Sunday, March 01, 2009

Too Little, Too Much ...

The birds were busy today cleaning out the feeders in preparation for what could be an uncomfortable night ahead for them.

We're having a snow storm!! The first in several years that promises to blanket us with some much needed precipitation that will hopefully melt slowly and add some much needed wetness to our groundwater coffers. When snow falls in March it's often called "White Gold" by those who depend on the weather for their livelihood, like farmers. We have been so thirsty for rain, already down almost 4 inches just since January 1st. Local climatologists are calling the problem "abnormal dryness." Why don't they want to use the word "drought?" I suppose it means we have to be down 6 or 7 inches of rain! Oh, but I shouldn't complain. This snow could really help!

On the other extreme end of rainfall, a month or so ago, friends of my daughter who live in the mountains of North Carolina, were home safe and sound asleep, when torrential rains and inadequate slope protection above their home caused a mudslide to sweep the house down the side of the mountain into a roadway below. They both survived but not without the trauma that something like this can bring on. They had recently moved from Florida where they had lost their home to the housing disaster going on all over this country, moving into a new mountain home to be near their daughter. They have lost everything in this terrible tragedy including their cat, and are now living with their daughter, Nikki, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. This is a perfect example of what too much rain can do along with inadequate laws with which to protect homes built in areas like this.

The heart warming part of this story is that the community is pulling together to help these people in need. Urged on by Nikki and my daughter, there will be a "Live to Tell," benefit concert on March 29th, at a new music venue in Black Mountain called the White Horse. This concert will "honor the strength, courage and tenacity of this family and so many others who have been touched by landslide tragedy. Proceeds from the concert will help the Donans get back on their feet and will ensure that the need for safe slope laws and education are brought to the awareness of the people of Western North Carolina."

For the whole story go to www.projectsafeslopes.org. If you happen to be in the area, stop in at the White Horse in Black Mountain on March 29th for great music, delicious food and to see a community come together to help one another!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like you, we had some spring-like weather then snow, last week! Thankfully not much in our area but the mountains got lots, and much needed this coming summer as our drinking water comes from these reservoirs.

Such a tragic event for that family but good that they survived and the community is helping them!

Anonymous said...

Hi Joan- it's Nikki, I've been meaning to send out proper thank you notes in a timely matter-that hasn't been working out so well. Sooo... a huge "THANK YOU" on behalf of all of us. Your generosity was so kind- it's ironic that in the darkest times, you see the true light in people. Your daughter is remarkable- both kind & powerful. What a combination!!! A zillion thank yous xoxo Nikki & family

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mom for sharing the Donin's story..... you're the best.... I love you!

~Lisa