There is one thing about us, we are resilient people. We will overcome this crisis. We will plant more trees, all the time knowing we may never sit under their shade. In a year or two we will be feasting on Grape Hull Pie. We will continue to sound the alarm about climate change and urban sprawl. We will survive!
Oh Jenks, I am so sorry. This caught us all by surprise.”We never get the worst part of a hurricane,” I said. “usually just the fringes come this way.” Now thousands of our old oaks and cedars, and pines are headed for, if they’re lucky, the sawmill, or else it’s the wood chipper.
I'd be crying for the muscadines, too. And the trees, and the heart-in-mouth fear of the tornado, and everything else. This is trauma.
And that part you edited out? Yeah. Every word of it. As I look at the years of toil and hardship that face our NC mountains: every word of it. As I know folks who have never recovered from Florence here in New Bern, even six years later: every word of it.
When Irene hit in 2011, I lost my frozen strawberries. But I bought canning equipment and canned the strawberries on the gas stove. Maybe someone is able to can pie filling and jelly out of those muscadines.
How ironic is it that we were to meet up on Friday morning. You and your mother are alive and as you know many of the plants will have survived. I've cried more times than I want to admit these last 3 days .... I wish you the strength to carry on
So sorry to hear this and see the cleanup you have ahead. We were fortunate this time in north Florida, but we understand. We have tickets to your October 11 farm day but doubt you will be in a party mood. We look forward to meeting you all - and the farm!- on the other side of this. And to end on a positive note, I am loving your book
“Deep-Rooted Wisdom” which arrived just before Helene.
oh, we will be in a party mood by then! In fact, the caterer came over to boil some eggs for her cats today! Because there are no doors open, she couldn’t buy cat food and we have a gas range!
I lived through three hurricanes in Texas and they were the scariest moments of my life. The damage is so overwhelming. Keeping all of the SE in my prayers.
My heart is breaking for you, Mama, and Tom. I grieve for all the love and work you put into your plants and trees - they are family too. It will take time but you will rebuild - stronger and better. ❤️
Oh, man, such a heartfelt and well-written essay. I shed a few more tears for all that Helene has wrought. Thinking about you and your mom and all those around you, and your beautiful, magical, homestead.
I'm so sorry! Praying for all of you and that you recover from your power loss, muscaline mishap, and generator malfunction real soon. Thankful that those of us in the path of Helene survived her wrath.
Oof. I’m sorry y’all are going through that. Living in Houston I’m all too familiar with storms, a really poor grid, and the flooding. Wishing y’all the best as you clean up.
and now that my laptop battery is dead with no way to recharge, I’m gonna be doing anything via my phone. So like this catastrophe, the spelling and grammar is going to get worse before it gets bettered.
There is one thing about us, we are resilient people. We will overcome this crisis. We will plant more trees, all the time knowing we may never sit under their shade. In a year or two we will be feasting on Grape Hull Pie. We will continue to sound the alarm about climate change and urban sprawl. We will survive!
i’m not so sure about us, but at least the roaches will!
Oh Jenks, I am so sorry. This caught us all by surprise.”We never get the worst part of a hurricane,” I said. “usually just the fringes come this way.” Now thousands of our old oaks and cedars, and pines are headed for, if they’re lucky, the sawmill, or else it’s the wood chipper.
I'd be crying for the muscadines, too. And the trees, and the heart-in-mouth fear of the tornado, and everything else. This is trauma.
And that part you edited out? Yeah. Every word of it. As I look at the years of toil and hardship that face our NC mountains: every word of it. As I know folks who have never recovered from Florence here in New Bern, even six years later: every word of it.
When Irene hit in 2011, I lost my frozen strawberries. But I bought canning equipment and canned the strawberries on the gas stove. Maybe someone is able to can pie filling and jelly out of those muscadines.
Oh Jenks, may the force be with you.
How ironic is it that we were to meet up on Friday morning. You and your mother are alive and as you know many of the plants will have survived. I've cried more times than I want to admit these last 3 days .... I wish you the strength to carry on
Thank you. We’ll see you soon. Getting slowly clearde up here.
So sorry to hear this and see the cleanup you have ahead. We were fortunate this time in north Florida, but we understand. We have tickets to your October 11 farm day but doubt you will be in a party mood. We look forward to meeting you all - and the farm!- on the other side of this. And to end on a positive note, I am loving your book
“Deep-Rooted Wisdom” which arrived just before Helene.
oh, we will be in a party mood by then! In fact, the caterer came over to boil some eggs for her cats today! Because there are no doors open, she couldn’t buy cat food and we have a gas range!
Yay! See you then!
Sending you all love and strength ❤️
thank you we are making it there. People all around us who have much less ability and really Dire Straits.
I lived through three hurricanes in Texas and they were the scariest moments of my life. The damage is so overwhelming. Keeping all of the SE in my prayers.
We’re making it. We had a crew of awesome volunteers helping us get together so we can get the business back operating.
My heart is breaking for you, Mama, and Tom. I grieve for all the love and work you put into your plants and trees - they are family too. It will take time but you will rebuild - stronger and better. ❤️
Oh, man, such a heartfelt and well-written essay. I shed a few more tears for all that Helene has wrought. Thinking about you and your mom and all those around you, and your beautiful, magical, homestead.
I'm so sorry! Praying for all of you and that you recover from your power loss, muscaline mishap, and generator malfunction real soon. Thankful that those of us in the path of Helene survived her wrath.
From Irmo, SC
We’re going to generator number four tomorrow! Maybe four is the lucky number.
We’ve lost most of the food, but at least we’ll be able to recharge a device and operate some saws and drills and things for cleanup!
Omg. I'm so sorry Jenks. Heartbreaking indeed.
Oof. I’m sorry y’all are going through that. Living in Houston I’m all too familiar with storms, a really poor grid, and the flooding. Wishing y’all the best as you clean up.
I had a good cry yesterday, too, Jenks. Thinking of you, your momma, and Tom. It’s going to be hard but we are alive.
Thinking of ya’ll and so many who lost so much. It was a hell of a storm.
… when you are so tired you spell y’all wrong 🫨🌀
and now that my laptop battery is dead with no way to recharge, I’m gonna be doing anything via my phone. So like this catastrophe, the spelling and grammar is going to get worse before it gets bettered.
I'm so sorry. We lost power too and lost the lovely muscadines you gave us. I can't imagine the power lines just being gone. More sour grapes.