Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Flood Update

Since I published two posts on Monday, and blogger didn't like the way I did it and erased the first one, I thought I'd let you know I wrote about the Colorado floods. You can go back and read it here if' you like. You've probably seen some of the pictures and videos and learned about it, but the post is my thoughts and experiences first hand.

Today I thought I'd catch you up. I know it's late in the day for me to post, and that's because of the flood. That probably doesn't make sense, considering my house is on high ground and my friends and family safe (though not all of them dry). It's just that compared to what so many people are dealing with, I'm unscathed, physically. Mentally, I'm actually quite the mess. You know I struggle with depression. This tragedy has magnified it.

I can't seem to find purpose in anything. What does it matter if I have a clean kitchen? I know people whose kitchen floated away down the river. They can't even FIND their house, or what's left of it. They were safe (for a while) staying with friends, and then all of them got airlifted out. They say it will be months until the road will be ready, and then the rebuilding can begin.

The lovely grandma and grandpa who lived across the street from me for 10 years moved three years ago – to the neighborhood hardest hit by this flood. It shouldn't have flooded, except the river was so wide that it found another path down the mountain and into their neighborhood even though the river wouldn't have reached them had it stayed on its path. It over-ran its banks by a half mile, but their neighborhood would have been dry. Rivers and rain and mud seem to have a mind and will of their own when they get this much power and momentum behind them.

I guess I'm just numb. Trying to comprehend the magnitude of the clean-up overwhelms me. I see evidence everywhere – getting around town is an ever changing maze...

So please excuse me if I'm not myself for a while.

~Tina

*****

You may also be wondering how I can just blithely go on with the book promotions and reminders and the like when all of this is happening. I do that because IT'S SOMETHING I CAN DO to help someone. No, these two friends weren't affected by the floods, but with my physical issues, I can't go shovel mud out of someone's basement, or tear-down dry-wall. But I can help my friends who are realizing dreams and whom I promised to help.


So here's another reminder of where you can find the next installment of the horror story Briane is writing as he promotes his new book.


Temporary Anne:


A contemporary horror classic, "Temporary Anne" presents the terrifying tale of a woman who avoids eternal damnation by sending others to take her place, scrambling to avoid the minions of Mephistopheles while searching for a way to allow her ravaged body to serve her indomitable will. The frightening images -- demons made of ice, babies' souls consumed -- will stick with you for as long as Temporary Anne exists -- which is FOREVER.

Get it on Amazon for $0.99!  


And follow the blog tour to get a live short story, This Is How I..., written based on your suggestions:



1. PART ONE was on Life Is Good on Friday 9/13
2. PART TWO was on Strange Pegs: 9/16
PART THREE IS TODAY:  Laws Of Gravity 9/18

UPCOMING:



AND A SPECIAL ADDED TREAT: Today, I'm making my book Eclipse available for FREE on Amazon!


Claudius wanted to be the first man to reach the stars, but it was murder to get there: A chilling, mind-bending story of an astronaut so desperate to reach the stars -- and so eager to escape a past that may not exist, "Eclipse" will haunt you the way Claudius' life haunts him.

4.6 of 5 stars on Amazon!

"This book is brilliant. I'm still trying to figure it all out much in the same way that I sit on my couch trying to figure out a David Lynch movie like Mulholland Drive. There is just so much to wrap my head around that it becomes a little mind-boggling."-- Speculative fiction author Michael Offutt.


12 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It is mind-boggling when stuff like that hits where you live. You know people who are affected and remember what things used to look like. When we get hit with a hurricane or tornadoes like the ones two years ago, it's numbing.

Unknown said...

My thoughts and prayer go out to you your family, and friends.
Good on you to to keep making a difference in the lives of others, no matter your circumstances.

Brian Miller said...

i know the feeling...i was the same way the week after the derecho here last summer...it was just numbing...and surviving...

JoJo said...

Awww Tina :( It sounds like you have a little bit of survivor's guilt too. I know the feeling well. It's horrible what's happening to your state. Heartbreaking. Hang in there!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

you care, cause you do... stuff happens to the best people, I wish I have a speech that would help... just remember it's all "sh%t" the ones with the deepest shovels [from head to heart]get to dig the hardest. you know we all care and send out the good thoughts.

Andrew Leon said...

I think that's a good reason to help anyone.

Michelle Wallace said...

Thinking of you... take care of yourself.

Stephen Tremp said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the floods. Thanks for keeping these people in our rememberence.

Briane said...

I've never had major disasters hit anywhere near where I live; the worst was a bit of flash-flooding years ago but there was no lasting damage.

Even if you personally weren't harmed, the level of devastation is obviously hard to cope with. Make sure you're taking care of yourself, first of all, and then worry about others.

Silvia Writes said...

Be safe! I know about disasters .. here in earthquake country. The TV pics. look horrific. Hope it all ends soon.

Natalie Aguirre said...

It's good to go on in terrible times. The flooding in Colorado is overwhelming just to see on the news. Can't imagine living through it. Hope you stay safe.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tina .. thanks for the update - I know you'll be spending so much time with your grandparents helping out as best possible.

Water is incredibly strong and very unpredictable .. we simply don't realise.

With many thoughts at this very difficult time for everyone concerned .. Hilary