When I wrote the blog last week, this picture wouldn't show up on my screen. It was plain white which explains the caption at the time but today, miraculously, the picture was there so let me explain.
On a quiet Thursday night last Aug.26th, just after 6:00 p.m., the town of Wheatly was changed forever by a devastating explosion. There were tourists and towns people on the street enjoying the late August weather. Shops were closing, restaurants were open and filling up. It was a miracle that no one was killed as two buildings were totally demolished by the hydrogen sulphide gas explosion. Since that time it has been learnt that this area is one of many in Ontario that has approximately 27 000 gas and oil wells with 3 000 of which have never been capped and their where abouts is not known.
This is a picture of downtown Wheatly taken from the west end. There are security people located at both ends of the street 24/7. The shops are still filled with their wares. The homes for one block on each side of Main Street are also evacuated and contain all of their contents also. Over 100 families have had to relocate. Each family is attached to a social service worker.
This is the blockade on the east end of town. I got out of the car and started taking pictures when the security guard got out of his car and politely said, "You are not allowed to take pictures." I already had!!!!
This is me putting my camera in my pocket before I get hauled off to jail!!! I needed more information on this whole situation and as I tried to pry info out of this nice guy I quickly realized that he was not going to be my "source".
Our house is east of town just a short distance. As I headed in that direction, I noticed a sign for the food bank, library and resource centre. Interesting combo. I went in and met the director who was so accommodating to answer all of my questions. It was excellent. There are pending court cases and that is why there are to be no pictures of the crime scene. I'm not sure anyone can be held accountable for what happened. It happened and it may happen again.
Last Sunday they were monitoring a test well just off Main Street and it gushed gas out and the area had to be evacuated. It is a crazy situation. My heart goes out to all of the families and businesses that have been affected. I hope to find a way to help while I am here and hope that our house doesn't blow up!!!!
One of the gorgeous sunrises I hear about but have never seen!!! Good Man!!!
Home maintenance is so important!!!
This is our house from the driveway. See the two rockers on the front porch? I hope to occupy one of those in March!!!
This is the lake side. My sunroom on the left. Living room is on the right. Kitchen is in the middle and Ray's barbeque is on the porch tucked away in the corner safe from the wind and other elements.
Stairs down to a deck and then there is another set of stairs off to the right taking you down to the beach. When it warms up, really warms up, I'm going to find treasures on the beach!!!
Quite the storm we had the other day. Freezing rain. It is so hard to capture it on the trees but honestly they were all covered. So, let's look at winter from my perspective. I don't want to go out because it is too cold. I don't want to go out because it is snowing. I don't want to out because it is too icy. I don't want to go out because it is too windy. The other day is got to 90 km. an hour!!! Oh San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico I miss you and long for the days where I don't want to go out because it is too hot!!!!!
If you squint to the left of the tree, you will see maybe loons in the lake along with the ice floats. This morning it was Canada Geese out there. Don't they know that if they flew two thousand miles south they could be fowling some pristine sandy beach???
These lovely new towels not only dry your body but they also exfoliate at the same time!!!
Thanks for reading the blog. Hope you smiled. Remember to come for a visit. It can get pretty quiet here..... We need the entertainment of your visit!!! God Bless. Stay safe - Will we say that forever or does it just feel like it?
Comments
Post a Comment