What a trip...

Walking the Right path...

Well the trip was too long but worth it...When we made it to Waveland and every place that had been opened to feed the people was gone, closed, nowhere to be found...With no supplies to plug into, cooking for people would be hard, so off we went to in search of the kitchen that moved to Louisiana to find the new kitchen setting up there...It was so nice to see so many of the wonderful people I had worked with when I first came down in October...Well they were still setting up, so we pulled in to help out, so our first week, we spent raising the Domes and setting up the kitchen...By the middle of the week Ron had been aproached to get together a crew to bring back to Handcock County, and the town, the mayor, and a non-profit organization called Mississippi's Forgotten where behind us in funding and food, so we worked hard putting that kitchen together and yesterday, Monday they opened to the public in St. Bernards Parish and we had a Uhal pull in to pick our gear up...So now we are back in Handcock County just outside of Waveland, in Bay Side Park setting up and hoping to be opened to the public Monday or Tuesday...At this time I am trying to organize a toy drive for local childern whose parents are so burdened trying to rebuild...I'm hoping to ease a few burdens...We will soon have better access to the internet and updating will be easier...Until then...I've got lots of tents to raise and a kitchen to build...Many Blessing...

Winnebago to go...

Well the Winnebago is here, and the scrubbing has been intense, but it looks like a different camper…Tomorrow the kids leave for the day and the real moving in takes place and since the DMV isn’t open Monday, we’ll have two more days until our journey begins…I’m feeling better and better as we go, but Ron looks ready to pull out his hair…The poor man is working himself to the bone…What a feat he has turned out making this happen so fast, WOW…What a warrior, I am so honored to be going down south to help Katrina victims with such a wonderful person…I haven’t spoken to anyone from down there in about a week but our plans are still to head to Waveland to fill in and try to keep hot food going for those that can’t yet fix their own…But for now, It’s a challenge to decide what goes and what we leave behind, and lots of prayers that our journey is a good one…The car will be coming with us, so we will have a support vehicle, that is a great blessing…The local food pantry has also donated 8-5gallon buckets of dried goods, everything from bullion to hot chocolate, to sugar, to soup mix and bacon bits…That’s not a bad start…Things are looking good from this end, if I am to make a dent in the moving tomorrow then it should begin with a good nights sleep, we will post as we can of our journeys and adventures…May the Lord smile as we walk down his path and shelter my family from harm…

Katrina Relief Efforts:Hydration Station:Team Leader

Bloomington Indiana resident spends three weeks in Waveland Mississippi.
Circus James hard at play for Halloween

KiKi and her wonderful catering skills

James and Colors in staff camp

New Orleans, Common Ground Relief

A visit to a New Orleans Common Ground distrabution center,Look how small it is...

Oopss...Momma accidentally loaded this one and can't figure how to take it off,The Earth Momma's from Indiana...



Words from Circus James
October 2005 Waveland Mississippi trip allowed me to work with some of the best humanitarians in the United States. Grass Roots efforts from the few that could break away from the nine to five, converged in a parking lot to form the ‘New Waveland Café’, serving free food, child care, and medical treatment, along with a free store run by BCOC. As one of the hydration captains my duties included, stocking coolers with bottled water, tea, sports drinks, juices, milk and lots of ice. Serving times were most important to help the people, mostly elderly to find their drinks. Occasional mobile hydration runs are made though out the parking lot on foot, passing out iced bottled water to the people standing in lines, and the workers helping them. There is no better feeling than to relieve a hot thirsty individual. Hundred of faces, whom I’ve never met, smiling back at me, saying thank you, was one of the biggest thrills for me. The best moments for me, where performing for the kids, juggling on Halloween night as a clown, their smiles are something I’ll always carry with me. I was but one small part of an extensive kitchen serving hot gourmet meals, three times a day. It is hard to find a more productive place to be, too bad the Café is leaving after Thanksgiving.

A note from Momma...
After talking to locals via phone, I have learned that there will still be a need for a kitchen with means to feed anywhere between 50 to 200 people, mostly elderly that cannot yet cook for themselves, so my family and I are going down to help fill in the spaces...We will be staying for up to two years or more if needed, we are presently trying to pull everything together so that we can be back down in Waveland by Thanksgiving...Wish us luck...

Reaching out to Waveland...

Hello everyone, Momma KaBoom here, back from Waveland, Mississippi... A place hard hit by Katrina, but seldom heard about… Well I am raising my voice to raise awareness of those whom so many have forgotten, the wonderful, colorful people of the gulf coast…For me these people have forever changed my life, and I want to give them something in return…Let me begin with a few facts about just one small town…Waveland, Mississippi…60% of the buildings in this town were completely destroyed and many that are left standing will need to be bulldozed too, from the toxic black mold growing like ivy in places where once families grew…So many people displaced, living in tents, and campers hoping that the government and insurance companies will help…Waiting day after day…I’m not saying that FEMA isn’t doing anything, there is just too much that is needed and on paper their solutions seem workable, but in reality, it isn’t feasible. So the real help coming to those people is coming from the ‘US public’, but we all must understand that this isn’t a quick fix kind of situation, it could easily be said that these people need at least a two year commitment, and possible a ten year commitment, of help and goodwill…I personally worked in one of the very few groups feeding hot ‘home-cooked’ meals, I’ll call it a grass roots relief, or in simple terms, a big group of hippies…And many of the people we were there to help would talk about how so many of the larger organizations aren’t helping as much needed, and to speak of FEMA and Red Cross ruffles many feathers, these people feel that the government as a whole hasn’t taken the devastation seriously enough, and their real help comes from church groups, and individual people…So I am sending out a plea…Any and all help is needed, but hands on help is the greatest need…And if you are unable to pull away from your busy lives, be sure what help you can give is actually going directly to the people, not some Organizations paychecks (AKA United Way, Red Cross,ect.)…I’m not saying this as a personal attack on larger organizations, but because this is what I heard from the victims of the hurricane…They need much more direct help, and assistance…When it first happened many people sent things, like winter clothes, but at the time, it was way too hot for them to help anyone, and with no way of storing these items, they sat on contaminated ground, and ruined…So now with cooler ‘winter’ weather beginning to hit, so many are constantly cold, warm clothes, warm socks, gloves, and SPACE HEATERS are desperately needed, wood stoves would work as well, and that is just the beginning…The town hall was completely wiped out and this town doesn’t even have a copy machine…And as far as I could tell, outside communications are few…The area that I worked in had three computers, and two land-line phone connections, and that was it…I had found a TV and they are working hard at a cable, or satellite connection, for many of the people there didn’t even have an idea about Wilma coming north…These people haven’t seen the news in more then two months…For me, I found out about world events, from the few phone calls from home I was able to have…But between working 8-14 hours of cooking each day, and sharing phones, and computers with a few thousand people, reaching out to my family at home was difficult most of the time…Cell phones, and lap-tops would greatly help this area, for these people are trying to rebuilt their lives, personal and businesses, and communications are so vital, yet so hard to obtain…Food donations vary from day to day and grow smaller as the days past…These people need the help that this kitchen/free store that sits in Fred’s parking lot, for there aren’t many stores with walls yet, and who knows how long until there will be enough to provide enough for the area again…These steadfast people of our south need a hand while they get their feet under them again, they are living in a third world country, and they haven’t left their hometown…The pictures that we see on the news, and online can’t even begin to show the devastation and destruction. It’s the first time in my life when a picture wasn’t worth a thousand words and no words can express what the pictures can’t tell…With so much extreme weather slamming into our southern coast, one storm after another, many people have forgotten the hardest hit area’s, besides New Orleans…Let's continue to remember, and reach out to do something about it...I know I will...

A look at the Bloomington crew...

..Momma takes a breathe with some of the crew...James jammi'n with a monkey...

When we got there Daniel was working hard to unwind after a long day in supply...

Stopping for sunset...Colors sings for the people of Waveland in solo dinner concert...

A view from the top...

catching up at home...

I finally feel like I'm catching up on everything at home, sleep was the biggest thing I missed. I made it in time for my son's birthday, which made us all happy. Now after the last few days of running around with my head cut off, I have a moment to sit and reflect on my time spent in a place where I went to help others, but these wonderful people helped me in so many more ways, than I could ever offer them.

Ultimately there is something magical about the south, and in the past I felt it was the land, but I was so very wrong, it is the people. The strength, faith, compassion, and gratitude that shone so brightly, that it was a very spiritual experience for me. So many times in my own life, I have felt sorry for myself, and for this I am petty, I know this now. I have heard so many heartbreaking stories of loss and survival that all my problems seem no larger then a pebble in my shoe, annoying, but of no true consequence, or burden.

When Katrina hit I knew that I was suppose to go and help these people, even though there were days I felt I could hardly help myself. I now understand why I was suppose to go, not for what I could give to these people but what they had to give to me. I have often felt that no wall or books were needed to conjugate and share fellowship, but until I went to Waveland, Mississippi I never quite understood just how true this is. In a place where everyone is equal, and to put it in layman terms, the playing field was leveled, where politics and religion truly didn’t matter, nor what street you lived on or your social standing in the community, I saw people from all walks of life pull together and worship, without ever saying the words. Every action, and expression sang the praise and gratitude of life. For this I am grateful too. I have been truly blessed to be witness to such faith and beauty. In a place where everywhere you turn there are signs of destruction and loss, there was also faith and hope. These people need help more than words can express, and if there was every a time a person chooses to be giving of themselves, now is the time to stand up and take action. So even when we tell ourselves that our own lives are too busy, or we just can’t afford to reach out and give, we also need to remember that none of these people asked for this either.

In one fell swoop God cleared everyone’s agendas, and maybe we should take what we can give and take the risk and just do it. As hard as it was to leave my life, being a mother that home schools her three children, and heartbreaking as it was to be so far from my family. I am so GRATEFUL that I have been given the opportunity to receive the wonderful gifts the beautiful people in Waveland, Mississippi have given me, just by being…

Last night in the Gulf...

Tonight is our final night in Waveland, and it is so far away from ending here spend so much time on my feet that it's hard to find the time to write much of anything, but as I am going home, I'll have more time to sit and reflect on my journey, and I shall share it all with you...But on my last night I felt magic of this area, something you can't feel or see driving around was Amber's birthday, Amber is an incredible woman working an average of 9 to 14 hours each and every day, and sometimes into the night...It was decided to go to the beach, even though curfew is 11:00pm.I am so glad we went, I could feel the power of the ocean as I stood in the water letting it tickle my legs. We played drums, and danced for a few hours and came back for a few hours of sleep before everyone's day begins again and my journey home begins.The life lessons I will take home with me are the most awesome things I have ever learned.As it is so late I will tell you more later about the magic of the gulf coast in the moonlight and so few land-lights to block out the sky's beauty.But for now I am going to go sleep as to take the magic with me...

Waveland update

Greeting everyone Firelight here. I am posting in Momma’s absence. The Rainbow Tribe has been very effective in their presence at Waveland. There are a total of 3, to 4 (counting Arjay’s) computers with Internet connections. The Family has opened them up to the public so the citizens can take care of that aspect of their lives. (it’s hard for her to get access and time to post) Momma (Spring) has been working 12-hour shifts cooking, cleaning, making free food signs, entertaining, sharing smiles, hugs, and tears. We are being told that local area populations are choosing to come use the Rainbow kitchen over the government support facilities. The government offers bottled water and M.R.E.’s (Meals ready to eat) for most of you, some can remember this as the old “sea rations”. At the Rainbow camp bottled water, cappuccino, cold fruit smoothies, hot home cooked meals, a friendly environment, and nightly entertainment, Internet connection, and the list goes on and on. All this is being done off the Grid (not plugged into the normal utilities and services modern man has come to know) “Without” the help of Red Cross and F.E.M.A. This has been such a success that Philippe (a Rainbow elder & focalizer) led a small delegation to New Orleans for a kitchen there. Upon setting it up and feeding, the National Guard began using our resources. Within 2 days the local New Orleans police tried to shut down the kitchen. The National Guard came to the Rainbow Family’s defense and would not let them stop us. As a result the Mayor of New Orleans gave Philippe and the Rainbow family the Key to the city and a request for us to open up 10 more kitchens there alone. A delegation of elders and focalizers, have gone to New Orleans to access our ability to do just that. I am at this moment considering picking up my family and going into the region to offer my help as technical support, administrative liaison. Using my formal education, B.S. Computer Science, & B.S Business Management (9 years education courtesy of Uncle Sam and the old G.I. Bill) as well as Backbone at the disposal of the Family’s efforts. I am currently in constant prayer on this very hard that the spirit will guide my life to the Father’s will. “We are at all times where we are suppose to be. The choices we make in the eternal now moment determine our honorable intent, our submission to the Fathers will, the good we help to create, the lives and future we ultimately effect”. To Momma…. “I LOVE YOU!!!!!” To everyone in Waveland, and the region. “My Love, respect and admiration is yours”.

Symbols and signs

You can go through life thinking how open and big your world is, and then you walk upon something that reminds you that in this world each of us are no bigger a life as an ant is to us...This has happened to me a zillion times a day here...I had a belief that my world was so large, after all the puttering around the country studying, learning, growning, and feeding the street people, that I could have a grasp on this situation...How wrong I was...I felt Big in my world, but in the real world I am a mere ant, a worker ant...Something happened last night that burdened my heart and saddened me, so with feet too heavy to stand, legs to sore to put beneath me, and a weight on my shoulders it seemed impossible to find the lessons in something that makes no sense, or has no rhyme or reason, I began my day today...I knew that I couldn't bring the people down that we have all come down here to help...They need smiles and ears, and hugs, and prayers and when today began I couldn't give it...So as I was told when I got here, when things get to be too much (and they will) that you must take time away, time for yourself...I moped around my first hour awake...So I knew I had to refocus, and maybe even be reminded again why I was here,. When some people who haven't been to the beach yet wanted to go down, I joined them.
This journey today will stay with me for a long time to come...We drove slow and talk was mostly light and casual until we went over the rail road tracks and then there were no more words...What could we have said, each of us just looked in every direction and recording what we saw for later but little was said...What these kids didn't understand was that we had blocks to go until we were truly in the twilight zone, to where it feels like something straight out of a horror picture...Driving down the road we came to the corner of Waveland(Ave) and Fell(St.) and we had to stop and reflect the symbolism of that moment , of that message...Again the scene left me speechless so at the beach I wandered down to the water, turning my back to the sic-fi novel gone horrible awry behind me and tried to watch the water...After a time I notice a few shells, and thought how kind mother eath was to start leaving her treasures again, for so much to has been washing up are man's treasures now covered in toxic sludge and waste, and here in this sadness and distraction sits a beautiful shell, Mother gifted my this treasure as a reminder of why these people need us right now...I had no way of knowing how profound this shell ended up beign for me...I as began to walk over to this shell I notice something buried half in the sand just beyond the shell, so I start to go and look at what it might be, at first I thought it was a notebook or journal, but then I noticed that I knew this shape well, it was the case to a video, so I bent to look at it, and that's when I realized what I was looking at...A video my own babies love Pocahantas 2 and it hit me like a ton of bricks and down I went...What child is missing this movie and all her other special treasure that every young child holds dear to their hearts...But then again...Maybe she's not missing it, because she joined our heavenly father and she'll never know her favorite video is ruined and she's the one being missed...I cried for this child, for all these children, and then I cried for my children...When I was finished crying, I knew what needed to be done...And then it came to me...We need a space that we can step to for a moment of surround when our burdens feel to heavy...A place to meditate, go for yoga, or ti-chie, or perhaps just to pray...We have many areas set up, but this is space we share with the people we are here to help...And sometimes we need to step away from their sadness to deal with our own.So I began with an eight by ten tarp and buy the end of the day, we now have a huge tarp and stage of sorts, a couple rigged tables, few chairs, blankets, and tapistries, hanging beads, to liven and lift the load...We now have a 'hippie haven' for when we need to tune out...You have to find the time for your self...So you can keep giving of yourself...I tried to give that to these people working to hard to help these people...I have NEVER met a stronger working, harder working, happy group of people in my life...I am so blessed to get the chance to work with these people...I hope this space can be healthy for everyone so hard at work down here...So many people depend on these hard working people, but anyone that's ever tended to a person whom couldn't do on thier own.Well the people of Waveland can't get on their feet and do all it takes to get something as simple as soap all at the same time, they need all the help they can get...

Word from Waveland...

We left out from our last stop in Indiana between 7:30 and 8:00, and drove until 2:00 and pulled into a state park and pitched the tent on the side of the road, it had been drizzling when we pulled up.We stayed awake long enough to throw down blankets.I rose at sunrise and stepped out, and what do I see on the opposite side of the road but the most beautiful camp site in Tennessee stayed long enough to make coffee and it was back on the road again.We were in Alabama when we first started seeing trees broken and shattered.But it did not prepare me for what was to come.The Drive was smooth and both cars made it great.As we came to sunset, the worry of curfew set upon us, as we made our way to hwy603.At one point we stopped for directions, due to a detour sign in the road.This wonderful ole' man said the bridge was open but you had to drive slow, and gave us a short cut.While we were stopped , we got the call from Arjay, and curfew was 11:00, so we'd make it...By the time we pulled in, it was dark, and you could only see what your headlights showed you in many places, but there was lights on in some places.Just what I saw in the dark was enough to make a person cry themselves to sleep.When we got here it took a few minutes to figure out were to park, and where to make camp. We were told to see the beach before we did too much...To have an understandinding of why we are here...So up at 7:30 and it was off to the beach.It looks as if the child of an awsome giant came along and got angry, making pixy sticks and tooth picks out of the trees, and what was left of the homes looked nothing more than piles ofbroke dominios and tinker toys, with a few lincoln logs thown in the mix.But these piles stood twenty feet or more, trees littered with rubish and debre.Humbling every person who sees it.Back to camp to dig in and get to work.The Fred's parking lot is were we are and what a sight.I have to find the words later,but will fill you in.First thing I knew I was elbow deep in stir fry.As lunch was getting ready to be serve I stopped for A few minutes and before I knew it we started on Dinner.After starting three HUGE pots of stew, two pots of potatos for potatoe salad, pork and been, and vegetable soup, I had to stop and find a seat for a minute.And here I am...This is the longest I've sat down since I sat up, and I need to go, We'll soon be done for the night, then I'll slow down and rest...So until next time...I LOVE YOU SHANI, CHRIS, JAMES, RONNIE, and MOM...Thank you all for supporting me...And God Bless Us All....

Who are the Warriors?

I had a dream last night and felt the need to ask this question, because of it...Who are the warriors?Every person in the rainbow family is important and each person has his/her place.So before you decide to go down south to Waveland or somewhere else to help with the hurricane relief, ask your self this...Is this the place I am suppose to be?Bliss Ninnies beware...This is not a gathering, and you will be surrounded by cops and military.There is very little chance to do anything but give of yourself.There is a much more relaxing environment gathering together as I speak...The Shawnee Gathering is going on. And there are lots of good family there...So before you decide which of these two things you wish to join, ask your self these questions first.Have I ever lived off the grid for any amount of time?Have I ever been a working part of a kitchen till the end of a gathering?Have I ever stayed for clean-up?Am I willing to work a straight 20 hours with-out a 'safety meeting'?Am I healthy enough to go into the most toxic place in the US.?Can I leave my dog with someone?Do I own a pair of boots?Can I deal with cops on a daily basis? These are but a few of the questions a person should ask themselves before jumping into something so much bigger than themselves need warriors down south badly, should we burden these people if we can't take care of ourselves don't want to discourage anyone to come help, I just want you to be sure anyone going down knows, this is HARD work. The people going down need to be willing to work with other groups besides the family, and help to keep the main goal into focus...To Help those that lost everything dear to them!So now is the time for the Rainbow Warriors to unite and stand strong...Let's share the Love...

From Firelight to Waveland

Hi everyone…. Firelight here, just wanting to let everyone know that the Bloomington caravan will be leaving early in the week. A local brother is donating a tagged & insured car for the kitchen to have a support vehicle. We are awaiting the title (it will arrive on Monday) the cars are loaded with donations of cleaning supplies, bedding, produce and spices. There is no more room unfortunately for riders & we have had to turn away request for transportation. I do have to mention this at this point. The Shawnee gathering is currently going on in Illinois. For those of you family members just wishing to hook up with family and hippies I recommend a road trip there. It is being held in the same place it always is. Lord people Carbondale, Carbondale……… It is the only gathering that is always in the same place year after year. Sorry I digress… We were asked by a sister who clamed to have been family since 1992 but never heard of the gathering. Hmmmm ** scratches head with wonderment.** Anyway If you ever thought cleanup was bad after a gathering (yes hippies can be just as bad as Babylonians) Mother Nature Had a whip ass Party and true warriors are needed. This is our one best chance to show the world that we know how to pick up the pieces, our ideals have true value, and that we are who we say we are.

Day two of wool-gathering...

We are slowly gathering things and energies for the trip...We'll be leaving Thursday...I'm waiting by the phone now for a few calls...We'll see what all we turn up...I've also spoken to a local tobacco shop about donating some tobacco, and she is checking into local laws, and if she can do it she said she'd send some down...Cross your fingers...I think the hardest thing about going will be leaving my husband and kids...But I imagine before it's all through, there will be much more emotional things I'll go through...This is all I have for now as I am so BUSY...But God Bless everyone...And I LOVE YOU!!!

Ready by the week-end...

Well it took a while to sort out personal things, but by the week-end I'm heading to New Waveland Cafe...So far two friends are joining me, one of whom is donating a car we are taking down...We are still wool gathering these final days before we leave...I will write as I have time, and share with you ...A look through my eyes...I understand band time is limited , but I will post as I can...Up until my jorney begins and beyond...I will post more later as I have a list a mile long to square away before my head hits a pillow tonight...Until the next time...My prayers are with the family and other relief workers, and all of those they are helping...Bless You All!!!