Who's Really Safe?

People often ask me if I am ever afraid to live in the End of the Rainbow Valley in the country in the middle of nowhere tucked back in a valley a mile from a main road. I don't hesitate to respond "No" but to be perfectly honest, that's not exactly true.  It's not the being alone aspect of the isolated location but rather the fear of needing emergency services. 

And such was the case this past Wednesday for a dairy farmer whose farm Natureman had driven by countless times en route to and from work. 

Smoke filled the air on County Road KK 7 miles south of Coon Valley. Majestic Farms, a dairy farm's barn was ablaze.  The farm's owner, Steve Humfeld, was in the barn at the time.  He was helicoptered to Madison to be treated for 2nd and 3rd degree life threatening burns where he was reported to be in serious but stable condition.  Our prayers are with him and his family.

Six different area fire departments tried to extinguish and contain the flames as they faced a big problem - running out of water. The barn was a total loss. Luckily some of the 50 cows and 40 smaller livestock managed to escape.

The cause of the fire is being investigated. Natureman explained to me that sometimes 'wet' hay can cause a fire. Who knew?

Lifestock and buildings can be replaced but my heart goes out to the family who have to rebuild their livelihood and most of all recuperate from both mental and physical injuries...

This has been quite a week with the devastating typhoon in the Philippines, flooding in Italy, 80 Midwest tornadoes and our local ridgetop farm fire... Safe, who's really safe?