The sun is rising, slowly winnowing down the deep blue black of evening to a light gray. It's going to be another rainy day, in a long procession of rainy days. We're all beginning to feel a little claustrophobic. At least in winter, we have brilliant days of sun light. The snow reflects it until January days seem to dance in the light. It's a blue and white landscape, etched with the green of pine trees, dun colors of tree bark, the scarlet flash of Cardinal wings.
This Spring is lacking that cleanness. The deep space of blue that eyes and spirit need is smothered behind lowering gray clouds. Maine's green rush of May seems more like a misplaced rain forest. The constant drip, drip of water falling from the leaves. Purple Azalea blossoms ripped by the rain to lay strewn on the overgrown grass. Everything is sodden, out of joint. People are getting grumpy. Those with arthritis are hurting. Including the SO.
But this too shall pass. We have nothing to complain about compared to the flooded towns and homes along the Mississippi, the neighborhood ripped apart in North Minneapolis or the horror of what is unfolding in Joplin, MO.
We have time. So many folks who are hurting right now, who have lost everything right now, do not.
A man carries a young boy who was rescued after being trapped in his home after a tornado hit Joplin, Mo. (Mike Gullett, Associated Press / May 22, 2011)
http://www.latimes.com/...
ginmar has written a vivid diary about the neighborhood in Minneapolis that was pummeled by a tornado yesterday.
Donna Samrith, right and her brother Randy Samrith walk through the neighborhood on Knox Ave. in Minneapolis to check out the damage after a tornado touched down in a northern, residential part of the city Sunday, May 22, 2011. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but KSTP-TV helicopter footage showed scores of homes with roofs peeled back, downed trees and scattered debris. Photo: The Star Tribune, Kyndell Harkness / AP
http://www.westport-news.com/...
Lets share a little light, a little caring, and let them know they're not alone.
Any suggestions for relief organizations are greatly appreciated.
anotherdemocrat mentioned donations to the UMCOR in weatherdude's diary on the utter devastation in Joplin.
UMCOR - the Methodist Church's relief organization. One of the advantages of a big, bureaucratic church is that all administrative costs are covered by apportionments that cover administration for the whole church. All donations for relief go to really help people. Since I can't go up there to help, I'll donate to those who will be up there helping.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
A question for those of in charge of Netroots Nation and heading that way.
Is there something NN can do for the people in North Minneapolis?
The Red Cross needs blood donations. You can donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
Donations can also be made at RedCross.org.
Helpful Links and Phone Numbers for Joplin Tornado Victims
The Northeast Community Development Corporation is looking for volunteers to help clean up the damage in North Minneapolis.
Cannot stress enough how much the people of North Minneapolis need help.
Read this -
http://donny-allen.us/...
The Salvation Army has boots on the ground in Joplin, North Minneapolis, and Kansas.
They need volunteers and donations.
MISSOURI
The Salvation Army is supporting relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri, which was struck by a deadly tornado Sunday.
An emergency disaster services teams from Pittsburg, Kansas has gone to help Joplin with mass feeding for residents and first responders through a mobile feeding kitchen capable of serving thousands of meals a day. Teams from Kirksville and Springfield, Missouri are also on the way.
KANSAS
Meanwhile, in hard-hit Reading, Kansas, which was nearly demolished by a tornado late Saturday night, two Salvation Army mobile feeding kitchens, one stationary and one roaming, served meals, snacks and cold drinks to more than 250 people Sunday. They will likely continue service through the rest of the week in Reading.
On Monday, more than a dozen members of a Kansas motorcycle club are volunteering for The Salvation Army from 4:30PM – 8PM to help with clean-up efforts in Reading.
MINNESOTA
Three Salvation Army mobile kitchens and crews are on the scene in St. Louis Park, Fridley and North Minneapolis to help families and emergency workers after the storms Sunday. Much of the damage caused by uprooted trees is making travel difficult in some areas. One of The Salvation Army’s transitional housing units in Fridley sustained minor damage and none of the four men living at the house were injured.
“I’ve got 24 to 36 hours of back-up volunteers ready to go,” said Drew Hasty, Salvation Army metro disaster manager. “We are prepared to assist city officials with any emerging needs as an emergency shelter is likely to be needed this evening.”
http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/...