The fire leaped over the ridge and bounded down the mountain consuming everything in sight. The larger animals had a chance but there were many that never had a hope. The smoke was thick and the air suffocated with every breath and that made it harder to run. You could see blue sky just beyond the barrier but even before the fire reaches you the heat is burning your fur. You scurry faster but the smoke and fire overtakes you. You go to sleep from the smoke and the running. You cuddle against the fallen timbers. It burst into flames as you sleep; your sleep has already taken you to the other side.



The Little Goose fire held 397 firefighters at bay. The Hot Shot teams went in but that did not stop the fire. This fire is 85% contained but there is always something that happens. Last night we had rain and lightning but it missed the mountains. Today we had rain and low winds but I don't know how that went for the effort.



This big Elk is looking over the area and protecting its family. He is new to all of us but we love him just the same. The county and the city will be busy this winter and we will all take care of our family too. Life is hard for all of us and we do our best to make it better. Our wild and yet dependent families are relying on us to help them through a difficult time.

It has been a long week but my prayers go out to those that have lost and been displaced. Just a simple reminder: Home is where the heart is.

We are all safe here. Be kind and pray.

I don't know how I strayed so far away from the flock. I had my head down eating and enjoying the day and I got lost. I knew it was time to drink and lay down in the green pastures but where was he? I cried out in the wilderness for I was lost, alone and scared. I tried to find him but I was lost. I longed for his care, his love and his gentle touch.

There is a peace when you walk with him. His voice calms the seas and puts to rest a season. I miss him and I long for him. I want to be with the other sheep and I want to feel safe as I walk. I know I love you and you are here somewhere! Find me please! I realize now that I want you to be here with me. I want to be able to look over my shoulder and see that you are watching me. I love you and I know now how much I need you. Where are you?

As I hang there on a root from an old tree sticking out from the cliff I pray. In my mind I still wonder how it went this far but then I feel something around my chest. He never let me out of his sight. He caught me with his staff and let me think for a while. I could feel him pull me up and then he tended my wounds. He gave me a hug and sent me back to my family.

I'm not saying I won't stray again but I am glad I have Jesus to watch over me.

If this happened to you I think you would go for any road out of town but this is Sheridan and we are use to it. Yesterday was a beautiful sun filled day. The sky was baby blue with little fluffy cotton ball clouds all around. I looked towards the mountains and could not see them, my mountains were on fire for the second time this week.

Did it upset me or anyone else? The NFS (National Forest Service) announced to us last month that they were going to let some of these fires burn because it was needed for the trees in our region to survive. It is a beautiful gift of nature. The community gets tight at this time and makes sure the front line has what it needs. Wal-Mart is donating everything from water to socks to keep our team fresh and refreshed. People are making sure that they are feed and taken care of.

Last week the mountain was hit by big Blue and again the other night while I was at work. I guess the next time it will look different like after Yellowstone in the 90's. Our people and many others pull together tight to keep what we hold true. We may be just a bunch of cowboys and homesteaders but we know what we love. In a land of little we learned how to love what is dear to us.

The fire will grow cold and the embers will cool and die leaving only a memory of what will soon be. Time and nature will out live us all and soon. They will have their day.

I know I have another site for this but The Great Satchmo should be allowed to speak and I want to say a few things myself.

I love my father. I know the war messed up a lot of things, including me but all he ever tried to be was a good man. It took a long time and a lot of love but I see that now. I guess you have to be a parent before you can understand one.

Just want to keep it short and let you all know this is a wonderful world God bless you all.

I love jazz but many people don't get the concept that life relates to music. It is kind of like loving math and realizing the one you love doesn't know what 2+2 is.

It is 4 and this is for you!