How you can help Austin right now.

Thanks to all of you who texted and called this week. I am guilty of getting in my own head and forgetting the amazing friends we have across social media. My wife and I just got through 54 hours of no power, no heat, and no hot water. Now Austin has a boil water notice. Our house got down to around 45 degrees inside. So if this happens to you here's what we did and how you can help in Austin right now.

1. Our fireplace was small and didn't generate much heat, so we disassembled our couch and did a straight camping hack of building a tent around the mantle and fireplace and forcing the dogs into the tent. It worked well. Photos below.

2. At night find the smallest room you can without windows/or close the blinds when it gets dark. Light candles around the room (they DO add to the heat. I promise the thermodynamics work). Keep the door closed and drag your dogs and blankets into that room. Use it as your night home base as much as you can. Stay safe with the candles.

3. Get out and walk your property in the day for fallen branches and chop your own wood. You will have to let them thaw in a garage, but it works.

4. Go out and buy a small portable AC/DC backup battery. This kept our phones up and allowed us to plug in a small lamp to cook at night. Photos below.

5. If you have a gas stove, you can use it. Simply light with a match, cook, and be sure when it's off it's off.

Cool story, David. How can I help right now?

1. Go donate to our friends LifeWorks Austin who are operating cold weather emergency shelters and need your support. https://www.lifeworksaustin.org/getinvolved

2. Track the absolute idiots in Texas Govt who decided to not place us on the national power grid. Find out who they are and VOTE THEM OUT in our upcoming elections.