I went back to work today and told the story a few more times. This evening we'd wanted to see a movie but we would have had to have free passes and we didn't have 'em so instead we came home and watched tv while I sorted through another portfolio of paintings. They all smell smoky but some are going to be salvageable (not too wet, no mold, looks like they looked before), some are going to be revived (if they are noticeably different but retain enough to be revived, renewed, or remixed), and some are trash (ish, probably can't bring myself to destroy them completely but maybe they'll be cards or letters or paper pulp or turned into paper clay or collaged into new work or something).
I have ideas to share about art and change and flexibility and smiling when knocked down and the kindness of so many people but I am also simply tired.
goodnight and take good care,
Rachael