Greetings everyone!
It has been an amazing few days. As our home burned, people were coming to help. Family, church, friends, community...I received phone calls from clients, even as the house burned. My sister posted on the Pond Boss website, and calls began to come from you guys. It has been tremendous.
Our home is a total loss.
The offers of help are humbling and heartwarming and I know you all want to help.
I have been thinking about it a lot, believe me. I know there must be some type of order to get things done, but I still haven't quite figured it out. People ask, "What to you need?" And the response is, "Everything." But, first we need to find a temporary place to live while we rebuild. We are thinking we may want to build a cottage on our land. That makes sense. Well, to do that, we could buy a ready made "shell" and finish it. If that's what we do, we could use expertise to finish it. Electrician, plumber...etc.
So, as my mind recovers from this unexpected event, it makes sense to ask for what someone has. If you are a builder, we need advice. If you are in the appliance business, we need leads. Whoever you are, whatever you do, that's what you have, and it may fit an aspect of what we need. Ewest, I would like advice about how to do what I want to do. So, maybe a phone visit from you would be good. 903.814.7634 is my cell phone.
Since this is the Pond Boss website, others may have other ideas. For example, the princess Debbie was approached at church yesterday by a lady I have known for years. She asked what she could do. Debbie didn't hesitate, "Remember those recipes you gave me last year? Those are gone, and I would like to have them back." I suspect Frankie Tamplen will present Debbie with a batch of recipes. We all have something to offer, and we want to offer something, but when something like this happens, we all scratch our heads and wonder what to do. I'm right there with you. My philosophy, as I have aged, has changed a bit. The prideful side says, "We are fine, good insurance." But, the benevolent, humble side doesn't want to take away the joy of giving. So, while I try to compile a list, the reality is that we don't have anywhere to put anything, yet.
So, the best I can tell you right now is that my writing studio, on the second floor, burned, too. In it were my computer desk, my computer, most all my resource books, my favorite forest green lounge chair, a great mesquite bench and much of a lifetime of stuff I collected on sites. I had a rock that floated, a hornet's nest from New York, rustic decorative things on the walls, etc. But, now we have no walls...so it doesn't make sense to replace any of that stuff.
I tell you what I would really like to have fast....a Roget's thesaurus and a great dictionary. I also had several writer's guides that were helpful.
So, there's a start. You all are the best in the world, and simply knowing you care so much is quite a comfort and help to our family.
I know many of you want to help, and I don't want to deny that...it's part of our beings as compassionate people..I just simply don't have a great grasp on what to do first, then second, then.....
Debbie and I appreciate you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
Lusk

I have the thesaurus and the dictionary covered. I also have a cool old limnology textbook I would like to enclose if you want it. What's the address to send it to? Or should I send it to the Pond Boss office? I'm wrapping it all right now so nobody else send Bob a thesaurus!

Bob Lusk and family,
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your home. Especially, for the loss of items and memories that insurance cannot replace. Through your writings I know that you already know the fact that God will sustain us through times of trouble and hardship. You have the support that really matters.

My Dad works at Nebraska Book Company so he's tracking down a writers guide and such things. The Book Company deals in college used textbooks so he might come up with a couple of good ones!

Bruce

You guys are amazing.
The address here for USPS is P.O. Box 483, Whitesboro, Texas. For USP or FedEx, it's 210 Hwy 377N, Suite 103, Whitesboro, Texas, 76273

Done deal. My Dad says he's meeting me at noon with textbooks.

I'll order copies of the primary American Fisheries Society textbooks today (Fisheries Techniques and Inland Fisheries Management in North America). Are those something you can use, Bob?? Not sure if those are true references for you, compared to the writing references?? What about any other fisheries-oriented books? Give me the titles, and I'll order them today.

So everyone, I've got "dibs" on the fisheries books! :-)

Dave

Dave :

Thanks for doing that it is a good idea.

A Thesaurus I can understand. But what would a native Texan do with a dictionary? Heck, you have to be able to spell and they don't teach that at Richland High School or Texas A & M.

Seriously Bob, thanks for recognizing our desire/need to help. You have made this Forum possible without it costing us anything. It's payback time.

I can appreciate that you don't know what you need but if Debbie has other, more immediate, ideas, let us know.

Thanks for the response Bob. It looks like some of the others have started the book restocking process but I'll check to see what old resource books I have that may be of use to you. I'd like to offer an official NYS hornets nest but the only ones I've seen this fall are pretty weather beaten. Its possible that I may be able to fulfill that request next summer but I'm not sure how the occupants will react or what reaction I will have to them.....

Bob, I am an Insurance Agent and hold an Adjuster's license. If you would like to ask me any questions about your claims process, please feel free to do so. Your family is in our prayers!

fishinglth :

I know that would be very helpful to Bob. I strongly suggest that you call him on the cell phone # in his post above esp. since you know about Texas policies. He has questions about that topic at this time I know for a fact. ewest