A Bittersweet Return

We are safely back in our quiet little valley in Southern California. It was untouched by the devastating fires that burnt to the ground much of the prettiest country in this state.

It came within 4 blocks of the house we used to live in…and the stories from friends in our old neighborhood are heart breaking. Tales of standing on roofs trying desperately to water down the sparks falling all around them…the sky dark as night…the streetlights casing a feeble glow… the roar of the approaching inferno…the return to see if their house was one of those no longer standing. Rick and I looked with amazement at how the fire had skipped around…one house standing…two burnt…one standing and on and on and on…11_08_thanks

We finally went to look for ourselves. I wanted to photograph some of it to share with you…I did take a few shots but I didn’t have the heart to shoot anymore. The sight of people on their knees sifting through what was left of their life was heartbreaking. All the stories just don’t do justice to the human element in all of this…the raw pain of loss.11_08_tape

And what do we do with the anger?…The fire, that killed and maimed and destroyed, was an arson fire…This sign was flapping in a wind that still reeks with the stench of wet burnt things…11_08_arson

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.