Fires.

Texas is in an extreme drought.

As in, I can't remember the last time I saw rain.  It's been months.  Droughts bring fire.  

The fires are thankfully, for the most part under control... but there was one about 10 miles from our home.  It was close enough that we sat down at 11pm and decided was what most important and put it in a suitcase.

It's amazing, and humbling, that The Husband and I can have this beautiful home full of wonderful things - but the *real* stuff can just fit into one suitcase.  

Photos from our childhoods and wedding, IDs, Passports, External Hard Drive, my camera, a few home videos, and our insurance/closing documents.  That's all we actually need, although we're surrounded by all this stuff.  

It puts things into perspective... quickly.  

Thankfully, the fires didn't get close enough to be a major concern.  We feel very fortunate.  These photos were taken from our street.  Some, just from right outside the front door.  

This fire (below) is over 33 miles away.  The smoke was intense.