Burned To The Ground by beachzz
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
"Fire destroys home on Wednesday"
The Times-Standard (Eureka, California)
"An Elk River Road man left for a bicycle ride Monday morning and when he returned at about 11:30 a.m., he found his home on fire, according to fire officials at the scene."
I knew the moment I read this that this house belonged to a very good friend. I got on the phone and couldn't reach him; his line was busy. My truck was in the shop and it wasn't until this morning I was able to drive up and see for myself. A two story house was reduced to this pile of ashes and charred pieces. My friend is fine (he actually lives in a small apartment adjacent to the house), his dogs are fine, and his attitude is far better than mine would be. And we ended up spending a really good day together. Sat on the deck next to the wreckage, talked, and the rest just didn't matter all that much. I know, ironic, but life is like that sometimes!!

Comments (18)
Oh my...how horrific to leave for a nice ride and come back to seeing your home ablaze! My heart goes out to your friend! At least he and his pets are safe...as base as it may sound, that really is the most important part.
You got your health, a good friend and your dogs. Sounds like he doesn't need much more. Still, I hope he didn't lose any important mementos.
WOW! How stark! Life is like that...there just comes a time when you realize that certain things just aren't really worth the attention we pay. Though a house burning to the ground is a horrendous thing, the homeowner and his dogs are safe, and so a fire takes on a different perspective. It's still a tragedy, an inconvenience, a heart-wrenching loss of valued possessions and such, but the important things remain...the man himself, his dogs, the memories that now remain of the house. Hopefully things look up for him in the future. As for this image! WOW! It's so stark, so moody! In a sense it reminds me of something I'd see in a Tarkovsky film (though Tarkovsky would include more dripping water, he's got a thing for that.) Everything here is so stark and that little iron stove is just the perfect touch...it drives the emotional impact of this image home and underscores a complex play of emotions and mind-states. This is thoroughly engaging. And on an aside note, I love your new avatar!
Your picture says it all! I should not cope like your friend, although as long as all living things are safe I suppose one could be resigned about it.
If something like that had to happen to me, it will probably spread me paper thin! What a dreadful experience! Bless him for his positive attitude! Your picture speaks a thousand words!
This doesn't look good, I hope he was insured.. So long as he and his dogs are ok thats good, things can be replaced people and pets can't..
Oh shi...
Sorry to see this, but it is really good to know that your friend and his dogs are fine especially when he has good friends like you.
Wow, what a shock that would be! Glad he and his furkids are fine, and it sounds like he has a great attitude about it all...
Excellent capture of the aftermath! Glad to hear your friend and his dogs are okay. Did they find the cause of the fire?
I know my son is adamant that the wood stove be totally put out before they leave because it is so easy for a spark to go wild. Sorry to hear the house was lost but I know the attitude is one of resurrection. :-)
Terrific capture after the inferno, Marilyn, and the previous comments say it all for me. Although I am curious as to what started the conflagration in the first place.
Great shot, glad your friend is ok!
Wow what a story and what a great attitude!! I am a memory and antique freak and still have stuff from when I was 16. I would be devastated! Great shot!!
I hope he rebuilds! The view is excellent and he could begin with that great heater!
Oh man ... that is a TOTAL loss, isn't it? Wow. I expected to see charred walls and whatnot ... not this absolute nothingness. Excellent image ... I'm glad he and the dogs are okay!
We all like to think this couldn't happen to us but how wrong we are. As I plan a move out here...my concern for material things is fast fading. Glad to hear all is well for your friend concerning he and his dogs.
Sad to see.... Aloha