You and your whole part of Appalachia are in my heart. In my post later this week, I'll be encouraging readers to donate to relief organizations to help those in crisis. As for your beloved green forest: the smell of all of those downed lives is painful to breathe, I know. But remember also that their tissues, their cells, their stored sugars will nurture other lives in time. Nature is remarkably resilient, I've learned over decades of watching and witnessing catastrophic change, whether that's microburst blowdowns affecting millions of trees high in the Rocky Mountains, or massive wildfires. Be patient, stay safe and know that your landscape and you will recover. Much love to you!
This is the first deep narrative I have read from the mountains. God bless you. We lost the last major branches of a glorious yellow maple that has given us beauty, shade and pleasure since we moved here in 1987. It will have to come down. I felt a little silly, but went out and hugged its trunk. I have saved some long straight limbs to be made into walking sticks.
Totally with you on the tree hugging, Kathryn. And saving part of its limbs to be walking sticks will be a wonderful homage. Blessings of safety to you and all Andersonians.
Thankfully, we did not experience anything near the level of devastation in western NC and other mountain communities like yours, but I still can't get over the smell of sap that has been hanging in the humid air after so many trees lost during the past few days. I'm sorry your sacred place has taken such a hit and hope all can begin to recover soon.
Thank you for sharing. Close friends in eastern part of Georgia are in a similar situation! I want to say something that is not trite, all that comes to mind is we see you and we care.
I feel your pain on our own 5 acres of wooded land. It will never be the same. But unlike you, we have finally cut our way out to stores, gasoline, appointments & semi normalcy. When we have time that is to venture off our street to take laundry & showers at friends who offer. Please know I care about you. We will all find our new normal.
Wishing you all the best. It’s such a beautiful part of the country and even with the devastation, it gives me hope to see fellow humans sharing and caring together.
Thank you for your tender witness, Jeanne. It sounds like a difficult time, difficult to breathe through all that loss. I pray relief and peace reach your area soon and that the neighborly feeling can last beyond the disaster and the clean-up. Keep ✍️ writing! 🕊️🙏🏾💝
Tough times here in the Southeast U.S. for sure, and I appreciate the contrast you mention with people in truly dire straits. Thank you for your thoughtful words. Wishing peace and comfort to all 💜
You are in my thoughts. I know you will discover a way to honor the loss as new life eventually settles into the forest. Thank you for giving us vivid visuals about this tragic situation. Hug your kitty for me. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank goodness you and Jim are safe. Phew. But such devastation all around. It is both heartbreaking and a reminder that nature will have her way, despite our best efforts. It will take time, but a new normal will gradually appear. Until then, I am thinking of all of you, human and non-human and sending all my best wishes. Take care❤️
Glad you're ok. I'm just to the southwest of you in Athens, Ga. We were prepared for worse, but got pretty lucky. My heart is breaking for what happened up there!
Ah, Erik ... I didn't know you're in Athens. Yes, I think y'all skirted it. And I know you know the beauty up here. It won't look the same, next time you see it.
I've been refreshing for updates for those I personally know and those I know/follow on the internet who live in the region. I'm glad you and yours are safe. What a mess and tough situation you are in. We know these issues here on the Gulf Coast, but I would have thought y'all would have been safer up there. We learn otherwise.
Sadly, none of us is safe anymore, right? There was an article somewhere saying how many people thought of Asheville as a "climate haven" -- but there is evidently no such thing anymore. Thank you for your kind thoughts, Misti!
I hope the solution comes sooner rather than later, dear Jeanne. I'm glad you're safe.
Thank you, Ann!
You and your whole part of Appalachia are in my heart. In my post later this week, I'll be encouraging readers to donate to relief organizations to help those in crisis. As for your beloved green forest: the smell of all of those downed lives is painful to breathe, I know. But remember also that their tissues, their cells, their stored sugars will nurture other lives in time. Nature is remarkably resilient, I've learned over decades of watching and witnessing catastrophic change, whether that's microburst blowdowns affecting millions of trees high in the Rocky Mountains, or massive wildfires. Be patient, stay safe and know that your landscape and you will recover. Much love to you!
Thank you for those lovely and helpful thoughts, Susan!
This is the first deep narrative I have read from the mountains. God bless you. We lost the last major branches of a glorious yellow maple that has given us beauty, shade and pleasure since we moved here in 1987. It will have to come down. I felt a little silly, but went out and hugged its trunk. I have saved some long straight limbs to be made into walking sticks.
Totally with you on the tree hugging, Kathryn. And saving part of its limbs to be walking sticks will be a wonderful homage. Blessings of safety to you and all Andersonians.
Thankfully, we did not experience anything near the level of devastation in western NC and other mountain communities like yours, but I still can't get over the smell of sap that has been hanging in the humid air after so many trees lost during the past few days. I'm sorry your sacred place has taken such a hit and hope all can begin to recover soon.
Thank you, MK! I'm glad to hear it wasn't too bad for you.
Thank you for sharing. Close friends in eastern part of Georgia are in a similar situation! I want to say something that is not trite, all that comes to mind is we see you and we care.
That right there is a perfect thing to say Susan. Thank you! And blessings to your friends in e. Ga.
Thank you Jeanne. I'm shocked and moved by the devastation and your courage. I'll be looking for your next post.
Be well, be safe.
Susan in CA
Thanks so much, Susan!
Humanity is a virus on the planet. Mother nature’s auto- immune system is trying to flush us out. Go ask a dinosaur 🦕
sadly true!
I feel your pain on our own 5 acres of wooded land. It will never be the same. But unlike you, we have finally cut our way out to stores, gasoline, appointments & semi normalcy. When we have time that is to venture off our street to take laundry & showers at friends who offer. Please know I care about you. We will all find our new normal.
So beautiful, Sherrie. I've seen your posts. My condolence sfor your losses. Thinking of you all....
Wishing you all the best. It’s such a beautiful part of the country and even with the devastation, it gives me hope to see fellow humans sharing and caring together.
Very true, Brenda ... that's the one good part in all this.
Thank you for your tender witness, Jeanne. It sounds like a difficult time, difficult to breathe through all that loss. I pray relief and peace reach your area soon and that the neighborly feeling can last beyond the disaster and the clean-up. Keep ✍️ writing! 🕊️🙏🏾💝
Thank you for being here, Marianne, and for your support. It means more than you know.
Tough times here in the Southeast U.S. for sure, and I appreciate the contrast you mention with people in truly dire straits. Thank you for your thoughtful words. Wishing peace and comfort to all 💜
And to you and all Floridians, Amy!
You are in my thoughts. I know you will discover a way to honor the loss as new life eventually settles into the forest. Thank you for giving us vivid visuals about this tragic situation. Hug your kitty for me. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you, Sue! Cleo weathered the storm under our bed and is now back to her sassy, demanding, independent self.
Thank goodness you and Jim are safe. Phew. But such devastation all around. It is both heartbreaking and a reminder that nature will have her way, despite our best efforts. It will take time, but a new normal will gradually appear. Until then, I am thinking of all of you, human and non-human and sending all my best wishes. Take care❤️
Thank you, Jenny -- that means a lot and I appreciate it!
Glad you're ok. I'm just to the southwest of you in Athens, Ga. We were prepared for worse, but got pretty lucky. My heart is breaking for what happened up there!
Ah, Erik ... I didn't know you're in Athens. Yes, I think y'all skirted it. And I know you know the beauty up here. It won't look the same, next time you see it.
So very sorry for all the loss.
Thank you very much, Leah.
I've been refreshing for updates for those I personally know and those I know/follow on the internet who live in the region. I'm glad you and yours are safe. What a mess and tough situation you are in. We know these issues here on the Gulf Coast, but I would have thought y'all would have been safer up there. We learn otherwise.
Sadly, none of us is safe anymore, right? There was an article somewhere saying how many people thought of Asheville as a "climate haven" -- but there is evidently no such thing anymore. Thank you for your kind thoughts, Misti!