October 13, 2024

Giving myself some breathing room

I did a FB post on Tuesday (here), and Saturday (here), and I’m going to say some of the same stuff in this newsletter.

Foggy sunrise - October 2024

By now you’ve seen the images and videos of the devastation here in western North Carolina - and they don’t tell the whole story. My town is one of the many smaller communities along the NC/TN border in Yancey County. It’s going to be a very, very long process to come back to whatever the new normal will be. It’s over two weeks now and we don’t have water - and may not for a couple of months. The whole infrastructure has to be rebuilt.

If not for my neighbors, I would be in a much worse space right now. We were ‘friendly’ neighbors, but now? Now, we’re family. We’ve shared meals and tears, hugs and laughter. We’ve spent time in each other’s homes, showering, doing laundry, working - it’s been good for my heart.

Around a week ago is when it really started to hit. How much we’ve lost. How many dead. The official totals don’t even come close. I know one road up the mountain had twenty-two dead recovered. It’s not uncommon to see teams with cadaver dogs, walking around the debris piles and along the rivers.

I find myself quietly crying while doing other tasks as my body processes the grief, shock, and pain. No, not much writing has been getting done, since every day involves helping neighbors, lugging jugs of water, collecting supplies from various distribution centers and bringing it back and sorting among the group.

I have managed to get some audio recording done, but the focus to put new words down is hard to summon right now. It will come back - when I can sit still for a few minutes.

The bridge into downtown that they thought would collapse, is restored and open to all four lanes - so there is progress happening.

If you’d like to help - get a paid subscription at Graffridge Publishing - buy some books at my website or drop a donation via PayPal at graffridgepub@gmail.com. I have what I need as far as dry goods/canned goods - it’s fresh stuff that’s hard to get and that involves a long ride and gas, so cash is very useful.

Thank you to those that have helped out so far - it means so very much, and it has helped keep me and my neighbors going.

You are so very appreciated - every single one of you.

Now, for some books…

Belladonna
He’s my new obsession and the key to avenging my people. René is the only one who cares about the dead, because he knows deep loss. We’re kindred spirits. I’ll give him relief from his pain, and he’ll give me everything – including his life.

René
Three years of being steeped in death, booze, and pills have finally caught up with me. I think I might be cracking apart. Who is the otherworldly woman that visits me in the darkness? She’s the new addiction I can’t give up; and she’s left her mark on me – literally.
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