2017 Life Logs, Day 289: Focus on Puerto Rico
Date: Monday, October 16, 2017
Weather: Overcast; High 65, Low 41 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio, Falmouth, MA
I’ve been sitting at this dining room table working at this computer screen for most of the day. I did go out to buy some Halloween fun stuff to send to Ziggy and Coco, but then I was back at work. In the afternoon, I was connected via Skype messaging with Justin. He had hoped to have a new website up and running today that would be a place for people to check in to see what the current needs are, but things are changing there and the website might be a duplication. So, he has put that on hold. The Rincon Beer Company that transformed itself into a soup kitchen after the hurricane and has now become the official relief distribution point. If they put up a website listing needs, then a second one would be unnecessary. So Justin went to Mayaguez today to try and check into a hotel so he could use their internet to get some work done. But now that FEMA and military personnel are there, no rooms are available. He paid $25 to use the internet but had to work in the very busy and noisy lobby. And internet is very spotty, not allowing us to talk via Skype. We had to message back and forth. We are trying to figure out if there is way that Justin can get back to work by installing a solar power system and satellite internet. In other words, he needs to be totally independent. Of course it can be done, but the cost is pricey. And I learned from Justin today that he has been told that it is illegal in Puerto Rico to set up an independent solar system in your home that is not connected to the grid. The grid doesn’t exist right now, but anything we do now would need to have the capacity of being connected eventually. Justin is going to a meeting tomorrow where the possibility of setting up charging stations and internet in the town plaza in Aguada will be discussed. And if he has time, he might drive further north to Aguadilla to talk to the people at Maximo, a solar energy company. He is so lucky that they are so close. Now that I have been able to get money to him, at least he can drive to these places to check out possibilities. Stay tuned for further reports on progress. And there was a bit of really good news today. Packages that I sent through the US Postal System soon after Maria are finally starting to arrive. Even a package that contained a large amount of cash arrived intact. So I have faith that packages sent through UPS or through the Postal System will arrive.
I’ll end this log with a bit of a rant and then I’ll list the items that I know Justin and Jo and neighbors could use. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is the current Top 20. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute and don’t have Amazon Prime for free shipping, you can contact me and I will order and send for you. Now for the rant of the day. I get very angry every time I hear our President saying that the Puerto Rincon people need to do more for themselves. I think they are probably working as hard as they can. Finally, after more than three weeks, the US government help is getting out of San Juan and into the rest of the island. But they were only able to get there late last week. How were the people of Puerto Rico who have had no way of communicating, who don’t have any idea of how other people on the island were affected by the hurricane, who have had no way to get cash until the last few days (and no way to charge anything), and even if they had cash, there was limited fuel availability—How were these people supposed to know to come to San Juan to pick up water and food? And how were they supposed to get there? If there was a devastating hurricane that hit the Cape and we were in the same situation, I would not think it would be acceptable for the government to deliver water and food to Providence, Rhode Island or to Boston and expect me to go pick it up. If you don’t have water, if you don’t have fuel, if you don’t have communication, if the roads are a mess, and if many people had lost their homes or incurred severe damage, I would hope my government would come to my aid by delivering what is needed to me. I know there is corruption in Puerto Rico, just like there is corruption here on the mainland. But I don’t think that is the problem here. This has been an unprecedented catastrophe in a time with so many other catastrophes that is hard for any of us to keep track of what is happening. I could understand if things didn’t get done because of that. But I can’t understand or tolerate blaming the victims for not doing their part. Where is the compassion, the caring? Where is the spirit of what this country has always stood for?
Okay, enough of that. Let’s focus on what we can do. Here is the list of things that can be ordered on Amazon and sent to:
Justin Handley
100 Carretera 115, Unit 870
Rincon, PR 00677
USA
Deluxe Kitchen Crop 4-Tray Seed Sprouter by VICTORIO VKP1200
$18.50
The Sprout House Amazon Six – Assorted Organic Sprouting Seeds and Seeds Mixes Sample, Pack of 6
$18.05
5 Part Salad Sprout Seed Mix -1/2 Lbs (8 Oz) – Organic Sprouting Seeds: Radish, Broccoli, Alfalfa, Green Lentil & Mung Bean – For Sprouts
$11.99
The Sprout House Organic Sprouting Seeds Baby Black Sunflower 1 Lb
$15.90
The Sprout House Certified Organic Non-GMO Alfalfa Organic Sprouting Seeds 1 pound
$19.25
Winner Outfitters 6-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags /Aeration Fabric Pots With Handles
$16.59
KANBERRA GEL 524003 Natural Air Purifier Gel, 8-Ounce
$49.35
Kanberra KG0024P Kanberra Gel Refill – 24 oz.
$89.99
100 Pack – World’s #1 Water Purification Tablets – Aquatabs
$15.95
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus – For Camping and Emergency Drinking Water
$10.25
Personal Water Filter, Epress Mini Portable Water Purifier Straw 2000L Outdoor Survival kit Emergency Camping Equipment for Outdoor Camping Life, Hiking, Climbing, Traveling, Backpacking (2 pack)
$31.99
DampRid FG90 Moisture Absorber Easy-Fill System, Large Room
$9.82
DampRid Hanging Bag FGAM86 Fresh Scent 16-ounce, 3-Pack
$10.99
Meyenberg Whole Powdered Goat Milk, Vitamin D, 12 Ounce (Pack of 3)
$33.54
Certified Organic Whole Milk Powder (1lb), Hoosier Hill Farm, Gluten free Hormone free
$16.99
#1 Rated TASTY Grass-Fed Beef Sticks Gluten Free MSG Free Nitrate/Nitrite Free Paleo Friendly Meat Sticks 12 Pack
$19.95
Mission Meats Ultimate Sampler Pack Grass Fed Beef Sticks & Bars & Free Range Turkey Sticks Gluten Free MSG Free
$23.95
Laura’s Lean Beef Organic Grass Fed Jerky, Original, 3 Oz Bag
$7.99
Home Depot Gift Certificates and D-cell batteries are both great things to send. I cannot get confirmation from Home Depot that a gift certificate bought electronically can be honored in Puerto Rico at this point. So, if you wanted to send a gift certificate, you would have to buy it in a store and send it. A gift card or anything else you want to purchase to send yourself should be put in a US Postal Service Flat-Rate box (not UPS) and addressed to:
Justin Handley
PO Box 870
Rincon, PR 00677
USA
