMA do their initial search and supply, then check with UMCOR in Western NC. There is an UMCOR in every area. They are a reliable organization skilled in rebuilding. It is far better to work through an organization than just loading up your car and showing up.
Even at Smith Mountain Lake, we are sending Flood Buckets. Bethlehem United Methodist collected for these in June to prepare, and now it is time to send them! Our church also sent prayer crosses. A group of crocheters at our church made them and prayed over them. Hoping they will bring some solace.
Life sure gives up things to deal with – and it is up to us to use our abilities, skills, and kindness to respond. Thank-you to all.