I sit here whining.
I am hot.
I am snarling at everyone
‘Stop hogging the fan.’
‘My boobs are sweating.’
Outside the temp has reached over 46C.
Hotter than I have ever known.
I whine and complain.
Then I look out the window. The air is choked with smoke. Bushfires surround us.
We are not in the path. We are safe. A minor annoyance, the clothes on the line will have to be washed again.
But my friends. My daughters friends.
Just a slight change in the wind direction and the wall of flames will be heading in their direction.
Now the sky is red.
I have spoken to K’s husband, she has taken the kids into town and he is staying. I yelled at him. Damn Irish bastard, so fucking stubborn. Please be safe.
I can’t get a hold of S. And her heavily pregnant daughter. Due to give birth to twins in a few weeks.
Boo’s aide can see the flames from her yard. We were screaming at each other, getting more and more hysterical. I just want her to leave and come here. She wants to fight it.
The sky is now dark.
Red tinges, the smoke thick. My eyes are stinging and my shoulders covered in ash.
Blackened leaves being carried by the gale force hot winds.
Deliberately lit. That is what they are saying. Some fucker lit this to get their rocks off.
Animals dying. People terrorised. Homes, livestock, livelihoods destroyed.
String the fuckers up I say.
Charge them with attempted murder, destruction of property, animal creulty, fucking wasting water…
The smoke is so thick it is stinging my eyes. Tears streaming to clear the ash from my face.
Well that is my excuse anyway as the sun comes out and the lightning storm begins…
******************
Please spare a thought for those caught up in these horrific bushfires and the volunteer firefighters (many of which are friends and collegues) that are out there risking their lives.
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Shit!
Kelley … I was wondering how close you are to the bushfires but… shit that’s close.
Stay safe.
…and prayers going up!
Amanda’s last blog post..It’s just a cephalopod Mum….
Holy crap, I hope you all stay safe, and your friends are too. Can’t believe some people start these things on purpose… I agree with you – lock em up and chuck away the key.
Marylin’s last blog post..Bits and pieces, again!
If anyone gets the bloke who lit these, he’ll get his arms and legs ripped off. It looks like hell- I hope you’re OK. It must be extra scary for kids…hope they’re not too anxious. And what about the asthmatics- oh yuck. We have only had the heat, no fires in Adelaide- touch wood- they caught that crazy woman who lit all the fires last year with mosquito coils! Evil asshat!
Kay/Murf/Grumba’s last blog post..Unusual views
Sheesh… And to think we have had over 12 inches of rain in the last week and are cut off from the rest of the country by flood waters!
Fifikins’s last blog post..Twitter365- January!
Wow… amazing. I still can’t believe that people do it on purpose. Absolutely blindingly insane.
I am very much in your zone too…we spent the whole day today in 45 deg heat getting the fire pump up and ready, checking hoses, clearing gutters, etc etc. I have decided to go to town and take the kids and dog, hubby wants to stay and fight the fire. Your pics are so like mine, a blood red sun…so eerie. I came to your blog for some relief, but it’s comforting to know we arent alone at this frightening time. Our thoughts are with everyone who is facing fire at this time, and our amazing fire fighters…you just rock!
We just heard – 14 dead across the state, more feared for.
I don’t pray, but I am praying for everyone out there. Stay safe.
(And yes, the bastards should be shot)
Veronica’s last blog post..No Faith
Freaking scary times. All firefighters/CFA’s are bloody heroes.
Karen (miscmum.com)’s last blog post..Dymocks, Chatswood (Sydney)
Damn, Kelley. String the fuckers up indeed. Stay safe.
Tammy’s last blog post..Liv’s No Good Very Bad Day
I hope everyone is o.k.
Yes, string the fuckers up.
G
xx
myst’s last blog post..MESSAGE FROM THE TALL REDHEAD – aka TONI !!
Deliberately set, that’s just so fucking wrong. Keeping you and yours in my thoughts.
Kel’s last blog post..30 days in and progress
Fuck it’s terrifying. Stay safe.
Ali’s last blog post..Jabby, pointy things and playgroup
hugs Kell. Hope everyone is safe there.
Mistress B’s last blog post..Did you know…..
All I can say is WHY? Why on earth does anyone do something so utterly stupid. String ‘em up indeed!! I’d fly over just to help! What a moronic thing to do.
sam’s last blog post..ick!
Whoa Kelly, incredible pictures. Please stay safe and I will make sure the kids and I say extra prayers tonight for those people down under.
Ho’s last blog post..The day I became a ma’am….
Holy crap!! This is SO much worse than the fires outside Cape Town at the moment.
Stay safe
Jeanette’s last blog post..Leave me alone
Kelley, I’m so glad you are safe! Make sure you stay that way, young lady!! I’ll keep you and your friends and loved ones in my thoughts.
I have other kinds of thoughts for the asshats that started these fires. They are not kind thoughts.
Dingo’s last blog post..Ice, Ice Baby (Seals)
It was deliberately set?
Oh my god…
Stay safe my friend, and may everyone else there as well.
Robin’s last blog post..Just a little tease for Tuesday
How scary. I hope all you and yours make it through ok. You’re all in my thoughts.
Thinking of you and your friends. Hubby is a volunteer firefighter, I hope they all remain safe as well, it can be so scary.
Hugs, my dear twin!
Sunshine’s last blog post..The Absolute Shortest Life Story
be safe. you’re all in my prayers!
raino’s last blog post..Mothers Little Helper
Hoping everyone is safe. I was in Auckland several years ago during the Sydney bushfires. Saw it on the news and it was horrifying. My best hopes and wishes go out to you and your loved ones.
Lilacspecs’s last blog post..Fridays For Skin:The First Cut is The Deepest
This is really fucking unbelievable.
Hope everyone stays safe.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Murdering the home help
Kell,
You and your family friends and neighbors are in my thoughts stay safe.
Hugs
Nicole
Oh my God Kelley. Praying for everyone!
Kath’s last blog post..Serious.Life
Oh, no. Those pictures of the sky are crazy red. I hope they can contain and put it out soon.
WhyMommy’s last blog post..Pink cake
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the firefighters and people in the line of the fires.
I agree, I grew up in Texas and we’re all about stringing people up down/up there.
Kylie’s last blog post..ARGH! I’m Trapped!
Praying for you guys. Stay safe.
I woke up to hearing about these fires and you immediately jumped to mind. Yes, even before coffee. Hon, we get bitchin’ fires here in Colorado from time to time, but nothing like what you have going on right now. Especially combined with the excessive heat wave and drought. How’s Boo handling it? You guys are all in my prayers. Hang in there, hon. Wish I could zip you and your family out here; we could hang out on my delightfully pleasant back porch and drink margaritas until the hubbies leave in disgust.
jen’s last blog post..Flashback Friday: Inner Beauty
I had been thinking and worrying about you last night.. Fucking bushfires!I hates them. The last big one we had through here when Veronica was three was deliberately lit.
After the terrifying madness that is staying and fighting the fire had passed and we were sort of safe, the plight of the native animals nearly broke my heart.The worst thing was the screams of the possums in the daytime. Stay safe Babe, stay safe…
frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Question and answer time..
Wow – I feel so bad for everyone affected.
Don’t you DARE take any chances. Be safe. All of you – just be safe. If they find ‘em, they should burn the fuckers at the stake.
lceel’s last blog post..Saturday Short
Those photos are frightening. Seriously charge the arsonists with attempted/premeditated murder… anything and everything. Be safe.
Tara R.’s last blog post..Where you at?
What goes through the head of these sick motherfuckers? Stay safe, honey. My thoughts are with you and all your friends.
anja’s last blog post..Freudian Interview.
Oh Kelley, that is so scary. Please be safe. Keep us posted as well.
I’ll keep your friends and their families in my thoughts, as well as you and yours.
Big hugs
Sarah’s last blog post..Woman arrested in baby isle at CVS.
I hope they catch those fuckers and leave them in prison for the rest of their lives. The heat, the fires … it really is a hell down there. Good luck.
trannyhead’s last blog post..It’s Friday Night …. Do You Know Where Your Tranny Head Is?
String the fuckers up!
Keep safe. I am finding ways I can contribute to mop up effort.
Hopefully wind dies down and some rain (little there is) gets to you.
CFA/DSE are heroes! (as are all others who are battling)
Widget’s last blog post..Ice cubes please
Un freakin’ believeable.
And don’t string the feckers up. That would be too merciful.
Pour petrol over them and chase them with a lit match.
Widdle Shamrock’s last blog post..Nobody’s Child
string the fuckers up is RIGHT!!!
Stay safe girlie.
Just reading the newspapers this morning and it sounds so dreadful down there.
I hope all your friends and yourself all stayed safe last night. Houses can be rebuilt but people can not.
Riayn’s last blog post..Crazy Insane Week
Be safe my friend. You and yours are in my prayers
xxx
A
Thinking of you.
sarah stewart’s last blog post..Thinking about Stage 1 of Second Life project
Oh, honey… You know I’m hoping everyone is safe.
Ree’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – Is it really Friday?
Scary, scary pictures, and words. I’m praying for you all out there. What an awful thing for someone to do, simply horrible.
birdpress’s last blog post..two paws up
Thinking of you and all of the Victorians.
tiff’s last blog post..Unresolved.
Really terrifying.
Why do people try to fight the forces of nature? Just get the fuck out of the way and stay safe, I say.
I pray you have a plan of escape if the need arises.
Keep us updated, hon. Thinking of you and all those affected by this disaster.
I watched you on Twitter last night talking about this, and I couldn’t sleep with worry. That is so scary, Kell. I’m glad you are in one piece.
Mr Lady’s last blog post..With God As My Witness, I Swear I Will Never Use Me Where I Should Use I. That’s Where I Draw The Line.
Wow. Just, wow. I can’t imagine how scary that must be! I’ll keep all your friends in my thoughts.
Rachael’s last blog post..Veggies, Werewolves & Weddings
We have to fight fire too, every dry season, and I often wish I could set the assholes alight. I am so sorry about the trees and homes, the habitats and neighbours, that are suffering over there. I would be out there with my cutlass and boots if I could. Fires are absolutely not awesome.
Nan’s last blog post..Friday, I Love You….
I am so scared for you and your friends Kelley…we watch this at night on the news and I just want to die knowing that you are there….your pictures are frightening….I hope YOU don’t have to be told to get you and your whole family’s ass OUT OF HARM’S WAY if it comes anywhere close to you. And you MUST let all of us know if there is ANY WAY we can help!
hotmamamia’s last blog post..Steeler Nation – sick of it yet? Nah…..
I’m checking in to make sure you’re okay. i had no idea how close you might be to the fires, now I know and I’m frightened for you. Please stay safe. Do you have an evacuation plan? How is Boo coping? I want you to be okay. So many of my internet friends are in Vic. and NSW. I’m scared for all of you.
Hoping you and your family and friends are all ok today Kelley. Its such a horrible thing.
THe thoughts everyone thinks of about the CFA, every time my hubby goes to work I pray he comes home safe…that he wont get stuck in front of a line of fire…..that a fire wont turn and engulf his truck. Its bloody scary.
Joyce’s last blog post..Last night
Please be safe.
*love*
Miss Ash’s last blog post..I’m not an accessory, people!
Please let us know how things are going over there (when you can).
Thinking of you,
G
xx
myst’s last blog post..MESSAGE FROM THE TALL REDHEAD – aka TONI !!
Man… That’s horrible. I wish you all well.
People in the Sun’s last blog post..Two stories (with punchlines)
I just read that there are 35 dead. How terrible. It makes me so sick. Please stay safe.
Shit Kel.
It’s a relief you aren’t in the path atleast.
OMG I hadn’t heard about this at all! How scary for you! I’ll be praying from you from the other side of the world.
be safe! I’m praying for all of you
Jennifer A’s last blog post..Sometimes, its just better to leave the kid at home
jesus christ..you made me cry i hope you and all you know are ok…am so horrified
Shocked to hear the news of deaths this morning and praying you all keep safe.
If there are arsonists out lighting fires in this weather, I suspect they’d be caught in their own work. Ugh.
Chookie’s last blog post..A Drink for Just-Past-Bloom-Day
Its hard to fathom what you, your family and friends are going through. I hope that a miracle happens soon and the fires are brought under control without further loss of life (50 people .. its unthinkable). Bushfires are a usual part of summer in Aus but when its deliberately lit you really want to strangle the sons of bitches!
I’m glad you are safe. A friends mum in Vic has lost everything. Apparently there is just 8 inches of ash where her home used to be. I am so glad that in over 2 weeks of 40+ temps we didn’t have a single bush fire – miracle.
As soon as I heard about them I had to check out if you were okay. I know you’ve been close to the path of them before.
Ack – I HATE those that are deliberately lit. At least around here we mainly get accidentally fires (of course as scary but not quite so senseless).
The cool change arrived here just over 24 hours ago. Not sure if it’s reached you yet but it can’t be far away. Blessed relief.
Hope they can get the fires out soon.
Lightening’s last blog post..Smiley Saturday – FAIL
Glad you are safe.
What a frightening weekend.
Cellobella’s last blog post..Fire Tweets
I thought I must have heard wrong when the news said at least 50 dead but I’ve just been looking on line and the figure is up to 65!!! (should have read through all your comments). Shit Kell – this is horrific. Please stay safe no matter how near or far it gets.
Lightening’s last blog post..Smiley Saturday – FAIL
I’ve been watching the news and wondering how close you are to the fire. Stay safe, love.
David Bridger’s last blog post..25 Random Things
I have been thinking of you all day. The first thing I heard this morning was that there was 25 fatalaties. Bloody awful and it has only got worse as the day goes on. And the bastards that lit it???? They deserve to have the oxygen sucked out of them, slowly and painfully.
I hope that you, your family and friends are all ok. I will watch the updates to see what is happening. Thinking of you all.
Please stay safe. I hope this fire gets under control soon—too many have been lost already! SO sad.
I read about this on the news this morning and immediately thought of you…what a horrible thing to be going through! The idiot(s) that deliberately set this should definitely be strung up!! Be well and stay safe! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Stacy’s last blog post..Quotable Sunday
Srsly, that’s just serious. We’re thinking about you here. Be safe kido.
Audubon Ron’s last blog post..Nothing More to Give
Keeping ya’ll in my thoughts and prayers. Stay safe.
derfina’s last blog post..Muchas Gracias, Ya’ll!
I’ll keep good thoughts for your family and friends, that you’ll all be safe.
Little Miss Sunshine State’s last blog post..What We’re Not Doing For Valentines Day
WTF is wrong with people???? As if the heat wasn’t bad enough, they’re fucked up mentality has to go and make it worse. I trust they will spend eternity in a similar environment, but hotter with no water!
Stay safe! And if it gets too close my door is always open where we are enjoying a lovely breezy 65F this weekend!
O’Neal’s last blog post..Two Year Olds,Titties &Tears
How horrible and how frightening! I will be praying for you and all the others there in the path of the fire.
Krissa’s last blog post..I will never make a good game show host…
I have been writing about the Australian situation in my blog, “Gaiatribe: Ideas for a Thinking Planet.” The first post was about the drought, the second about the need for new vocabulary of climate change effects, and the third picks up a news article about the fires.
Thank you so much for putting a human face on this tragedy. I’ll be linking to your post.
Elizabeth Barrette’s last blog post..News: Australian Wildfires Kill 49
STAY FAR FAR AWAY from that shit, okay? Thank you.
Zoeyjane’s last blog post..On Being the Beholder
String the fuckers up … A-men!
Is it wrong that I think those photos are gorgeous though?
You and yours are in my thoughts. Stay safe.
cajunvegan’s last blog post..Who Needs a Mommyblogger Fest …
oh, babe. this is just terrible. thinking of you and everyone in your community.
No words. My mind is flattened by this.
Like everyone else who has commented, our thoughts are with you and all of Victoria at this time.
anja’s last blog post..Under a blood red sky.
I’ve just seen online this morning what’s been going on over there, and can’t imagine what it must be like to look outside and see the sky like that and know what’s happening and how people are being impacted. I hope you are safe!!
foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)’s last blog post..the post where, if you’ve had even the slightest hint of a crush on me, you’re now saying, ‘yeah, listen, it was fun…’ and then backing away slowly
I hope and pray that you, your family, your friends and neighbors stay safe from harm.
Gina’s last blog post..Friday Poll
I just heard the news, in the car.
It’s terrifying, it’s horrible,people overtaken in their cars…
I so hope you’re safe,and your friends, I hope you’re ok.
Jo’s last blog post..the inner pre-teen that never quite sleeps
We’ve been very lucky in Sydney/NSW. While we’ve had about 50 bushfires going over the weekend too, ours have not yet taken any homes or lives.
I can’t believe that Victoria has lost 108 people and more anticipated. This is such a tragedy.
How did your friends fare with their properties? My prayers are with you, your friends, and Victoria.
Oh my God. The pictures are amazing. I hope you and your family are safe.
How scared you much be.
It’s hard to believe you are going through such a hot spell when up here we are surrounded by ice. I was grocery shopping the other day and a case of Pepsi fell out of my truck and bounced off a pile of ice and since I was parked on about three inches of ice,the case slid under the truck. I had to get on my hands and knees (on top of ice) and try to get it. Everytime I touched it with my finger tips it would slide further on the ice under the truck. I was screaming FUCK, FUCK, FUCK why is everything im my life so damn difficult. I cant even get groceries out of my car without incident!
Hopefully, thinking about cold and ice and me climbing under a truck made you smile even for a minute.
eileen’s last blog post..Just askin’
Unbelievable. I’m just without words. Heartbreaking, and I can’t imagine someone intentionally started it. Reading the news, I see that so many have died. I’m glad you are safe. So sad for so many.
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Weekly Winners 2/8/09
Hoping you and yours stay safe and out of harm’s way. Sending my thoughts your way.
12ontheinside’s last blog post..Fire
thinking of you all
flutter’s last blog post..A lifetime of walls between us
Was thinking about you over the weekend. Glad to hear you are safe, but very sorry to hear about your friends.
Keep safe & be kind to you & yours.
Glad to hear that you and your family are safe. My heart goes out to everyone in Victoria that has lost someone in these fires. Also, to all the CFA workers and their families.
Been worried about you Kelley. Thoughts, hugs and prayers.
zuzu’s last blog post..This is it
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