Today marks the start of the big Memorial Day Holiday weekend and like myself , families all over the country have big plans for the next 3, 4, and for some 5 days. For months I’ve been thinking about my favorite spot on the back porch. Just close enough to the grill so I don’t feel the heat, but not too far away that might cause me to just have to stand there the whole time. I went out last night (along with half the people in my area apparently) and loaded up on hot dogs, hamburger meat, and a couple nice steaks. I filled the kitty pool up for my son, got the grass cut early, finished my honey do list….did I mention I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for awhile?
My outdoor plans changed a bit this morning though. As I woke and peeked out the window, I first thought I still had sleep in my eye (I did stay up kinda late) because everything had this white haze to it. Then about an hour later as I stepped out to toss the trash I noticed the smell. Like burning leaves except my part of the city doesn’t allow that and even if one of my neighbors had chosen to ignore that rule that was one massive leaf pile they must have had going on.
As it turns out that smoke that was running me back inside and causing me to rethink my Memorial Day plans, traveled over 500 miles from the Georgia/Florida wildfires and is still extending further North/West as I write this.
The fires (currently numbering around 200) have torched an estimated 95,000 acres. That smoke has to go somewhere and due to a strong front from the south, it was currently creating problems for people all across the lower have of the country. In response to a flurry of calls Anglea Bush, executive director of the American Lung Association Of Alabama told reporters “The number one thing we are telling everyone who calls is to stay indoors if at all possible.” Meaning weekend + outside = not gonna happen.
The smoke also found local firefighters (those not off helping on the front line down in lower Georgia) criss-crossing my area responding to false alarms. “They didn’t run lights and siren to get there, but the firefighters went to check things out. As dry as it is here, if do have a forest fire it will not take long for it to get out of hand” says the director of the local EMA office.
So as I sit here like others around me pondering what to make of this development that has caused me to rethink my dreams of grill’n and chill’n, I can’t help but feel thankful. Thankful there are people in the world who are willing to risk their lives everyday to rescue complete strangers from the hands of Mother Nature. Thankful to those overseas fighting for freedom. Thankful for the everyday Policeman, Fireman, Soldier, Teacher, and volunteer. Thankful for the ones that have sacrificed in the past so that this little minor incovenience of mine is all that I have to feel bad about today.
From myself and everyone associated with Repellem brand products, Thank You!!! Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day.
Buy Repell-em Garbage Bags and keep the animals away!
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