Brush Arbor and Brush Fire

Saturday night we attended the Midwest Gospel Singing in Normal. It is a concert/singing fundraiser for charitable organizations. I had been planting soybeans all day, and left the tractor just in time to get there before it started - missing supper. The groups performing at this years singing were; Brush Arbor ("three grandpas and a young guy" bluegrass gospel band), Leslie, Tricia, and Gary (trio), The Klopfenstein Sisters (classically trained strings and vocalists), The Beer Boys (acappella quartet), and Deer Fry (bluegrass gospel band that started singing/playing together at local machine shed "deer fries"). It was an enjoyable evening of Gospel music by many talented musicians. The charities being supported were the Apostolic Christian Home for the Handicapped and Lifesong for Orphans.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
.... praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Back home later in the evening we were enjoying the cool breezes wafting through our open windows. The wind began to pick up and around 11:00 we started smelling smoke.

We had a large brush pile back behind all of our buildings. On it were several years worth of trees we cut down, brush, prunings, yard waste, used lumber, and other burnable trash. On Friday morning I checked the two day forecast and steady west winds were predicted. Just what we needed to burn the pile. Because of the size of the pile (about 35 feet diameter) and the big logs in it we knew it would be burning for days. I started it and it burned nicely all day and by evening the small stuff was consumed and mostly the large logs and covered coals were left. The wind stayed in the west, and it continued to burn /smoulder Friday night and Saturday.

I slipped on shoes, grabbed a flashlight and went out to check what was happening. When the wind started gusting harder it also shifted to the North-Northeast. This stirred up the fire and sent burning embers and sparks blowing towards our buildings. Not a comfortable or secure sight. So I played fireman with a garden hose trying to quench the burning logs and embers. I found out it is work to subdue a large fire with just a garden hose in a strong wind. But by midnight I succeeded and was finally able to go to bed.

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Jeremiah 17:27