Just stopped off for Ruffin to heat up some Gumbo on the way to move into his apartment. Ruffin is excited to be leaving the Austin Convention Center, and to have a place of his own in Austin for now. We located a couple of place settings of dishes and some silverware. Some salt and some Ivory Liquid. And a spare mixing bowl. Ruffin is taking his cot and bedding from the Convention Center for now. Austex54 is bringing him a mattress tonight.
Ruffin says, “Hello, and God Bless all of you. Please join me in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I appreciate everything you have done for me in Austin. It feels Good to have my own place for now, and I think I can work the bus lines, and find a job or two.”
“I spent several days under the Causeway Bridge for I-10, with only the clothes on my back. It was muddy and stank like nothing I have every smelled before. It was way too crowded, but I did get to see Jesse Jackson who came to help our people. I got there by taking a boat down Delachaise Street to St. Charles, and walked from St. Charles to Napoleon to a bus to go to Houston, but was instead dropped at the causeway bridge. The water was all in my house when I began making my way to safety.”
“I had nothing to eat for days, and could not eat the food here in the Convention Center, so I guess I had not eaten for six days when Mister Robert found me exhausted in the Convention Center and took me out to eat for some Crab meat bisque to get my strength back up. Now we have become friends, and I have my own place to sleep again tonight.”
“I appreciate the people of Austin for their help and prayers. This is one experience I won’t forget. Ever.”
Veronica is moving into her place tonight, along with many of the senior citizens from New Orleans. We are getting her a plant for her balcony tomorrow.
Janet Strange is taking Liz to the Humane Shelter to pick up her dogs, while Troy and Ari move their things into their new apartment near Oltorf and I-35. Troy and I took a short trip to San Antonio last evening, and he plans to drive to Houston tomorrow to visit his two year old son for the first time since the strom – though it will be a while before he can get to Atlanta to visit his 11 year old son, Troy Junior. In New Orleans Troy lived in the same neighborhood with both sons, so he misses them a great deal, and they miss each other.
Karyn, Orlando, Edwima, Lawrence, Michelle and most of their family are locating near Northcross Mall, although Roderick, his three siblings and his mother Coretta will be a few blocks away.
Karry left today for Kentucky to join his brother. I told him goodbye for all of us, thanks for the Gumbo he cooked, and that we are proud to have known him. He promised to call me with his new contact information.
Relaxing a moment while Ruffin heats his Gumbo and makes some rice. And smoking my brand new pipe Ruffin got for me from Wal-Mart last evening as a surprise thank you. I have never had one which meant as much to me. I will treasure this gift of friendship for years.
Are a Lhaso Apso and a Shih Tzu (sp?) – Liz’s dogs. The Great Dog Retrieval has been accomplished. With some tears from the good people at the Austin Humane Society who were taking (very good) care of them.
Troy and Ari are rounding up sheets and towels now, and I’m going to take them some kitchen stuff later.
I’m so excited that the three of them have an apartment at last and that Liz has her “babies” back. Liz is planning to return to her home in New Orleans next week – her apartment there was not flooded and she’s looking forward to going back to it.
Her assessment of Austin? “You people are a class act!” Thanks Liz. Our pleasure. Really.
BTW – It’s impossible to overstate how kind and compassionate are the SPCA people at the animal shelter.
check your email for an important question…
Robert — I know you’ve been busy, but you never called me back!! [stands hand on hips, arms akimbo]
I couldn’t make it to your Friday get together, but I do want to be included — let me know (email or phone) ok?
Thank you for sharing these stories with us — please freely distribute my contact information amongst the people you are helping, especially those who need things I can provide:
A ride, hugs, and lots of ’em, someone to talk with, someone to help with gathering information and/or computer stuffs, WorkSource help, etc., etc. as I told the family that I’ve took to their apratment yesterday, we’ve got more love than money, but ya’ll are always welcome to it!
The folks near Northcross mall are 10 minutes away from where I live, so let them know I’m here if they need me — I can help them find all the cool stuff ’round here!
😉
Please call me back – I lost the phone number.
I would love to introduce you to Karyn’s family. ALso many Senior Citizens, including Veronica, are locating near you.
Great – btw Ruffin will be at the Capitol tomorrow at 10 for the John COurage Announcement – let me know if you can make it. He has been after me to shw him the Capitol, and then we are going shopping a bit again.
Let me know if you would like to join us.
I want to be there too! I didn’t know tomorrow was the day John Courage was going to announce. I am losing track of all my political things-to-do.
{Tribbers – DeLay puppet Smith is actually my (mis)representative – so John Courage is da man, as far as I’m concerned for taking him on.]
Give me a call in the morning, too, so I’ll know how to meet up with you guys. (Love to see Ruffin again too.)
But THANK YOU for inviting me — I am sorry to miss this!
With any luck I’ll be standing in a showroom, holding a baby boy while his mom and dad pick out a new bed!
Oh, wait, I have your cell # should I just use that?
Yes anytime, but call before Monday.
I just have to say what amazing, caring, busy, constantly involved, wonderful people all you Austin Tribbers are. You’re like an army of compassion and activism…..tireless in your efforts to make positive impact in all you do.
Thank you all
We all do our part — those of you who will be in DC have my utmost respect and thanks as well! You will stand for all of us, and damn it, united we will stand.
PS I almost wrote: “eeew, don’t say “armies of compassion”” because of last night’s speech, but you know what SCREW W — I almost let him ruin the word “folks” for me until I decided he can kiss my ass — I am taking back my phrases and words and symbols from those that abuse and misuse them…
Yeah, I thought to re-write it just for that reason, but you’re right, he’s taken the goodness out of so much, even words and phrases. Maybe army isn’t the right word. You’re definetily a force for good.
Buck Fush
Lately I’ve been choking on that word every time it comes out of my mouth – because I hear it in GWB’s oily voice. And it was one of my favorites. Glad to hear that someone else is pissed off at what he’s done to it.
Ruffin is somewhat settled. The folk at his apartment complex provided some pots and a skillet and are getting him a shower curtain. We went to HEB and stocked the refrigerator, and got a couple of ice trays and such.
Austex54 brought the mattress, with a frame to follow tomorrow – and a set of bath towels. Plus a clock radio with alarm, and a trash basket.
The job search starts Monday in earnest.
TSO is providing new glasses Monday, and the City is providing some much needed dental care. He is haooy to be home.
Robert, please let me know if we can provide any assistance. Leave message here if you do.
My daughter’s school (corner of 8th & Rio Grande) is having a fundraiser TOMORROW (Saturday) for hurricane victims– bake sale and auction. Any Bootribber who stops by between 11:00 and 1:00 and identifies him or herself to me (will be wearing my Boofrog shirt), will win a lovely baked good from me!
Where is it?
Sorry– should’ve checked again this morning! The Khabele School is at the corner of 8th & Rio Grande– the kids have made contact with a family that’s been uprooted, and so the funds raised will go directly to them.
Robert, I can’t begin to express my great appreciation to you. Your leadership of our community is inspirational.
Oh WOW Oh WOW
You all in Austin are GREAT! Thank you so much for making my day.
You cannot imagine how frustrating it is to me that I could easily equip another kitchen,maybe two, with all the spare stuff I have accumulated over the years.
Should I pack it up and send it ?
needs to be.
I helped sort donations that were given the weekend after the survivors arrived in Austin – it was almost all clothing and linens, so they have plenty in that department. But I think kitchen stuff, now that they are moving into houses and apartments would be put to good use.
Email me and I will get you an address. There may be up to a thousand new households to equip in Austin alone, and almost all are unfurnished.
A certain Miss Congeniality actress who lives in Austin, and whom I encountered regularly actually working among the people in the shelter) has been on top of this need a bit, but she certainly cannot reach everyone. Austin Interfaith organizations are also organizing a drive and you can contact Texas Interfaith Disaster response at http://www.tidr.org, 512.342.8732, Rev, Amy Elder, aelder@tidr.org, and mention Robert Andrews (Othniel’s mundane identity) – I have been serving as a volunteer chaplain through the combined auspices of TIDR and the Austin Police Department at the convention center. TIDR is attempting to match unmet needs with resources, and is designed to function statewide in Texas, though I only have experience with the Austin group.
Pro Bono lawyers located anywhere can help. I cannot tell how many people have no idea the status of their cases in family law, bankruptcy, social security appeals, criminal law, tort law, etc. The Austin Bar Association will be holding a pro bono seminar soon.
The Red Cross donations which so many of you have made are actually going toward the rent (Red Cross is funding one month’s rent for all households in the Austin Convention Center) and making a small dent, though much of the Red Cross Debit Card (about 350 per person) money has now gone to other items – though in any event 350 does not go far.
FEMA checks are also helping, though actual delivery of the checks has been somewhat sporadic, and most people are being somewhat conservative about holding the funds for return to New Orleans or major purchases. Although the City of Austin is waiving utility deposits for electricity, and most apartments here include water in the rent, no such arrangements have been made for phone service, and electric bills will come due soon.
While Austin has good central city mass transit through buses, many are relying on cabs to get to job interviews, and most do not have access to rental cars through insurance – though some, such as Troy, have 30 days from auto insurance of a rental vehicle – assuming one can be found.
In short, every wooden spoon and roll of charmin is a blessing. When you add in many amenities we generally take for granted the needs become overwhelming. Coffee makers, televisions – can you imagine replacing your entire DVD, VHS, CD collection – and then there are the drowned computers and internet service. How would most Tribbers make it without internet access?
Remember, many of these folk were in apartments or other housing with no insurance whatsoever. Many also were small independent business men or women, and simple issues like the fact that their accounts recievable have disappeared comletely while their automatic debits form their checking accounts function like clockwork would to most of us prove insurmountable.
One thing which has galled me about our collective governmental and societal approach has been the failure to recognize how many members of our society actually lead productive lives but do so while living on the margins. I continue to be amazed at the willingness of the people of New Orleans to hold their heads highand move forward.
Any extra bicycles out there Austin? Mine is being delivered to Ruffin today.
It will be easier for me to send checks than stuff…so the interfaith info is great for me.
Yes, thank you Othniel
you ppl are simply amazing!!!!!!!! you certainly have my respect and heartfelt thanks for doing what you all are doing. Please if there is anything I can do, please just email me…
You AUstin Tribbers are such an amazing group of people! Thanks for everything you do to make the world a nicer place!
Wow! Huge hugs to all of you who have helped so much and to those you’ve taken care of.
Do any of you belong to Freecycle? I belong to my local group and the exchange of free items is great. It might be a good local resource for you too.