I have to admit, I’m in a bit of a quandary.
Two days ago, I was all excited for the Three Days of Silence. I had lists and ideas, thoughts and plans.
And then the fires happened.
That is my Garden Tower with the fire in the background, taken about 5 hours after the fire started on Tuesday, June 11.
Our community, after going through this last year, is now faced with the challenge of dealing with Colorado’s most destructive fire ever. Last year’s Waldo Canyon fire was the last “most destructive fire,” which destroyed 346 homes.
This latest fire, the Black Forest Fire, has already taken 360 homes, is 0% contained, and is precariously close to neighborhoods with thousands more homes in jeopardy. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, many of which are camped in Walmart parking lots. The fire danger remains extremely high the next few days, with temperatures in the 90s and erratic wind gusts between 35-40 miles an hour.
In short, it’s an epic fire’s dream for spreading.
I, personally, am in no danger from this particular fire – with an entire city and 12 miles between my house and it.
What does this mean?
We’re Going to Postpone 3 Days of Silence While I Do My Part to Help Our Community
I’m not sure when we’ll reschedule (or, frankly, if we will). This fire has served to show me that, perhaps, a coordinated, dedicated “digital detox” may not be in our best interest. After all, there are definitely times that warrant an undetox – and this is one of them.
Going forward, we’ll talk sometimes about WHY a digital detox is wonderful, and things to do (so exactly the way we’d planned before), just without specific dates attached.
For those of you who are local to Colorado Springs:
One thing I’m assisting with is coordinating an “Operation: Neighbors Feeding Neighbors.”
A small group (so far) of us will be heading over to the Gathering Stones Community Church (near the Falcon Walmart, where many of the displaced are camping) and feeding them a home cooked dinner. IF YOU ARE LOCAL, YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN. The more the merrier!
Just bring your yummiest potluck dish (first, visit this Facebook event page and join up to tell us what you’re bringing) and a hearty, warm smile for your neighbors. Set up begins from 4-5 p.m. this evening and dinner starts at 6:00 p.m., so be there or be square. You’re not square, I just know it. You’re round, but in a very aesthetically pleasing kind of way.
For those of you who are OUTSIDE of Colorado Springs:
If you want to help, the best way to do so is to donate a little coin to our local food bank – Care & Share. You can donate via the link I just mentioned (in the appropriate box, designate it as money to “fire relief”) or you can text DONATE to 41010 to donate $10 (which will be added to your phone bill) directly to fire relief via Care & Share.
I’ll Be Back Next Week – Until Then, Stay Crunchy
Between taking care of the Market and organizing/volunteering, I’ll probably be pretty tied up.
So, in the meantime, send your loving thoughts and prayers (AND YOUR RAIN) this way. I’ll keep you updated.
For now, I will leave you with this photo of the amazing lettuce growing from my Garden Tower. Because it’s green and lush (not burny) and it makes me smile (hey – anything it takes, amirite?).
<3
3 Days of Silence
This history very nice,,
thanks for this information.
Its a long time but so sorry to hear about the fires 🙁
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Hi Betty! I just found your blog last night after searching for homemade facial cleansers/moisturizers. From there I found your recipie for homemade deoderant which I plan on trying this weekend. I LOVE your blog – like I have seriously read almost every post of yours form the last year the past two days. So happy to have found your blog!
I also live in Colorado! I grew up in Aurora and have been in Fort Collins for the past six years. I was here for the fires last year :(. And this year we get the rain! Where was that last year?!? But I LOVE it here 🙂
I have slowly started changing the way I live my entire life the past 4 years going towards a more natural lifestyle. It first started by me not dying my hair anymore and it has progressed into becoming my entire lifestyle. My interest and passion in this type of living has just grown exponentially these past few months since I have finally moved into my own place and I don’t have the influences of roommates (sounds silly, but it made a huge difference for me!)
Anyways, I am new to the blogging community and if you have any other blogs you recommend please let me know! I am so interested in this and I just love love your blog. Can’t wait to try all your DIY homemade remedies 🙂 I am sure I will do a review of them on my blog and link back to you (so my 4 readers can make their own too! LOL) :D. Happy Friday!
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. However think about if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this blog could certainly be one of the best in its field. Superb blog!
Hi Betty! I had no idea you were in Colorado, though I could have guessed. I hope the fires didn’t reach you. I am a Blackhawk pilot in the Colorado Guard and we were helping to fight all the fires, both this year and last. My unit is just about to start training to deploy to Afghanistan.
I love your site and I love making my own products. I am going to try and make a stock pile of the longer lasting products so that I can use them while I am deployed. My boyfriend also loves all the things I make, from the after shave oils to the chapstick. I think it is adorable that he loves that all natural and home made stuff 🙂 And he is a tough Army boy too!
I think what you do is great, I enjoy your blog, and it is good to see that there are good people out there who are willing to help. I know the people of Colorado Springs appreciate it. 🙂
Hey Betty, I hope you (and your family and friends) are all okay! It was pretty bad out there, I know, and the heat there now isn’t much of an improvement.
I just wanted to let you know I found your website yesterday while searching for natural skincare recipes (oily, highly acneic, uber-sensitive skin [plus an intense interest in alternative medicine] means I make most of my own skincare)and hit the jackpot with your blog. Of all my research on alternative medicine and acneic skincare, you taught me some new things! I bought your book, which I love, and will continue scouring your wonderful site! I love your writing style and you made me laugh out loud yesterday (needless to say, I wasn’t all that productive at work) more than once. Please come back, we miss you! Thoughts and prayers go out to you as you recuperate from the fires.
Miss you. It’s been a while and I’m just hoping you’re okay.
Hey Crunchy, it’s been almost a month since your last post. I am worried about you! Hope everything is going fine. No need to rush to come back, your readers just wanted to be sure that nothing bad happened. Best wishes from Canada!
Jesus is there for all of us, and we must pray to Him. My Aunt doesn’t live very far from the fires, and we were pretty worried.
Sending prayers for your community and for rain! Stay safe and thank you for stepping up to help out. 🙂 ~Lisa
Fires can be particularly devastating. I’m so glad you were there to help!
Oh no, not again. 🙁 Sending rainy thoughts. If only Southern Alberta could meet up with CO…
I had no idea you were in CO. I am so glad you were involved (and perhaps still involved)in helping the victims from the fire. Thank you for bringing all sort of inspiring ideas to everyday life. Stay safe!
Thanks God is far but feeling very sad for the community in the same time 🙁 Stay safe and will wait to hear from you.
No smoke in Fort Collins today. I hope the rain has come to you as predicted.
I lived in Colorado for 11 years. It kills me to see my beautiful state in such disarray. I hope that everything starts to calm down. That Colorado gets much needed rain. That my friends in the Springs are all ok. I have many friends that were evacuated last year. I can’t imagine being forced from your home, and not knowing whether or not your home is safe Stay safe, take care, and take care of the beautiful community that is Colorado Springs. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Garden of the Gods is my most favorite, and beautiful place I have ever been to.
I hope the fire is out soon and you’re able to help!!!!
Once life has returned to normal, though, I totally want to hear about your garden tower!!!!
Stay safe. We’ve had our share of fires here in North Texas in the past few years too. So far so good this year, only a couple of small lightening fires. Very scary!
Crunchy: sometimes when we make a plan to better ourselves and/or make a commitment to try to change and adjust our view, event occur that leave us, if even for a moment wondering if we should continue to honor the commitment or abandon it for awhile.
Your ability to adapt to this new information and make shifts is a mark of success and kindness. I cannot imagine a BETTER time to use your voice and technology if need be than to help the folks less fortunate who are afraid and worried.
Your decision to put off three days of silence to help your community was perfect, and I will bet that even when you are rushing around helping and organizing for the people affected by the fire, your INNER self will be silent and filled with quiet gratitude…
…that you are able to help, and that you show USEFUL empathy shows those around you that you don’t need to improve your heart/self, that you are very awesome just being you. Stay Crunchy. you fabulous creature.
Praying for you and your community. Asking Jesus for precious rain. Thanks for how you’re reaching out and helping your neighbors!
Serena
I’m so sorry to hear about the fires. Being from Australia we see a lot of those each year too and know how devastating they are. Our thoughts and prayers are with your community. Will be donating…
Good luck and please be safe! <3
Awesome of you and others local to the fires are doing the dinners in the WalMart parking lots for the displaced. I’m sure it means so much to them. Keep on keeping on.
This is the exact same view I’ve had from my house in Santa Fe, no less than 3 times in the past two weeks! We are now on major fire number 3. Fortunately, there are not as many homes in danger, but it is very sad for the wildlife and the beautiful trees.
Let’s also pray for the courageous firefighters. Good luck to the people in Colorado Springs! Rain would certainly be welcomed by all.
Stay safe, we’ll be thinking of you and your community! <3
Yikes, Crunchy B! I remember you posting about the fire last year – stay safe and good luck!