Rampage

The temperature today is forecast to climb and then, drop like a rock. Interesting weather. Hopefully, we’ll have rain too. I’m praying for rain for Colorado, California, and other places affected by wildfires. My niece and her husband in Colorado are among those ordered to evacuate. I can only imagine the fear, sadness, and anxiety of those having to leave their homes and flee for their lives.

I can remember during my childhood, I’d see smoke in the distance, among the woods. My dad said the woods were being burned off. This happened each year. It was a controlled burn to get rid of underbrush and dead trees. It was carefully watched and contained. This greatly lessened chances of uncontrolled burns and wildfires, later, when the weather turned dry. It also helped get rid of pesky ticks that torment  animals and people alike.

Wildfire reminds me of stories I’ve heard of long ago cattle stampedes. When cowboys were pushing a big herd toward market, sometimes lightning or something else would frighten the animals. Once fear raced among them, panic took over and they ran blindly, their hooves thundering over the prairie. It was hard to bring them under control, get them to milling around and quiet down. 

The wild rampage of flames through trees and homes and across grasslands reminds me of these stories of the plains. Brave firefighters are doing their best. We can only pray and hope for safety and for rain.

Meanwhile, here at home, I hear thunder. Someone small and furry and dear to us all heard it too. Nemo doesn’t understand thunder, so he paces. I wish I could explain it to him, but all I can do is sympathize.