To say that weather is everywhere is like "Duh, Martha; here's your sign." Yet, if you, like me, were alive before social media, the internet, or cell phones, then you know weather is local, a "my own little world" daily experience. Back in the day, finding out that a friend or family member who lived at a distance survived a weather event that made the "Evening News" as reported by one of the big three (ABC, CBS, and NBC) took a phone call. Heaven forbid you made that call and you couldn't connect; then, it was a waiting game of days, weeks, or months. Today, when I have a personal weather event that has a remote chance of being reported via a variety of media outlets, I must deploy my "Thought You Should Know" contact list and hope it doesn't get confused by someone to be a "Chicken Little" list. Reporting "my own little world" weather experience in 2024 is literary connection as much as it is a staying connected with friends and family who are at a distance. 

For most of my life, I lived in the Central Valley of California. What weather came my way was from west and San Francisco. In Winter, we got storms from the Pineapple Express of Hawaii. Some years were El Nino. Others were El Nina. Historians like me believe weather runs in five-year cycles. Where California had a significant drought through 2021, the weather pattern changed bringing heavy Sierra Nevada snow that eased the drought in 2022. Then, another wet winter ended the drought throughout most of the state. The state of my birth is forecasted to stay mostly drought free through 2025. 

Of all the media outlets in California that cover my old California home, the one that is still my go to is "California Weather with Rob Calmark." It's not to say that the other sources are not good to excellent. Rob seems to have a gift; he connects with his media audience as if they are his personal family and friends. In so doing, his audience has grown well beyond the Central Valley of California. Here I am in Florida still checking on my California friends and family through Rob's daily Facebook posts and streaming his weather segments on News10. In addition, I am watching Rob's family and growing my network of acquaintances and friends. 

It is now Friday, October 4th, a week after Hurricane Helene went past Big Bend, Florida, and settled in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. In the past week, I have used a variety of communication tools to check on those I know in multiple states. The national news does not get granular enough; yet, saying the lives of residents hang in the balance is absolutely true. When you are relying on mules and ATV's to deliver water and food to whomever can be found alive, you know waiting for the normal relief efforts to arrive is not necessarily the best option. What I have learned this week is we neighbors at a distance can send supplies via Amazon to a neighbor is closer yet can receive an Amazon deliver. That neighbor can then pass it to a neighbor who is bit closer still. That neighbor can then pass it to a neighbor even closer.  Step by baby step, like a bucket brigade, every American can get water, food, and lifesaving care to our fellow Americans who are in need. 

Through Discovery Education, I met some amazing people over the years who became my #DENfriends. This week, not only have we checked on one another, we found fellow educators with local recovery connections; one such teacher is Mark H. Case.  He told us about the EMT and Public Safety students at Southern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, who are leading the charge to be those neighbors who are one step closer to the neighbor in most need; they are connected to first responders who can get supplies where they need to go. Through October 9th, Southern Guilford High School is collecting items and money. After contacting Mark Case and making sure it would work, I used the list below and made an order on Amazon. I shipped it to Mark Case's attention at Southern Guilford High School, 5700 Drake Rd, Greensboro, NC 27263, marking it for delivery only M-F and 9am-5pm. I hope you can see your way clear to support the EMT and Public Safety students in their community service by October 9th. Thanks for your consideration.
Non-perishable food (high caloric density)
Gatorade/hydration powder
bottled water
diapers
baby wipes
feminine hygiene products
baby formula
baby wipes
laundry detergents
washboards
mosquito spray
toilet paper
paper towels
shampoo/soap/conditioner
towels
washcloths
toothbrushes/toothpaste
dog food/cat food
solar chargers and battery banks
heavy duty tarps
heavy thickness contractor trash bags
mops
brooms
goggles
nitrile gloves
New clothing of all sizes - especially socks of all sizes and infant/baby clothes.