Views of the Neighborhood – Winter Survival Give-a-Way

~ John W. Howell

We are heading to the Justice Center in Lakeway to witness a give-a-way conducted there. As most of you know, Texas was hard hit last February with freezing temperatures which caused power loss and dangerous conditions. The Young Men’s Service League, which is made up of Lake Travis High School (in Lakeway) students, collected items to be given away to help folks prepare for these conditions should such an event happen again. We want to see this in action. We are being catered by El Naranjo of Austin. Our entertainment is James Taylor.

Menu

LOS HUEVOS
HUEVOS BENEDICTOS
OUR VERSION OF EGGS BENEDICTS; TWO LARGE POACHED EGGS OVER A CORN AND CHEESE GORDITA, CURED DRY COPPA, AND CHILE DE ARBOL INFUSED HOLLANDAISE SAUCE BUILT OVER A DISH OF SAUTÉED POTATOES AND ONION
OMELETTE
THREE EGGS OMELETTE WITH OAXACA CHEESE SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS, AVOCADO, SALSA VERDE, AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD
ADD: MUSHROOMS, HUITLACOCHE, AND/OR CHORIZO
RANCHEROS
TWO FRIED EGGS OVER A CORN TORTILLA COVERED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF: SALSA RANCHERA, GREEN SALSA, OR DIVORCIADOS (RANCHERA AND GREEN SALSA) SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD
AL GUSTO
TWO EGGS ANY STYLE SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD
Drinks of all kinds as well
Picture of an old time school bus
 So we are ready. Let’s go.

We have arrived at the Justice Center.

Hmmm. Lines of cars ahead of us.

Here is a broad view of the items.

Buckets, of course.

Blankets to stay warm. Don’t be taking more than one.

Flashlights, Batteries, and portable chargers

First aid kits, latex gloves, and hand sanitizer.

Hats, winter gloves, matches, water, paper towels, and of course, toilet paper.

Need to ask for a space heater and firewood.

There is a packet from FEMA on how to prepare for the unexpected.

Here is a list of those who donated products, time, or money. It was a heartwarming community event.

Now is time for some brunch and music. I hope you have a great week.

97 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Winter Survival Give-a-Way”

  1. What a wonderful thing to do. I love stories like this. we need more of them. I also love James Taylor. And the food looks so good, many things that I would enjoy. I’m ready to hop on the bus!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. I think it must have been a Texan who coined the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The restaurant choices are always amazing. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for pointing out what the Young Men’s Service League is doing. That’s incredible and what a learning experience for these boys! Who couldn’t use a few buckets and gosh, an extra flashlight or two? Amazing giveaway! Bravo to all involved!! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  6. There are plenty of familiar names on the list of corporate contributors. They’re to be commended, too. Here in Houston, of course, Mattress Mack and Gallery Furniture would probably top the list, but our HEBs, Krogers, Randalls, and various pharmacies always help out when asked. Their participation makes the young peoples’ projects even more successful.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Kudos to the Young Men’s Service League. It’s good to see high school boys doing some good. I sure hope your great state doesn’t have to go through that again this year, but it’s best to try to prepare for the worst. All my best to you and yours, John.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. You must also live in a functioning neighbourhood, dear John. Great to see that!
    We don’t understand how a little taste of winter can cause such problems. We lived for years in countries where we had lots of snow and freezing temperatures for months which didn’t cause any problems. Why can’t you cope with a little bit of winter?
    Keep well
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. When you live in a semi-tropical weather region and nothing is prepared for the cold including the natural gas lines and electrical generating plants, the electricity and heat fail. When the freezing temperatures last for days then real trouble begins which in our case lead to several deaths from hypothermia. In this case, it was not a matter of coping with a little winter as you put it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Seen it from a Scandinavian perspective is was a little taste of a normal winter for us. For us these situations are normal whereas here in England people f.e. stop driving when there is snow on the road. But we all have it warm in our houses and have gas and electricity.
        We read in “Texas” by Michener that’s not that unusual that you have freezing temperatures in Texas. Is Michener wrong or is your infrastructure that rotten?

        Liked by 2 people

        1. We do get freezing temperatures but not for days on end. The systems were indeed not winterized since such an event was very rare. So now all have completed the weatherization process. Michener no longer lives in Austin (died in 1997) and his book was written in 1985. To my knowledge, he and central Texas never experienced such a severe situation. Therefore your question has no logical answer for me to give.

          Liked by 1 person

    2. Klausbernd,
      don’t forget that Texas is huge, and has many climate zones, from the subtropical to the continental and desert-like. In an area like ours, e.g., you can simply not be prepared for such a once-in-a-century winter event. One can simply not compare Scandinavia to here. The temperatures we had last February [-10 to -15 Celsius for days on end – more than a week, if I fremeber correctly] are more than just ” a little taste of winter”.
      As to Michener, he does talk of a “Blue Norther”, which is not an infrequent occurrence of (extreme) cold, but I doubt that he ever experiences something like that winter of last year – as John also mentions.
      “But we all have it warm in our houses and have gas and electricity.” – Well, just imagine what would happen if your power grid [electrical and gas] broke down for up to 2 and even 3 weeks. The damage here was so extensive, that it took up to 6 weeks in some areas to restore electricity, eben if the crews worked 24/7.
      So, we really hope that this was a onece-in-a-century event.
      Stay well,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Naja, lieber Pit -15 Grad C ist ja nun nicht die Welt. Selbst die Jahre, die wir in Montreal wohnten, hatten wir es jeden Winter tagelang kälter, und als wir in Inari wohnten, gab es oft über einen Monat Temperaturen von unter -20 Grad C bei viel Schnee. Da fängt für mich der richtige Winter an. Die Luft und das Licht sind dann toll. Aber Probleme wegen der Temperatren gab es nicht. Das Leben lief wie im Sommer, eigentlich besser, da es keine Mücken gab.
        Hier haben wir heute zum ersten Mal zarte winterliche Temperaturen mit -6 C bei Sonnenschein, die uns zu einem langen Spaziergang gleich verleiten. Hier wird’s ja auch selten kalt, aber wenn es unter -10 C wird, bleiben die Leute zwar zu Hause, aber die Infrastruktur bricht nicht gleich zusammen, obwohl das auch hier nur so einmal alle zehn Jahre vorkommt.
        Dann mach es ‘mal gut.
        Liebe Grüße
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. You are entitled to your opinion, dear Klausbernd. The facts remain that the infrastructure was not prepared for such an unusual event. Your examples are still not relevant to the situation here in Texas.

          Liked by 1 person

  12. Thank you so much for sharing this, John. It’s the kind of thing that lifts your heart to see. (At least, it sure lifted mine!) What a wonderful group of young men who already understand the value of caring about others and taking positive action to help out when they can. It’s a great story, and of all the great stories and photos from your community that I’ve enjoyed for many Sundays, this one really speaks to me at a time when I longed to see something positive in the world. Blessings to you for sharing and to every single one of these young men, the generous sponsors, and all who helped this happen. 🤗🤗🤗 (And here’s hoping that while some will now be better prepared, they never have to use any of the emergency supplies!)

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Thank you for taking me along on this trip. This is a great idea for winter survival. Here in Indiana, we have most of that stuff around the house. In warmer climates, it might be a hardship to get those supplies.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Such a giving event for the community. We here do Porch – we purchase whatever we are told is needed and leave it on the porch of the couple that delivers everything to a local food bank.
    I think I’ll have that delicious omelet with mushrooms!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. What a wonderful thing to do — and how wonderful of you, John, to help publicize it. Those who generously give of time, talent, or resources should be lauded. Just goes to prove that people don’t have to be forced to give; they just need a worthwhile place to give to.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. That’s a great event, John. What a wonderful idea.

    I’ll have TWO FRIED EGGS OVER A CORN TORTILLA COVERED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF: SALSA RANCHERA, GREEN SALSA, OR DIVORCIADOS (RANCHERA AND GREEN SALSA) SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD – you know, for the fresh bread.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. One significant change in high school is these community service-type projects that are often part of the kids’ education. Not only will this help people in the community, but it should make the kids to feel better about themselves.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I love the way communities come together in times of hardship, John. We had serious floods here a few years ago, and the divides in our community vanished as everyone pitched in. It’s great to see that happening in Texas. Thanks for the road trip!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Very practical idea, dear John as frost brings more danger than the heat. I’m glad to learn that you are supported well regarding the weather’s unpredictable conditions. Hot drinks must be included all day longs: the black tea, herbal tea, berry juices. All of them are perfect to manage with the cold. Stay warm no matter the temperature! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  30. What a lovely thing to do. Thanks for sharing it, John. And thanks for the song. Fire and Rain is one of my forever favorites. I even like to play it on piano in a medley with Candle in the Wind. Somehow they go together in my head. Although poor Crystal hates it when I play… 🐱 Hugs on the wing!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. John,
    I always admire the helpfulness here in the US, and there are definitely many items that might be helpful if such a winter event occurs again, but I seriously question what good portable battery chargers or space heaters would be when the power grid is out and there’s no electricity.
    Have a great week,
    Pit

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Thank you for letting us know about this heartwarming community effort, John! We’re in a deep freeze at the moment, with a load of snow expected tomorrow. Current community efforts are focused on the homeless.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Just to let you know, your drone delivery arrived yesterday evening just before the storm. I reheated it this morning for a near perfect breakfast to fuel up for the snow clearing I’m about to undertake. I hope my Ariens starts up otherwise the shovel is my next option. I better keep the undertaker’s number handy. Thanks again for the eggs, you’re amazing.

        Liked by 1 person

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