The Oil Gusher June 2012 - Page 8

**Pat Isaac** · #**106** 06-27-2012, 02:41 PM

I am still hearing reports of the fire out your way, Candace. It does not sound good and I do hope you remain safe. My thoughts are with everyone there.

My company left yesterday morning, enjoyed the visit. I am now getting ready for the group show of our studio artists on Sat. I have been making the painting labels and info cards for the show. We hang it on Friday and the reception is on Saturday.

DH goes to cardiologist next week and hopefully all will be well. He will probably then start a cardiac rehab program.

Pat

CandAlArt · #**107** 06-27-2012, 11:19 PM

Thanks to Lin & Pat for kind comments. A few minutes after my last post the biggest crisis so far hit. (So much is happening that the time scale is way off- seems like days ago not just 1 day) The wind suddenly blew the fire over the foothill and the rest is national news. Dozens of luxury homes burned up, 10,000 fresh acres burned in the city limits, 32,000 more evacuated. Such a tragedy.

Still no human life lost or even injuries, praise God. The firefighters are amazing!!! The baseball game was cancelled due to smoke in the air, as huge clouds of smoke ended up way into the rest of town last night. I am a good number of safe miles away so no worries, except for friends & acquaintances in the trouble zone.

halthepainter · #**108** 06-28-2012, 01:26 PM

Stay safe and healthy Candace. Smoke ain't good for anyone.

CandAlArt · #**109** 06-29-2012, 11:46 AM

Praise! The fire has blown away from the city, back into the hills, has not grown since yesterday, the home fires all out, some small fires near another mountainside housing area but not very threatening at this time... and a larger area of the perimiter in the mountains has been secured.

Sadly over 350 homes burned completely & plenty more damaged. Only one death discovered. Things can always change, but the continuous news channel said they were returning to regular broadcasts (last night midnight) because there was no longer an "imminent threat" to the community. Boy does that sound good!!

Obama will tour the area today

whatever that means. Guess that's what presidents do in natural disasters. Nat. Guard supposed to come in today to guard neighborhoods still evacuated from looters. One couple has been arrested for looting, pockets full of meth' of course...

Lots of charity scams going on, by robophone & door to door... how pathetic but not uncommon in any disaster. Disgusting.

Still a tremendous number of people displaced, and will be for awhile, keep a kind thought for them

AND HOORAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS EVERYWHERE- YOU SAVED OUR CITY!!!

halthepainter · #**110** 06-29-2012, 11:58 AM

Indeed Candace, Praise be.

rickop · #**111** 06-29-2012, 01:21 PM

Nice update Candace. We don't always get the most up to date information here about such things, but yesterday I read an article and the firefighters were happy because humidity was going to reach 15%. Almost humourous if not for the gravity of the situation. When I read 100 km winds I was scared, one death is doing good. For the worst of the conditions my fire prediction tool for flat to undulating prairie indicated a forward spread of 15 km/h. This speed is surprising and is a major source of injury and death, having been to Colorado Springs before it is not only flat lands but it gives an appreciation of what it can do. I am glad the wind has shifted to a better direction.

Speaking of the wind Wednesday we had a funnel cloud roll past our town and then the next day a wind storm topping out at about 90km/h. Several trees went down, luckily the old populars in our back yard were cut down or they would have been through the house. No one in town was hurt and the damage was minor. It is incredible what the wind can do.

Rick

**Pat Isaac** · #**112** 06-29-2012, 05:07 PM

So glad to hear the good news, Candace. It must be a relief to many in the area. Yes, praise the firefighters for their hard work.

Pat

CandAlArt · #**113** 06-30-2012, 12:55 AM

Thanks everyone. Rick, indeed, wind alone can do such damage! You can't do much up against natural forces, just take cover & rebuild/replant after the dust settles! Several of the gang here at Oil Gusher had storm damage, was it last year or the year before? -Loss of trees big time. Hal, Pat, who had the tree branches blocking the garage door? It's not like you can kick the 50 foot tree to the curb for the trash man to pick up. Stay safe everyone!

halthepainter · #**114** 06-30-2012, 07:41 PM

A neighbor, a few months ago, jokingly suggested that I do a painting of him hunting a bear.

I thought it sounded like fun so here is my acrylic painting titled "Scott killed Him a Bar." This is a take off of a carving on a tree in Kentucky (I think) "I Killed me a Bar", signed D. Boone.

I thought I would do it in a "Pulp Fiction" style.

I couldn't get a sharp focus with my camera. I'm having bad luck with my cameras lately.

CandAlArt · #**115** 06-30-2012, 11:46 PM

Hal, Great bar fight picture!!

I really love the style, sort of 1940's? And the lighting is so right! The bar's expression and the glint of the knife-- very, very cool painting. Am I using the word right- seems iconic. I bet you could sell prints. Of course there's always the PETA folks who may come along and call you cruel.......

Shirl Parker · #**116** 06-30-2012, 11:49 PM

Time for a new chat thread. Click here.

**Pat Isaac** · #**117** 07-01-2012, 07:42 AM

Great bear scene Hal.....love the light from the fire.

Pat

halthepainter · #**118** 07-01-2012, 08:54 AM

Candance and Pat thank you.

Candance I was going for a pulp fiction look and it could be called a forties look, that was the heyday of pulp fiction.

Alas putting it in at the end of the month, almost no one will see it.

Salute to our Partners