I do not really have anything meaningful to say. I cannot add anything to the discussion, and I feel very distant from Tuscaloosa which, more than any other place, is truly my hometown. I was born at Druid City Hospital, now overwhelmed by displaced Alabamians in need of treatment for their injuries. A great percentage of my happiest moments were there on campus, whose historic structures were miraculously spared. I have spent more of my adult life in T-town than anywhere else, and I will always go back. Always.
I have been posting random bits of media and info to my facebook page. I will post some here too. They will overlap, so I apologize for the redundancy. I think it is important to understand the magnitude of what happened, the tragic aftermath and those who are devoting their time and energy to the relief effort.
First: this is the most incredible and horrifying tornado video I have ever seen, amateur or professional.
The death toll just keeps climbing as rescue efforts continue.
Coach Saban and Coach Stallings are lending their support where they can.
Local animal rescuers have set up a page for lost and found pets.
I just realized I could keep linking and linking forever. Go to YouTube and Flickr and do a search if you want to see more footage. There is so much amateur material out there. It really serves to make an already, for me at least, personal story that much more personal and that much more real and frightening. Students with their cameras pointed at the skies before running for their lives. Local storm spotters trying to report and warn and, at the same time, stay out of harm’s way. This isn’t "When Weather Attacks Vol. 4" tonight on Fox. This is home.
Look at this. 15th St. and McFarland. It is unrecognizable.
Here’s the point. If you don’t want to read all my bullshit just skip to right here: please donate what you can to the American Red Cross either via their website or by texting 90999 from your phone. There are so many neighbors in need and every single tiny bit helps. Thanks. And Roll Tide.
Speaking of hambones, this week I discovered that a small Honeybaked Ham will feed two people for a week – without getting boring! I bought it on my Monday lunch break. We rotated different vegetable side dishes for the first three nights: turnip greens, corn, field peas, etcetera. On Thursday we made ham sandwiches with french fries on the side. Friday I cut off the rest of the meat and made an always-awesome ham bone soup. That was more than enough meal for Friday night and Saturday’s lunch and dinner. Hooray for ham.