Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove-off 4 abit

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 04:13 PM

Red Cross- They helped enormously right after the fire by putting us up in a motel when we needed privacy and a safe place to stay. They've done their part.

Trailer- Yes! That's exactly what we need to do. There are companies that handle this kind of emergency housing (and the insurance company will pay for it), along with arranging hook-ups of utilities....just wondering if anyone can tell us via PM what companies they recommend or not and why, along with any other advice based on whatever experience someone may have had with a similar situation. PMs are best if anyone suggestions.

Thanks, Mary. You are right on target.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 03:34 PM

Maeve, if there is electricity and water available on your property, any chance of putting a mobile home on site as temporary housing? Sorry if this is a foolish idea. Just thinking out loud. OpenMike resorted to a trailor.
M

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 03:26 PM

You may have already done this, Maeve - the Red Cross helps families in your situation with housing. In South Portland, just driving around the neighborhood turns up houses for rent - the owners don't want to go through a real estate agent.
Just what you need - more stress.
So sorry.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 03:07 PM

"Chicken Lady" Christine, welcome to Mudcat. Thanks for your concern and interest.

Susan, Sins, Allison, Hil, Janie, Maggie- I appreciate your thoughtful posts.

We are finding that this apartment may not last as long as promised. Looking into emergency housing paid for by insurance. Anyone have advice/recommendations? Please PM if you do. Stress levels going through the ceiling.

m

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: GUEST,"Chicken Lady"
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:19 AM

Dear Maeve & Truelove,
I came upon this thread because I was trying to Google the phrase about "throw it out today, & you'll need it tomorrow". The search keyed in on one of the comments about the beautiful thing that was done to turn burned remnants into quilts. I was in the process of tying up a few loose ends for a Toastmaster Speech contest tomorrow (today now!), but I had to read everything: your horrible trial and the beautiful friends you have helping to support you.
I don't know a lot about threads, forums, and things like that - but "you & your people" seem to be cut from the same cloth as I am. [Although I have been unable to due so for a number of years, my hobby is re-enacting the War of 1812. For a couple of years I even brought live chickens with me that the kids could excitedly touch and pet - hence my nickname.] I love so many of the things that have been mentioned in this thread.
My speech is actually one about Pack Ratting. So reading of your losses is almost heart stopping! Would it be alright if I continued to check in here, to see how you and Truelove progress? [With permission or not, I'm afraid I will not be able to keep you out of my prayers.]
I would say "God bless you", but obviously He already has - with many dear friends, and most of all with each other. Love from a "stranger" (a friend you have not yet met), Christine

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 06:34 PM

Saw crocuses poking their heads up around the church's back door today, and thought: "Wish my camera was onboard-- ought to show this to Maeve."

~S~

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 08:26 AM

First signs of spring in South Portland - the crows are grub hunting. But this time my neighbors are the victims. They dig with their beaks and fling huge clumps of lawn over their shoulders and dig in to newly appearing grubs. Two years ago they reduced my front lawn to desert. My neighbor actually came out and chased them periodically but they were more persistant than he.

No green shoots yet.

Sorry it's a "low' day Maeve. There will be some. We are all here for you.
Mary

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 07:24 AM

Daffodils are the true sign of spring in the frozen north. Crocuses are so fragile and they last such a short time but daffodils wave bravely in the face of adversity. I love that they are available in cut form even when there are feet of snow on the ground.

I'm still here too, my dear, as you know.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:05 AM

Sandra, your flowers are other-worldly.

maeve, last year the first daffodils were the ones that came up over the grave of my cat Clementine, buried a few weeks earlier. Her daffodil leaves are up again now: they were poking through the snow a couple of weeks ago. The flowers may come any day. This spring I'll plant something special to remember Mowgli, because I didn't bring him home to bury. It wasn't going to make it any easier in losing him. I need to find a very nice flower or shrub to plant in his honor. Considering how he loved to eat grass, I should probably find an ornamental or native grass to put in one of the beds. I think there is an inland oats that is very pretty that we have in wild clumps in the back of the yard near the creek that I could transplant.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Janie
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:35 AM

Making my goodnight rounds.

Dream dreams of light and wholeness. Dream dreams of the love you share. Dream dreams of the the love that surrounds you, even in the midst of loss and pain.

Nite.

Sweet dreams.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 06:19 PM

Still thinking of you and glad for your new-found treasures. Those daffodils must be a joy. Love & Hugs,
Hil x

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:29 PM

Thanks, Kat, Jennie, Sandra, Mary, Jacqui...it's a low day here so your kindnesses are much appreciated.

m

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:07 PM

Me too. Been running around a bit but always thinking of you.
Mary

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:54 AM

Still here darlin'. Thinking about you.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:26 AM

lovely Australian wildflowers to look at

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:07 PM

Daffodils are such lovely cheerful flowers - they bring sunshine to dull days, it's trite but true! Maeve, although it must be heartbreaking going through what is left, finding little things that survived like your cookie jar must bring a lift.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 04:40 PM

Those found treasures can mean so much. I remember how Night Owl felt whenever she found another thing. It took her ages, she was in such shock. She didn't even get to her vinyls until a couple or more years because it was hard. Like you, she didn't like the smell or the reminder, so stuff was tucked away for awhile. When and if you have time, I do think some of what she posted is worth a read.

Lovely cup o'daffs.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 04:35 PM

Thank you, Sandra.

My hardworking Truelove found one of our Rowantrees cookie jars, complete with lid. It was wrapped in bubblewrap in a plastic bag (I was going to sell it for needed cash)buried in a couple of feet of ash. He was so happy, presenting it to me!

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 08:24 AM

thinking of you

sandra

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:56 AM

We have a mug on the kitchen windowsill; planted with a few miniature daffodils, it's just coming into bloom. How did that friend know we'd need and be comforted by her gift?

I'm grateful for the slides we've dug out of the mess; yet like anything else I have to extract them from the debris and clean them, bringing soot and cinders into the apartment. This latest batch must be cut from the charred and melted plastic sleeves. I can't get to some in the middle without some of the tools we don't have anymore.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:46 PM

Janie- Welcome home. Come spring I can send you some of my crested iris; blue and white ones if you like.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:30 PM

And may it be a day in which your nose detects a promise of spring, and the smell of good earth, also.

Saw crocuses starting to bloom in the remnants of the garden I left behind last week, as well as the leaves of daffodils, up about 6 inches. When I pick up my son on Monday, I won't be surprised if I see the flower buds of crested and reticulated iris, if I can bear to get out of the car to look. Here and there, in sheltered spots, little tufts of winter-cress are in bloom, and little patches of bloody cranesbill, chickweed, henbit, common speedwell, etc., are starting to starting to sprout up. I think of you and TL every time I see these signs of renewal, knowing the same signs are moving north, day-by-day.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 05:58 PM

Thank you kindly, Charlie.

My throat and nose and lungs feel as they did the 2 days of fire. I'm cutting slides free of melted and charred plastic. Some will be thrown out but I can't tell which until they are dry enough to dust them off and evaluate. Days of sailing on the schooner Mary Day are in today's batch. Such days of freedom and beauty out in Penobscot Bay, Pulpit Harbor, and beyond. Never again will I have that pleasure.

TL tries hard to find me treasures when we are working. He often succeeds- I had so many photos, slides, craft materials, etc. he finds bits of cloth, lace, wool strips for hooked rugs, pot shards, a shortbread mold. Nothing with monetary value, but he knows they mean something to me. Of course then comes the labor of cleaning each little thing.

We are both tired and frustrated. I detest the stench of wet, burned things.

Another day tomorrow.

m

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 02:20 PM

Still thinking of you, Maeve, you've always shown me thoughtfulness, so I hope to return the compliment.
Best regards again from Charlie.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 02:14 PM

Still thinking about options for slide scanning. Thanks for the suggestions.

I found a few more pages of slides in plastic protector pages. Most are charred beyond use. I'll try to pry the pages apart to save what I can.

Truelove is still over at the homeplace, sorting out metal/burnables, and has a small fire going in the corner of the cellar hole out of the wind. Odd that we must use fire to cleanse the mess left by fire.

My asthma started kicking up so I packed up today's load of charred fabric and pottery pieces and drove back here. Between the smoke and ashes on site and the smoke and filth I have to clean off of anything we salvage I'm having some trouble getting a deep breath. I do not like having the smell of ruin in the apartment, but there's no other way to clean and access the usable remains.

Packets of fabric from various Mudcat friends arrived today; thank you. It's lovely to handle clean, bright new fabric.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: olddude
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:49 PM

Maeve
I have access to a pro scanner at one of my clients, do you need me to scan stuff for you? I certainly can and put them on a Cd if you like
just email me hon you have my address

Love Dan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:43 PM

Yes, maeve, sorry I should have said.:-)

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:28 PM

I think what Maeve is looking for is one like this, the Konica Minolta Dimage scan elite 5400 II. But they stopped making it several years ago. I'm on a discussion list of owners of this scanner, and there are others coming along that, while not as perfect, are pretty good.

In other business, TGIF! It was a long week, culminating with my evaluation. It was easier than last years because I think we've all decided the print newsletters are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, and my taking on the design of several of the print projects we do do has been useful. It's much easier to design web documents and mount them, than it is to wait for the design and print process (we do the writing and photography, another department does a lot of the print documents on campus). So it went better, but I'll tell you, while those paper projects were dying a slow death my online work was growing, and it took a while for the realization to hit everyone.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:59 PM

Art Thieme, Kat? Will do.

m

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:28 PM

I've got a scanner which does high res., not sure if it's high enough for your purposes...it's a Visioneer One Touch. You might send Art a PM and ask what kind he used for all of his slides. I know it did multiple slides where mine is tedious, doing one at a time. I wouldn't want to leave them anywhere nor send them out, either. Is there a professional nearby who could do them? Affordable?

kat

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:17 PM

Thanks, Maggie. part of the difficulty is that I need a high resolution for the scans - most "over the counter" home scanners gizmos, as I understand it, can't do a pro job.

I worked on the ruin most of the day. I did find another binder of slides. Mostly handled rubbish whether burnable or metal.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 10:08 AM

I've made a couple of attempts to get a good slide scanner--the one that was the "industry standard" went out of production a number of years ago, and alas, most of the used ones now on the market pass through shady eBay dealers. I was fortunate to get my money back via a third party warranty, but my next attempt will be to buy one currently in production and covered by a warranty. I'll let you know what I come up with.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:48 AM

Possibly, Susan. I don't want to send them away form us; I know that. Perhaps you'd send me a PM? Thanks.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:00 AM

I wish I could scan them all onto cds to have a file of photos and to print them

Maeve, is this something you'd accept help with?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 07:59 AM

Every find must seem like treasure. Still one day at a time. And when TL is ready, we will build a new collection of vinyl with you if you like.
Mary

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 06:48 AM

Two months ago at this time our house was atill smoking.

Yesterday we found the photo of a special child ("My only photographs of the child who became like my own child; gone.")- one we thought was lost forever. We also found one album of slides- photos from my childhood and of Scotland, including beautiful Barra. I wish I could scan them all onto cds to have a file of photos and to print them

I'll spend much of today looking for other photo albums in the same area. We saw many fused stacks of TL's records.

Thank you for the support and thoughtful gifts, friends.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:45 PM

Thanks, VTam and gnu.

m

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 12:31 PM

I saw the term folk idiom in one of the never ending what is folk threads and came up with an Uxbridge English Dictionary definition.

folkidiom = unfathomable element much discussed by folk idiots

Afraid that if I had that as a bumper sticker, some traddie would trash our car.


and for another little bit of light entertainment

All Night Laundromat Blues

Still thinking about you Maeve and Truelove too.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 12:19 PM

Place hose in pantyhose and secure with elastic band such that the pantyhose extends about 6". Easy to clean.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:22 AM

Thanks, Sins. Freecycle/Craigslist/Uncle Henry will be perused forthwith!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:09 AM

I had one in a NY apartment and loved it. You can also get a stackable dryer that fits on top. Try freecycle. Small loads only but it will asve you trips to the laundermat. The dryer was not vented to the outdoors so I stuffed pantihose in the hose to catch lint. Keep it clean and it works well.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:04 AM

Hollowfax- Thank you.

Kath- It was lovely to see, talk with, and hear you again, too. It had been ten years since I sang there.

"W.y.s.i.w.y.g."- Hmmm Bumper sticker? T-shirt? LOL You're going to land me in the middle of yet another "What is" thread!

Two friends each took me to an Archie Fisher concert. It mad all the difference for me to see my old friend again and hear the songs that have carried me through the years. Thank you.

Have any of you used one of those portable washing machines (the roll around kind, not the countertop ones)? I was thinking if I had one here at the apartment I wouldn't be spending so much money, energy and time on laundry.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 06:58 PM

It finally seems so very simple:

Q: What is folk music?

A: Maeve.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: KathWestra
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 06:45 PM

Maeve sang so very beautifully on Saturday--two different songs of her own making. Beautiful poetry, beautiful music. Sung from her true heart. It just couldn't have been better. I was so grateful to be there to hear her!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Hollowfox
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 06:21 PM

Just so you know, the $#@!-reduction candle series is still going on my hearth.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 07:17 PM

...none quite as low as those we have left behind....

So true.

Maeve, I have been thinking about fabric. May I send you a scrap from the dress our fire could not kill?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 07:15 PM

Thanks, friends.

Susan and Hardi- Thank you. TL isn't wanting to replace that collection for now. If that changes, I'll post here. He's managing his needed grieving and recovery beautifully.

Two days of happiness; such a gift! There will be other low fire-grief days, but none quite as low as those we have left behind.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 02:35 PM

And we were all happy to hear you sing out so beautifully!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 10:03 AM

Good for you, maeve! Sing on!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 09:23 AM

Then we're happy FOR you. ^^^MAEVESINGING^^^

... and happy along with you.

Hardi was asking me esp the other night how TL is doing. When he realized the "lost vinyl" angle it made him SO sad. He asked me to try to find out what genre/singers/etc. mos' pertickularly.

~Susan