For those of you that didn't already know this, I come from a farming family. Dairy farm for 30+ years, then the dr. told dad that due to his severe asthma and heart condition, the cows had to go. We were also grain famers. Corn, beans, hay for the cattle etc. After the cows left, dad continued the grain crops, and took up with birds....quail & quail eggs for the asian markets, turkeys, pheasant...etc. Well...now you get the picture.
Tonight my sister in Alabama calls and tells me that all of the tractors and equiptment are gone. The equipment shed caught fire and it's all gone. The shed is about 50 feet from the barn where the birds are housed, but it didn't spread...thank god for the snow/cold and wind in the opposite direction! Anyway....after talking to sis, I called mom....who was somewhat hysterical. The dogs were barking and dad went outside to tell them to shut up when he saw something burning. He walked out to the yard, and mom went out on the deck...he hollered for her to call 911....she gets the phone...runs to the middle of the yard....(football field or less from the shed)....and stuff starts exploding....(tractors=gas/diesel+BIG rubber tires).
Thank god my parents are smart enough to know when not to try to put out fires by themselves!! I can't even think about that. Anyway....fire departments from 3 different towns, ambulance, police, and neighbors from 5+miles all converge on the farm. They sprayed down the barn, but had to turn off the electricity...(now dad may lose 100+new chicks because of the incubator)(but the barn didn't catch fire!)
All of the tractors were in that building. You can't imagine how much money we are talking. Yes, they are insured....and no one was hurt...so I'm extremely grateful....but to know how my parents are feeling right now is killing me. I worked on that farm for 22 years...my dad for 60+! I drove every tractor in that shed....hell, i learned how to drive them before I could a car....(I was 11!!)
So....I've been crying most of the night....I'm on my second glass of wine....and I am going to try to convice DH to let me go home this weekend. Talk about being homesick right now....crap.
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