And then there were two. Two Christmas Tree hats, that is. And you know, these are the only two in existence. (Sure, there are other patterns out there for other so-called Christmas Tree hats, but let’s face it, they’re not this cute. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.)

Now, I offered to donate my cute, brand-new, almost one-of-a-kind hat to Margene and Susan’s Give a Little campaign. They’ve got over $56,000 so far!

Next up–a white one with green “trees” to test the wintery mountain idea for those who like the hat but don’t want to wear a tree on their heads (grin).

Here’s my Katrina Aid link of the day . . . speaking of DOUBLE: Via the Ellen TV show. Ellen DeGeneres grew up right outside New Orleans, and her talk show started its third season today, with an appeal for help. She told how her 81-year old aunt has lost everything–and that they haven’t even heard from her yet. And also that Warner Brothers was donating $500,000 with an offer that they would match every additional dollar (up to another $500,000) she raised through her show. So–if you visit the American Red Cross site through the link from www.ellentv.com, not only can you make a much-needed donation, but rest secure in the knowledge that whatever you donate will be doubled . . . and help people like Ellen’s aunt.

An article on evacuees/refugees looking for work. It’s a sobering thought–so many formerly-employed people who now have nothing. Also, of course, the news about abandoned pets just breaks my heart (and scares the bejeezus out of Chappy). It’s incredible to think of the scope of this disaster, though. Even once the people in NOLA get food and water and medical care, and the people who have no homes get shelter . . . there are literally thousands of kids who need to be enrolled in school . . . somewhere . . . and parents who need to find jobs, and homes, and an income. And in the efforts to get these people aid as quickly as possible, they are being dispersed around the country in huge numbers–to hundreds of miles away from what had been their homes. Not just those who, say, had family in New York and are moving in with them for a while, but the ones being evacuated to shelters in Arizona. Even if they want to go back, and they have something to go back TO, how are they going to get there? Travel’s not cheap! And, the colleges that are offering class space to displaced Tulane and other university students . . . that’s wonderful, but didn’t those kids all pay for their semester’s tuition, room, and board already somewhere else? The ripple effect–not even counting the gas prices–is going to be huge.

Now–a couple books I think are interesting. Rising Tide by John M. Barry–an absolutely fascinating look at the devastating 1927 Mississippi flood, which includes a good look at the levee system, its faults, its strengths, and New Orleans’ particular vulnerability. And then there’s Isaac’s Storm, about the 1900 Galvaston hurricane which was the worst storm ever in terms of loss of life (though I’m so afraid that’s been topped this time around . . . heaven forbid). Or the Great Hurricane: 1938. Or the scientific rather than historical Hurricane Watch. The danger of reading about historical storms and death, though, is that there’s the danger of anesthetizing us to the real-world life-and-death disaster going on right now. Sort of like watching a movie about terrorists right around 9/11/2001 . . . you can’t afford to let the real-world impact lessen when it’s so vital to send real aid. If you let the victims become just faceless numbers, like the ones in the books (who would, in any case, have been long-dead by now, anyway), it lets you think you can get off without doing anything to help–they’re just images on tv, after all. Like special effects in a disaster movie . . . but they’re real. And it’s happening right now.

Look at this list, too, on Amazon of records by “local” people who are donating to relief efforts. Harry Connick Jr. Aaron Neville. Tim McGraw. Wynton Marsalis, and others. I know there are two songs I’ve had in my head this week–Harry Connick Jr’s version of “More than I Miss New Orleans,” and Aaron Neville’s “Louisiana 1927.” These folks are doing a lot themselves and they have great music. I figure they deserve a little back.

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning, Reading // 4 Comments »