Monday, August 17, 2015

FIRE!!!


Happy Monday morning to all of you!  It has been a sad weekend here in Washington State and around the entire northwest US.  At least two people have died as a result of the horrendous fires here.  We've been here 23 years and I've never seen a fire season so bad. 

We had planned to have friends out to the lake Friday night for dinner, but the smoke and wind were so bad we decided to relocate the dinner to our house.  I am so glad we did.  When we arrived at the trailer Saturday morning, chairs were blown over.  The tablecloth pinned to the table was gone, gone, gone and flowers were blown completely away!  I'm happy to have missed that particular storm.  But all of that wind didn't help the fires any.  At one point we couldn't even see across the street at home because of smoke.  What minor trials these are though, compared to the people in the paths of these fires.

Saturday Dennis and I decided to drive north from the lake to Colville, WA to visit the farmers market and have lunch.  There was lots of smoke and haze, but not too bad. We had no idea that we were driving right towards one of the bigger fires until we saw this as we rounded a curve in the road....
Sorry for the blurry pictures.  All were taken with my iphone as we drove down the highway.  See the column of smoke?
It just kept getting worse...
We went past Addy, WA where the fire was burning right outside of the town.  A few miles further down the road we found this little store with fresh produce and antiques.  I bought peaches and sweet corn and then browsed a bit.  The older lady who owns the store said her son and his wife actually discovered the fire burning outside of Addy in the picture above.  He is a firefighter and thought if they had found it even 5 minutes earlier they may have been able to put it out, just the two of them.  With the wind though, it was a lost cause.  The fire was about 1/2 mile behind this store when we were there and burning steadily towards it.  I sure hope it survived the weekend.  It was so cute and full of treasures.
Lots of vintage needlework.
A pile of suitcases.  I think I would have been packing everything into these cases and running out the door if I owned the store.  The lady was remarkably calm though.
So much pyrex.  I have several of these pieces that were received as wedding presents.
We tried to keep going toward Colville but finally gave up and turned around because the smoke was so bad Dennis could barely see the road.  This was the scene when we turned around.
I used no telephoto lens on this.  No zoom.  This is how close the flames were to us.  I was ready to go back to my little trailer.
The fire covered several mountains by the time we drove back through Addy.  It is all so sad.  On the news this morning they said there are are no more firefighters available in Washington.  They are trying to bring in more from around the country but Idaho, Oregon and California are also vying for the resources available.  It's all SO sad.
Here is an old fire tower just outside of Chewelah.  I don't think it's used anymore.
We saw horse trailers and utility trailers everywhere from people evacuating their homes and bringing their animals with them.  Emergency shelters are popping up everywhere.
On a lighter note, does anyone know what this would be used for?  We saw it in a field by the highway just outside of Chewelah as we drove by.  It appears to be some sort of oven.
Sunset last night.
The red glow is from the smoke particles in the air.
On a much brighter note, this is a shawl I started yesterday for a Christmas swap I'm in for a book club on Ravelry.  I'm enjoying it as it is a pattern I've made before and has easy repeats.


Tomorrow I go to the electrophysician, who put in the pacemaker, for my 6 week check.  They will "interrogate" my pacemaker and make sure all of the settings are working well.  Hopefully he will release me to my own cardiologist then.  I'm still tired easily and my left arm doesn't work as well as my right, but I'm getting there.  I can raise it above my head a little now which is great progress.  I so appreciate all of your sweet comments, prayers and love you've shown me throughout this strange time of my life.  I truly love you all.

Mandy and Piper are flying in tomorrow for two weeks.  Yippee!!!  The fun we will have.  It's sad that our air is so nasty, (even being deemed in the "unhealthy" range), because of the smoke.  It makes being outside for very long difficult.  I know we'll have fun anyway.

Have a wonderful day my friends and enjoy your week!

This verse reminds me of the firefighters who are out there on the front lines fighting all of these terrible fires.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."  1 John 3:16

They are laying down their lives for complete strangers every fire they respond to.  Thank you to all of these brave men and women.

Blessings,
Betsy

18 comments:

  1. Incredible; those fires are awful. I don't know if I could stay as calm as you. Your passage about people leaving with their animals is particularly moving. Stay safe, take it easy. It's a difficult period for you but I know your loved ones and your faith will help overcome difficulties. xoxo

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  2. I'm so happy to hear your arm is getting better. I have never heard of a pacemaker causing so much trouble. The fires sound horrible...I just can't imagine. Stay safe and have a great time with your girls.

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  3. How scary, Betsy. I'm hoping it's over soon. Stay safe out there. Good luck with the doctor tomorrow, I hope all news is positive. Take care and have a wonderful time with Mandy and Piper!

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  4. I couldn't handle not knowing the answer to your mystery so I did a bit of research. It's a beehive kiln (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beehive_kiln_chewelah_washington_usa_year_1999.jpg). How fascinating!
    The fire/drought situation in the PNW has become truly heartbreaking. I just pray God will have mercy on us soon.
    Have a great time with Mandy + Piper:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  5. the fires are scary! I'm praying for the fire fighters as well. Thanks for sharing your photos.I like the dresser scarves and the one clear to the right is of a pattern I've seen and actually have one. I always like to buy a few when I see them if the price is good. Old tablecloths too. Enjoy your girls and praying for your health as well. Hope things get back to "normal" soon. I am feeling better today. First time since Tues that I've felt good. Am tired cuz I worked today but a better spirit about me. Hugs, my friend!

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  6. My heart goes out to all those people affected by the fire it is heart rendering, a sad loss of life. Praying it will be over soon. Stay safe and have a wonderful time with your family. Looking forward to seeing photos of Piper.

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  7. You were close to that fire! I have been praying for everyone out west with all these fires. I loved the pictures of the antique store.

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  8. You asked if we were close to Addy and the answer is no. We are 40 minutes north of Colville just about 10 miles south of the Canadian border, but it's still Stevens County. I've seen that antiques store but never been in it. Look at that pink Pyrex! Makes me want to run in and get it. I don't have any of the pink, but I've always wanted a few pieces. Do you remember how much that was? I think we're staying in again today (fourth day in a row), but if I feel better, we may go into Colville tomorrow for groceries. If we do, I may venture a little farther south to that antique store. It depends what it looks like in that area with the fires. It's so sad for all those people. I was glad to hear the National Guard is sending 200 men in to help. It is so badly needed.

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  9. So very sad for all the people and trees caught up in the fires. Prayers, many many prayers for them all. Praying for you, too sweet friend that you appt goes well. Love that shawl. What pattern is that? I might have to pick up the ole knitting needles again. Blessings always sweet friend. :)

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  10. Mother Nature is one thing, but fires are a force to be reckoned with. We so need our trees and forests and with so much of them burning away and water becoming such an issue in some areas, I worry about more of this happening as the years go on. Very sad. I pray your health continues to improve. Enjoy your family time. Tammy

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  11. Ah dear Betsy we have bad fires here too over the years so know just what you're talking about...
    When did my fourth year exam called School Certificate, remember you couldn't see anything but haze and cause of the heatwave I studied in the bath. I also pray for each of Thais in those first dear LORD God have Thy Angels encamping about those brave firefighters and give them skill and strength also protect homes and lives all around theselace !lord that you all know by name. In Thy sweet name, amen.

    I love your new knits. Am glad that you are able to raise your arm now, my dear mother who I cared for 16 1/2 years, couldn't raise her arm above her head and needed her hair done, washed, clothes on and off, rheumatoid arthritis... So know how that helps with independence.

    Keep looking up to Jesus dear sister, Shaz in Ozx

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  12. Betsy,
    I will be praying for your safety. Sadly there were three firefighters killed so I will be praying for those families as well. The shawl will be so pretty when you're done! Can't wait to see the finished product. I'm on Ravelry too but I don't get a chance to get on there much.

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  13. Terrible!! Spain is being badly hit with numerous fires this summer. The worst of the worst is that the majority are intentional. Many people have lost their homes and some wonderful woodlands burnt to the ground and wildlife too. Horrible!! I so feel for those families who have lost loved ones. Interesting photos Betsy I'd would have thought that was a kiln too. That shawl is coming along nicely look forward to seeing the finished product!

    keep safe now

    Amanda xx

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  14. Wildfire smoke has been part of my life, too, even though I have not been close to the flames as you are. The store looked charming, and your new knitting project interesting as well. Several weeks ago Teresa and I were hoping for you that Amy and Piper would be able to come for a visit and I am so glad that they are and that you are making good progress in healing! I have found myself praying more and more for God's mercy for so many people and circumstances lately, and that verse really does remind me of what the firefighters are doing, too. Blessings to you and yours, dear Betsy. xx

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  15. Hi Betsy. So happy to hear you are feeling better and stronger each day. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, even though I have not been blogging.
    The fires are indeed, a very scary thing! Horrible here too. I am ready for Fall!
    Much love,
    Kris

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  16. Amen to that, Betsy. The fires are so scary - so impersonal and impossible to control. God help all the firefighters.

    Is it possible that oven is an oast house? I've never seen one, but that term popped into my head as soon as I saw the photo. (Not even sure what an oast house is.)

    I'm glad things are progressing with your recovery - it's a long road but hang in there! Have a great time with your granddaughters.

    P.S. Lovely shawl! :)

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  17. P.S. Just googled Oast Houses and they don't seem to look anything like your oven. It does look like some kind of kiln though. :)

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