Noon Tuesday: Evacuation Order Lifted

Just as the smoke was lifting this morning out of Rock Creek Valley, so did the mandatory evacuation notice for our small part of the world, thus transcending 1097 from the land of "the uncondoned" to that of "the formerly condoned"--a badge of courage, by the way, that we will proudly carry for the rest of our earthly stay.  In fact, I am even thinking of having a permanent sign made up, to be posted along the driveway as you enter, that states, "Uncondoned:  August 3-7, 2007" for all to see and about which they should inquire--yes, I will be proud to tell this story as has been so accurately told and unfold in Der Blog, not only to my now three grandkids when they (finally) return here but also to anyone else who might ask.

 

And life is a series of ironies, is it not.  Just moments ago, in the heat of the day, one of the wonderful I.A. crews combed through our yard on their gridding and remarkably successful search for embers (and they said that they were finding some, indicating that the woods are still the woods and that we are not yet fully out of them) and, when I offered them water and Gatorade (as we have done over the last week) they declined, stating that at their morning briefing they had been told to demur from our uncondonee-proffered hospitality "and keep to work".  If it was any closer to Christmas, I would say, "Bah, Humbug'; as it is, I will just be so quiet that you might best infer what I might have said if I had continued.... 

 

In many ways, over the last week or so, I feel like I have been a war correspondent, armed with lens and paper looking for "The Inside Story" of Der Fire and all that goes on behind the scene.  To that end, most of the Incident Command team has been here at this house at one time or another; almost every crew and crew chief has been here more than once [horrors:  it just dawned upon me that, by traversing our driveway and by just associating themselves with us that they, too, might now be among the valiant ranks of "The Uncondoned"!!--I can already visualize a secret handshake, a badge of honor, and regular "The Uncondoned" meetings], and, other than the marvelous men in their flying machines, I believe we have interfaced "mano a mano" with almost everyone that has been stationed in this neck of the woods, if not in person then almost assuredly via Der Blog--one of the hottest tickets in town.  As such, it has given me a different perspective on this experience than I might have had blogless--it sure gave me moments to take a break, put my thoughts and fears on paper and, through that process, share with you and release from me all that was going on about me outside (and inwardly). This has been both a pleasure and an honor for me; thanks for being such a warm and receptive audience.

 

The sun is out this noon hour, as the chimes now ring in my office, and Kathy, Tyler and I are just easing back into the reality of what we have been through (all of us together, I might add, via the blog--thanks for being there with us, by the way!) and the pure beauty of not having a crisis-riddled day. No mandatory evacuation notice, you say?  How will we cope??  No billowing clouds of smoke headed our way, you say?  How will we survive??  No pressure to leave, you say?  How, now, can we ever stay??

 

Well, with a warm smile, I just want to let you know that somehow we will muddle by and cope with the transition of it all, although I am being strongly encouraged by my office staff and clientele to get refocused on the practice of law and let Der Blog live, forever, as it will at this address.  My response?  Well, I will eventually do that but I kinda have become fond of our blogging company, eventhough the communication has been more or less one way.  What lawyer doesn't like to hear himself talk, uninterruptedly, however?!?

 

Happy Tuesday all,

 

RCR