The moments that make up it all
And places in Asheville to donate to
In this moment it is the smaller things.
It’s the homemade sign on State Street showing folks where creek access is.
It’s the neighbors who, before evacuating, made sure to give away their water and food…who made sure I knew about some elderly neighbors who would have trouble leaving their house.
It’s those elderly neighbors being so glad to see us every time we check in.
It’s the short notice Friendsgiving when a 17 pound turkey made it’s way into some of my favorite peoples’ lives.
It’s my camellia tree buzzing with pollinators.
It’s waiting in a line for 2 hours at the Ingles and only one person getting mad (and no one getting mad in return).
It’s waiting in line for water and releasing the folks behind me live up the street from me…and one of them helping me finish the only NYT crossword puzzle that dowloaded before I lost cell service (it was a Friday puzzle and I was SO CLOSE).
It’s making fried rice for Rosh Hashanah dinner, not being able to pull up the recipe and asking folks from my amazing co-working group to help (and they did in seconds).
It’s friends all being annoyed by the massive misinformation they keep running into.
It’s going to the farmer’s market with a friend and delighting in all the people, famers and offerings (Fresh hibiscus flowers, asian pears, still summer tomatoes).
It’s the calls and texts and everyone checking in.
It’s watching people get gas and groceries without having to wait in line.
It’s when I couldn’t get a text out to anyone local, a friend I could reach in California texted them for me in hopes that they would get it (they did).
It’s finally hugging my love after many days apart.
It’s making little bead kits and seeing kids get excited about them.
It’s the charging stations and donation setups on every street.
It’s everyone asking how you are doing…and meaning it.
It’s telling everyone to stay safe.
It’s bigger things too.
Seeing trucks from Quebec, New York City, San Diego all here to help us.
It’s seeing all the folks volunteering, organizing, doing wellness checks, carrying buckets of water to help people flush, sharing whatever they have.
It’s the restaurants giving out food.
It’s the water distribution centers.
It’s the helicopters over head.
It’s all the stories.
It’s all the love.
It’s even all the grief.
It is hard here. So fucking hard.
Even with all the beauty there is so much suffering.
What has happened to this area is sometimes beyond comprehension and yet oh too real.
And there are moments of joy.
Of beauty.
Of love.
Of levity.
Because we all deserve them…every one. Whenever we can get them. Even…and especially…in the midst of this all.
Asheville and Western North Carolina have a long road ahead. The destruction cannot be overstated.
And with a new hurricane imminent for Florida…and more on the horizon before the season ends…there is so much help that will be needed.
Please don’t forget about us as the days, weeks, and months march on.
I am ok. I am safe. I am taking care of myself and trying to take care of others as/when I can. This is not what I had in mind when I decided to take my sort of break. That was a financial leap of faith to begin with and being unable to work as usual has been interesting.
I hope in the next day or so to share with you a project that sparked within me…one that I hope will serve as a fundraiser for my community and create income for me as well.
People have asked me for people/places to donate to…there is a list below. Please know it is not exhaustive. It is made up of organizations, people and businesses.
Go Fund Me’s may have been met, I do not have the capacity to check. If you have been to Asheville and have a favorite place, check out their social media. So many places are closed either for damage or lack of water/power. They likely have a Go Fund Me happening.
Briana is more than friend…she, and her whole amazing crew, are family. A tree fell on her home and her father was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the storm.
There are 2 Go Fund Me’s happening for her family and for her father, Peter.
Day Trip and Boy Howdy were literally at the end of my street. When I finally walked down on Saturday, the water was 3/4 of the way up the building, having receded from the day before. They had only been open 32 days.
Wrong Way Campground is on Amboy Road…the street just below me. They experienced tremendous flooding and will have a loss of income from not being able to open during our busiest tourist season.
You have likely seen the River Arts District on the news. I live about a half a mile a way. These are my neighbors. This is a fundraider For artists in the River Arts Distric who lost their studios.
Asheville Tea Company was destroyed.
Tamarya @plantswithT of @Soulfulsimonefarm and @Rootzwnc
Venmo/cashapp: tamaryismsArt Play Studios is raising money for arts through sales of their art.
French Broad Chocolates are the best chocolates ever. They have safe inventory for sale. The proceeds are keeping people employed.
East Fork Pottery makes the most beautiful dinnerware…and they do so much for the community. They are having a seconds sale to help local organizations and to help them stay in business.
I will write again soon.
With love and fire~
Jo Anna
This. It’s beautiful and moving. Thank you.
Just sending love.