thanks for including all of the helpful links, feeling as though we can do something to help is important. My heart goes out to you all, you are now in the same position we were in here in Australia last Summer. The good news is, the fires did eventually stop and the regeneration of the forests is absolutely amazing. On the up side, hopefully so much dry matter has burnt on the forest floors that it should be many, many years before we see another season like our last summer.
Know that it will end and you will be able to move forward and start repairing some of the damage done.
My pleasure. I'm glad you found the links helpful. I think of Australia and your fires often. Hearing about your forests regenerating is so comforting. Thank you for sharing that. A seven-year drought here killed about 150 million trees so there is lots to burn. And we had very little rain this winter. But I will keep in mind that this too shall pass.
the other thing we have in common is the long drought! We have actually had some reasonable rain this year. Not enough for our water catchment to be full, but many other areas are full, which is wonderful.
We put every last penny into rain water tanks last year and now have enough water to grow our food even if there was no rain for quite some time. The thing I have learned from all of this is that you cannot rely on federal or local government to make sure you have what you need - eg the basics like clean water to drink and grow food - you have to start to build your own resilience.
My hope is the pandemic will be the wake up call we all need - fires and drought didn't seem to do the trick. Many, many people are now questioning the status quo and the lifestyle they thought they 'needed', at a great cost. When we see how fast the waterways and skies became clean when the pandemic started, and how quickly birds and animals resumed their previous migration habits, we can be full of optimism. Things can and do repair. Many plants I thought had bitten the dust in my garden last summer are now showing lots of new growth. This is extraordinary considering the heat and smoke and the fact they they only got a trickle of grey water when I could spare it. When I look outside now it's like I'm living in a new country.
Sorry for the long ramble but I just want to reassure everyone that things can and will get better - I wouldn't have believed it when we were in the middle of 5 months of fires.
No need to apologize Madeleine! This is so encouraging to hear. Thank you for taking the time to share all of this. I'm glad to hear your garden is doing so well despite such difficult conditions earlier this year. When it cools down here and the smoke dissipates a bit, I want to work on the raised bed/outdoor lab I've been throwing things into. It's fun and also cheap therapy :)
Hi Anne Marie,
thanks for including all of the helpful links, feeling as though we can do something to help is important. My heart goes out to you all, you are now in the same position we were in here in Australia last Summer. The good news is, the fires did eventually stop and the regeneration of the forests is absolutely amazing. On the up side, hopefully so much dry matter has burnt on the forest floors that it should be many, many years before we see another season like our last summer.
Know that it will end and you will be able to move forward and start repairing some of the damage done.
Big hugs,
Madeleine.xx
Hi Madeleine,
My pleasure. I'm glad you found the links helpful. I think of Australia and your fires often. Hearing about your forests regenerating is so comforting. Thank you for sharing that. A seven-year drought here killed about 150 million trees so there is lots to burn. And we had very little rain this winter. But I will keep in mind that this too shall pass.
Bug hugs backatcha :)
Anne Marie
Hi Anne Marie,
the other thing we have in common is the long drought! We have actually had some reasonable rain this year. Not enough for our water catchment to be full, but many other areas are full, which is wonderful.
We put every last penny into rain water tanks last year and now have enough water to grow our food even if there was no rain for quite some time. The thing I have learned from all of this is that you cannot rely on federal or local government to make sure you have what you need - eg the basics like clean water to drink and grow food - you have to start to build your own resilience.
My hope is the pandemic will be the wake up call we all need - fires and drought didn't seem to do the trick. Many, many people are now questioning the status quo and the lifestyle they thought they 'needed', at a great cost. When we see how fast the waterways and skies became clean when the pandemic started, and how quickly birds and animals resumed their previous migration habits, we can be full of optimism. Things can and do repair. Many plants I thought had bitten the dust in my garden last summer are now showing lots of new growth. This is extraordinary considering the heat and smoke and the fact they they only got a trickle of grey water when I could spare it. When I look outside now it's like I'm living in a new country.
Sorry for the long ramble but I just want to reassure everyone that things can and will get better - I wouldn't have believed it when we were in the middle of 5 months of fires.
Chins up!
Madeleine.xx
No need to apologize Madeleine! This is so encouraging to hear. Thank you for taking the time to share all of this. I'm glad to hear your garden is doing so well despite such difficult conditions earlier this year. When it cools down here and the smoke dissipates a bit, I want to work on the raised bed/outdoor lab I've been throwing things into. It's fun and also cheap therapy :)