We came home after an exhausting (fun though!) week of teaching VBS. There was quite a lightning storm while we were there and since Brett just drives the bus kids before and after, he came home during the storm to put away all the dogs and make sure all windows were closed. He texted me while he was here and said lightning struck on our property. But all seemed okay when he came back for the 2nd bus route. When we were coming in our driveway, several children noticed a strange glow in the woods. There was much speculation by them as to what it was (and me realizing they read too many fantasy books), so we stopped to have a look. Way up high--25 feet to be almost exact, lightning had struck one of our trees and it was spitting sparks everywhere. By this time the rain had stopped, but not the wind, so every gust brought up new flames.
It's at times like these that mine and Brett's personalities are reduced to their essence.
Me: I'll go get my zoom lens while you go call the fire department.
Brett: It hasn't come to that. I can put this out.
Me: Really? How so? (flames shooting higher into the sky, sparks everywhere on the underbrush).
Brett: I haven't figured that part out yet.
Me: Dear, the nice firemen won't think you're a wuss for calling them. They have actual equipment that can put this out in a few minutes and it's their job. I don't think we have a 300 yard long hose. Or do you want to shimmy up the tree with a big sand bucket while sparks rain down on you?
Brett: (realizing with annoyance that I might perhaps be right): FINE. But I have to go up to the house and find the number for the fire department.
Me: I think it's just 911, right?
Brett: (it was dark out, but I heard his eyes roll at me): That's only for emergencies.
Me: (watching while the wind whips flames higher into the air, seeing sparks landing on more trees that have been made tinder-dry by the recent 500-week heat wave): I think this constitutes as one.
Grudgingly, he went to the house to make the Phone Call of Shame. And yes, dialed 911, as he admitted to me later.
In the meantime, I was texting Christina all about it, who was out with friends. Our conversation, though a bit different, was more entertaining.
Me: We have a tree on fire. I finally talked dad into calling the fire department. Don't worry though, I'm taking pictures.
Tina: What in the world??!! Send me a pic on my phone! Which tree is it?
Me: I never did get around to naming the trees but let's start now. I'll call him Bernie.
Tina: ROFL! I just meant, it's not like the big one out front is it?
Me: Nah, it's one in the woods. Just don't want it to burn down all our woods and make its way to the house. I'm funny that way.
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Soon, we heard sirens in the distance. I made Brett go back and collect all the children so they could have a Learning Experience. Why, this was more exciting than the meteor shower I made them all watch and learn about last night.
The fire dept. had a difficult time finding our place, since it's relatively new and not on all the GPS stuff yet. But they did arrive in plenty of time.
Sorry for the poor quality photo, but wanted to catch the action more than set up my tripod. In retrospect, had I known about the fire, I would have been completely prepared. Anyway, here they are, putting out the fire with actual equipment.
The final conference, was the fire out? Could they leave now? Brett's in the blue shirt, deciding if and how he should apologize for calling the fire department out for an actual blaze that could have destroyed our entire property.
Brett will no doubt not sleep tonight, since he won't take the word of the fire department that the blaze has been extinguished, and will be checking every hour on the hour to be sure that the fire hasn't started up again.
As for me? I'm headed to bed and will stay there. G'night everyone.
