The Story of Lori

[Lori Dee]

About an hour ago, I received a Wildfire Emergency Evacuation alert. Big bold letters said LEAVE NOW. We are under a Wind Advisory today and tomorrow, so something got out of control.

I switched on the local TV news and apparently, the NCAA Tournament is more important. The alert specified homes are being evacuated in the area of Granite Point Court and Metz Road. Google tells me that is not in Rapid City, but up at Keystone, SD.

They have shut down Rockerville Road and set up an emergency shelter at the Keystone Community Center. Presently, the fire is about 10 - 15 acres. But with the high winds and low moisture, it is moving quickly.

I AM IN NO DANGER.

I will be contacting people in that area to see if they need help evacuating their homes. There is rain in the area that may help stall the fire, but the Forest Service does not believe it will help. This is still developing, so I will post an update when I know more.

[Sephirah]

Be safe, Lori.

The fires in your country are honestly heartbreaking. I gave to the LA fires because damn, the normal people there who lost everything was crushing. I hate that this is a thing. Sarah B will know this also because Oz has big wildfires sometimes. Their trees literally explode like bombs. And the winds which drive these fires is just crazy.

Be safe okay? Get to safety if there's even a doubt.

A singed Lori is better than no Lori at all. <3

[Lori Dee]

I am back home now, safe and sound.

The evacuation orders have been lifted and people are returning to their homes. We have some fantastic firefighters that work quickly to protect people and property.

The fire is still not contained and is estimated at 37 acres. The wind has calmed down but the Wind Advisory now runs through Monday, so our firefighters will be busy.

Here is the local news story:
https://www.kotatv.com/2025/03/22/powerful-fast-moving-wildfire-threatening-homes-east-keystone/

[Sephirah]

Firefighters are heroes regardless. Putting their lives on the line to keep people safe. They are actual heroes in this world. Selfless and brave. Massive shout out to everyone who makes that their calling in life.

[Sephirah]

I won't post the video because I know folks here like Emma, it is still very raw... but if you ever get to see the 9/11 video by the French film makers, the Naudet brothers... that shows true heroism. These men and women are a cut above. Whatever chaos is happening in the US right now... you have some of the bravest people on the planet.

[Lori Dee]

I was still recovering from neck surgery when it happened. All I did all day was watch TV and pop Vicodins like I was eating Skittles.

That morning, when CNN started broadcasting coverage of the attack, I grabbed a VHS tape and started recording. I had about eight hours of recorded live broadcasts over several days. About a year later, when all the conspiracy theories started flying all over the internet, I was able to debunk some of them just from my recordings. It was clear that the "theorists" had manipulated the video to suit their story.

I don't have the tape any longer. Many things got lost over the years.

[Sephirah]

I never really got on board with all the tin foil hattery. You'll get that with everything.

I just know that the hundreds of brave people who streamed into the towers that day were heroes. Doing it because it was their job. Because it was their calling. And you can't ever think anything of those people other than that they were heroes.

The reason I mention this is because I've seen a lot of stuff with the Black Saturday wildfires in Australia... and the volunteer fire service there were just as heroic. Saving moms and kids by huddling down in a lake as fire raged all around... some people are just special. In what they do and what they do for other people. And those kind of people have my undying respect.

[Lori Dee]

I totally agree. And they don't do it for money. They have a real concern for the safety of others. Who else is crazy enough to run INTO a burning building?

We also have the Hotshots. These firefighters drop into remote areas by parachute where there are no roads. Totally isolated and often surrounded by fire. Their skill and training keeps them alive and they fight their way out. That takes a special kind of bravery.

[Sephirah]

Yeah that's another level. I would need to wear an adult... uhm... diaper?

That's like the Chuck Norris of firefighting, lol.

[Lori Dee]

That's like the Chuck Norris of firefighting, lol.

    

[Emma1017]

Lori, I am so glad that you are OK!!!  Watching the speed at which these fires spread is frightening!

Firefighters rush in when every fiber of our bodies is saying to flee.  It takes a very special person.

They are all heroes!

[Lori Dee]

South Dakota has joined the other states that promote bigotry by passing three new laws that were signed by the Governor.

Governor Rhoden signed HB1259 which has to do with keeping genders separated in schools while in bathrooms, changing rooms, or sleeping quarters. SD has already banned transgender women from women's sports, thanks to previous Governor Kristi Noem. Rhoden assumed to position of Governor when Noem was appointed to the position of Director of Homeland Security.

What people are missing is that these state legislatures are writing laws "to comply with the President's Executive Orders". No one was elected to a state legislature to serve the federal government. They serve the people that elected them. No one asked them to do this, they just did it.

When a state passes a law based on a lie, it still becomes law. It doesn't matter if the Executive Order is barred or rescinded because it was shown to be a lie. Staes are quick to pass laws "in compliance with federal law" but if federal law changes, the states are slow to repeal the laws they just passed. So, even though a lie in the form of an Executive Order has a shelf-life of four years or less, the state laws will continue their damage long after.

So far, every state in the U.S. has introduced a law that attacks the rights of transgender people. Out of 806 bills, 722 are still active, 41 have passed, and 43 have failed.

You can see what your state is up to at:
https://translegislation.com/

[ChrissyRyan]

Lori,

Despite all the bad news, try to have a good week Lori.

You are nice and a delight to be here to share with all of us.


Chrissy

[Lori Dee]

Wow. Had a phone conversation with my dad last night. He is a leading member of the "Trump was sent by God" cult.

We were discussing how his Executive Orders and memos to the Veterans Administration have resulted in the VA discontinuing treatment for gender dysphoria. I told him that because I was diagnosed back in 2019 and have been in treatment since then, my treatment will continue. Others are not so lucky.

He said I shouldn't concern myself with things that may or may not affect others. He said I could drive myself crazy trying to worry about every scenario affecting everyone else. I should just focus on the things that directly affect my own health and safety.

My response was, "What about right and wrong?"

He said I am not able to correct every wrong against other people. For my own mental health, I should ignore what is happening to others and just focus on my own health and safety.

The logic makes sense, except if everyone ignores what ELECTED government officials are doing, and allow them to do whatever they want without any accountability, you end up with a dictatorship where everything affects your health and safety.

Rule 1 of the "Trump was sent by God" cult:

Put your head in the sand and never question any actions or statements made by His Holy Orangeness.

These are the people that elected him. This is the world we live in. 

May they all live long enough to witness what they have done.

[Sephirah]

He said I shouldn't concern myself with things that may or may not affect others. He said I could drive myself crazy trying to worry about every scenario affecting everyone else. I should just focus on the things that directly affect my own health and safety.

Lori, this is literally who you are. I mean I have huge respect for your dad because he's your dad, and you're here because of him but... I don't think he fully knows who his daughter is. What she gives of herself precisely to help people with things that affect others outside herself. You probably could, and do drive yourself crazy trying to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders... but that's who you are, and that's what makes you amazing.

I respectfully disagree with your dad, and you shouldn't change a thing about who you are. It makes you precious to the world and so many people in it.

[ChrissyRyan]

Lori,


I can see his point.  I can see your point.

Hmmmm     point counterpoint

[Jessica_Rose]

He said I shouldn't concern myself with things that may or may not affect others. He said I could drive myself crazy trying to worry about every scenario affecting everyone else. I should just focus on the things that directly affect my own health and safety.

My response was, "What about right and wrong?"

He said I am not able to correct every wrong against other people. For my own mental health, I should ignore what is happening to others and just focus on my own health and safety.

When enough people this this way, we all lose. Death by a thousand cuts.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Sephirah]

When enough people this this way, we all lose. Death by a thousand cuts.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

This. So much this. Perfectly stated.

[Lori Dee]

I have an appointment this morning to get the alignment checked on my Jeep. The new struts seem to have settled into place, so the mechanics can tweak the camber and get it set to where it needs to be. This is considered "warranty" work, so there is no charge. It is just finishing up the installation job.

[Lori Dee]

The appointment took a bit longer than I expected. The new struts had settled in but the mechanics couldn't get the camber dialed in exactly. This is not unusual since they installed brand-new parts into structures with almost 100,000 miles on them.

The solution was to replace the camber adjustment bolt with a different one that has "more adjustment points" on it. I gave the go-ahead and $127 later, everything is in perfect order. I even had them do a quick brake inspection while they had it in the shop.

So, it's all good to go.