Saturday, September 10, 2011

Nature's Fury

I want to thank those that have contacted me recently inquiring on our safety.  Fires are running rampant in Texas.  They have been all around our area but luckily, none have gotten too close to our place.  It's an uneasy feeling when the wind is blowing and all you smell is smoke at your house.  You certainly keep an eye on the surroundings.  We are fortunate to have plowed farmland on two sides of our place.  That makes me feel a little safer but not a whole lot.

I wanted to share this picture I stole off Facebook.  It's amazing.


From what I heard, the guy in the truck is the brother to the one on the horse.  He shadowed them so his brother could lead the horses 12 miles to safety on the other side of a river.

They are telling people to spray paint their phone numbers on their animals, remove any halters (cause it will burn to them) and turn them loose.  That's their best bet for survival.

Fire is my biggest fear.  In an instant, everything you have is gone.  The husband and I will be going thru our closets this weekend.  Taking all the things we can to donation centers.  It's the least we can do to help the thousands of people in the area that have nothing except the clothes on their back.

24 comments:

threecollie said...

Prayers for you and your neighbors! Too much water here and not enough there and hard times for everyone. Hope the fires go out.

Shirley said...

That photo really brings it home, the horror you all are facing . I pray for an end to the fires and some much needed rain. And for your safety.

Nikker said...

Glad to see an update and that all is well!
That picture is pretty moving...praying for an end to the fires in your area/state!

Samantha said...

Glad you're doing ok, but still sending some prayers your way.
Utterly terrifying.

sues2u2 said...

My heart goes out to all of you in that area. We were victims of the Monument Fire in Arizona a few months ago. The surrealness of it all is wild. We were evacuated on the first day of the fire & gone for 6 wks. Luckily all we lost were a couple of well pipes. Everyone around us either has severe damage or is completely wiped out. Take lots of pix of your things you wouldn't be able to take w/ you if you had to evac.

Make a list of the things you would need - medication, important papers, clothing, mementos you can't bear to leave, etc. Hard drives from comps. Cameras & cords.

You can take sunblock, lip balm, water, wet wipes & wrapped snack type food to fire stations. Chances are they can get those things to the firefighters working the blaze. Trust me - they'll be amazed & grateful for the assistance. Sorry to write such a long epistle. Take care & best wishes to all of you!

lisa said...

It sure is horrible, I wish we could give you our rain and we could take some of your dryness away! We are both getting the extreme of both worlds that is for sure. Hope you stay safe and the fires stay at bay! Our prayers are defiantly with you all down in that part of the country!

Gail said...

May God be with them all.

I will hope for rain.

Stay safe, my friend.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

that Photos , gave me chills!!! Stay safe and What a good idea to post the hints . We had some bad fires in Alberta this year, an entire town was essentially lost .Went through our closets and sent stuff as well.And the people were wonderful, one fellow went to wall mart and bouthgt a truckload (pickup)of towels and blankets etc and delivered it to the muster points

Mikey said...

Amazing photo. I hope you guys stay safe and we'll be praying for all those affected in TX.

LindaG said...

Been praying for all of you, and praying that the rain on the East coast will somehow end up over Texas.
Glad to hear you're all okay so far.

Dawson Cattle Company said...

that photo tells an amazing story. I pray for all of you. Take care and be safe..

Linda said...

Prayers for you and your neighbors. Be careful.

Anonymous said...

So glad you guys are safe. My cousin lost everything, his place is in Bastrop, our heart is just aching for him. He said he never made it home to save his pets, they are devastated. All it does here is rain, it's not fair.

Lana from Farm Life Lessons said...

We had a grass fire hit so close to our home that the smell was acrid and irritating. After a few hours, it passed, but it made me nervous. Just hoping the houses in the area won't burn down as our neighbors have in other parts of Texas. The good thing is...Texas pulls together. But, right now, so many ranchers and home-owners are pressed to take care of their own situation because everyone is impaced in the area. That doesn't leave much time for everyone to help each other. Be safe.

Farmchick said...

Horrible and so scary. The photo really brings it to reality. Such a strange year....fires and dry in the south..........our town flooded. Take care....

mrscravitz said...

Fires are just horrible! No forgiveness in them, and they eat everything in their path. I have two sons that is working a wild fire near Mt. Hood in Oregon. We are not close to any where we live, but the air is hazy with smoke, and the sun rises and sun sets are beautiful. I pray that they get the fires out in TX very soon. Everyone is in my prayers each night!

The Wildwood said...

Fire scares me just like that too! I feel so sorry for my friends who have had to be evacuated in Texas down in Grimes County and Montogemery County. I haven't heard yet if my ex-nephews house made it thru the fire or not....so sad. I am glad you all did not have to go through that.

Bekah said...

that is terrifying. Praying for you all.

Nicole said...

What is up with all this crazy weather all over the country? Dang! I live 6ish hours North of you but I have a spare room if you guys need it :) Be safe!

C-ingspots said...

I can't even imagine how scary that would be with fires so close. I could live with the loss of our home, even with pictures and such...but the loss of life (animals included) would be more than I could endure. I'm praying for the firefighters' safety and that rains will come and put those fires out. There's so much tragedy across our country, and so many people enduring tremendous hardships...very scary!

Vaquerogirl said...

Amazing photo! That should be an award winner -
Fires are a way of life here in arid California - but they are always frightening and I feel heartsick for those that have lost everything.
I'm glad to hear you are safe and your animals are as well.
Prayers for all~

Sarah said...

Wow - that is an amazing picture! I am glad you are safe and it makes me so sad to hear about all of the fires down there.

Stay safe!

Sarah from The House That Ag Built

Ranch Girl Diaries said...

I'm glad you are okay! That photo is amazing! I can't imagine turning my horse loose and hoping for the best. I think a good idea would be to get those metal I.D. tags and put your phone number on it, then braid it into the horses's mane hoping it would stay there and someone would find the horse and contact you after danger had passed.
Stay safe!

Shirley said...

Just checking in on you- a little worried for you and your husband and all your critters. Hope you are safe.