Frogs and Ravens

Japanese Disaster - Info Blog Available to Help

My friend in Tokyo has put together an English-language blog for people in Japan who need information but don't have good Japanese language skills.

It is intended to provide updates about blackouts, where to get aid, food availability, access to transport, etc. - all the sorts of practical things that people there need to know but may be having trouble finding out about.

(It is not meant to be a news clearinghouse or an explanation of how tsunamis and nuclear reactors work.)

 

Please forward to anyone who might need it.

http://disasterjapan.wordpress.com/

He also needs translators; email me if interested.

Links for Japan

I grew up in California and have friends and family in Japan (thankfully all safe)    , so the current tragedy hits home.  A link round-up is the least I can do.

 

Google's clearinghouse and Person Finder.  If you know the status of someone in Japan (including yourself) consider posting it here:  http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

 

Shakesville's links and comments thread: http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2011/03/open-thread-and-news-round-up.html

 

YouTube video uploads relating to the quake and tsunami: http://www.youtube.com/citizentube#g/c/0870831CE43351E1

 

Breaking news round-up: http://www.breakingnews.com/filter/japan-earthquake

 

Map showing intensity of shock wave through the Pacific Ocean: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2011/03/11/lhvpd9/energylhvpd9-05.jpg

 

Large format photographs of the devastation: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/

 

List of charities and other organizations dealing on the ground in Japan (with links): http://philanthropy.com/article/Charities-Respond-to-Pacific/126706

 

Earthquake updates for foreigners in Japan (on Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/earthquakeinfo.foreigner

 

Free calls to Japan using Rebtel: http://blog.rebtel.com/uncategorized/free-calls-to-japan-with-rebtel-until-march-14/

 

If you have additional links or news, please post them below.  Word is that after the initial calm response, people are starting to get panicky as the lack of accurate news is a problem.  There is concern not only about a nuclear plant meltdown, but also more straightforward problems such as lack of food in the stores.

 

My Travel Wardrobe

Carefully chosen for comfort, warmth, and ease of movement through the screening process.

National Alpaca Farm Days

This weekend is National Alpaca Farm Days (warning: site has sound and is animation-heavy) - so I took the opportunity to visit a couple of the local farms.  A chance to see cute babies, play with fiber, chat with people, and see the countryside - what's not to love?

The first farm, Small Southern Farm, was down a winding riverside road, and tucked away among the trees.  They had three crias, one born only the day before, toddling and gallivanting and nursing.  The mothers were grave and sweet; the pregnant ones quiet and prone (they all seemed to like lying on the ground with their necks extended).  The males were in a separate pen, standing close to each other, and were reluctantly parted so I could pet one of them.

There were two women spinning, and a bunch of yarns and knitted items, and bags of unspun fleece.  I bought a bag of lovely black fleece, which belonged to Annie, the mother of the newest cria.

The second farm, Larger Northern Farm, was more remote in once sense.  It took some serious navigation through back-county roads that were barely two cars wide, were somewhat unpaved, and which tended to change names along their length.  (Thanks, Google maps and county road guide!)  However, once you reached the tiny village that the farm was in, it was right off the main road.

This farm had about three times as many alpacas, but only one baby so far.  They were a bit more aloof, clustering at the far end of their pasture, though there was some excitement when a couple of males started jousting over the females on the other side of their fence.  The real treat of visiting this farm was the people; there was a friendly man spinning alpaca fleece who could, I believe, talk the hind leg off a donkey if he put his mind to it.  The number of topics our conversation covered was impressive in its scope.  The owners of the farm were nice, too - a couple of Brits interested in sustainable agriculture and supporting local farmers and businesses. 

I left this farm with an armful of brown fleece from Foxglove and information about a local Amish store and an upcoming Dye Day.  I also took advantage of the lack of traffic to pause repeatedly by the side of the road to capture the late-afternoon light on the land.  It is the beginning of harvest season, and the dying leaves of the soybeans glow yellow in the long rays of the setting sun.

Alpaca Farm Days continue tomorrow - maybe there's a farm near you!