PearlsBeforeSwine/gocomics.com
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I was reminded of this comic last week when we added up all we’ve spent on roadwork since the fire. It was a substantial sum, but not as much as we paid to have the debris from our old house and shed carted off. We had made a reasonable choice when we designed and built it — to make it a fireproof as feasible. We had a wide space around the house with no/little vegetation, a metal roof and decks, cinder block walls for the first story, etc. In most cases that would have been a wise approach. Unfortunately we were too close to the start of the fire and it was intensely hot, even metal couldn’t withstand it. In this particular case it would have been easier if the house had completely burned up.
As usual there are no guarantees in life. We can just do the best we can, expect some bumps in the road, and be resilient. So far that has worked for us.
January 10, 2015
You are so resilient! When was the fire? It’s heartbreaking to see the burned house… and you’re right – there are no guarantees.
The fire was June 26, 2011. And it wasn’t just the house, it was all the trees (except one) and vegetation on our 80 acres. The pictures were taken on July 18, the first day we were allowed in, with an escort. It was impressive.
That’s just terrifying.
I need to go back and read past posts about this!
Yes, what is that saying about God laughing at those who make plans?
or something like that.
And yet, that’s all I’ve been doing.
Planning, planning.
But the best plans can change in an instant.
Someone close to me was recently saying how worried they were that they might get the diseases her mother had and eventually died from.
I pointed out how her lifestyle is completely different from her mothers.
How she ate healthy and how she goes to the doctors for regular exams and how she’s active.
I said that I’d be more worried about the long drive she has back and forth into town for work. (She lives out in the country and has a heavily wooded area that she must drive through.)
I said I’d be more worried about deer hitting her car.
After I said it, I wished I could take it back. Really. What an awful thing to say.
But I’ve always worried about her driving that road so..the words popped out.
But yes. A person can do all the right things and yet…
I think plans are fun as long as we don’t get too attached to them. If they don’t work out, just make another plan. It’s simple enough. 🙂
I wouldn’t do well on your friend’s road either. I agree that she’s not her mother, so her chances of staying healthy are greater.
I remember it well and also have been following your progress with the new plantations and the new house. Yes, you are right, there are no guarantees and I can vouch for that observation by the case of a very dear cousin 15 years younger to me who was exactly like the neighbour in the cartoon and whose genetics were also quite strong, suddenly developed cancer and within four weeks died last year. We observed his first anniversary just a month ago. On the other hand, I can talk about a few worthies who do everything they should not and still are going strong in their late eighties!
My grandmother was obese and loved to eat, especially desserts. She lived to be 98. I doubt very much that I will live that long, but I’m happier when I exercise and eat healthily so I’ll continue. As the saying goes, it works for me.
Tragic event. But it looks like you have moved past it and carried on with your life (and plans!). You survived a dangerous situation. So glad you can be so philosophical about it!
Andy saw it coming and got out in time. He took some great pictures as he was driving out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8185675@N07/albums/72157627127902816
fire is so devastating. and floods. the water finally goes down but i’ve heard that the house is never truly habitable again. the smell. the rot and mildew.
i would bulldoze and start fresh. even if it meant smaller.
look what you’ve achieved in a short time! i love your cabin on the mountain!
there are never any guarantees.
i learned that lesson at 17. and it has stood me well. XO
You certainly learned about no guarantees early in life. 🙁
We’ve been evacuated twice for fires, but I prefer that to flooding. Andy had the right idea saying we wanted to build a small house, but it had to be finished so we could use it. We received our certificate of occupancy in November, 2012, so we’ve enjoyed it for over three years now.
life moves in mysterious ways – all one can do is try not to let it “run over you”….
many of the stories about genes and ill health – come from the reasoning that in some cases people didn’t get an annual checkup! They were too busy to make that appt etc Or they did & they didn’t like the advice given “who me!”
The doctors aren’t always right either, and they tend to focus more on drugs than on lifestyle changes.