Snivelly, Snarly, Grumpy, Grouchy, and Tired

I don't watch the news all the time, but today I have watched several of them. This morning they were talking about a wildfire burning somewhere in New Mexico (I don't remember where the first one was), and as the day has progressed, it has gotten worse. Sometime this afternoon they announced that there was one near the little town of San Antonio, just off I-25 and seven miles south of Socorro, where Gail and I were last night. It was apparently somewhere between the two towns, and some home had to be evacuated. A few minutes later they announced that the highway we used to come home last night was closed because of smoke and the danger of the fire spreading in that area. If that happened yesterday, Gail and I would have been either stopped on the way, or we couldn't have come home without traveling several hours to take another route.

Another of the fires is on the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains. That is just the other side of the mountain from Albuquerque. It has now burned near or to "the crest," that area where the skiing takes place, where the restaurant is. Again, homes and businesses evacuated. I don't know what this might mean for the city. It didn't sound like it would come down the other side of the mountain, but it is very near the top, so.....

Just a minute ago they said we now have five wildfires burning across the state. We are dry this year, back into the drought, despite last year's beautifully rainy weather. And of course, you've heard me complain about the winds which are horrendous this year, much worse and lasting longer than usual. That combination is deadly, especially when people are careless. They said that it appears that all five of these fires were man-caused. I don't know what, exactly, that means, but it boils down to the fact that someone was careless in each situation, thinking it wouldn't hurt to drop a cigarette and grind it out (but not doing so completely) or burning trash in their yard ("I'll be careful and it won't hurt") or perhaps a campfire was built in disregard of the signs everywhere that say clearly "NO CAMPFIRES." It doesn't take a genius to understand these issues! But for many, the sense of entitlement and privilege (as in, "Not me! It won't happen to/because of me!") overshadows the rules, the knowledge, everything!

Some of these fires are in National Forests. There are large areas that will be black the next time you want to camp there. Some of the burned or burning areas are very close to wildlife reserves, so it may impact on the animals, birds, fish, etc. that are protected there (or were) so that when we visit, if we can visit, it may be disappointing.

I'm tired and grouchy tonight, but I don't understand how people can do this. I'm working, researching, fighting to keep a mega mine company from tearing a 2000 acre open pit gash in the side of some of these precious mountains, and someone else is out there dropping a match, burning as much or more with each incident! I don't know how anyone can open their eyes, see what is out there and not want to be super cautious to protect it!

Yeah, I'm a grump. I've had a bad day regarding several other issues, and I even had a nose dive of depression this afternoon for a couple hours, during which time I ate everything in the house that I shouldn't have. Oh, wait, that's not true ... there is still some Ben and Jerry's in the freezer that I didn't finish off. The fires are just part of it. I just get angry about how casually some people are about where we live, how it is treated with disregard. I think I'll take my grumpy, grouchy, tired booty to bed. Tomorrow has to be a better day, right? Right??? Hey, RIGHT?????? Oh, sorry. Like I said ...... off to bed with my snivelly, snarly self!

Life is (still) beautiful!!!!

But keep reminding me, OK?

PS - I already heard back from the restaurant. Very nice email with offer for a gift card. I responded to the letter which was less than what I hope to hear. I appreciate that they haven't had time to fully address what happened, but I hoped to hear about a corrective measure, not "discipline"!! I explained my position and will fill you in on it later.