This is a tough piece and I can relate a lot. I steel myself to drive through Micaville and can only imagine what it's like when the same destruction goes on for miles not blocks. I'm so glad you are writing this -- part elegy, part protest, part history, all heart. I liked details like the buzzards and the dark rocks looming over the road. Here, it's the unlined black sections of new asphalt rebuilt where the river or landslides took out the highway. At night it looks like the road just falls away and jangles my nerves every time. Stay strong. Keep on keeping on. And thank you.
Thank you for your comment Leigh, and for being a faithful reader. I know these recent posts are not easy to watch/ read. But it seems important to continue this work and historically preserve this time. For instance, personally I will never see these trees return in their former glory. And I continue to plant them; not only on my property but in the woods. This is how I show my faith that the earth will need these trees long after I am gone and maybe after all are gone. I’m also terribly sad about losing them. And the rivers. Last night I went to benefit for MWW at a beautiful house off the Ivy River exit. It was way out. It had 3 floors and I climbed to the highest one and stood on the deck. The view of our mountains took my btreath away. I had forgotten how beautiful my home (in a larger sense-Place) remains. It is easy to forget in Swannanoa at times. But this is home; broke back mountains and all. And you don’t leave what you love when it is hurt the worst. We are WNC loyal!
Thanks as always for the brain-and-heart-smack honesty of your suffering, Mendy, and for drawing up the vulnerable voice to find words for all this that can bring it all out loud and into the open— where it already is. I appreciate your witness and your great writing ✍️💝🕊️
I like the way you explain the complex dilemmas, choices, challenges facing all of you. And of course the set of challenges that also face those of us who did not have a flooding hurricane. Somehow it seems to all wrap together.
This is a tough piece and I can relate a lot. I steel myself to drive through Micaville and can only imagine what it's like when the same destruction goes on for miles not blocks. I'm so glad you are writing this -- part elegy, part protest, part history, all heart. I liked details like the buzzards and the dark rocks looming over the road. Here, it's the unlined black sections of new asphalt rebuilt where the river or landslides took out the highway. At night it looks like the road just falls away and jangles my nerves every time. Stay strong. Keep on keeping on. And thank you.
Thank you for your comment Leigh, and for being a faithful reader. I know these recent posts are not easy to watch/ read. But it seems important to continue this work and historically preserve this time. For instance, personally I will never see these trees return in their former glory. And I continue to plant them; not only on my property but in the woods. This is how I show my faith that the earth will need these trees long after I am gone and maybe after all are gone. I’m also terribly sad about losing them. And the rivers. Last night I went to benefit for MWW at a beautiful house off the Ivy River exit. It was way out. It had 3 floors and I climbed to the highest one and stood on the deck. The view of our mountains took my btreath away. I had forgotten how beautiful my home (in a larger sense-Place) remains. It is easy to forget in Swannanoa at times. But this is home; broke back mountains and all. And you don’t leave what you love when it is hurt the worst. We are WNC loyal!
Thanks as always for the brain-and-heart-smack honesty of your suffering, Mendy, and for drawing up the vulnerable voice to find words for all this that can bring it all out loud and into the open— where it already is. I appreciate your witness and your great writing ✍️💝🕊️
Powerful piece.
Thank you, a nd thank you for reading.
I like the way you explain the complex dilemmas, choices, challenges facing all of you. And of course the set of challenges that also face those of us who did not have a flooding hurricane. Somehow it seems to all wrap together.
Somehow, I believe it is all wrapped together. End times. 😬❤️🩹
Thank you Mendy. I too find it very difficult to drive and see this everyday. It breaks my heart.
Still, I’m glad you got your car working. Thanks for being a faith ful reader, Anne.
So glad you persisted through yesterday’s adversity. This is a wonderful piece!
Thanks LeAnne. Lord it was hard birthing this one. Thanks to Jane Voorhees for all computer help and patience.