Trouble in Paradise

Here in rural Maine we lose power a lot.  I don't know what the national average for power loss is, or anything like that, but when I used to live in New York, we'd lose power for ten minutes every few years.  It was almost fun when it happened--like an unexpected adventure.  In the part of Maine where I live now, the power goes out five to ten times every year.  That's not so terrible on its own, but when a power outage drags on for days...well, that can get pretty bad.  In the winter, we worry about all of our animals getting too cold (especially the birds!).  In the summer we worry about keeping all of the food (and insulin) cold.  At any time of the year, we get crabby when we can't take a shower.  After a week with no power, even the calmest person in our household can start to feel a little desperate.

Maybe you already see where I'm going with this.  I've been thinking a lot about Puerto Rico and the Caribbean lately.  The people there are not only without power, but without their homes, their belongings, their family members, their pets...and, I suspect, increasingly without a feeling of safety or hope.

As I sit here in the comfort of my home, I feel the need to do something to help.  Many of you have urged me to start a Patreon (or similar) site, where you can donate a little money to support the blog.  This is so incredibly generous and kind (it brings tears to my eyes sometimes!) but I've never felt comfortable asking for money.  However, I do feel comfortable with this request: please join my modest fundraising effort to help the residents of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.  The fundraiser will only last a few days, and any amount you can give will be amazing.  About five thousand people visit this site every day, so if each of you pitches just a little, we've done something great.  Please read on if you'd like to know more!

Maru and Friends Mini Pal, Savannah (on the coast of Maine, 2017).

Maru and Friends Mini Pal, Maru (on the coast of Culebra, 2016)

I've been thinking for a while about how to do this.  I didn't want to collect the money myself, leaving you all to wonder if I'd simply run off and burned it on dolls and pizza.

So, I've started a fundraising page on GlobalGiving.  This organization gets fantastic charitable reviews, vets all of their hosted projects thoroughly, and has earned the New York Times' stamp of approval for hurricane relief charities.

To find my page, simply follow this link or use the button in the right hand margin at the top of the blog.  And please note that you can enter your own donation amount--you don't have to pick one of the listed suggestions!  *Kelly has informed me that the minimum is $10, though.  Sorry about that.  I was hoping any amount would be accepted.

The project that I've chosen to sponsor is called the Puerto Rico and Caribbean Hurricane Relief Fund.  Here's their introductory blurb:

Hurricane Maria caused devastating destruction and flooding in the Caribbean, destroying homes in Puerto Rico, Dominica, and the Virgin Islands just two weeks after Hurricane Irma. This fund will provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. All donations to this fund will exclusively support any necessary hurricane relief and recovery efforts in the Caribbean.

As this fundraiser kicks off, I'll keep you entertained with photos of my newest Maru and Friends Mini Pals and a massive Project Mc² update:

The newest Ember from Project Mc2

I hope you'll join me in donating a bit of money, but while you think it over, here are a few more pictures from the reviews that I've written in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands over the years!

Rapunzel and Mother Gothel in St. John (2013):

And here's my little Lala-Oopsie sea horse (also in St. John, 2013):

This is just a spectacular view from St. John in 2013!

And here are Mini Pals Maru and Tanya in Culebra, Puerto Rico (2016):

Thank you so, so much for reading!  Please consider joining me to try and spread a little hope.