Tag Archives: relocation

The Road to Diamond, Day 263: Pressing On

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

August 18,2025- The traffic at the junction of I-17 and Hwy 101 was backed up 1.5 miles, in the lane for entry to 101 East. It is not unheard, for commuters to be kept at a standstill in that and similar lanes, between 8-10 a.m. One problem is that lane jumpers go on ahead, in the I-17 lane just to the left and safety concerns mandate they be let in to the exit ramp, at the last minute. Everyone thus has to stop and make room. Fortunately, there are enough adults in the “room” to not force anyone to wait on the active highway itself. There were no accidents, as I edged my way towards “the 101” and a dental check-up-another fifteen minutes along 101 East, then Hwy 51 and into Paradise Valley.

I arrived nine minutes late, at the dental office’s temporary location. They, too, are pressing on, with their former office building now being converted into a center for autistic children. That also being a worthy cause, the dental staff has picked up stakes. There will be a larger dental office, soon, in the complex to which they have relocated. My clean bill of health affirmed, it was a good start to “Medical Week”.

Going back up to Prescott, after another errand and a stop at Penny’s gravesite, I found none of the traffic that we faced going in town. The only pressing on was getting a blood draw at the VA, with next Monday’s check-up being the last appointment for “Medical Week”. Helping Hiking Buddy with a couple of errands and pitching in at the Soup Kitchen rounded out the day.

The message of the day, overall, is that not being waylaid by difficulties will bring at least a modicum of the results one desires. It was a fine, if tiring, twelve hours.

The Hotel Project, Day 12

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Striving

October 6, 2020, Dallas-

In the end, the world held together.

Everyone facing forced relocation from the hotel was granted an extension-until the passage of Hurricane Delta; one lady was reunited with her clothing and another with her cellular phone; a young man mocked the mission of the Red Cross and was met by Mama Grizzly, our team leader, defending both her staff and our charges; everyone was fed and all the children were comforted; there was, however, no Pet Parade.

On this roiling and ever-changing day, we, Team Anatole, held our ground and were fortunate to be able to reassure the beleagured ones in our midst, that their world was being held together. They will be safe and sound, and they will formulate their own plans for going forward. The chrysalis will prove to have been a good place for emergence. The crucible will be viewed as a worthy vessel, from which a far greater community will energe.

For five of us, the Hotel Project has come to an end. The rest of the team, including our replacements, will press on, and finish the work, caring for the refugees, until every last storm victim is either relocated within Texas or has returned to Louisiana to rebuild home and fortune.

I saw snippets of events in the wider world, and that little has changed. I continue to pray for all who suffer from COVID-19, for those who offer themselves as leaders and for all who are deluded, in one direction or another. Prayers also, go out for those who are suffering in place.

I have no money to give to suffering Africans and South Asians, or anyone else, for that matter. I also ask for nothing, FROM anyone else. Love, though, goes out on abundance, and that is what truly matters.

See you again tomorrow.

The Hotel Project, Day 11

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Personal Values, Service Activities, Striving

October 5, 2020, Dallas-

I get that the president wants to get back to his work. I am also one to be looking at finishing what I start. One of our coworkers is sidelined by illness, which may or may not be COVID19. None of the rest of us are showing symptoms, though, so it could be something entirely different. The same thing happened in Alexandria, and the one person was quarantined-with the rest of us not becoming infected.

We resolved the missing clothing problem, from last week and a very happy, relieved client was reunited with her wardrobe. Several others began to take ownership of their short-term futures, though the human aversion to change was evident, among many of the people.

There is, on balance, an appreciation for what Red Cross has done for the communities in southern Louisiana, with none of the agitation by the Far Right that followed Hurricane Harvey, in 2017. The organization is committed to continuing to work WITH the people and communities of the region, as they face both return to the area and yet another hurricane, this coming weekend. Many have said, flat-out, that they will relocate to Texas, permanently. I’m sure many more will choose to move elsewhere, once the fullness of the hurricane season is through.

Tomorrow is the last full day of deployment and Wednesday will be a transit day. Both will be full of activity and change.