My heart has always hurt for those who lose a home or their belongings to fire, flood or tornado.
It was Jim's workshop/garage that went up in flames last Sunday, thankfully not our house.
It was a horrifying moment to look out the window and see this, only a half hour after Jim came in from using one of the tractors to 'turn' a strip of the garden.
He always shuts off the gas line after using one of his vintage tractors; we have no idea how the fire started but it was immediately unmanageable.
Car and pickup had been filled with gas on the Thursday, there were three tractors, the zero turn mower, chain saws, all containing gas.
The explosions as the fire enveloped each one were deafening--much as I imagine bombs going off.
My hands shook as I used the landline phone to dial 911; I had trouble stating our address to the dispatcher. It was as though my brain was working very slowly.
The loss of the building, our vehicles, all of Jim's tools and equipment, his tractors, difficult to process.
Family members have been wonderful, driving at speed to arrive here as fire trucks from several local volunteer brigades came roaring in.
Neighbors assembled, I learned later that two of the utility trucks on the scene belonged to the power company and the forestry service respectively--the forestry people because our acreage is surrounded on three sides by wooded ravines.
The wind was blowing, as it has for days, hurling heat and flames toward the house.
As I stood in wordless fear, the wind suddenly changed--and I believe in nothing less than a miraculous intervention.
Our elderly cat, Willis, often naps in the lean-to greenhouse so I feared for him.
After the fire trucks left and the flames died down, he appeared from under the front porch and with great aplomb strolled to the remains of the garage, pausing at each bay to gaze at the wreckage.
I have detailed on Facebook the fire and the tremendous job of cleanup and replacement that is underway.
I find I don't want to write more at present of the ordeal.
We are beyond thankful for the help from family, the kindly outreach of friends and church members.
We have the loan of grandson D's truck; there is the vintage Ram Charger that was safely stored in son H's garage.
Our daughter loaned a car that intimidated me--my Honda CR-V was 13 years old and I never did use all its capabilities--G's Denali has a bewildering array of gadgets [apps?]
The burned out vehicles have gone away.
Jim works a few hours at a time to pile crumpled metal, shovel debris [borrowed shovel and wheelbarrow!] and the cheerful salvage guy will be back this week to start hauling away the mess and pulling down the scorched shell of the building.
We are weary, but we have our home--a bit grubby with tracked in soot--but safe over our heads.
I will remember that I used to drive confidently any vehicle available and can likely manage until we find the right replacement for my car.
Given the price of gas we were already consolidating our errands.
We are over-tired, brain-fogged, we are in the elderly category, but we've never been quitters!
Lord willing, we will get through this unexpected dilemma!
Jim walking stoically past the smoldering remains.
The dismal view on Monday morning.
A replacement tractor located nearby and purchased on Tuesday. A tractor is a necessity!
The vintage Ram Charger delivered by Howard and Shannon.
Matt arrived early Tuesday morning with a Troybilt tiller--and a fresh donut for Jim from the bakery in town.
Yard tools, carpentry tools from Howard's stash.
A lilac has bloomed--its sweet scent on the breeze brings me assurance that the rubble and the sour stench of fire will be cleared away.
I was absolutely horrified when we were chatting and you suddenly announced, the barn's on fire! I am so glad that the house was saved - that sudden change of wind direction had to indeed be heaven-sent.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you on all yours losses - full tanks of fuel too, to add insult to injury. Thank heavens the service teams all turned out in full force, as well as family. It will take Jim a long time to replace all those - some irreplacable I'm sure - tools.
I bet you were SO glad to see Willis, totally unbothered by it all!!
Jennie; It still strikes me as so odd that--an ocean away--you were the first to know of the fire!
DeleteIf you could have seen Willis surveying the wreckage--an intelligent feline assessment!
Indeed, some of Jim's belongings--and in particular the vintage mid-west grain truck--are not replaceable.
The grandkids are heartily reassuring me that I still have what it takes to cope with unfamiliar vehicles!
I am so sorry to read about this fire. I am glad that your home was not involved, but I know this must be very traumatic. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteMichelle; Prayers are so welcome! We will get this sorted, but not as quickly as we might have managed a few years ago. Family members are being generous and very patient with us.
DeleteOh my word, what a thing to happen! Praises be that you are okay and your house was unscathed. Stuff can be replaced, people can't. I realized that when our next door neighbor's house burned; they lost everything, but they were safe. And soon had another house on the same spot, and stuff replaced within a few years. But so shocking an experience! Sending hugs from West Virginia.
ReplyDeleteGranny Sue; virtual hugs gratefully received. A dreadful thing to witness even when not one's own property. I think we are still trying to collect our wits and prioritize what needs to be done. We lose patience with each other and the situation and then have to step back for a bit and just breathe!
DeleteWhat a shock to come for a visit to see how your Easter went and find that you've had the horrible experience of losing the workshop with all the vehicles, tractors, tools and so much more. I'm so glad your house was spared. I can't really imagine how you and your husband go from here.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts and prayers.
G. M. Thank you for the prayers--always needed! We are replacing the most necessary things--working on inventory which the insurance company requested. Most of the items lost were Jim's, his many years worth of tools, equipment and vintage tractors.
DeleteWe found a replacement last night for my car--not new, but neither was the one lost to the fire.
Slowly the mess is being cleared away.
I just came inside from fertilizing my rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas and thought I’d pop in to see what you’ve been up to. Rather than a gardening post, I see that you and Jim have been dealing with a bit of a catastrophe! I can’t even imagine! Terrifying to say the very least. Likely it scared your buttons right off at least it would have me. Thanks the gods that it wasn’t your house, too!! Poor Jim, having to realize that all his precious tools and equipment are gone. So good that you have family close by that stepped in to help fill the void! And also good that you have found a replacement car. You are in my thoughts and I’m sending ‘good juju’ your way.
ReplyDeleteMundi; 'Terrifying' is a good description! We are coping, as we must, but I have a better idea of what PTSD might be like.
DeleteMeanwhile, spring is 'busting out' all over and we could definitely use rain. A few potato plants have poked through the dry garden row; we've been too preoccupied to attempt more of the early garden.
What a very sad happening and it will take a long time to get over it. But Willis proved that an intelligent cat knows what to do. Jim, as well as you, must be shattered by the whole event and I can only send my love to you. Do take care both of you. X
ReplyDeleteThelma; Your loving thoughts are appreciated! While I share in the financial loss and the mess, it is Jim's huge collection of carpentry and mechanic's tools, as well as his tractors and vintage trucks that are gone. Clean-up is well underway--a grimy, dirty task.
DeleteI was so relieved to see Willis emerge from under the front porch and stroll over to survey the damage. Many afternoons he had been napping in the greenhouse attached to the barn.