I have changed my name

[bascar]

to Typhoid Mary.

My house burned down last week.

<sigh>

I know, I know. Another chance for me to display my quite remarkable fortitude, but honestly, this character building crap needs to stop.

[hoopoe]

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles

I cannot begin to imagine

[scruffy the cat]

Would you please stop saying, "well, it can't get any worse...". I am horrified at the injustice of it all. I'm so sorry.

[scruffy the cat]

Is there anything at all we can do? Do you need stuff? Anything? Cookware? Books? Sheets & towels?

[silk]

I'm too far to provide practical assistance, but I send you as many hugs as you need.

I too am so, so sorry.

[awa]

Fiona,so not right. How can we help you?

[Tuffytown]

Oh how terrible. Yes, how can we help?

[orono]

I'm so sorry, it never rains, it pours. Hang in there and let us know if you need anything.

[Sunshine2Me]

I can't even imagine. Yes, please let us help! Tell us your current needs, future needs, so that we may feel useful!

[Chisamba]

That is just shitty, I am sorry! i agree, do you need anything, do you have a pay pal address for drip drop donations that might help. Perhaps it is not a test of your fortitude, but of your friends ability to help you back on your feet.

on of the worsts of it is the things you lose that you did not realize were precious to you, those ordinary every day things.

[demi]

I am so sorry for you, Bascar. I am guessing you know that the Red Cross can provide help after a housefire. In TX the fire chief calls them and then they contact you. They can help with temporary shelter, food, clothes and even a prepaid credit card.

Your post about changing your name was sad. It reminded me of the book of Ruth, when Ruth's mother in-law,Naomi, after much hardship, asked to be called Mara. Naomi means "my pleasantness", but Mara means "bitterness". The good news is (no pun intended) that things turned around for Naomi and Ruth and the outcome was way beyond pleasant, it was wonderful and joyful.

I hope things get better for you...

[KathyK]

Please let us know what we can do. Do you need clothing? Food? Stuff for critters? You must know how much we want to help, however we can.

[Suzon]

Somebody set up a gofundme. We're all in this with you. Just tell us what to do!! What do you need?

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

[WheresMyWhite]

{{hug}}

[Quelah]

OMG I am so so sorry. Your character has never been in question, enough is enough! Do let us know what we can do to help.

Forgive the attempt at humor if it's too soon but…you're rid of that sodding oven

[boots-aregard]

I'm so sorry to hear.

Folks, it sounds like bascar needs to be bascarded....

[bailey]

So not fair! What can we do to help?

[Code3]

Holy crap, that is terrible! I can't imagine. So yes, what can we do? Can we do a gofundme or a paypal account? Something, anything.

[carpevita]

ah shit--this is too unfair.
now i want to bascar you---what do you need? what can we do? please allow us to show you how much we care!


Btw, be really careful about that stuff---years ago when i was so very happy, healthy and wealthy i used to say i was too happy and some day i would pay the price. Boy how i wish i had never thought THAT!!!

[Rhianon]

Let people help. Really. Do.

HUGS!!!

[Tarlo Farm]

Oh no!! Seriously, what do you need?

[bascar]

Thank you all so much. I am fortunate to be living in the guest cabin on the property so am not homeless. The rest of it is just stuff, no pets or people were hurt. And yes the huge bright spot is that the sodding oven will need to be replaced. Hurrah!

Ultimately this is the culmination of the past two years, the burning away of all the horrid stuff in a very literal sense. I can now rebuild my life.

I have my health and my ponies. No more is needed

[TeresaA]

I am so sorry for what happened and am in awe of your fortitude.

[Code3]

(((bascar)))

[PaulaO]

I am so sorry but thankful everyone is safe. Do you have a Paypal account? I'd like to send a dribble for a new oven.

[Abby Kogler]

Oy! Oy!

Eventually Fate will quit thinking you are hilarious. I hope its soon! In the meantime, yes, let us help! Even though it is just 'stuff', stuff costs money and you need new stuff.

[Josette]

Bascar - very relieved to hear no person or animal was injured. Glad to hear you have a roof over your head and most important your health and ponies! Let us help you rise from the ashes to enjoy your fresh start.

[Paints]

How awful. I used to believe in Karma but with a good person like you going through all of this, I think it must be taking a break.

[Moutaineer]

Oh shit. I am so sorry. And yes, the best attitude you can take is that it's a fresh start.

I could send you a microwave.

[Mirabella]

I am so sorry for what happened and am in awe of your fortitude.

This. Please let us know how to help.

[Beorn]

I could send you a microwave.

I was just going to post the same thing!

Regardless, if there's anything... So sorry for it all

[KathyK]

I could send you a microwave.

I was just going to post the same thing!

Regardless, if there's anything... So sorry for it all

I was waiting for the mood to lighten a bit before I offered, but I've been out all day and you guys got there first!

[Suzon]

Thank you all so much. I am fortunate to be living in the guest cabin on the property so am not homeless. The rest of it is just stuff, no pets or people were hurt. And yes the huge bright spot is that the sodding oven will need to be replaced. Hurrah!

Ultimately this is the culmination of the past two years, the burning away of all the horrid stuff in a very literal sense. I can now rebuild my life.

I have my health and my ponies. No more is needed

You are amazing. Well, at least let us pitch in and buy you...something.

I'm willing to auction off one of my photos blown up huge if that will get people to jump on board.

[bascar]

No, really. Thank you all for your kindness but I have insurance. Please buy your ponies some carrots and feed them in my name!

[Inamo]

Yay for the new beginning - I hope you're able to set everything just as you want it. Hugs as I can't begin to imagine what it would be like.

[boots-aregard]

*I* think we should all be allowed to pitch in a few bucks and buy you the replacement stove. Then you can tell stories 10 years from now about how this stove (gesture to its location) is a friendship stove, and you can tell all kinds of stories about the meals you've cooked with it.

Come on. We want to.

[silk]

No, really. Thank you all for your kindness but I have insurance. Please buy your ponies some carrots and feed them in my name!

You just don't want the DDBB to gift you a microwave.




(seriously - let us know if there is anything we can do. apart from send microwaves).

[Moutaineer]

I still have the sodding oven's twin brother. It is still pretty, and still challenging as hell to cook with. But I'm not planning to burn down my house to get rid of it.

[Sue B]

Bascar, I am soooo sorry you are going through this. Seems like sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel really IS an oncoming train!

[Racetrackreject]

Oh shit. I am so sorry. And yes, the best attitude you can take is that it's a fresh start.

I could send you a microwave.

This^^! And a crock pot. >.>

[chantal]

Well Typhoid Mary, a fresh start it is!! I would send you a tangine if I had one. I'm very happy you and your ponies are okay!

[Chancellor]

*I* think we should all be allowed to pitch in a few bucks and buy you the replacement stove. Then you can tell stories 10 years from now about how this stove (gesture to its location) is a friendship stove, and you can tell all kinds of stories about the meals you've cooked with it.

Come on. We want to.

Bascar, I would be HAPPY to have this happen here on DDBB for a member. I absolutely LOVE the idea of a friendship stove and I would definitely be in!

So, let us know if we can.

[Sunshine2Me]

*I* think we should all be allowed to pitch in a few bucks and buy you the replacement stove. Then you can tell stories 10 years from now about how this stove (gesture to its location) is a friendship stove, and you can tell all kinds of stories about the meals you've cooked with it.

Come on. We want to.

Bascar, I would be HAPPY to have this happen here on DDBB for a member. I absolutely LOVE the idea of a friendship stove and I would definitely be in!

So, let us know if we can.

Yes! And then you can bake ALL of us cookies for Christmas!

[KathyK]

I am SO in!

[PaulaO]

I love the idea of a friendship stove.

[Sue B]

Count me in!

[boots-aregard]

We could set up a GoFundMe, but they charge 5%.

So, the question is, will folks trust me to collect the funds for Bascar's friendship stove? (Or perhaps we should call it a Friendship Range, since the double entendres are delightful).

I'm trustworthy enough, but gawd knows I don't know how to do things with money (internet-wise). I do have paypal. People can paypal money, which handles cash and charge cards. I dunno about checks yet, but those could be sent snailmail.

A third party like me means folks can contribute without the amount being public, so those who want to donate but haven't got deep pockets at the moment need not be embarrassed. I can provide an accounting to Chancellor, just as a double check, if that makes people more comfortable.

What say y'all?

OK, Paypal is not quite free:

PayPal balance or bank account Free when sending money inside the US (i.e., you must have money _in_ Paypal to send, or you have to link to your bank account)

Debit/credit card fee 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction (the sender decides who pays this fee) (i.e., if you want to use a credit card.)

Outside the US 0% to 2% fee when fully funded with your bank account or PayPal balance or 2.9% to 5.99% plus a fixed fee based on the payment currency if paying with a credit or debit card (for folks outside the U.S.).

Checks sent snail mail only costs whatever your bank account charges for a check. If your bank has pop money or interbank transfers, that can be sent directly to a bank account I had set up for my business but am not using. Meaning, all the money put in that account will be for Bascar's Friendship Range.

Oh, and Gofundme doesn't actually look that hard to do. It just takes a nibble out of each gift.

so, PICK! GoFundMe, private gifts finding their way thru third party (me), or we just pepper Bascar with emails and offers. 24 hours to vote!

[PaulaO]

I'm all for sending you money via PayPal or personal check, but I'm sure Paypal is easier. GoFundMe annoys because it takes a bite out of the funds. I've used Paypal for years with no problem.

[bascar]

no please, I am desperately uncomfortable with being helped. I am deeply touched by everyone's generosity, truly, even if it does extend to offers of microwaves and crockpots!

excitingly, the central part of the house turns out to have asbestos, meaning we are now an EPA superfund site <sigh>

[Tabby]

((((HUGS))))

What do you need? Where can I send it? Do you need a place to stay - I know I'm not much help all the way up here but maybe I know somebody. You've got friends here.