The Month Just Ended

September has gone and October arrived with the realization of the widespread devastation and loss of life across the Southeast from Hurricane Helene, which is still ongoing.

Perhaps, like ourselves, some of you, have family members in the affected states. Ours in FL and GA. Thankfully, aside from some downed trees and a lot of water, they escaped without physical injury or property damage. 

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for so many others, which includes fellow bloggers, who if having escaped damage or injury, can be dealing with various after-effects.

We've watched videos of the destruction, especially in hard hit NC; it's been mind numbing.

Our excitement about traveling abroad has been curtailed by this event. While we can't help physically, financial support is doable — many agencies need money to help those who have lost so much, including their homes and belongings.

As a rule, I refrain from posting on current issues that can be hot buttons for many. However, this is not one of those and it was difficult to ignore these past few days. Any financial donation is a personal matter for anyone to decide what's best. Here's a few support organizations: Red Cross, All Hands and hearts, Americares, Direct relief, World Central Kitchen, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, there are many others as well.

To any fellow bloggers living in the hardest hit states of FL, GA, SC, NC, TN and VA or if you have family members there, we hope that you  will receive the support needed from many others who care.

This new month marks a US presidential milestone as former President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday and is now the longest living president in history. Other long-life presidents and the year and age they died: George Bush in 2028 at 94, Gerald Ford in 2006 at 93 and Ronald Reagan in 2004 at 93.

(Comments are on, but no need to leave one.)

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

When in need, people come through for each other, especially neighbors now that the COVID-19 virus has reached pandemic status and, sadly, claimed many lives.

In the past, when natural disasters and other misfortunes struck, assistance was through monetary donations to organizations.

That's changed in the past month. 

People are out of work, school children are home, restaurants, local businesses, libraries, churches, senior centers and more are shuttered. Families and individuals are struggling to buy food and/or basic necessities. Some items are increasingly hard to find and, when they can be found, it might require travel to several stores.

That's WHY it was especially heartwarming to see how residents at our mill apartments responded after another resident suggested a community food bank within the building. The management office staff not only supported this idea, but even started it off with some contributions. 

In the course of an overnight, food items and toiletry item were being donated by residents to help other residents. (The wall signage is in English and Spanish.) There's also a supply of water and snacks for delivery folks provided by management personnel. 

This Community Pantry is set up in the package delivery room of the mill apartments. It's only accessible to residents to either drop off or pick up needed items.

As many readers of this blog know, some may not, we currently reside in a mill apartment in Nashua, NH. The historic 1823 building, once a bustling textile mill, is a 5-story apartment community with 326 units. The total number of residents living here is just over 900. YIKES ! That's a LOT of folks all in one location and nearly double the total population of the VA Eastern Shore town we previously lived in.


To their credit, residents have been diligent about remaining in their apartments except for necessary outings to food shop and some to jobs that require staffing. All facilities (gym, pool, function room) and the management office are closed. However, maintenance and other requests can be made by phone calls as staff remain on-site.

It takes a community to come together. The one we live in has certainly done just that.

Have you seen or participated in any community come-togethers where you live?

Helping Out

First, thanks to everyone for the well wishes on our recent wedding anniversary. All were read and very much appreciated by Grenville (Pat) and Beatrice (Dorothy). We celebrated with a couple of in-state getaways, which will be described in a future post or two.

Today, our thoughts are with those U.S. folks who have suffered devastating losses from Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in over a decade.

Like so many others, we want to help. The best way to help out is by monetary donations which relief organizations prefer as it causes less of a strain on resources. Material donations incur expenses like transportation costs, shipping delays, or time managing goods unlike financial donations.

Ensure that your financial donation is secure by going through the organization's official website or by mailing a check. Avoid donating over the phone or through email from unknown social media pages. All these are easier targets for unscrupulous scammers who, unfortunately, come out in times of disaster. 

The Red Cross relies on financial donations to give immediate relief. Its set up a way to donate with an easy text: Text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also visit redcross.org or call 1- 800-RED CROSS.

United Way also lets you text a donation: Text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund.

The Salvation Army is accepting donations by online, mail or phone. Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

If you're ever unsure of where your financial contribution is going. You can check the charity by checking with a charity monitoring organization, like there: GiveWell, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch before making a donation.