I was talking with a woman at my niece's shower last weekend. Somewhere in there, I'd mentioned my hometown, and she said she had a coworker from there.
"She's got a huge family and goes down there every now and then to check on her 90-year-old father, who lives on his own".
I told her I probably knew SOMEONE in the family. It's a small town with huge families. Her 90-year-old father living on his own is also pretty common.
My parents live in the same house they've lived in since I was about two years old. It's too big, too old, and has too many creaky stairs and tight corners for them, to state my opinion. But they have no intention of moving, and I've long ago given up on offering daughterly advice. It's just the way things are done down there. The exception is, my parents don't have the huge extended family. It's just my two brothers and me and our little extensions. None of us live there.
So when the hometown mountain caught on fire, I was sad for "our mountain, our landmark!", but mostly pensive about Mom and Dad. What if there were evacuations? What if the air gets really smoky? Having had my fair share of fallout from nearby wildfires, I really didn't want them to have to go through any of that.
I talked to my parents who felt little concern about the whole thing, and I didn't want to stir up any panic. But in the back of my mind I was thinking, where would I take them in case of evacuation? Make sure we get all of Mom's meds. What else??
Yesterday, I watched for updates on the fire, dubbed "The Pipeline Fire" since it was close to a natural gas line (oh greeeeaaaaaat...). Then some dark clouds moved in, and we were absolutely deluged with rain. Typical summer afternoon storm of dumping buckets for about 10 minutes followed by clear skies and sun. Major flooding of thick black mud here from the burn scar, but that's another story. The main thing I wondered, did hometown get any of this?
A facebuuk friend who was feeding updates to us nonresidents supplied this series of photos.
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| Morning |
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| Afternoon |
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| Evening |
She told of how a rainstorm moved in, and how the heaviest of it was parked right on top of Fisher's Peak. What a beautiful sight!
I've learned enough to know that the fire is not "out". They can lay down and smolder only to reignite later when the perfect breeze comes by. Firefighting crews are still working round the clock. But still, that rain...
Most of the families in town are long time Catholics, and I know there was much Rosary rubbin' going on. I also heard about a lot of them washing their windows. Seems to be a pretty good combination.
For Mama Kat's weekly writing prompt:
"Your favorite summer view so far"
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16 comments:
I don't blame you, the evening photo of Fisher's Peak would look beautiful to me if I were in your shoes! It looks like the rain was a "godsend."
Hope your parents continue to do well on their own.
I'd say that's a pretty meaningful summer view. My mom was sad to hear her favorite childhood campsite near Creede, CO, had burned too. Sounds like all of Colorado is getting hit hard this year.
I've never tried any of the writing prompts floating around blog land. Maybe someday I'll stretch and try it.
My parents live in Norfolk, VA. Lots of bays, streams, rivers, and the big ol' Atlantic - all anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes from their house. So far so good that the annual hurricane hasn't washed them under. Most be good systems in place there. Anyway, they are always invited to stay with us when weather threatens, but never seem that concerned...like your parents.
I see Guano checking in often... your mention of the other brother makes me curious about him.
Thanks, yes the rain was "heavenly"!
Yes, poor Creede. Over 100,000 acres burned in that fire so far. It's nature, but still sad.
Knock on wood with the hurricanes! Don't fool with Mother Nature.
I signed up with Mama Kat back in the blog every day days, but have only participated a few times. She's always got good prompts.
And the not Guano brother? Hmmm... Watch this space and prepare to become curioser.
I did leave a comment here yesterday but blogger is playing up as usual or it's my computer.
I said than God for the rain, and I meant that seriously. Nature can be a scary thing. I really hope the fire doesn't reignite and that your parents stay safe. Those photos are amazing!
If ever a rain storm was welcome...
It is difficult when the older ones are a distance away, so much harder to keep tabs on them. But I understand their refusal to move out of the old house - I know that I would be like that too!
Glad to see you are getting some rain. If anybody deservs a good week-long soaking, you guys have earned it. Hope the rain, no matter how short, gives the firefighters a break. Beautiful evening shot.
Thanks for persisting! It did seem a bit of a spiritual rain.
Yep, gotta choose the battles. I understand their side of it.
July is typically wetter than June. I hope that pattern holds!
Loved this story. The downpour of rain on that particular hot spot sounds like no coincidence.
I know there was a lot of praying and good thoughts going to that mountain!
It's SO HARD when our parents are aging and not living near us. My parents nearly lost their house in a flood last year, and there have been countless severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings near them, and there's not a thing I can do about it.
Glad the fire is (mostly) out. Colorado is sooooo beautiful!
So glad the rains came to your hometown.
I know too well how you worry about your parents. And no matter what you think, no matter what you feel is best, they are going to do (or not do) what they want. I guess maybe someday we'll understand what they're thinking.
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