On Monday, November 24th, My husbands best friend, Stu was woken about 5:15 a.m., from his comfy couch in "The Shed" to a crackling sound. The first miracle was he heard the crackling sound, and it was loud enough for him to recognize a serious issue was brewing.

If you have visited our house, you've likely been treated to a tour of The Shed. The Shed started as a place to store everything else because the house Stu lives in is a pretty small earthship. The Shed is where everything else lived and was displayed and enjoyed.

Everywhere you looked, a little something to delight. Stu's artwork, collections, and stories aplenty with every item. You may have hung out on the deep leather couch or one of the leather chairs, feet kicked up on a matching stool. Perhaps you sat at the bar in a tractor seat mounted in a drive shaft and leaned on the thick wooden bar, woven together with copper laces. Ashed a tasty cigar in the railroad tie ashtrays. Looking around at a multitude of skulls, concrete, plaster, steel, and real skulls in all shapes and sizes. Some skulls held the fancy color-changing bulbs, or old-fashioned giant bulbs, all lighting many chandeliers in every room. You might have joined us for a poker game, shuffling skull coins, and smoking whatever you got! Illuminated by a collection of neon signs brightly reflecting off your cards.

Perhaps it was a football game on one of 4 TVs, or New Year's, or just Thirsty Thursday! You may have slid up to the slot machines on casino chairs and played your luck... winning not for the quarters clanking into the metal tray, just for the excitement of the win!

You may have shot pool with Stu or come to test your strength on the punching bag machine. Some of you have come to do a little shooting. Stu's grand metal wall cabinets lining the room with a pew pew here and a pew pew there. Old-fashioned Radio Flyer wooden sleds hanging from the ceiling next to airplane models. Stu would pull the sleds down when the driveway was snowy enough. Drag them back up to warm ourselves, huddled around the firepit, more skulls flickering flames out their eyes and nose! Many more delights, memories, ideas, opinions, and conversations are cherished pieces of the history of The Shed. Thank you for sharing them with Stu. He hopes they will be with you for a long time!

Stu was home alone with the pups, who were in the house with "them damn kitties." All but Stu away from the danger.

The Shed's deep red wine walls were engulfed in orange and red flame, angry black billows of smoke coating everything in layers of soot. The fire department declared the structure was holding up well for what it was taking. The only completely untouched items, not even dirty... are the Chief and the Ouija board. Fire knew better than to mess with the Chief and other worlds.

Stu and all lives are well and whole. Stu sustained some serious burns to his hands and wrists. And a winter layoff quickly salted those wounds.

Our ask if we may, there are many weather-sensitive items which he may be able to rehabilitate. The only request is to help us purchase a shelter. This may take years to comb through as ammo is a slow, unrushed process to polish. We are asking for some help to acquire shelter for the surviving items, some of the metal art made it! If you know of a box trailer, a zircon deal or sale, please put us in touch with them. A donation toward a purchase would be so appreciated. We would accept loaners, though we have no idea how long this might be, and we do not want to burden others. We are so grateful for whatever our community can offer! Happy Holidays!