On My Mind

Interestingly, it wasn’t ‘incredibly scary’ at the time. We knew what we were doing, we were very calm about it. When the flames got too close (in the paddock about 30 feet away) it was time to go inside to avoid the radiant heat (which is a killer). Tony just said “inside now” quietly and in we went for 15 minutes while the front passed. Very very stressful afterwards, and everything stank for days. Fire kept breaking out in tree trunks and roots for a few days – smoke coming out of the ground, most disconcerting!

No-one asked about the stock!! That’s in spite of many site comments about me being a bit cold-blooded about dealing with ferals. It’s all relative, isn’t it? All our sheep ‘saved themselves’ and none had to be shot. We had also opened all the right gates in advance so that they had options to choose from – stony ground, bare tracks etc. But that was a bit of a miracle. A neighbor a couple of miles away had no feed but a fenced area, and we moved them down the road and fed out there for a few weeks, until we got some of the fences repaired. The roving police turned a blind eye to us, the sheep and the non-road-registered quad bikes we were using to move them, the morning after the fire.

Lots of issues to remember. Best wishes again, Margaret

Margaret, that's must of been incredibly scary!

I'm feeling a little guilty for complaining about are air quality last year, in NY

It was disturbing, seeing and tasting the smoke , knowing that things where burning up for are Canadian neighbors.

Well at least I know it's coming this year

Margaret,
So sorry about the fires in your area. It is devastating to endure these kinds of natural disasters.

Nacy,

They are delicious! 😋

We live with serious fire risk every summer, and have had two serious farm fires plus a burned down house, so we always check the internet regarding USA and Canada west coast fires. The differences between that and our experience in South Australia are very noticeable.

We are staggered to see internet pictures of houses surrounded by trees, access tracks with trees on both sides, built at the top of slopes - fires go faster up slopes, you won’t get a fire truck up a track burning on both sides, and a house surrounded by trees is undefendable. No wonder people are told to evacuate! We have instructions on how to survive if you don’t evacuate, and houses that are well prepared and actively defended are first priority for the firies to help. We saved our farmhouse, when the second house on the property burned down flat – we had decided in advance which one to save, and we knew exactly what to do. I was ‘showered’ by the water bomber that came to help at the end. Afterwards, every boundary and paddock fence was totalled – stock everywhere!

I can’t help but wonder about the planning rules for new west coast developments, and about the information that is freely available about fire risks. ‘Surrounded by nature’ sounds nice, until nature is on fire. It’s awful, but even more awful than it ought to be. The more places at serious risk, the thinner the resources are stretched. I sincerely hope that you cope as well as possible, and that everyone else involved also copes successfully. Very best wishes, Margaret

Oh a blast!!! Just made some beingnets 😃

Nacy,

New Orleans relies heavily on tourism. Yes, things are expensive for the most part and especially in tourist areas.

I hope that you had a good time while visiting.

Golden ,
sorry just saw this , I hope your family are safe and the fires subside . It seems like the fires just ended from last time . 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Needs, I was wondering if it is always that expensive in new Orleans. We where on vacation so we where not going to let it change what we wanted , but omg ate once on bourbon street, that was ridiculous. NY is high so I wasn't to shocked but 😲

Also I expect it in NY because are minimum wage is so high. Your is ridiculously low. Where's the money going to ?

Golden, sending more prayers. (((Hugs)))

Oh, Golden, this Californian so sympathizes. What a worry. I just heard how bad the fires are this a.m. I avoid news almost all the time, but this is one time I got it.

Fire is showing 13 km from the highway so they should be able to get through okay, it's good they are going early. You know very well waiting for an official evacuation order is not always the wisest choice.

Golden, I'm so sorry, that has to be so scary, I pray your family is ok , and everyone in Canada!

I can't imagine going through that. Please keep us posted

Golden,

Prayers sent for you and your family to remain safe.

My dd has just called to say they are packing up and leaving town. She can see red and it's getting scary, I'm glad they are and hope and pray the road stays open for them to get south as the fire is moving towards it. We know from past experience how quickly it can move. Middle son and fam are ready to go if it gets worse. They are further from the fire All prayers appreciated.

cw,

Lord, I proofread and somehow my stupid autocorrect plays tricks on me. I swear it is hexed! LOL 😝

I hope that you know that I typed mediate and not meditate. My autocorrect is DUMB!!! Why in the world would it be changed to meditate? LOL 😝

Golden,

Natural disasters are always a concern for many of us. It seems like every area has there issues. Ours is hurricanes, flooding and occasional tornadoes.

Wildfires are very frightening. Sending prayers for people in your area to be safe. I agree with evacuation when it becomes necessary.

I'm sorry for the fam dram, cw. It does seem to come out during illness and after someone passes. B@tsh%t crazy usually makes for trouble.

On my mind here, the Ft Mc wildfire grew from about 6500 hectares to over 9500 hectares yesterday. The winds are pushing it towards the city and they are expecting a difficult fire fighting day today. Not a good scenario. I wouldn't like to see the people of Ft Mc go through another evac.

cw and Alva,

It certainly is interesting that troubling times will either bring a family closer together or it will tear them apart. It depends on the dynamics of the particular family.

I always think in any loss it is easier for people to bicker than to face the grief. I am so sorry for the peacemakers who get caught in the fray because in trying to keep everyone happy they make no one happy and themselves often the target. Ask the police who answer domestic calls. cwillie, so sorry for the family drama. It's always so very tough to watch.

cw,

Sorry that your sister is caught in the crossfire. Sometimes, the people who try to meditate are often attacked.

Hoping that things ease up soon for your sister.

The drama surrounding my sister's MIL's death is ramping up to a fever pitch, true to her nature sis has been busy trying to mediate and act as peacekeeper and getting caught in the crossfire (and it doesn't help that BIL is co-executor). Maybe it was easier for us because bro was already gone and sister was mostly a passive follower. Or maybe it was more to with with the fact my family wasn't bat shit crazy.

nacy - Wow. Your dad was talented!

Thankful today the smoke is less - still here but not at dangerous levels.

Mom gave me one of my dad's violins yesterday, he made about ten of them. I took the prettier one that had a missing part, sence I don't play. Id like to get a plaque or something on it , that says made by .......

Happy Mother's Day! DH and I went out to dinner with DD, SIL and his mother yesterday at a fine Italian restaurant. Still very crowded, but DD knew a server there. Very nice night.

Golden,

I agree with you. We always have to honor our feelings.

It‘a normal for certain thoughts to enter our minds from time to time. I’m like you are. I don’t dwell on past hurt.

Dealing with mental illness isn’t something that can be fixed easily if at all.

It will be wonderful having your daughter live close by. Is this your daughter that had breast cancer? How is she doing these days?

Thank you for understanding, nacy.

That was so touching to read golden. Explaining your story but not in a poor me way. You have been though so much, just being who you are is inspiring

For me it's not a matter of negativity or a handful of unhappy memories, I am not a negative person, nor do I dwell on unhappy memories. It was a lifetime of abuse. To deny that to myself would not be healthy, IMO. I don't have many (if any) happy memories of my mother. I accepted that I wasn't going to years and years ago. Despite her mental illness, I did learn some things from her that I am grateful for. I do have happy memories from my father.

On days like Mother's Day, sometimes (not always by any means) I wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't had a mentally ill, abusive mother. However, I also remember the things I learned from her and am thankful - so mixed feelings. I am grateful for my kids, but still am sad that I lost my youngest aged 23. So it is not a happy. happy day for me - again mixed feelings. And that's OK! I know there are others here who have been through or are going through the same thing.

Today is a quiet day for me, and the first Mother's Day not spent in the family home of over 40 years. It is a time for reflection. Had I been there, my dd and I would have taken each other out for a meal. I have good memories of many meals out together. I am happy to have a quiet day, happy to have time to reflect and things to reflect on. I remember gorgeous cards my youngest son sent me, walks in the quiet woods with my middle son and our bird-chasing spaniel, lunches and great conversations with my oldest son, my dgds birthday where I batted balloons at the kids, my dgd's birthdays where I always wore the same dress but changed my earrings and more... I have that dress on today. I look forward to my dd and hub moving down here so we can do celebratory family meals again.

So for all those having a hard time, mixed feelings today for whatever reason, it's OK. ((((((hugs)))) to you

I also try to focus on the happy memories. Which is easier when your head is in a good place.

Negative feeds more negativity, and not easy to get your head outta that place sometimes