How does the word “fire” affect you?  Scary?

It really is one of the most feared of English words. You know you can shout the word and people will scramble without having to ask where, what, now?

First, we are OK.   But, California is not.  It is burning with wild fires, mostly nature caused but some man made.  Either way, it is not pretty and the fires must be extinguished as quickly as humanly possible.  Meantime, there is a whole lot of devastation going on in this state.

Our website fans know we have a home in Santa Barbara and we have a vacation home near Yosemite, in Mariposa, CA.    Incredibly, both homes are in harm’s way of massive fires at the same time.    Did you say evacuate the SB home?  Ok, but where do we go if not to Mariposa?   The irony!

So, we sit in SB, two vehicles ‘packed and ready’ to leave our home at a moment’s notice from the Firefighters and we  pray for those brave, hardworking men and women who risk life and limb to save our lives and hopefully, our homes.

The reality of ‘moving out’ hits and you think you are in control.  I have personally been ‘ready’ since 1990 when the Painted Cave fire devastated a lot of Santa Barbara.  I have had bags packed for 18 years.  But the moment they started to go into the car, you come to instantly know in your heart that you are saying good-bye to your house, your things and after only 5 minutes of that frivolous thinking, it is OVER.  And that is because you know that your life and the lives of those whom you love are more important than anything material could ever be.  So, with documents in hand, necessary medications, water and snacks, I am at peace knowing my husband and I will be fine, just fine.

*Mariposa house shown and safe.

**SB remains cautiously optimistic as of July 7, 2008