so I was on a roll, and then...

...this happened last evening.

{about six o'clock last night}

No worries for us, we are a pretty safe distance from the fire and aren't in any danger. But our Internet connection has been a casualty. Our satellite signal comes from somewhere up on this hill, and, since I have absolutely no service, I'm assuming it has burned. No internet = no blogging (except from my phone when I travel somewhere with service). Boo. 

For those of you who aren't local, these are the foothills to the east of our house. They are pretty overgrown, it has been many years since it last burned, and there are a number of people who live up there. The biggest problem of course is that access up there is limited to rugged dirt roads and the terrain is very steep and rocky. The wind has also changed a number of times, first blowing the flames north, then east, and now south. I would not want to be a firefighter up there right now. 

As of this exact moment, about 1500 acres have burned and there is only 20% containment. A little rain shower right now would be a blessing, but there is hardly a cloud in sight, other than the giant, black smoke cloud hanging over us.

I want to take just a moment to climb up on my soap box and say to all the people who may live in an area that is vulnerable to fire (like we do), Please take care of your property. Once a fire has started, it is too late. Keep your fields mowed and brush cleared. Ryan and I do our best to keep our house as safe as possible, but it is frustrating at times that we are surrounded on two sides by neglected property with dry grass three feet tall. Should a fire ever threaten us, our neighbors' negligence will be putting our home in danger. It is a lot of work sometimes, but it's just part of the responsibility that comes with owning property.

And that's all I have to say about that.

{around noon today}