Up until a few days ago I had written all of two blog posts on my website starting last fall. I am blown away by the reaction I have received from it over the last couple of days since this fire business began.  I have never really had much of an audience to my writing other than some family members and a few close friends though I did have a story about how silly Fly Fishermen can be (me being one of them) published in a small corner of Australia years ago. I do have regular readers of my words that are delivered in the form of brochures for the fancy properties I broker. I write about the “unparalleled views” that can be enjoyed from this “unique offering”. Exciting stuff. Well, it IS exciting for those who have a few million dollars in their pocket to spend! I’d be excited too. Anyway, my personal website has received more traffic over the last few days than the sum total since its inception a couple of years ago. Things with the fire seem to be improving for now but I am still quelling expectations as they arise. I hear wind is in the forecast. 

My website wasn’t supposed to be about writing (it’s a photography website) but I do love to write. I have zero training in the craft but my father is a storyteller. I grew up watching him entertain everyone with his colorful stories all of which have become increasingly embellished over the years. In fact, some of them bear little resemblance to their original narrative. But they are still entertaining and they are invariably based in some zany real world scenario. I always enjoyed hearing the story of his pet skunks, Stinky and Winky. In contrast to the reports about Tinky Winky from some concerned members of the Christian community… Stinky and Winky were not alleged to be gay. The female, Winky, was friendly and could be played with but Stinky was known for doling out a hefty bite. Once my tolerant grandmother (who allows their children to acquire a pet skunk – or even worse, TWO pet skunks!?) grew tired of living with skunks they gave them to the zoo. According to my father, the McDavids were regular contributors to the animal population of the local zoo with discarded ducks, goats and, of course, Stinky and Winky. You gotta wonder why a zoo in Alabama would need a goat exhibit. Me thinks maybe they didn't really go to the zoo. Anyway, I used the story of Stinky and Winky to convince my father to buy me a pet duck when I was 11.

“But Dad…. If we don’t get this duck I won’t have any funny and interesting stories to tell like you when I get older!” I pleaded.

One pet duck, coming right up!

So, here is my story of my beloved Waddle-ina. The dog next door immediately hated Waddle-ina and decorated the backyard with all her feathers within a few hours of her arrival. Poor Waddle-ina. The End.