A Strong Tree

(This post I wrote was originally featured on my friend Moriah's Blog. You can read the original post here--- http://homeontheeriecanal.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-strong-tree-guest-post.html )

Have you ever been walking through the forest and suddenly come upon an absolutely massive tree? One that you don't even need to take a second look, just the absolute size of it and you know it's been around for a long time.
 
And with that long time of life you know that surely that tree has survived a lot to get where it is. Drought, floods, possibly disease, it's stood through storms and winds that knocked down other trees all around it. And yet, there it stands.

Life Update

What's happening guys?

     

    As you've probably noticed posts have been a little slow in coming over here. My bad, and I promise I'm going to try and pick up the slack I've been leaving on this thing.

A lot has been happening lately for me personally. The Fire Explorer program that I started way back last November is still holding together, we still only got the original 6 kids in it. But we're having a good time and hopefully once life settles down I'll be willing to tackle that a little more aggressively.

Homemade Potatoes

   Have you ever had fresh homemade mashed potatoes? I'm not talking Bob Evans or any store, I'm talking straight out of Mom or Grandma's kitchen made in front of you Mashed Potatoes.
    My mom makes the best mashed potatoes every Thanksgiving, they're rich in flavor and just straight up addicting. It usually doesn't last through the next day. The only downfall is they take time, a lot of it.

You Got My Back?

   We have a rule in the Fire Dept in those situations where we have to go in to a burning building, or even a building that maybe isn't burning anymore and we're doing overhaul but there are still some hot spots to knock down. Two in, Two out. You never go in alone, never without your partner. And your partner doesn't leave your side for anything, you go in together you come out together. That's just the way it is.
   I've been a Volunteer Firefighter for four years now, paid part timer for two, and I'll tell you this much. There is nothing quite like the sensation of walking into a room of a house or garage, and immediately being swallowed up by the smoke and steam. When it happens you can't see your own hand in front of your face, and I mean that in the literal.

A Quick Update

Hey Everyone!
  Hmm... 4 months and no new posts? Sorry about that! Life got busy with all the work and training I've been doing lately. Honestly there were times when I looked through my phone and saw a note for a new blog idea and would think, "Ah, I should get on this." But then I would get distracted and forget about it.

 But fear not people! I have lately had this blog sitting on my mind quite a bit and I'm ready to get back into it. Again, I'll probably be keeping it down to one post a month. Maybe two if you get lucky.

Just wanted ya'll to know I didn't forget about you and to keep an eye out for new posts in the near future.

God Bless,
       Ryan