A Character Around Every Corner – Thanks Pam Myrick

That opening photo was taken from Mead as Lisa and I were returning from visiting Claire and Honey in their evacuation location. Our property lay somewhere in the smoke blanketed area we were returning to. All I can say is that I’m glad these lungs were tested by 6 decades of NYC air, or I may never have been able to adapt to an atmosphere I can actually see. That tall shadow to the right of the mountain cloaking smoke horizon, is the still burning plume of one of the fires.

But the good news is that our fur family members were happy, safe and healthy.

The better news is that we got to meet one of their regular caretakers, Pam Myrick.

Pam is a funny, feisty, and, as it turns out, equally spiritual – energy, chakras, intuition, grounding, etc. – retired trauma center nurse who spends most of her retirement days caring as a volunteer for the animals on this property.

She lives in one of the houses that back borders the farm property.

Pam was amazing. An earth great-grandmother who was so enjoying her interactions with the mules we had to press her for stories.

Originally of Minnesotan Swedish stock she came to Colorado in the middle of the last century and raised her family and worked at all kinds of RN related jobs, even as a flight nurse. She has seen it all. Lisa and Pam were able to share a shorthand that was just martian to me.

The big takeaway was that this is a naturally compassionate woman who enjoys sharing that love and empathy with the creatures on this property. We all agreed that the other creatures are much nicer than humans.

Lisa and I were ecstatic that Claire and Honey were in her care.

She had an elven quality about her.

We also heard from Lenay McQueen that with any luck we would probably be able to retrieve the mules on Wednesday, assuming the fires are under control.

On the home front, we remained packed and ready to leave Casa Claire should the orders come in but pray with our hearts and collective soul that an all clear notice arrives beforehand.

I refuse to believe that Casa Claire would surrender to the fire.

The good news is that the Alexander Mountain fire to the North is moving in the right direction at 5% containment – it had stayed zero for the past 3 days – and the Stone Canyon Fire immediately to our west is now at 30% containment. Given that the latter is the closest fire, we are ecstatic at the progress. Fingers crossed. Prepared for the worst but always hoping for the best.

Unfortunately, Blue had a bad day yesterday,

could be the air quality, so we all took turns spending time with her.

But this morning she was able to carry herself outside for a piss, although she had to be helped back inside to her bed afterwards. She must have spit out her medicine 20 times before I got her to swallow it. That’s probably a good sign. Again, fingers crossed.

I wish the weather would cooperate.

Well, that’s it for a boring day of otherwise staring at the Sword of Damocles hanging above the front door. I miss all of the daily distraction Claire and Honey offer me but have to remain vigilant of every uptick in the wind and every ping of the Fire App updates.

It also is fun to keep the grans distracted through bits of mental torture with constant threats of death by finger gun. Helps regulate their fight or flight response system.

I like to pop out at the most unexpected times and make them flee from the room. They are getting really good at it.

Anyway, that’s it for this morning.

Time to get a move on. Thank God it’s Friday.

You fine, five readers tilt that phone up by the computer screen at work and read that free Kindle copy of The Wise Ass you must have downloaded by now, if only to shut me up. The boss will never know, unless you LOL.

I’m actually bringing an inscribed copy of TWA to Pam when Lisa and I visit Claire and Honey tonight. Another lovely NoCo neighbor who refuses to take money.

But first some kitty cuddling. Still no rounds.

But no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.