Thank you so much Jan.
Humans all over the world suffer through natural disasters and it breaks my heart every time, but some of these fires were deliberately lit and that makes them criminal acts, not acts of nature. Though they are all just as devastating, aren't they.

We have lost several townships during these extreme fires, several were historic, so can never be replaced, town museums especially. Even ski resorts have been destroyed and they had their snow making machines running, at the time, to try and protect them, but they burnt too..

Many thousands of people have been displaced with nowhere to go. They not only lost their homes, but everything in them, and while we say material things aren't important, imagine, as I know we all can, living without even the barest essentials, nothing but the clothes on your back and whatever you could stuff in your car, that is, if you had enough time to grab anything.

At the height of our own fire scare, just before we went to evacuate, I went quickly from room to room, looking at years of accumulated stuff and I saw it all as fuel for the fire, until I looked at, and thought about, all the precious gifts I had received from loved ones: parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren, and my many dear friends, alive and deceased, a whole lifetime of love and as much it may have upset me to lose them all, all I could do was close each door and think of my Hubby and our two fur babies.

Now I think of all those people who HAVE lost everything and now I break down for them and ask what can I do? How can I help? I am not physically able to help, I could go through my things and find items to donate, but they say money is more important so they can purchase items they really need and pay for accommodation and other of life's necessities. We are not rich, so our donations are small, but we will give what we can as often as we can, and know that every dollar will help.

Some areas are still without electricity and phone services and there is supposed to be a shortage of power poles to replace those that have burned.
(I can't help thinking how stupid it is that in this country, which is so susceptible to bush fires, our power is supplied via cables run above ground on timber poles!!!!) Some of these have even CAUSED fires.

Thankfully some areas have been getting some rain but so much more is needed and more has been predicted, but we all know what weather predictions are like, don't we? :-(

We had three large Water Dragons visit from across the river today, which is heartwarming.
I have heard the Doves cooing and Ray saw some Magpies feeding, across there, from feeders put there by our young (agile) neighbour. I even heard a Kookaburra in the distance.

All we can do is have faith that mother nature will regenerate, the drought will break, the flora will germinate and regrow, and the fauna that survives will repopulate as it always has in the past.

I apologise this is so long and disjointed, I can't seem to switch off my thoughts lately.

Hugs n Roses and much love dear friend.

when we had to evacuate i had already gathered computers, recoeds and family heirlooms. but kitties and food along with them. of course we forgot litter box. they were not happy being put in their carriers. we brought so many things and FORGOT the stack of dollar bills we have saved in the desk for an emergency. So here was the emergency and about 1,000 dollars was just left where it could have burned. So, now we have a list of things to grab. It is hard to think clearly when a fire is drawing close. I think you are probably suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder. You will need rest to begin with and someone to talk to about your trauma and stress following. So many in Australia will be feeling the same. Hugs to you all, and prayers for regrowth.