The tsunami's destruction: before and after

CNN has put together "before and after" shots of some of the hardest-hit areas in Japan...but with a twist: a slide that shows you the changes as they ripple across the area. It makes it all scarier, somehow.

The tsunami's destruction: before and after

CNN has put together "before and after" shots of some of the hardest-hit areas in Japan...but with a twist: a slide that shows you the changes as they ripple across the area. It makes it all scarier, somehow.

Doing what we can to help

Often, the only thing we can do to help those in disaster-ravaged areas is to donate money to charitable organizations which are direct responders. Don't think of this as somehow *less*. Not all of us can hop a plane, fly to Japan, and help provide medicine and care to the survivors in the wreckage that is Sendai.

Some of us help to fund those operations. We are merely differently important to the overall relief efforts.

There are two charities that we routinely send money to, because they spend 99% of what they take in each year on actual relief programs. Both charities have the highest possible ratings; both bring much-needed medical supplies and personnel to disaster areas world-wide.

AmeriCares had a disaster relief expert en route to Japan within 24 hours after the quake and tsunami to assess needs and make local arrangements for shipping materials and staff. They are ready to move medical supplies and professionals into the country immediately.

Direct Relief International brings medical supplies and personnel to stricken areas. They have amassed supplies, packed them, and are merely waiting for the word to head for Japan.

If you wish to send money to groups with other priorities (and lord knows the Japanese will need a lot of help in weathering this disaster), I encourage you to check the charity to which you wish to donate on CharityNavigator to find out how "efficient" is the charity. Yes, most people have heard of the International Red Cross, the American Red Cross, and the Red Crescent. The American Red Cross, for instance, is fairly efficient, with 91.8% of its funds going directly to programs. But there are lots of charities, and some might be a better "fit" for your own desires.

Further, Charity Navigator makes some suggestions and has some cautionary notes for those wishing to donate to help Japan. ( I'm tucking them back here because of length. )

And, of course, if you're a praying person, give that a shot, too.

Doing what we can to help

Often, the only thing we can do to help those in disaster-ravaged areas is to donate money to charitable organizations which are direct responders. Don't think of this as somehow *less*. Not all of us can hop a plane, fly to Japan, and help provide medicine and care to the survivors in the wreckage that is Sendai.

Some of us help to fund those operations. We are merely differently important to the overall relief efforts.

There are two charities that we routinely send money to, because they spend 99% of what they take in each year on actual relief programs. Both charities have the highest possible ratings; both bring much-needed medical supplies and personnel to disaster areas world-wide.

AmeriCares had a disaster relief expert en route to Japan within 24 hours after the quake and tsunami to assess needs and make local arrangements for shipping materials and staff. They are ready to move medical supplies and professionals into the country immediately.

Direct Relief International brings medical supplies and personnel to stricken areas. They have amassed supplies, packed them, and are merely waiting for the word to head for Japan.

If you wish to send money to groups with other priorities (and lord knows the Japanese will need a lot of help in weathering this disaster), I encourage you to check the charity to which you wish to donate on CharityNavigator to find out how "efficient" is the charity. Yes, most people have heard of the International Red Cross, the American Red Cross, and the Red Crescent. The American Red Cross, for instance, is fairly efficient, with 91.8% of its funds going directly to programs. But there are lots of charities, and some might be a better "fit" for your own desires.

Further, Charity Navigator makes some suggestions and has some cautionary notes for those wishing to donate to help Japan. ( I'm tucking them back here because of length. )

And, of course, if you're a praying person, give that a shot, too.

So, when you hear about the explosion in Middleton...

...no worries. The Bostik plant is about .4 of a mile from here. The whole house shook, though.

And it was loud.

And our dinner guest got more than she bargained for. *snicker*

So, when you hear about the explosion in Middleton...

...no worries. The Bostik plant is about .4 of a mile from here. The whole house shook, though.

And it was loud.

And our dinner guest got more than she bargained for. *snicker*