Yesterday I drove into Talent from the south for the first time via Talent Avenue. My first impression was “this isn’t as bad as I thought.” Yes, entire neighborhoods were wiped off the map, including the one I desperately wanted to live in before being priced out while I was waiting for my house in New Mexico to sell. But entire neighborhoods were also left untouched, especially on the west side of the road. The OSF Costume warehouse was also unscathed in case anyone was worried about that.
I was on my way out of town again when I spotted the Talent Strong sign and had to turn around and find a place to park so I could take a picture. Besides the sign, these good people have a tiny free library and a tiny free pantry. Items for the pantry were overflowing along the fence and there was a polite handwritten sign directing donators what was acceptable and not. They also had a sign in multiple languages which said: “No matter where you are from, we are glad you are our neighbor.” I think I would like to meet these people.
I also was deeply touched by this bucket of flowers someone had placed on the driveway of a burned-out house. And I was impressed with the number of bowls of food and water left out for stray pets. But more on that tomorrow.
Today, I have to go to my house, (Yes! we are allowed back in!), and clean out the refrigerator and air out the house while we have some improved air quality. Getting the gas turned back on may be too much to hope for but that’s on my to do list as well.