Many of you tried to contact us during the wildfires in east Texas last week (and this week…). Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers and offers for help. We have returned to the farm and are in the process of resuming normal life, including providing you with an update. The cows are currently being transported back to Shady Grove Ranch from a colleague’s farm in Longview, and we humans are settling back in, figuring out where we left off.
We are happy to report that nothing of major value was lost–not one chicken, pig, cow, turkey, bale of hay, building, or piece of equipment. Our most significant losses were fences, pasture, and trees. Most of our property did burn, but God really had His hand on our operation. It was stressful to say the least, and very hard work for Matt and Bailey, who came back to the farm to fight the fire around the house, but it seems that it’s almost over. Now we are praying for rain to stop the remaining fires and to stimulate new growth of our burned pastures. The smoke is almost gone, and we are safe.
The fires aren’t over yet–in fact, we still hear planes and choppers flying nearby to try to stop the rest of the fires. We were affected by the Bear Creek fire that spread from Cass County. So far it has burned 50,000 acres and is still not totally contained.
Here are some pictures taken of our farm during the fires. There is also a video of a chopper that spent much of Wednesday dropping water on our pastures. We appreciate the tireless efforts of all the firefighters and rescue personnel. We are praying that God will send substantial rain soon to bring us out of this drought!
It seems the 13-year mark of small business is when all your equipment decides to break down, especially if most of it was already almost a decade old when you started (but of course we didn’t own much “new” stuff. We like our equipment already “broken in,” ha!). We’ve had to do a boat-load of repairs this year. Matt says we can start calling him Jack, as in Jack of… ... Continue reading | 2 Comments
Scary. I’m glad ya’ll are ok, and all the four-leggeds, girls, etc. We lived in Santa Fe during the Los Alamos fire and I remember how hard it was on the animals, too. It’s a frightening experience.
Dianne and I have been Praying for you ALL and are Happy to see that you are safe! Do you need any HELP for recovery? I just spoke with Matt Eversol, and he said he wanted to try to get out that way by next Wed. to help with fences and or any other needs. I’d be happy to help and provide any needed equipment or tools! Please contact mean my e-ml or at 214-577-4264 cell# Take Care! Brain and Dianne Blanchard
I’m so sorry you have been so awfully affected by the drought. What a wonder your home and livestock were preserved! I hope you had some of the rain we had in the region today (9-15-11). Be well.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing I bet you already are using this link but since it has programs to assist with fence and tree loss, with deadlines, I thought I’d post it.
David loves projects and his garage repair wood is too green to cut, so do let me know if Matt needs help in the next few weekends.
The soup bones made terrific osso buco and minestrone; David said he’d bring me over for a shopping trip if ya’ll can’t make the Fall Farmer’s Market in Shreveport.
I had no idea ya’ll were in such danger and am very thankful for your survival and that of your critters!