Hatrack River Forum: Fun With Fire!

This is topic Fun With Fire! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

So, my sister calls me about an hour ago, suitably dramatic, letting me know that there is a horrific fire engulfing the town of Cascade Locks, where my parents live. CL is a small town, population 1000, and it takes up, maybe, five miles of off-freeway road along the Columbia River (which separates Washington from Oregon).

I'm suitably worried - my parents are just getting home from work, and apparently the fire has not be contained at all. It's eaten up an old restaurant and a few houses, and the Columbia Gorge winds are blowing the embers to each side of the freeway, which runs through/over the town.

My parents live right off of this freeway.

I call my dad, and I swear I haven't heard him this giddy in years. "Oh, yeah!" he says, "I'm just here drinking beer ready to assist the firemen in any way," which absolutely cracks me up. Joking about your dad's 'firehose' is normally pretty disturbing, but amidst tragedy it's just downright hysterical. We laugh for about fifteen minutes, and he assures me that he's put the sprinkler on top of the house and they've got all the pictures/family mementos packed up. My mom gets on the phone, and we joke around a bit, too.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew we're concerned and we love you. And, you know, to make sure my name is on top of the will," I say.

"Of course, sweetie! Everything is insured, too. And, if we get cooked here, we'll already be cremated, so you'll save on funeral expenses," my Mom replies.

"Sweet!"

They've got friends on the other side of the River, so they don't need a place to stay. Yes, everything is taken care of, no, I don't have to worry. Thanks for the call, I love you, too. Bye. ::click::

I always wondered where my penchant for laughing during tragedy came from. Now I know - from both parents. [Smile]

Well, good thing my sister has the panicking and drama under control.

(Oh, and full story of the fire here.)

Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :

Honestly that is funny! Not in a cruel sense but we always joke about tragedy in our family. Its either that or end up in the looney bin. Our family has been through so much we'd all end up there.

Hoping the best for your parents and their house.

Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

Ralphie,

The only difference between your dad and mine in this instance is that my dad would be having a martini.

Nonetheless, I hope everything is OK there.

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

Well, thanks.

Ultimately, though, I think I posted this because I'm a bit worried and I think they probably are, too.

I'm sure they'll be fine, and if not - well, I've been promised insurance money, and I expect insurance money!

[Smile]

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

You been messing with the monkey paw again?

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Ha! Good stuff, Ralphie. Keep us informed. [Smile]

Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :

Now it all begins to make sense.... The nut really doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?

But seriously. I hope everything turns out okay, they sound like they're on top of things.

Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :

You guys seem the type to land on your feet. Here's to safety, insurance money, and a ready firehose <lifts beer>.

take care, you.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

*fingers crossed for you and yours, Ralphie

Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :

Damn, and I thought this was going to be a thread about the joys of being a pyro.

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

And I thought it was going to be a disturbing account of how get back at someone who really annoys you. Then again, after last nights Big Brother episode, my husband thinks I'm the most devious person he's ever met and has finally realized the only way he's getting out of this marriage is in a coffin. [Smile]

(Not that I'm planning on killing him, I just told him what I would do if I were in a certain position in the BB house right now and he couldn't believe anyone could even come up with such a devious plan. That was when he made the comment about not being able to divorce me. He says that a lot, though, because I think deep down, he's actually a bit frightened of me. I have no idea why, of course. :angelsmilie: Really, I don't.)

[Big Grin]

Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :

I do so love forest fires. We got some unseasonable rain and all of ours went out [Frown]

Best of luck to your folks!

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

I hate wild fires. [Frown]

Sets off my allergies and flares up everyone's asthma. [Frown]

Posted by StigLarson (Member # 5579) on :

Hope everything goes OK for you and your folks Ralphie.

[ September 03, 2003, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: StigLarson ]

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

I was disappointed it wasn't about pyros as well... (I <3 pyros... ^_^)

Here's hoping that Ralphie won't need to collect that insurance!!

Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :

Natural disasters always seem to bring out that side in some people. I've never been in a fire situation, but I heard a lot of joking around when I was working on sandbag crews when my town was flooding. I think it has something to do with the adrenaline. It's scary, but it's also sort of exhilarating.

That link made it sound like things are mostly under control. I hope you and yours are OK.

Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :

Don't forget, they'll also need to call up Mack and tell her what nice legs she's got.

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

Thanks guys. [Smile]

Though I haven't been able to get a hold of them, I'm sure they're fine.

I appreciate all the well-wishing, though.

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

I hate to add another fire to Hatrack, but my uplighter was looking awfully close to exploding into flame a few minutes ago and I didn't even notice until my father came in and dived at the light switch. (it's usually bright, it was very hot and very red)

*phew*

This is a day of fire.

I hope other people's fire stories end as well as mine. [Frown]

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

Parents are fine. The fire is now under control. No need to collect insurance. No more fire-hose references, and so the world makes sense once again.

Thanks for everyone's well-wishing. I'm sure it helped but the smack-down on those embers flying willy-nilly. [Smile]

Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Glad to hear it, Ralphie!
Ssywak: [Laugh]

good one.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

*phew* [Smile]

Y'know, we need a relieved graemlin.

Glad to hear that everything's ok!