Katharine, I've been thinking of you and had made a mental note to check in with you. Then ... today ... this. Yay! So glad to hear from you and to know you've made it back to the land of the living. Our situation was similar to yours (washed out road, a collapsed bridge, etc.) but we got power a few days before you and our road has been stabilized, at least for now. I so understand about the weight loss and feeling cold. You and your nervous system have been through a LOT. Please take tender loving care of yourself. I look forward to hearing more from you as you process and reflect. Sending blessings from the other side of the mountains between us. (P.S. If I can help with editing/posting, etc., gimme a holler. My Internet is quite stable now.)
Jeanne, you did a great job of keeping us up to date. It's really good to know that you are safe. I was able to write Notes about Helene but you made whole posts. I think you and Janisse helped me consider that the goal is just to get the story out. Thanks for you. I bless the space between us. 💙🌎
I’m just now reading this, Katherine, but it’s so healing to read and hear about your journey. I like knowing that you’re out there and that we’re going through all this side by side!
Riah, have you read Birding To Change the World by Trish O'Kane? I read the book, and interviewed her about one month before Helene. (I wrote a few posts about her work.) She survived Katrina. It took her nineteen years to write Birding. She emailed me after Helene and said to sit and write, sit and write...every detail because we'll need them later. It took her three months before she came out of shock. I get that. Here for you, if you need anything.🩵
I was in Janisse Ray's Metaphor workshop today. Many of the 70 people on the zoom were affected by Helene. I am encouraged that we are writing and showing up for class. That we even had internet service! We ended with words about finding joy.
I am quieter than my normal quiet. I have fallen deeply in love with my pencils and journal as a way of writing myself back to some semblance of me. Or perhaps I should say the me that shows up after bearing witness to the importance of Rights of Nature for a reasonable future for all beings.
We received a fraction of the destruction and I'm storm-haunted. I am so deeply glad for you and for your missives from the frontlines. We have so many people in our farm running supplies up the mountain so if there is anything you need at all, please let me know and I'll do everything I can to get them to you.
These experiences are so profound, so mythic. They reach far back into what it means to be a human, and what it means to understand place in ways that many of us will never know. Ancient, deeply rooted, mystical, and so harrowing. I'm happy that you've come through, and your posts tell the story well. Blessings upon blessings for you and your community!
Mary, yes to all that you said. Thanks for being here. The ancient part is leading me through our geology. Apparently our mountains had landslides maybe one thousand years ago. And we have built on those landslides. I'm learning a great deal. Hard, hard learning but I understand my assignment. Jason Anthony did a fabulous job of writing the bigger piece that was in my mind and wrapping it around some of my notes. I highly recommend his piece called Unresolved. I cross posted it. Thanks very much for your subscription!💙
And sending love from Australia, where we too are visited by floods and fires beyond all previous records. The magnitude of the hurricane destruction you have survived is off all records, the stories and descriptions you share are urgent and needed. Moved beyond words by the ways your communities and neighbours have worked together. Thank you and go gently in your very changed world, respecting tremendous shocks you have all been through 💚
Happy to hear of these miracles and wisdoms. Your courage and resilience is true a heart-lift. I am not far from you here in NC, closer to the Piedmont than the mountains. Please reach out if there is anything I can do.
❤️ I am so deeply grateful that you have the words and the ability to share them. They bring and build connection to us all. I’ve been thinking and caring for you from this side of the county. My heart is both buoyed and on the verge of breaking on a regular basis but when I read your story it is a moment of buoyancy. Thank you for filling my heart with the story of community. The people we call home have been remarkable indeed. ❤️
Thank you for your thoughts from the other side of the county! We really do need that walk along the River! Thanks for way back when...when you told me I could write!💙🌎
Thank you for your stories, Katharine. It’s a privilege to witness your resilience and community. A living example of Rebecca Solnit’s “paradise built in hell.” Sending love from coastal Maryland. 💚
Sending love to you! Thanks for reading and commenting. I emailed the notice about Upaya with Terry Tempest Williams and Rebecca Solnit. We might collaborate on a piece about that.💙🌎
So glad to hear from you Katharine! Your experience is unique to me, mine of the storm survival meant evacuating to where I could get electricity to pump my C-Pap and other breathing equipment. I came home to Black Mountain on day 10 or 11 depending on when you count Helene of arriving. My apartment is intact and has elec. again and water in the pipes. I agree, many blessings seem to have happened, and so many volunteers both from our community and outsiders have helped all of us. Climate deniers are going to have a hard time dealing with this. We are the front line of this change, when we certainly thought it would be elsewhere! At least I did. The power of storms, of water and mud and wind are now leaving their mark on our emotions, our spirits, and our environment. I have little appetite and have lost a lot of weight just by living each day as it comes. I tell myself that I must eat. If I don't I'll not be able to think clearly. So that is a daily new thing in my life. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm so grateful that you are putting things into words.
Oh, Barbara!! I am happy to hear from you! Yes, it's hard to eat but I promise you -- if you focus on the protein, your lungs will thank you. I have to confess, I didn't think I could write about Helene. Other nature writers gave me the courage...this is a kind platform. I'm glad you are here. 💙🌎
Thank you, Katharine, for your open heart that is so courageous, and for sharing it with all of us. And for your belief that science should be shared in stories. I am so grateful you are okay, and am not surprised at all at your strength and resourcefulness. I’ve been thinking of you often. ♥️
My "old" friend (50+ years!), I have held you in my heart since this nightmare of Helene began for you. Knowing that you have been and are physically safe is good, but there is so much trauma that you've endured so far. I am looking for news of Black Mountain daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of you. Of course you are serving the community that you love and loves you; having such purpose helps us endure and, eventually, thrive. Sending you love and strength and so much more.
Deb! Yes, to purpose! Thanks for you. I feel the love. We are old friends, indeed. There are so many stories to tell, from the helicopter pilots who landed on our mountain to deliver water and Fritos (of all things) to the wild sound of crickets and tree frogs reclaiming their place in the world that first night. Nature gave me a library of tales. And some jobs to do. I love you. Katharine
Katharine, I've been thinking of you and had made a mental note to check in with you. Then ... today ... this. Yay! So glad to hear from you and to know you've made it back to the land of the living. Our situation was similar to yours (washed out road, a collapsed bridge, etc.) but we got power a few days before you and our road has been stabilized, at least for now. I so understand about the weight loss and feeling cold. You and your nervous system have been through a LOT. Please take tender loving care of yourself. I look forward to hearing more from you as you process and reflect. Sending blessings from the other side of the mountains between us. (P.S. If I can help with editing/posting, etc., gimme a holler. My Internet is quite stable now.)
Jeanne, you did a great job of keeping us up to date. It's really good to know that you are safe. I was able to write Notes about Helene but you made whole posts. I think you and Janisse helped me consider that the goal is just to get the story out. Thanks for you. I bless the space between us. 💙🌎
We survived 37 evacuations while living in Montecito California. My heart is with you. ❤️
Thanks for your heart, Gloria. 💙
Let me know if I can help you in any way.
I’m just now reading this, Katherine, but it’s so healing to read and hear about your journey. I like knowing that you’re out there and that we’re going through all this side by side!
Riah, have you read Birding To Change the World by Trish O'Kane? I read the book, and interviewed her about one month before Helene. (I wrote a few posts about her work.) She survived Katrina. It took her nineteen years to write Birding. She emailed me after Helene and said to sit and write, sit and write...every detail because we'll need them later. It took her three months before she came out of shock. I get that. Here for you, if you need anything.🩵
In my absence on here I did not know how deeply you and your community are suffering. I'm so sorry, Katherine. Sending love and hope to you.
That means a tremendous amount, Troy.
I was in Janisse Ray's Metaphor workshop today. Many of the 70 people on the zoom were affected by Helene. I am encouraged that we are writing and showing up for class. That we even had internet service! We ended with words about finding joy.
I am quieter than my normal quiet. I have fallen deeply in love with my pencils and journal as a way of writing myself back to some semblance of me. Or perhaps I should say the me that shows up after bearing witness to the importance of Rights of Nature for a reasonable future for all beings.
Thank you for listening and reading, Troy💙🌎
We received a fraction of the destruction and I'm storm-haunted. I am so deeply glad for you and for your missives from the frontlines. We have so many people in our farm running supplies up the mountain so if there is anything you need at all, please let me know and I'll do everything I can to get them to you.
Kimberly, thank you. It’s lovely to know that you all are there. Be well. Be safe.💙
These experiences are so profound, so mythic. They reach far back into what it means to be a human, and what it means to understand place in ways that many of us will never know. Ancient, deeply rooted, mystical, and so harrowing. I'm happy that you've come through, and your posts tell the story well. Blessings upon blessings for you and your community!
Mary, yes to all that you said. Thanks for being here. The ancient part is leading me through our geology. Apparently our mountains had landslides maybe one thousand years ago. And we have built on those landslides. I'm learning a great deal. Hard, hard learning but I understand my assignment. Jason Anthony did a fabulous job of writing the bigger piece that was in my mind and wrapping it around some of my notes. I highly recommend his piece called Unresolved. I cross posted it. Thanks very much for your subscription!💙
Thank you for writing about your experience and all you are learning through this. It is beautiful to see people coming together.
And sending love from Australia, where we too are visited by floods and fires beyond all previous records. The magnitude of the hurricane destruction you have survived is off all records, the stories and descriptions you share are urgent and needed. Moved beyond words by the ways your communities and neighbours have worked together. Thank you and go gently in your very changed world, respecting tremendous shocks you have all been through 💚
“go gently “
Sally, thank you for that💧💦🩵
Happy to hear of these miracles and wisdoms. Your courage and resilience is true a heart-lift. I am not far from you here in NC, closer to the Piedmont than the mountains. Please reach out if there is anything I can do.
That means the world. Thank you, neighbor. I think we share Janisse Ray as a teacher.💙🌎
❤️ I am so deeply grateful that you have the words and the ability to share them. They bring and build connection to us all. I’ve been thinking and caring for you from this side of the county. My heart is both buoyed and on the verge of breaking on a regular basis but when I read your story it is a moment of buoyancy. Thank you for filling my heart with the story of community. The people we call home have been remarkable indeed. ❤️
Holly!!! I'm so glad you're safe.
Thank you for your thoughts from the other side of the county! We really do need that walk along the River! Thanks for way back when...when you told me I could write!💙🌎
Yes! I’ve been working long hours helping our local business owners would love to get away for a walk! Let’s try for this week! 💙🩵
Consider it done!
I was going to re-open next week but the roads are not ready. Or maybe I’m not ready to bear witness daily.💧💦🩵
I will text you.
Thank you for your stories, Katharine. It’s a privilege to witness your resilience and community. A living example of Rebecca Solnit’s “paradise built in hell.” Sending love from coastal Maryland. 💚
Sending love to you! Thanks for reading and commenting. I emailed the notice about Upaya with Terry Tempest Williams and Rebecca Solnit. We might collaborate on a piece about that.💙🌎
So glad to hear from you Katharine! Your experience is unique to me, mine of the storm survival meant evacuating to where I could get electricity to pump my C-Pap and other breathing equipment. I came home to Black Mountain on day 10 or 11 depending on when you count Helene of arriving. My apartment is intact and has elec. again and water in the pipes. I agree, many blessings seem to have happened, and so many volunteers both from our community and outsiders have helped all of us. Climate deniers are going to have a hard time dealing with this. We are the front line of this change, when we certainly thought it would be elsewhere! At least I did. The power of storms, of water and mud and wind are now leaving their mark on our emotions, our spirits, and our environment. I have little appetite and have lost a lot of weight just by living each day as it comes. I tell myself that I must eat. If I don't I'll not be able to think clearly. So that is a daily new thing in my life. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm so grateful that you are putting things into words.
Oh, Barbara!! I am happy to hear from you! Yes, it's hard to eat but I promise you -- if you focus on the protein, your lungs will thank you. I have to confess, I didn't think I could write about Helene. Other nature writers gave me the courage...this is a kind platform. I'm glad you are here. 💙🌎
See how my brain is out of kilter...lastSunday the 13th of Oct. was at least day 17!
Protein, my friend!
Thank you, Katharine, for your open heart that is so courageous, and for sharing it with all of us. And for your belief that science should be shared in stories. I am so grateful you are okay, and am not surprised at all at your strength and resourcefulness. I’ve been thinking of you often. ♥️
Kateri! Yes, we need the translation of science. Thanks for noting that. Thanks for your love. Thanks for you. My great teacher.💙🌎
My "old" friend (50+ years!), I have held you in my heart since this nightmare of Helene began for you. Knowing that you have been and are physically safe is good, but there is so much trauma that you've endured so far. I am looking for news of Black Mountain daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of you. Of course you are serving the community that you love and loves you; having such purpose helps us endure and, eventually, thrive. Sending you love and strength and so much more.
Deb! Yes, to purpose! Thanks for you. I feel the love. We are old friends, indeed. There are so many stories to tell, from the helicopter pilots who landed on our mountain to deliver water and Fritos (of all things) to the wild sound of crickets and tree frogs reclaiming their place in the world that first night. Nature gave me a library of tales. And some jobs to do. I love you. Katharine
Thank you for these stories and for the way you care for and speak about the Earth.
Isabel! I really appreciate you coming in to read and comment.💙🌎
Glad you are relatively safe now. Such a devastating storm. Thank you for the update.
Thanks for being here, Patrick. You are so loyal!💙🌎