I was going to write about my own little 4th of July stresses and how one neighbor did indeed manage to set off fireworks but was thwarted repeatedly by a thunderstorm rolling through.
But when I checked email this morning I found one from friend and fellow writer Joseph Gallo, whose tale of July 4th gave me some insights that I think we all might benefit from.
Go to his blog Yarblehead and read his story.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
I've read the blog you mentioned and he was lucky none of his irreplaceable things were lost to the fire. I couldn't live out there with those fires. As for the July 4th festivities around here it was great not one firecracker to scare the horses.
ReplyDeleteArlene, I'd be very stressed with the wildfires such an ongoing threat.
ReplyDeleteWe had smoke for an afternoon/evening here from a wildfire burning several hours away not too long ago, and even that was stressful to me. I can't imagine actually seeing flames from one's home and having to prepare to evacuate on a moment's notice.
Billie, I have loved Joseph Gallo's writing (and photographs) since first reading him on Mystic Lit. That post was an emotional roller coaster, reminding us all that our "things" have value beyond the paper and plastic and wood frames that they occupy. I would have gotten over there eventually, but thanks for leading us that way.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it, Mamie.
ReplyDeleteAnd for those who don't know, Joseph has another blog called drachenthrax - you can go to Yarblehead and then click on drachenthrax on the side bar.
He also has an archive of wonderful posts and images at mystic-lit. Just click on his name in the side bar over there and enjoy.
It's funny how different people look at different things, isn't it? As a native Californian, from the valley, I can hear my dad's voice saying, "Why did they build there? Those areas have ALWAYS been susceptible to fire."
ReplyDeleteThen I made friends with someone who had a second home in Laguna Beach. Each spring/summer we worry over the fires. Yet her house is so beautiful and peaceful - how could someone walk away from it?
The smoke here in NC did remind me of home - and how even though I hate the humidity - how rare fire concerns are here.
ps: Billy - thanks for linking to Joseph. I'll check out his other stuff too!
pps: and someday I'll spell your name Billie and not Billy *sigh*
ReplyDeleteMit, I've often heard that said about beachfront properties on the NC coast.
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy Joseph's writing. He has a rare voice and eye.
And re: the spelling of my name - no big worries. :) It has happened many times before and will again. The hazards of such a name!
There but for the grace of God go I...it could happen to any of us. We are the lucky ones today – our holidays didn't include a wildfire or disaster. We can only stay prepared and vigilant and hope that we've made enough deposits in our karma accounts.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I thought of you as I was reading Joseph's post. I know you have an evacuation plan and that you never have to use it.
ReplyDeleteJoseph's story brought back many memories of our years in San Diego and Los Angeles. It is the other terrifying side of how it feels to live in that California paradise. I don't know if I could do it again. Not that thunderstorms and crazy stinging insects and Lyme Disease are any fun here on the East Coast. Hope you got the chiggers under control. When I was bit by them down in Georgia years ago, my native friends put clear nail polish all over my legs on each bite to kill them. Weird but it worked.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I grew up with that clear fingernail polish remedy but never actually tried it myself!
ReplyDeleteThe baking soda bath, Rescue Remedy applied to the bites, and the homeopathic remedy Ledum worked well. I also picked up a tube of a homeopathic bite/sting relief gel made by Boiron that mixes Ledum, Calendula, and something else together. That has been good too. I'm pretty much done with the itching now!
I guess wherever we live, there are forces of nature to give us pause. The ones we aren't familiar with are probably scariest - earthquakes and fires are scarier to me than hurricanes and tornadoes, although I experienced both when lived in CA. (not big ones though)