Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Friday, August 30, 2013

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern

And neither is complaining about the smoke, which is awful.
And then I found this quote...
But sound aloud the praises, and give the victor-crown
To our noble-hearted Firemen, who fear not danger's frown.
~Frederic G.W. Fenn, "Ode to our Firemen," 1878


And although the smoke is awful.
And the yard art is choking...

And the Sunflowers can't find much sun...
I think back to the fire on our mountain, two years ago and how the fireman rushed into the burning area and saved our home and how I yelled "Thank you." to everyone of them as we drove back up through the burned hillside to our house... the ground still smoldering around us. 

So, to all the fireman of California (and the Western US) who are on the lines of every fire that rages,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 

The smoke from the Rim fire near Yosemite is annoying and my lungs are tired of breathing in smoke every day... but the folks up country nearer to the Rim fire are closer, more in danger and living (for weeks) under the constant threat of loosing their homes.  
The mass effort to fight this fire is extraordinary.
The firefighters are working long hours... “We have to work 72 or 96 hours in a row, and being away from your family with little sleep and physically demanding takes a toll,”
Some woman who lives up there opened her Tattoo business and gave firefighters free haircuts and the community brought food for them to eat . That's gratitude that makes a difference.
It’s the fifth-largest wildfire in California history. On Thursday, it was in its 12th day and it had only been contained 32%, according to Cal Fire. 

Hug a firefighter and feel warm all over.  ~Author Unknown

 

7 comments:

  1. Aren't they amazing? It's pretty clear here today. Yesterday was awful. Hope it's over soon!

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  2. I have been watching on the news about the fire. It is terrible. I have great admiration for the firefighters. I pray they stay safe. Have a blessed day. Madeline

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  3. I am so ready for winter and rain, rain and more rain. Hope they get the Rim Fire under control soon, there have been so many wildfires up and down the state this year.

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  4. Thinking of you over there.
    Love the last quote!

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  5. def thankful for the firemen giving their lives to help save that of others...and even in the midst of stress and trial we can still be grateful....

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  6. All that destruction is so sad! I hope the weather cooperates so the firemen can conquer the blaze.

    I love the quote you found about firemen. They do amazing work. Their care and dedication are evident when the put themselves in harms way again and again!

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