November 17, 2024

Washing it away...

A favorite November view from my porch 2024

On Monday afternoon, around 2:30pm, my neighbor was on her porch, shouting across the driveway, “We have water!” Of course, I ran inside and flushed the toilets and did a happy dance of my own.

Six weeks and four days without running water was a very long time. We only had to wait a few days for the tests to come back, so there were still bottles of water in the foyer until I learned it was safe enough to drink and cook with. But I’ll tell you - that first hot shower in my own bathroom was wonderful. Being able to do laundry in my own home and not struggle to carry a trash bag of wet clothes into the house (my dryer worked fine) is such a relief.

water bottles & supplies to put into storage now that I have water

I spent the next two days doing laundry. No, not my clothes, but the throw rugs, some bedding, and a couple of curtains that I noticed really needed a wash. Stuff that didn’t absolutely need washing anytime soon, but that having it laundered makes the whole house feel more clean.

No, things are still not back to normal - or a new normal. Not yet. They’re still doing search and recovery in our pocket of the mountains. People are living in tents and donated campers on the mud where their homes once stood - or next to the mold-infested ruins of their homes. It’s going to take a very long time to get the infrastructure stabilized. I’ve had people saying, “What do you mean, it’s not back to normal yet?” That’s why I’m letting you know - this is going to be a multi-year endeavor.

Anyway, y’know how they say things happen in threes? I’ve had my three. Family upheaval, Hurricane Helene, and the travesty of an election choice. Now I focus on my home, my community, and my ability to put words out there that can give people comfort, entertainment, and a vision of what the world could be.

If you really want to help, subscribe to my Graffridge Publishing Substack and enjoy the audio recordings and chapters posted - or buy books at my website and elsewhere.

Speaking of books - check out Toni Denise’s free one as part of the Round Robin exchange!

Recently divorced, Kelly finds herself back in her hometown. Deciding that starting over is key, she and her son take to living a new life.
When a second chance with Mason, an old flame, ignites, Kelly is excited to feel love again.
But something is wrong. Someone is watching them, waiting to strike. Someone that knows them. Someone. . . close.
Not knowing who she can trust, Kelly is thrust into a life of fear and looking over her shoulder.
Where do you turn when the one person you thought you could trust might actually be the person you're running from?

A steamy romance novel with a moderate heat level.