What I Learned From The Evacuation Warning

 Today I decided to write about what it was like to experience an evacuation warning during a severe  fire.  The Bobcat Fire came dangerously close to our lovely village of Wrightwood.  I talked with several of my friends and neighbors there, and listened to their opinions and stories.  Many of them stayed in town, and other families left.  They all had their own personal reasons and logic. 

I drove back and forth a few different times, depending on what I read online about the road, fire, and weather conditions.  I packed up more stuff than I ever have during a fire.  What was important to me was to have my pets, my hand knit items, a few favorite pieces of clothing, and food and water.  It was a relief to rescue all of the sweaters, shawls, socks, gloves, and scarves that I have made over the last several years.  My photos are saved online. 

I thought that I would want to take my dad's car, since it is a newer model, and gets excellent mileage.  I ended up feeling more attached to  my mom's 2002 VW Beetle.  It has so much style!  It also has sentimental value to me.  She kept it so clean and organized.  She had everything in that car you could ever need: two flashlights, a siren, a red leather coin purse with quarters for tolls, a tiny first aid kit, mints, tissues, stain wipes, and a dog carrier.  She was extremely prepared and beautifully organized.  That car makes me smile.

I realized that I should have packed more pet food than I had anticipated.  I had tupperware jugs full of water by the door.  I wasn't sure how much traffic there would be.  I left early, and there really wasn't any.  It's nice to be able to go to a comfortable second location only sixty miles from your residence.  I am so glad that I kept the cottage.  I have been busy cleaning it today.  I fed some of the citrus trees homemade compost, and did a load of laundry.

The first time I fled I forgot my must have documents.  I was so upset with myself.  We were closing on my parents' house and a piece of land that I had purchased.  I brought that paperwork, and accidentally  left my box that contained everything else.  Fortunately, I retrieved it on one of my return trips to the cabin.  It feels good to have all of those records together and organized.  I keep mine in a fire proof box.  

Have you ever had to evacuate?  

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Daily Discipline During the Pandemic

Today I finished some last minute changes on an article that I'm writing for Peter Glebo and Tommy Tune in New York.  It was quick and easy to add the edits.  I scrutinized their notes on my mini ipad, and carefully typed them in on my desktop.  At this point, it's out of my hands.  I didn't even go back and read the entire article again.  I knew that if I did, I would want to add more shaping and cutting, and they are happy with it the way it is.  I didn't want to disrupt that flow.  I just focused on the list of corrections and additions that they had sent, then read each paragraph that I had rewritten  to check for rhythm and accuracy.  I skipped the stanzas that had already been shaped and formed over many recent hours  and weeks, hit send, and  let it all go.

Glebo and Tune will choose and design the layout,  photos and artwork.  I have a feeling that it is going to be amazing!  I am so excited to see  the finished product.  I told them to work their magic.  One of the thrilling things about theater is that everybody's talent is thrown together in a big pot, and it collect and magnifies into something rich, unexpected  and wonderful. 

I have been holding to the daily discipline of eating well, cooking at home, walking Lula, doing yoga and meditation, and keeping things clean, neat and tidy.  I also stay on a consistent watering schedule with the garden.  The oak trees seem so much happier and stronger now that they are getting irrigated.  I think they were struggling in the heat. 

How is your daily discipline?  

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Bobcat Fire Is 50% Contained

 Today we learned that the Bobcat Fire is 50% contained.  They are using water from Jackson Lake to fight it.  I raked up several more bags of pine needles this morning.  I took a swim in the lake at the country club, and it was so refreshing!  I didn't expect for them to be open, but they were.  I wish the fire fighters continued success, and am so thankful to them for all of their labor and sweat.  They work so hard!    

Protecting Your Money As a Senior

 Since my dad died, I have noticed that I have to be very careful with people who work as bankers, attorneys, brokers, and in real estate.  It's so important when you are settling an estate that you make careful notes, know how much money you are transferring into your accounts, and that you are aware of what you are doing.

 My mother let my father handle all of the finances.  She liked to spend money, but she knew nothing about their investments, how their stocks were doing, or what their net worth was.  Her VW Beetle  wasn't even in her name.  I once saw a Suze Orman show about how important it is for women to have their own money, a savings account in their name, etc.  but she wasn't interested.  She let my dad handle everything.   

Women like this can be targets for scams, hidden fees, poor investments, and lies.  It's so important to read up on the areas that are new to you.  I study articles on  investing at Yahoo Finance.  My father recommended the website  to me, and it's an excellent resource.  

You can negotiate what you want.  Closing a cash sale on land should be cheaper than one that requires a loan.  You can make an offer that's affordable to you, and not go any further if what they want seems too expensive.  Maybe the seller will pay the closing costs.  It doesn't hurt to ask.

Today one of the managers at my credit union tried to talk me into keeping more money there than I had planned.  I had done extensive research on how much the FDIC insures, and had made plans to put some of the money from a home sale in a separate account at a different bank.  She tried to tell me that it didn't matter, since I had beneficiaries.  She and the woman working there made three attempts to keep my money at their institution.  It was shocking.  "This is not her decision," I told the teller.  I got my cashier's checks, but I had to stand my ground and insist.  They acted like it was theirs.  People in those fields can get very possessive with cash.   

We have to be very careful right now and steer clear of people who take advantage of seniors, women, or others  that they see as unsuspecting.  Forewarned is forearmed.  I see so many older women hire people to invest their money for them.  It can all be lost so quickly.  I manage my own funds, and check them daily.  It's not hard.  How about you?  

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They're Fighting The Bobcat Fire From the Air

 

One of our locals just posted some impressive video footage of the Super Scoopers being used over our picturesque little  village of Wrightwood, California.  The sleek, sophisticated jets are from Quebec.  They are filling them up at Lancaster Lake.  It's a relief to see and hear them  approaching this fire from the air.  Yesterday there was too much smoke.  It has grown so rapidly.  I could see it approaching over the last week down below from the Pearblossom Highway.  It was obviously headed toward us.  At least we were fortunate enough to have time to prepare.  With some disasters, you don't see or hear them what's coming. 

My neighbor told me that the last time they were evacuated for a fire, it took her seven and a half hours just to get to Lancaster!  It must have been really exhausting and frightening, especially in all of that traffic, and in this summer heat.  I make sure to travel when it's cool.  The hot weather is so hard on your car.  It also is draining and stressful for your animals, your children, and for you!

There was an article that was in the paper about the fire yesterday.  It was eerie to look at the photos and see how beautiful the trees look.  The sky is orange, like a theatrical backdrop.  It reminded me of the old footage of the San Francisco earthquake, and the fires that followed.  Fire is so dramatic. 

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The Bobcat Fire, Evacuations and Mountain Lions

The Bobcat Fire has spread at an alarming rate.  I  have been watching it from the Pearblossom Highway on my commute over the past week, and was shocked this morning to see that it looked twice as close to Wrightwood.  Devil's Punchbowl, (which is very close,) has been evacuated.  I hope that the people there get out safely.  I worry that the Wrightwood residents will wait too long and be fumbling in the dark with no electricity.  It's very dark now with the shorter days this time of year.  The mountain roads are only two lanes.

One local posted a videotape of a huge mountain lion in her driveway.  It went after her dog, but she and her husband yelled at it, and were able to protect the canine.   They have children.  It's strange to see the figures of these powerful wild animals on camera, right next to an outside  staircase or deck.   They are also fleeing the fires, and are hungry, thirsty and desperate.  It's like the movie Bambi.  A cub or two was also seen with the mother.  

Another post stated that someone's dog, the size of a German shepherd, was taken by a cougar from the balcony.  People have the illusion that their dogs are safe there.  Mountain lions normally eat deer.  They can easily take down large animals or humans.  I don't think people realize the danger of the situation.

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Fleeing The Fires in California

As most of you know, there are numerous wildfires raging right now in California.  It is a challenge to decide whether to leave or stay put when the areas near your home are burning.  What we didn't anticipate was how many different fires there would be.  They have multiplied at an alarming rate. 

The reason I bought the cabin up in the mountains was to have a refuge someplace cooler to go in the brutally hot summers.  I wanted a location that wasn't so fire prone.  I had noticed that they were accelerating each year in Canyon Country.  Last year the Tick Fire was just a block from my cottage.  It made me nervous.  What if you couldn't get out in time?  I had images of people perishing in their cars in 2011.  We saw that happen in the tragic Paradise Fire, and now it is occurring once again.  

There is currently a fire about thirty miles from our beautiful village of Wrightwood.  It has been spreading rapidly.  I know how quickly the flames can travel.  It makes me afraid to go to sleep at night.  We only have one gas station in town, and there were ten people lined up to use the four pumps early this afternoon.  I got in needing half a tank when there was only one other man there.  It's important to have cash, too. 

I talk regularly with my friends and neighbors, and keep the car loaded up, ready to go at a moment's notice.  Fortunately, Lula and Snow White, (my chicken,) are experienced travelers.  They both enjoy car rides.  

My personal strategy is to leave early.  I don't wait to be evacuated.  Being caught in pandemonium would make me nervous and worried.  I would rather be safe than sorry.  Nothing would frighten me more than to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic during a fast moving fire.  It's important to keep your gas tank full, your car in good repair, and to have plenty of clothing, food and water.    

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Balanchine PBS Documentary

Adjusting To Pandemic Life

I was talking on the phone to a friend of mine in New York the other day, and he told me that he actually kind of enjoys wearing his mask now.  I have gotten used to it, too.  It's become part of the daily routine.  I washed a few of them yesterday in the  machine with a load of laundry.  They dried quickly out  in the sunshine, on the clothesline.

I have been having trouble with my hot water heater lately.  It's only five years old, but the water has been cold.  I saw that the pilot light was out, and was able to relight it.  At first it was unsuccessful, but then I heard the "whoosh!"  I took a hot bath today for the first time in ages.  It was such a treat.  I added some epsom salts and used a bar of my homemade soap.  I had a bad batch of soap that I screwed up over a year ago experimenting with hot processed salt soaps.  Anyway, it is now the most lovely, mild soap that I have ever used!  I'm so glad that I didn't throw it away!  The bars look crumbly, but they work, and their lather is superb!    

I painted my fingernails this afternoon, for the first time in ages.  I picked up a couple of bottles of pretty rose colored nail polish at the drug store this afternoon.  Next I will do a pedicure.  My friend and I were saying how our grooming has kind of gone by the wayside since the virus hit.  I never wear make-up anymore.  It feels nice to have a new haircut and my nails done, though.  The little things do make a difference.

I finished up the leftover turkey tacos, and plan to make a batch of chicken fajitas with guacamole tomorrow.  I find that eating delicious, homemade meals  really cheers me up.  Chicken breasts were marked down to 1.00 a pound at Vons today!  I was thrilled.  I have just been buying what's on sale, grocery wise, and it's working out very well.  

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Going Through Your Parents' Things

I have those angel candles above my fireplace now.  Her sleigh bells now hang on my door.

My parents' house sold and we have closed.  This is the ending of an era.  I took photos of all of the rooms after my mom died.  I wanted to remember how it looked with her magic touch.  She had such a talent for decorating and the home. 

My brother got rid of all the antiques and staged the house.  It sold very quickly.  It looks completely different now- very modern.  I wish I could have taken some of the furniture, but I wasn't able to have it moved in the deep snow.  He was in a big hurry and wouldn't wait.

I did take bring home that little pink wreath.   It's hanging  on the front door of my cottage.  It's so soft and sweet.  I put many of my mom's animal figurines in the garden up at the cabin.  They look so happy there.  She would love it.  I have the lace curtains, too.

I wrapped some of the mirrors in terry cloth towels, and hung them in my home.  They bring back so many memories.  I used to polish the antiques and wipe the glass clean  every week as a girl. 

I am so glad that I took photos of everything.  It's a good idea to document what your parents have while they are alive.  If there are any disagreements about the value of their possessions, you have proof.  It's also helpful to have in case of a break in or theft during a move.  

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Drinking Less Coffee

For the past few days, I have cut my coffee consumption down from three cups a day to just two cups.  I do feel a difference.  Instead of reaching for another cup of java, I do an activity that I enjoy, like yoga, hiking, biking, or knitting. 

I lighten and sweeten  my French roast coffee with cream and sugar, so that means I am also cutting down on dairy and sweeteners.  I am reading an excellent book about aging and brain health.  It's pretty easy for me to eat well, but coffee was the one area where I was overdoing it.  Moderation seems to really help the body to do it's job.

My dad completely quit coffee the year that he died. He was eighty-eight.   I was amazed that he was able to stop his morning ritual cold turkey.  "It's just a habit," he told me, resigned.  His feet hurt, and his ankles were swelling.  He switched to drinking hot water each morning.  He was very disciplined that way; he had healthy eating habits, too. 

How much coffee or tea do you consume each day? 

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First Haircut and a Bus Ride

vacation memories from last year

 
Our hair salons in California have opened, so I called the lady that cuts my hair and booked a slot.  She mentioned that she doesn't have much parking at her new location, so I decided to walk.  What a mistake.

It was very hot outside, and I was wearing a new pair of sandals.  I had forgotten how far her shop is from my cottage, and how long it takes to get there.  I used to ride my bike, but won't be doing that anymore.  The highway is too busy, and they are doing construction.  Blisters began to form on my feet, and they started to bleed.

It was all worth it, though.  I got in for my appointment, and I was the only one there.  She did a terrific job, as she always does.  I gave her twice the amount she charges, and she was very appreciative.  She has only been asking for $10.00 per haircut for the twenty years I have been going there.  I had a few inches taken off my red mane, and I feel like a new woman!

I decided to take the bus home.  What I didn't realize is that I would have to wait over an hour for the next one.  I didn't have the schedule with me.  I tried to be patient, and eventually it came.  It made me very grateful that I have a car.  Next time I'll use it.

There were only a few people on the bus, thank goodness.  Everyone was wearing a mask, and we sat far apart from each other.  It was a relief to get home.  I don't think I"ll be doing that again.  There was a man right after me at the shop.  The owner made him wait outside, which I really appreciated.  He was getting in her space and bumping elbows with her, acting like it was cute.  It really stresses me out when men like him don't take this virus seriously.  I sighed and went on with my day.

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