This story could be about anyone from Asheville and Western North Carolina and Upper East Tennessee. This story isn’t about Badger, but it is.
The Great Flood of 2024 has disrupted lives of those who have survived – many did not. The rescue attempts are ongoing.
With no power or water or internet, and in the midst of the aftermath of this disaster, Rock Sprite and Badger made their way to Nashville for the military funeral of my father, James F. Mabry Sr. We encountered generous souls at Waffle House in Murphy, North Carolina, and the Outback in Cookeville, Tennessee, who comped our meals.
We encountered one Cruella DeVille who was passing along inaccurate information about the government’s response to the storm. I tried to gently, then not so gently, correct her narrative, to no avail. Badger is not known as a shrinking violet.
From devastation to civilization then back to devastation is an interesting ride. On our return trip, we passed through Knoxville and the beautiful Smoky Mountains which were seemingly unaffected by Helene, save the chocolate brown water of the Tennessee River.
We returned to no power or water. A company with whom I’ve worked in social media for several years (a temporary job was the intention) generously offered to relocate us to a hotel in Charlotte as Kitty and I both need the internet to work. We loaded Django the PooBah Kitty up and immediately headed southeast.
The problem was that this particular hotel doesn’t allow pets. So, Kitty and Django are in Rock Hill, South Carolina, under a FEMA relocation program at a pet friendly hotel. We don’t know how long we will be here and there. I’ve got a photography gig for the Tennessee-Florida game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. Somehow, I intend to honor my obligation with the help of one of my colleagues and caffeine and persistence.
As I approach my 70th birthday next week looking once again at a new normal, the realization as a Son of Appalachia that there’s been a great loss, but with loss there are new beginnings. I guess there will be an Act IV after all.
“For We Are the Kings and Queens of Appalachia. We are children of the pines. Walkers of the high ridges. Tellers of stories too wild to be true … but are. We are the daughters and sons of Appalachia. We are, by birth, Kings and Queens of this nowhere. We know this. These mountains have told us so. They love us and want to keep us all to themselves. The wind has whispered it to our souls since we knew how to speak and listen. And we listen very well.”*
*Words attributed to Anna Vess and shared by my friends Denise Bishop and Kimberly Wright
We are in the process of straightening our crowns.
Thomas Mabry – Honey Badger Images
Many of the HoneyBadgerImages are on display at instagram.com/honeybadgerimages
