Gail Paulics holds up the hot air balloon that she found on her deck recently. It’s a scorched love story that concerns her.
Lyonel Doherty photo
Gail Paulics enjoys a good romance as much as the next gal, but seeing love fall from the sky can be a little unsettling.
The Mountainview Drive resident was admittedly smitten by a mini hot air balloon that landed on her deck recently. Smitten because it carried two heartfelt love letters from “Bradley” and “Beth,” and because the balloon had scorch marks where it had burned sometime during flight.
While Paulics was truly moved by the sentiments expressed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the potential fire hazard.
“We’ve lived through a lot of fires in this area and I’m nervous,” Paulics said, noting the balloon could have set someone’s house on fire, including hers.
Paulics was working at her kitchen sink one day and noticed what looked like a big plastic bag flapping on her deck railing. It was a miniature hot air balloon that was scorched at the top. The bottom part (basket) was missing.
She read the notes of love, printed on the sides of the balloon.
“I’m romantic . . . but the more I thought about it . . . it’s so dangerous. We need to make people aware of this.”
Paulics said the balloon must have had an open flame inside, evidenced by the burn marks.
The balloon was obviously set adrift by someone.
Paulics shuddered at the thought of the repercussions, noting it could have cost a lot of money (fighting a wildfire).
But she continues to be touched by the lovebirds’ commitment: “I promise to love you when it is easy and when it isn’t, and support you through all of life’s curves . . . will spend my days making you as happy as you make me.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
