First of all, I'm happy to hear that you and your family are safe and unharmed. Thanks for another excellent post. I was particularly struck by one sentence: "You never know, when you wake up, what hides within a day." So true!
I am so sorry that this is happening in Portugal. Here in western Canada (B.C.), we've had almost annual fires (except for this wet summer so far) and I have watched friends and family scramble to save buildings, animals, belongings and each other. It is terrifying and heart-wrenching and I know what you are going through. The kindness of neighbours, friends and strangers get us through - as always - and I wish you all the needed rest and resilience as you recover from this.
As always, your writing is beautiful and affecting. The fact that you recognized how lucky you were in the face of this natural disaster shows how incredibly far you've come in your journey, with friends from both near and far coming to your aid. I remember all too clearly trying to figure out what to pack in preparation for evacuating last year, and it brings to mind what's truly important. Glad you, your husband, daughter, her bird and your pup are all safe, and that your new home was spared.
“You never know when you wake up, what hides within a day.” So poignantly true. As a fellow West Coaster (PNW), I’ve experienced wildfire devastation. So sorry it’s happening in lovely, gentle Portugal. May all those affected be safe.
As is always the case, your words have touched me at a level that is hard, for me, to describe. An event like this reminds us of what is really important. I am not sure when events like this will convince people in the US that climate change IS real. Most important, you and your family (including the feathered and furry ones and your home) were physically unharmed! For that, I am relieved. We had flash lightening here for hours last night; it was like nothing I have ever experienced. There is flooding, trees down everywhere and loss of power in this part of Tennessee. Mother Earth is not happy.
I am so glad you and your family are safe. I have no words for this who pretend that climate change, and the weather it inspires, isn't a emergency for humankind and has to be to addressed. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
“We knew that no place is paradise.” A Portuguese friend who hails from one of the more fire-prone districts of the country was reflecting on this week’s infernos. As he phrased it, “Portugal is paradise, with complications.” Glad to hear that your little corner of paradise was unharmed.
I'm so so so so so so so so SO GLAD you're okay. You, Bruce, Vila, FeaBea, and Lucette - all of you. What a huge relief. And an excellent point about life being so unpredictable. I remember when the fire hit the Berkeley hills, a long time ago - standing on Alvarado Road, helping Marthy and Terry carry bags of panick-packed stuff (just like you did!). And I saw a man walking down the road carrying an enormous white goose. My first thought was, WTF? Second thought: That guy has good priorities.
Thank you for being okay; I really appreciate it since you're extremely necessary and all. XO
How frightening. Like you we have been here just over a year. We knew about the history of wild fires 🔥 when visiting prior over the years but the reality came brutally true for you and you guys were so lucky to have evaded it albeit so so scarily close. Yikes. Sending you all our calming and safe vibes from just outside São Bartolomeu de Messines in the Algarve. Take care 🙏
Oh LaDonna! So glad you are all safe. As a survivor of a bushfire in Australia when I was 10 (we lost everything but the clothes we were wearing) I know the terror that fire incites. My mother never got over the loss of all the irreplaceable “things” that, as an immigrant, held her in place in a new country. Hope the rains come soon.
I'm so, so glad that your family is safe and able to return to an intact home. This experience, this trauma is something too many more people will experience with the worsening climate.
I love your writing for its ability to be so emotionally moving, but reading this post today hit me particularly hard. We lost our home in one of the CA wildfires last year, and just yesterday finally finalized our plans with our contractor to get started on the rebuild. The silver lining is that it will be exponentially more fire resistant this time around.
LaDonna,
First of all, I'm happy to hear that you and your family are safe and unharmed. Thanks for another excellent post. I was particularly struck by one sentence: "You never know, when you wake up, what hides within a day." So true!
That was my fave sentence too! She's awfully good at those sentences that grab you and resonate.
I am so sorry that this is happening in Portugal. Here in western Canada (B.C.), we've had almost annual fires (except for this wet summer so far) and I have watched friends and family scramble to save buildings, animals, belongings and each other. It is terrifying and heart-wrenching and I know what you are going through. The kindness of neighbours, friends and strangers get us through - as always - and I wish you all the needed rest and resilience as you recover from this.
As always, your writing is beautiful and affecting. The fact that you recognized how lucky you were in the face of this natural disaster shows how incredibly far you've come in your journey, with friends from both near and far coming to your aid. I remember all too clearly trying to figure out what to pack in preparation for evacuating last year, and it brings to mind what's truly important. Glad you, your husband, daughter, her bird and your pup are all safe, and that your new home was spared.
“You never know when you wake up, what hides within a day.” So poignantly true. As a fellow West Coaster (PNW), I’ve experienced wildfire devastation. So sorry it’s happening in lovely, gentle Portugal. May all those affected be safe.
How frightening. I'm glad you all and your beautiful home stayed safe and sound.
As is always the case, your words have touched me at a level that is hard, for me, to describe. An event like this reminds us of what is really important. I am not sure when events like this will convince people in the US that climate change IS real. Most important, you and your family (including the feathered and furry ones and your home) were physically unharmed! For that, I am relieved. We had flash lightening here for hours last night; it was like nothing I have ever experienced. There is flooding, trees down everywhere and loss of power in this part of Tennessee. Mother Earth is not happy.
I wish I had your gift of meaningful expression of your thoughts, feelings, and observations.
I feel like I am there with you in your joys and sorrows, successes and concerns.
Know that we all hold you in our hearts!
Thank you, Joanie!
I am so glad you and your family are safe. I have no words for this who pretend that climate change, and the weather it inspires, isn't a emergency for humankind and has to be to addressed. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
“We knew that no place is paradise.” A Portuguese friend who hails from one of the more fire-prone districts of the country was reflecting on this week’s infernos. As he phrased it, “Portugal is paradise, with complications.” Glad to hear that your little corner of paradise was unharmed.
Please stay safe. Our thoughts are with you. Bests from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Oh LaDonna - I'm so grateful that you and family are safe and unharmed. Thinking of you and sending you big hugs. xx
I'm so so so so so so so so SO GLAD you're okay. You, Bruce, Vila, FeaBea, and Lucette - all of you. What a huge relief. And an excellent point about life being so unpredictable. I remember when the fire hit the Berkeley hills, a long time ago - standing on Alvarado Road, helping Marthy and Terry carry bags of panick-packed stuff (just like you did!). And I saw a man walking down the road carrying an enormous white goose. My first thought was, WTF? Second thought: That guy has good priorities.
Thank you for being okay; I really appreciate it since you're extremely necessary and all. XO
Love you, friend.
How frightening. Like you we have been here just over a year. We knew about the history of wild fires 🔥 when visiting prior over the years but the reality came brutally true for you and you guys were so lucky to have evaded it albeit so so scarily close. Yikes. Sending you all our calming and safe vibes from just outside São Bartolomeu de Messines in the Algarve. Take care 🙏
So glad you are safe as well as your home! When will we as a country (USA) and a world get real about climate chance caused by humans.
Oh LaDonna! So glad you are all safe. As a survivor of a bushfire in Australia when I was 10 (we lost everything but the clothes we were wearing) I know the terror that fire incites. My mother never got over the loss of all the irreplaceable “things” that, as an immigrant, held her in place in a new country. Hope the rains come soon.
I'm so, so glad that your family is safe and able to return to an intact home. This experience, this trauma is something too many more people will experience with the worsening climate.
I love your writing for its ability to be so emotionally moving, but reading this post today hit me particularly hard. We lost our home in one of the CA wildfires last year, and just yesterday finally finalized our plans with our contractor to get started on the rebuild. The silver lining is that it will be exponentially more fire resistant this time around.