Just want to share a story with you guys that touched my heart last night. A Kossack who wishes to remain anonymous made a large contribution on that first match: s/he had lived through Irma, and only got power restored last night. They offered this:
“In FL, in the Carolinas, Georgia, as well as surrounding areas, people are probably still trickling back home and trying to return to ‘normal’. I'm one of the fortunate ones, as I never left and had no damage. I'm grateful to be alive and undamaged in every way, and this seems a good way to show my gratitude and joy, by helping them to get into their house and safe, as I was in mine. I thank Aji and Wings for understanding that people want to help...it's not charity, it's grace. Grace for their belief that we're all connected and here to help one another.”
If that’s not an act of Grace, I don’t know what is.
Updates at bottom of the post! (They’re good) :)Winter is coming.
No, seriously.
By the look of things here in the northeast, it’s going to be a hard one. My conifer is practically bent over with pine cones. The birds are molting. The deer have already taken on their darker lavender coats. I haven’t yet seen the squirrels in a frenzy of finding and burying their winter stashes, but I’m sure they’re busy somewhere else. Aji, far from me, is seeing the same indications. And it’s only mid-September.
Where Aji and Wings live, winter comes early every year. Yes, it’s New Mexico, and we think of NM as being broiling hot with 100°+ temps all the time. Not where they live — they’re up in the mountains, and it’s winter there when we’re still enjoying autumn’s garish displays. Just this coming week Taos nighttime temps are predicted to drop into the 30s. Winter comes fast and fierce in the mountains.
The photo at the top of the post gives you an idea of winter there.
You know the drill by now: we can not let them spend another winter in their deathtrap of a tin can. The house is well underway, and if we can get just a couple of things installed, they’ll be able, at the very least, to sleep in the house this winter. They both struggle with health issues, and Aji is in particularly difficult shape right now. She can’t get healthy again unless they can stop living rough and start sleeping cozy and warm.
Their plumbing and septic, which are covered financially thanks to a generous loan, are well underway, but there are a few other things that must be done before winter hits: 1) the downstairs floors have to get laid (upstairs floors are already in) so that 2) the wood stoves can be installed. Those are heavy expenses. And remember, their crew alone costs them about $1600 a week. AND... in order to get the stoves done by October 1st, the down payment has to be made next week (!!!!). That’s next week. Once more, for our West Coast listeners, NEXT WEEK. Sorry… was I shouting? I meant to say (next week.)
It’s kind of urgent. Yes, that’s understatement. It is really, really urgent.
How urgent? Here’s another one of Wings’s photos, taken from what is now the view out their front door. Five degrees below zero at midday the day he shot this:
The most helpful and important things are, as always, shares — of Wings’s site, of Aji’s site, of anything that can help them generate business — and sales of Wings’s stunning silverwork. Links are at the bottom of this post, and there’s plenty of stunning, handsome, beautiful, inspiring, and glorious (and other varieties of superlative) items available. Now is also the time to commission any pieces you might want to give as holiday gifts. Blink and it’ll be the middle of November. Here’s a taste of what’s available now:
BARRETTE: (just finished) Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved Dreams of a Late-Summer Spirit...That one’s not even on the website yet — grab it quick! :)
BRACELETS: Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved Indian Summer Dreams Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved Earth Rising PENDANTS: Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved In the Light of the Four Directions Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved Dance of the Whirlwind Spirits EARRINGS: Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved Eclipse EarringsFor anyone who’s new to these posts, we want to explain some stuff. Aji and Wings, through their work, have covered the bulk of their building costs, but they need our help. Why? Because this is America, where banks don’t loan to people whose (tribal) land can’t be snatched away in a pinch. Because banks are twitchy that way. Also kinda piggy.
That’s why we’re helping out. We’re the International Bank of Kos, and we don’t require repayment or include abusive add-on charges. We don’t even do foreclosures. We’re funny that way.
Think of this post as being like an old-fashioned barn-raising. Wings and Aji (and their rescued critters) are so close to being safe in their new home. And we’ve got to help get them get in there before it’s too cold — which won’t happen unless they can install the flooring and wood stoves. (Did I mention the down payments have to be in next freakin’ week?) So who’s gonna get that fantasticbracelet for Hanukkah? Those beautiful earrings for Christmas? The wicked cool belt for Kwanzaa? The fabulous ring or beautiful framed photo by Wings to hang on their wall just because ‘tis the season?
Wings's direct PayPal linkWings's site, for sales Lowe's cards (the physical version) via our Amazon wishlist Lowe's e-cards (delivered via e-mail) here Home Depot cards via the company site. Aji says: The e-version using my e-mail address is great; I take the tablet to the store with me, and they scan it off the screen.Items on Wings’s site, for quicker access if you’re on mobile:
AccessoriesBeltsBracelets — Cuffs & Links & BanglesBracelets — Coiled Power Collections (7th Fire Series)BucklesCollectiblesEarringsNecklacesPendantsPinsRingsOther ArtistsContact PageAbout that barn raising… this is how not to raise a barn (and yet how we all behave in so many DKos posts...)
x YouTube VideoLet’s not do it that way, okay?
This is how it’s done:
x YouTube VideoThanks so much for all you’ve done. We’ve helped get them so close. Now let’s make sure they’re snug and safe for the winter. Because together we can do amazing things. You know we can — you’ve seen it hundreds of times.
How matching funds work:Obviously, purchases of Wings’s silverwork and photography are the best way to to support Aji and Wings. But to meet the matching funds, only cash-equivalent donations apply; all other donations (Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot, or purchases) are, of course, gratefully accepted. If you need to send a check, please Kosmail me.
UPDATE:10: 17 — Almost halfway there!
10:28 pm — Over the halfway mark! Nearly $600! w00t!
11:00 pm — $765!! Three quarters there!
11:44 pm — $1000 MATCH MET!!!! A kind soul has offered a brand-spanking-new $500 match: if we meet this, we guarantee Aji and Wings can make their down payment next week! You all will have insured they’ll be safe and warm and free of dust and mold! :D You guys are amazing!
1:05 am — Okay, gotta turn in. But I’ll be back in the morning.
9/16 — 1:37 pm… should’ve posted here this morning, but… we’re still here, hoping on that $500 match… If you can share this again, or remind folks it’s still going on, we might get there. We’re off the rec list, so not garnering a whole lot of new eyes, but word of mouth works too.
2:18 pm — $75 toward the second match, which ain’t bad, considering how late it went up. Shares and stuff help bring in more readers… Just sayin’. :)
3:38 pm — just shy of $100...
9:31 pm — even with no one watching, we’re now at $325… We’re getting there. :)
10:30 pm -- $425!!!!
9/17 — 10:47 am — Within $40 of the second match. Inching ever closer…
11:09 — The new headline says it all. Matches met, down-payment assured, you all rock!!