There is reason to be concerned, very concerned

1) Valeria lives 20 miles from a nuclear reactor that has been captured by the Russians. International monitors are concerned about how it is being operated and maintained. Russia is storing weapons right beside the facility, and firing weapons from there because Ukraine isn't crazy - they won't fire back and risk a nuclear calamity.

2) She lives in Zhaporizia - here is an article involving mandatory evacuations that includes this oblast, though I have no way of knowing if her home is included
https://english.nv.ua/nation/t...

In Valerie's FB page it says that her nearest town is Dniprorudne.
https://www.facebook.com/jiako...
The wikipedia page for that town says that is was occupied by the Russian army during the first weeks of march 2022:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
The power plant is close to Enerhodar:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
So Lyn is correct, Valerie's location is very close!

So beyond whatever loyalties may be at stance, I still pray she and her family is spared from further destruction. I was able to keep private correspondence with her at first and I got heartwrenching feedback. From my own family stories of what civilians go through when they are caught between sides and fire: Not a single person is spared... I still keep my Armenian heritage very much alive, but I also am so grateful to God that I was able to grow and reach relative old age far away from direct war. The rest of the world is seeing through images what hatred and wholesale destruction brings about. Although present circumstances are the direct consequence of the invasion, hostilities are very old, at least existing from almost after 1991, since the dissolution of the USSR. I can easily see how one is forced to take sides, yet deep inside one senses the senseless escalation. My family had no other choice than exile, rennouncing the return to our homeland.
Fortunately, like Valerie, I love irises, spring is around the corner. Some of my seedlings may shoot up their maiden blooms. They spring out of the earth, as they would have done in the old country. They don't need a nationality to generously spread happiness. Somewhere in heaven my massacred ancestors will be able to greet spring likewise. Then we will all be happy, regardless where we are just now. My irises, like Valerie's, brings us together. Peace allows pain to subside, and eventually regain fruitful co-existence. That is what I pray for...🙏🙏🙏

Arturo

I saw Valery33 has posted today! This has made me so happy! I hope she is well. So great to see her iris pictures again.

RachaelHunter said: I saw Valery33 has posted today! This has made me so happy! I hope she is well. So great to see her iris pictures again.

Where or what did she post? I did not find it.

Maybe an iris photo was posted.

See Recently Tipped Acorns.

I hope she and her family are well.

Yes, she just replied to my message that she is fine but had no internet for a long time..
https://garden.org/thread/view...

I was glad to come online and see a lot of s from her.

So glad she's in contact. Please tell her we're thinking of her and wishing her the very best.

Thanks Gigi for the link. So glad to hear she is doing well and has internet again. Well wishes for @Valery33.

Good day to all!
Thank you very much for participating, I'm very touched. In my small town, everything is quite calm and stable. We see and hear how the city of Energodar, where the nuclear power plant is located, is being shelled. We are watching the shelling from our field with irises. Everything is clearly visible through the reservoir. The Ukrainian military fire at the nuclear power plant. That's how crazy my world has become. But we still believe that someday peace will come. And we plant flowers. This year Sergio gave me such irises, I will wait for spring and flowering!
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All health, peace and prosperity!

Peace to you and all Ukrainians!

The best to you, your family and all Ukrainians!

Valery, they are so pretty!
I am planning on ordering some dwarf Iris next spring.

Valery,
How wonderful it was to see your optimistic heartfelt reply. I, as others have been hoping for your safety. May Peace come soon.

Valery, So good to hear from you!

Valery33 said: Good day to all!
Thank you very much for participating, I'm very touched. In my small town, everything is quite calm and stable. We see and hear how the city of Energodar, where the nuclear power plant is located, is being shelled. We are watching the shelling from our field with irises. Everything is clearly visible through the reservoir. The Ukrainian military fire at the nuclear power plant. That's how crazy my world has become. But we still believe that someday peace will come. And we plant flowers. This year Sergio gave me such irises, I will wait for spring and flowering!
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• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Desert Snow')
• Uploaded by Serjio

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• Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (Iris 'Kewlopolis')
• Uploaded by Serjio

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• Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris (Iris 'Ribbit')
• Uploaded by Serjio

All health, peace and prosperity!

Good to hear from you, Valery!

Valeria ~ What a joy to know that you are doing well and enjoying your garden. We are all keeping you in our thoughts. Be safe.

with all the rest.
So glad you are safe and posting again.
My thoughts are with you,and wishing peace for you/family and your country.

Sending love to you - so glad to hear that you are safe x