our roof begins to come together

Ingrid and I have been evacuated three times in the face of wildfires.

Wildfires destroy homes in two main ways. The first way is when undergrowth and trees have been left to grow too closely to the house. When they catch fire, the sides of the house ignite as well. The second way is when high winds carry burning brands from a distance and drop them on the roof, decks and window sills of the house.

The last big fire we had to leave our home for demolished two houses within two miles of us.

One belonged to a retired NASA engineer and his wife. Uncontrollable flames roared up formerly beautiful gullies on either side of their home. Fire fighters and slurry bombers were called into action and they, themselves, fought hard and long but, in the end, all they had left were the clothes on their backs. The house, their library, his citations, manuscripts and files had all been destroyed and burnt to the ground.

The other belonged to the director of our art museum. In this case, it was airborne. The front of the fire had been stopped and contained a half a mile away. Suddenly. however, high winds kicked up, and burning branches were carried far over the fire lines and onto her home. It happened too quickly for rescuers to get there in time. She, too, lost the house, all her things and her personal work and collections of art.

Is it any wonder that Ingrid and I are excited about this new metal roof, with it's low maintaince, 50 year warranty ~ and inability to burn?