There is Unrest in the Forest

Prescribed Burning: Fire applied in a knowledgeable manner on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives.



"Fire creates plant and animal habitat throughout the United States. There is no question that many ecosystems would not exist in the absence of fire.

You must understand that the very foundation of fire ecology is the premise that wildland fire is neither innately destructive nor in the best interest of every forest. Fire causes change and change has its own value.

Change is biologically necessary to maintain many healthy ecosystems, and resource managers have learned to use fire to cause changes in plant and animal communities to meet their objectives."

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When I look at the picture above, a couple of things come to mind-- Firstly, that it's been far too long since I took a hike at Hocking Hills, and secondly, that there are many details about my life that have the hanging-on quality of too much forest detritus. Before I slide off a metaphorical cliff, let me assure you that not all of it is mystical and spooky. Some of it is as simple as the excess of stuff in our basement.

I guess I could follow this up with a whole lot about fire as a symbol, and the importance of fire in spiritual ceremonies, yadda yadda, and maybe something about dream catchers or my favorite scent at Yankee Candle, but that's a lot of cheese this soon after the holidays (and things like dream catchers, unicorns, lots of cats, and professing an undying love for things that are purple GIVE ME HIVES).

Rather, let me say this-- I hope we all get the kind of change we need this year. It's winter, and it's cold, and I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling stuck in a place in my life that seems long overdue for a controlled burn.