Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fire Fighters, CO, a bit of Summer and a call for HELP!

Paz

'Peace" in Spanish,
the official language of the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic children

Hello!
Today's blog may be a bit eclectic.
(If you don't that word, look it up! It's a great one to know!)
Please be sure and scroll all the way to the bottom for a
Call for HELP!!


Being in Colorado, fire is uppermost in our minds.
We have several new ones,
 bringing the total up to 8 fires burning across the state.
We have had many days now with the temps around 100' or more.
Holy Hot Air, Batman!
Our subdivision has some 'voluntary' water restrictions.
All of our lawns are burning up.
But,
that is  nothing compared to the thousands of people that have been evacuated because of the fires, and the owners of the 257 homes that have burned
in the High Park Fire only!

an Estes Park, CO home - lost

On one day, June 22, 2012 a new fire burst out in Poudre Canyon.
In that day, 60 homes were lost.
High Park Fire is the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

c.1907

The fire in Estes Park - the Woodland Heights Fire -had 21 structures burn
just on Saturday. (A 27 acre blaze)

Update 6-27-2012:
23  homes gone
100% contained Sunday pm.
2 - day fire, credited to the High Park Fire firefighters that were very close to help.

Estes Park is a popular tourist attraction, with hiking trail entrances to the
Rocky Mountain National Park (closed due to fire now).
They have charming bed and breakfasts and cabins to rent.

a vintage fire fighting photo from South Dakota forest fire

A new fire has rapidly devoured homes and property in Waldo Canyon, CO
just above Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of us.
The smoke is very visible from our home,
and in Colorado Springs it is frightening.
Part of the Air Force Academy has been evacuated.

Waldo Canyon, Colorado June 24, 2012

You may recognize some of the names.
Colorado Springs is a large tourist draw, with Garden of the Gods,
Manitou Springs (evacuated), old Colorado City, white river rafting 
and much more.

no credit, perhaps Dover books

Of course, there is  Pike's Peak, a mountain climber's paradise
(I guess, if you're into climbing the tallest peaks in America).
Can't get to it now, because of fire.
Colorado Springs is also where our Olympians train.
Hopefully indoors for now.

1928 Olympics rowing stamp

There have been about 175,000 acres of land burnt.
The High Park Fire has finally been contained to 65%.
But think about it, that means 35% is NOT contained.

Earlier in the week, the fire was contained at 65%,
but then new fires (we are having high winds) jumped up and brought the containment back to 35% contained - in just one day.
Fire is an awesome and powerful thing.


The guesstimate is that the High Park fire will be 100% contained
by perhaps July 30th.
That's a lot of days in-between, with high winds and scorching temps to match.
Not the best of conditions to fight a fire, to say the least.

The  Poudre Park fire has canceled all the white water rafting that is a big
tourist attraction in the summer.
It has been re-opened to many evacuated residents today.
Keep in mind, these residents have been evacuated twice!

c.1904

I guess that's enough about fires for a while.
I have the greatest respect for the almost 2,000 firefighters that are battling blazes all around Colorado. It is hot. The fires are jumping and being eractic due to high winds. We have had firefighters battling the High Park Fire
since June 6.
Thank you.

Fire House Tour Day, from Dover I think.


Okay, I have to put in a little SUMMER FUN now!

courtesy of origamibears

Movie of the Day to watch:

Moon Over Parador

A really fun comedy that was panned by the critics.
Those silly movie critics - don't get me started!

This comedy is set in a fictional South American country (Parador)
and stars Richard Dreyfuss - a favorite actor of mine
and Sonia Braga - introducing me to her, and she is terrific!
and Raul Julia.
Raul Julia is excellent in this movie as a crazy 'bad guy', and he has some of the movie's best comedic lines!
Even Charro has a part in this little farce.
Tell me what you think of it after you have watched it!


Here are 2 more safety pin pins patterns
- say that 5 times quickly! -

Lady bug

Firefly
courtesy Sherri Osborn, http://www.familycrafts.about.com/

I think this little firefly pin is perfect for some
glow-in-the-dark beads, don't you?

Try using matte red beads for the ladybug,
and then shiny black ones for her spots!

Remember, a pattern is there as a guide,
not a hard-set-in-concrete type thing!
Play around, have fun!

Speaking of fireflies, here is nice little coloring page:

unknown source, but I suspect Dover books again!

Well, that's it for today folks!
I'm still gathering together my blog on Walt Whitman
and his eulogy to Abraham Lincoln and his death.
I've got to whittle it down, or I'm writing a book!
Also still picking up the last bits for
New Hampshire
and its' state flower - the purple lilac.

last minute call for help!

Does anyone live near
Newburgh, New York????


My first work shown in a gallery -
the Ann Street Gallery -
is being shown at the
'Altered Barbie' exhibit there.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a photo of my work hanging in a gallery!

PLEASE
 take a photo,
and gather a 'brochure' of the exhibit if there is one,
and I will pay postage.
The gallery is FREE
and

the last day is Saturday
June 30th.

My work is
Black Lace Barbie with Butterfly
original Collage Art Doll
by inkspired

Ann Street Gallery
104 Ann Street
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 784-1146

This would make me sooooo
happy!
:0)

inkspired


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