Pack Creek Ranch, San Juan County, Utah
Hot, windy, dry – drought and red flag fire danger continues.
NOW WHAT?
Living in an area designated as an extreme fire danger zone tends to focus one’s mind. Especially if the area was burned over recently. The last time I had only minutes to run for it as the deputy sheriff banged on my door and shouted that the fire was coming my way.
Leaving in a panic, I took very little with me.
See YouTube for reference.
Fortunately, my house and studio and possessions survived the fire, thanks to the brave efforts of the Moab Volunteer Department. Similar conditions exist now, and knowing I should not expect to be so lucky this time, I have been getting ready to evacuate.
This means walking through my house and studio considering what is of value and portable, putting it into go-bags and even loading some stuff into my truck, which is parked headed downhill.
Every morning when I walk from my house to my studio, I am reminded of the reality of extreme fire conditions. Smoke from major fires burning elsewhere fills the air. The small forest of dead, black trees lining my path can’t be ignored. Nor can the helicopters flying overhead with water containers headed toward the nearest active fires. When I enter my studio, I find the electricity, internet, and phone services are off because of fire damage elsewhere. These circumstances make it hard to think about much else.
Furthermore, the unruly night crew that manages my brain while I sleep seems obsessed with worst-case scenarios and I wake in the morning in a fearful state.
I ask myself – What am I afraid of?
As I begin my 90th year, I know that I am a survivor.
I will not die young.
I’ve been through a tornado, a major auto accident, two big earthquakes, a flash flood, a wildfire, a plague (Covid), heart surgery, and financial crises.
And I’m still here.
In relatively good shape and health for my age.
Am I afraid of dying?
No, I didn’t exist before I was born and will not exist when I die. That’s the way it is. Been there, done that.
And as I walk through my house and studio selecting items for my go-bag I ask myself,
What’s important enough to keep?
Perspective
There’s a shelf of books alongside my reading chair – books that I have kept to read again – books that I have marked with the lines that speak to me. One of those books, Words I Wish I Wrote, contains the thinking of others that have served as foundation blocks for the house of my life. To mix metaphors, their ideas serve as a lifeboat in a sea of despair. In a time of crisis, I will want to read the thoughts again. So, the book is in my go-bag.
(I recommend it to you – it’s still in print and available.)
If I’m favored by fortune again, I will resume posting journal essays. Meanwhile, living in an area designated as an extreme fire danger zone has focused my mind, and I may not have anything new to say for a while.