When did helping your neighbor become so difficult?

Last week our area experienced record rainfall (over 9 inches of rain in a 24 hour period) followed by record flooding.  Many families were evacuated, and still have not returned to their homes.  Having received word that one of the shelters was in need of clothing, books, games, and things to help people pass the time while the waters recede and they are allowed back to their homes, we packed up some supplies and headed out.  Upon arriving at the shelter, we were told by a Red Cross volunteer that "they couldn't take any books or games, and clothing must have tags from the store still on them."

I stood there dumbstruck.  Here we were trying to offer needed supplies and were being turned away.  Returning home, the news ran an update, stating that the Red Cross was looking for donations, specifically money.  Given what I had just found out, I can see why they are asking for money.  To me it appears they aren't willing to accept the donations that could aid someone instantly, they would rather fill their coffers and have the aid come when they are ready for it.

To say I am disappointed with the Red Cross is an understatement.  Instead of helping those people at the shelter, I will find another place who will take my donation and distribute it to those in need.

Have any of you had experience with the Red Cross like this?  Or is this just a local issue?

TGIF!!!

Talk about a crazy week! Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I was busy keeping up with the news.

Dear son went back to school on Wednesday, but rather than the normal week of school we expected, he had an early dismissal followed by tow days off due to record flooding in our area.

We are fine--had some ground water flooding in the basement--but others in our area lost everything.  We are still not sure how bad it got, but we know it was worse than the flooding we went through in 2006.  Both hubby and I are home from work until further notice (most likely Monday for me-- not sure for him).

I was hoping to participate in the Judge and Jury blogfest, but have nothing ready for it, and will be taking out wet carpet today.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Will be back to normal on Monday (I hope!)

Happy June!!!!

Hopefully all of you made it through the storms last week with little/no problems.  We had heavy rains, high winds, and tornado threats here, but fortunately no damage.  Power was out to several people in our area over the weekend, but as far as I know most of it has been restored by now.

We had a great cookout with family and friends on the new deck Monday (finally the weather cooperated!!!) It was so nice to have the area to entertain on.

I'm getting to the end of my re-writes for my WIP, and catching up on some reading.  My son and I are reading through the Percy Jackson series (we're on THE TITAN'S CURSE), and I am reading JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW.  What titles are you reading or is in your TBR pile???

Rain, rain, go away

Oh mighty weather gods, I beg you to send at least three sunny days my way.  One day to dry out my deck, one day to finish staining it, and one day for it to cure.  If you could see fit to send more than three, I would be greatly blessed and honored.

In all seriousness, I am grateful we haven't had the storms and flooding that have hit so many in our nation.  How are things in your neck of the woods?  Has it been sunny and warm, grey and wet, or somewhere in between?

Catching up!

It was so nice to see the sun again on Saturday.  We even managed to get a bit of our deck stained.  We had hoped to do more yesterday, but with rain threatening, we decided to wait.  I did get my new rosebush planted, though.

I spent time working on my agent to query list and tweaking the synopsis so I am ready to go once I hear some feedback on my ending.

So, how was your weekend?  Hope this is the start of a great week for everyone!

Will winter ever end?

Last week we had a beautiful taste of spring.  This morning I heard we can expect up to 7 inches of snow tomorrow.  It seems like this winter has gone on forever, and I am ready for it to end.

I took yesterday off for writing, wanting a day to just let things sit and jell in my mind.  I've made so many changes to my WIP in the last week, I wanted to be sure they worked and improved the story I am trying to tell.  Seeing my muse is still telling me to go down this twisty road, I am going follow her.  I do know how to use the delete button, after all.

Speaking of deleting.  When your write, do you only keep your current copy, or do you keep all the prior versions, just in case you cut something you want for later?  I save my WIP with a new name each time I work on them, that way I don't lose something I may want to put back in later.  I also have learned to store locally and on Dropbox (an on-line storage place).  This way I can be more assured not to lose anything I am working on should something happen to my computer.

Have a great Tuesday!

In Like a Lion

Sorry for the late post, but I was helping hubby clear snow, then getting ready for work.  Yesterday morning our front yard had barely any snow in it and it was raining.  The rain gradually turned over to snow during the day, and this morning when we woke up, there was close to 2 feet of drifting white snow on the ground.

I am so ready for spring to be here!!!!

In other news.  On Friday I put a contest up to name my recipe and had no takers.  So, either no one wanted to brave the waters, or you couldn't come up with a name. To sweeten the pot (pun intended!), I am continuing the contest into this week.  The winner will receive a paperback or e-book of their choice (price restrictions do apply), some writing goodies, and choice of Cheater Fudge, or Peanut Butter Cookies (with or without chocolate chips) from the recipes previously posted on my blog.

Contest will run from today until 9 PM EST Thursday, March 10, 2011.  Winner will be announced on Friday's post.

So, get your thinking caps on and name this recipe!

Changing Weather

Yesterday morning it was warm here, I think in the 40's (I could easily have gone to the bus stop without a coat!)  The sun came out, the birds were singing.  And then, the skies turned gray, and rain began to fall and the wind began to blow.

Last night, the wind howled and the sky spit snow.  It really shouldn't have been a surprise to me to see the road covered in snow when I woke up, but it was.  Today it's supposed to be a high in the low 20's with a wind chill making it feel below zero.

Tomorrow, however, is supposed to be a high around 40.  And, we're supposed to get close to 50 by the weekend (before coming back down to normal temps in the mid-upper 30's).

It got me thinking about the weather my characters face.  In Quest, I have my characters experience thunderstorms,and the cold of being high in the mountains.  In Ruby Dagger,  it is the middle of a cold winter.  What about you?  Do you have the weather impact your characters?  How?  Why?

Weather

So, it turns out the mini system that preceded the BIG STORM, was actually worse for us here.  We had about 6 inches of snow from that which made the roads rather messy. 

Yesterday, we had some mixed precipitation in the morning (mostly sleet) that had cleared up by the time I got to work (and the roads were 100% better than on Tuesday!)

How did you make out with the storm?  Ready for the next round this weekend?  I think I'll grab some writing snacks, I mean supplies, today! ;)

Snow!

Happy February!  It seems hard to believe we've already finished one month of 2011 (and I have so little writing to show for the 31 days!- hopefully you all are doing much better at that than I am.)

The weather people have been going at it since yesterday that we're supposed to be getting 1 to 1 1/2 feet of snow over the next few days.

I want that much snow, yet at the same time I am ready for the snow to be gone.  It seems like it's time for spring to start showing itself (even though I know there are at least 2 months of winter left).

How about you?  Are you getting snow?  Are you happy about it?  Do you want spring to show up soon?