I guess that's our only option really, but in our heads we get "ahead of our skis". I'm in the fire zone in the SoCal fires. Packed up and ready to go — the voluntary evacuation zone is blocks away now. (Photo shows ghostly ash falling everywhere, weird orange light.) What do I take What's really important in life? Clothing? Yes. Books? No Guitars? Some. Mom's medical diploma? Of course. Etc etc. I'll probably be OK but almost everyone I know knows somebody whose life went literally up in smoke. If you're thinking about telling something important to somebody you care about... do it now!
I've been in a similar situation with a hurricane so I know that struggle of packing up my life and not knowing if I'll have a home to go back to. Such life moments do put things into greater perspective.
The border of the evacuation zone has been a mile from my place... for three days now. And the winds are dying down, thank goddess. So I'm probably OK. Interesting experience putting your possessions through the triage. But I think I can now go back to ignoring fate.
Well the fat lady is clearing her throat, but has not yet started singing. But I was jolted awake this AM by my phone beeping of its own accord to inform me that the fire is still spreading my way. I'm still out of the evacuation zones. I'm putting my things in the car and waiting. It smells like a campfire outside. I can hear cars starting up and people getting away. Yikes!
Is it still burning? Best wishes for everyone over there. I can't imagine the catastrophe. For both the people and the environment. How do you deal with the smell? I always feel dizzy and nauseous when there is a fire in the general area, even if it only burns for a few hours.
It's like waiting for friggin' Godot, the fire still isn't out but it's not heading into town so we can voluntarily evacuate ourselves if we want but it's not (yet) mandatory but bla bla bla. I just went through the "Oh I want such-and-such an article of clothing but it's in the car." Looked like a fool with my head stuck in the car rummaging around unpacking a packed bag. Everyone is wearing masks when walking outdoors. Indoors it's fine if you keep your windows closed. I know how you feel, even a hint of tobacco smoke makes me feel the same way, like being seasick. Haven't had that yet. But what to do tomorrow? Go to work? Ditch town? Hunker down and read EC? Wish it would rain. That's at least a week away.
Wow. And I was just about to complain about the snow calamity here... Hopefully it will stop burning as soon as possible. The power of nature can be really horrifying sometimes. Good luck to you and all the others whose lives or homes are in danger there...
My location has been un-declared. And its only declaration was voluntary evacuation zone. So, unless there are backsies, I'm safe again. (No, autocorrect, it's not backsides, what are you thinking?) Amazing how life runs normal so close to chaos. There must be a lesson in there.
Yay! Glad to hear it! Yes, the lesson....hmmm seems like no matter what problems we have, big n small, life carries on, eh? Sometimes it'd be so much easier if time would just stop for a while to let us catch our breath...
Thanks for the kind words. Now my living room floor is covered with duffel bags and sacks full-o-stuff. Just in case the fire makes a left turn. What I should really do is take all the stuff that I didn't pack and throw it out. And just live with the rest. But I guess I'm still attached to worldly things like silverware and mattresses.
