Fire

First of all, we don't live close to any of these horrible fires which are burning up Southern California, so NOBODY SHOULD WORRY. I say this because all of our East coast relatives are kind of freaking out about it. Mommy (my mother-in-law to the uninitiated) called yesterday, and left a message dripping with what Jimmy and I call The Quiver. The Quiver is a kind of high-pitched, dramatic, pitiful trembling that comes into Mommy's voice when she has "hit the Panic Button", as she calls it. "G-r-r-r-r-e-e-e-e-e-e-et-t-t-ch-ch-e-e-e-n-n-n? Is everything alr-r-r-i-i-i-i-i-i-ght???" "Mommy!" I said firmly "You know perfectly well that for the fires to have burned us, they would have to have consumed the entire San Fernando Valley, the Hollywood Hills, and all of Hollywood." "O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-h. (the trembling rises and falls like a scale) But they say on the t-e-e-e-e-e-v-e-e-e-e-e-e..." Because Mommy listens to everything they have on the tv, but never listens to the actual details, like who, what, when, where or why. She just hears "fire" and "California" and runs for the medicinal brandy.

That said...these fires are freaking me out. Something about the Dante-esque horror or a wall of flames just sends panic deep into my soul. It's so out of our control and random. So unjust and cruel.

My friend Randy and his partner Jon bought their dream home last year. Here's the view from their porch a couple of nights ago - 

UNF&*@ING BELIEVABLE, right? As of today things look a little better. The fire's 20% contained and has moved off in the other direction. California Firefighters are amazing! The best trained in the world.

But meanwhile, while they're getting this thing under control, it's snowing ash all over the area. The cars are all covered with a fine coating. And not to wax poetic, but you can't help but contemplate that this ash is the stuff of peoples homes and dreams and lives. Floating around and settling on people miles and miles away. And being inhaled by all of us.

Last night, driving home from Back to School night, I actually pulled over just to look at the moon. It was glowing an amazing liquid gold. It was breathtakingly beautiful until I realized that it was just that we were seeing it through a haze of smoke and ash. Amazing.

So if everybody could say a little prayer that these fires end, and no more life or property is lost, I'd much appreciate it. And my friends Randy and Jon would appreciate it.

Comments

[Sarah at themommylogues]

How scary! Is Randy & Jon's house in more danger? Cause that looks like danger. Definitely praying for all y'all. (did I pull that y'all off? I probably did until I asked about it.)

[Danabug]

That is scary! Glad you guys are safe, but, yes, I'll be praying for those who are in the path...

[Regina]

I got a frantic call from my Grandma in Missouri to see whether the fires are anywhere near us. This is the same woman who did NOT call when she went in the hospital.

The fires are nowhere near us either. I live right in the middle of Urbania. Haven't seen a tree that wasn't planted by a gardener for months!

[Becky]

This is all very scary. And I remember, all too well, when we lived in CA, any time there was any earthquake anywhere, my phone would ring with family back east, saying, "Did you feel that?"

That's an amazing picture!