I finally found this picture of the fires in the San Gabriel Mountains back in 2002. Jeanne's post about the fires near her cabin made me go on a search to find these pictures. I was so scared. We were on voluntary evacuation and I had the cars packed and ready to go. Forest fires form their own weather cycles, and the wind was horrific the night this picture was taken. Big embers were falling on our deck, and I stayed up all night with a garden hose out there spraying it down.
I guess fires have been on my mind this week. I talked to my brother today and they are settled into a nice rental home that is fully furnished. Just need to get more clothes. They are over at the homesite today trying to salvage what they can from the debris. Don said Gail has been crying continuously since last night, and is trying to keep burned sofa frames and charred tables. Don said he's not going to try to reason with her now, but is telling the boys just to put everything in one area that she wants to keep. I told him just to let her do that. After a while when emotions aren't so high, then she'll be able to throw the stuff out. They found her family pictures, and although they're burned and charred, he thinks some of them might be able to be restored. Her mother's paintings are all lost, as are the family quilts. All of Don's family pictures are gone, but I'll be able to replace a lot of those for him. He broke down when he told me he found a little ceramic panther intact that Mom helped him make when he was just a little boy. Precious things to him right now.
Supposed to be cleaning house today, but other than unloading the dishwasher and putting clothes in the washer (oh, sheesh, did I turn it on?) that's all I've done. I need to get up and start doing something, anything. I'm just feeling worn to a frazzle. I certainly earned my keep at work this week!
Last night was a surprise 40th birthday party for a member of our sewing group. Such nice ladies! It was fun sitting around the table and just talking about quilting. Good food. Lots of laughs. Then Jane came back to the house and we talked a bunch more. I was zonked when I got to bed last night, and slept right through until time for my haircut. Maybe another good night's sleep tonight and I'll start feeling normal again.
My brother finally admitted to me today that he will probably have to have another heart stent procedure done. He's going back to the doctor next week. If that happens, I'm going to try to fly to Louisiana for at least a couple of days. I'm going to be alone in Acctg. on Mondays and Tuesdays for the next three weeks as the clerk has vacation scheduled to be with family members visiting from Poland. But the CEO was SO nice this week - told me to go ahead and take off when I was ready to fly home. It will leave them without an accountant for a few days, but it's not the end of the world.
No quilty progress to report. But, happily, no desire to purchase fabric either! I even got the nerve to look at www.fatquartershop.com today and came away feeling righteous! LOL
14 comments:
Wow, that would be so scary. I bet that tile roof gives you some comfort though.
What a scary pic :( I cannot imagine the pain your brother and sil are feeling, your post brought me to tears. ((hugs)) and prayers. I resisted the fabric today (had to run to hancocks) :D xoxo melzie
Prayers for your brother and his family, I'm glad your boss is being so nice to you during this difficult time.
what a gift to have such a supportive boss.
Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. I have such a fear of fires and that one appeared to be so close to your home.
Heart-twisting to read about the little panther.
Vicky, you have been on my heart all weekend long. It has to be so hard to be so far away from your brother during this time. It sounds like you've been their 'shoulder to cry on'..something that they've desperately needed in this all. You hang in there and remember to take care of YOU! I'm glad to hear that you're sleeping well. :o)
And walking away from the FQS without anything?!?! What an accomplishment!! CONGRATS!! :o)
your story makes me want to gather all my precious items and lock them in a safe!! I am glad your brother and his wife were able to salvage some things. but also how sad to lose the pictures and quilts. hope things are on an UP swing really soon. you and yours are in my prayers
Greatjob Vicky...a true test!! Hang in there. Glad that things are moving along for your family after the terrible fire.
That pic you posted sure is a scary one..I can see the fire glow through the smoke...must have been terrifying!
I know not all the news from FL is good, but they are alive and mostly well. Hugs for you, it's been quite the week. Hugs, Finn
Hi Vicky!
I'm just getting caught up on reading after several days offline.
Just read the horrific news about your brother's fire -- thank heavens no one was hurt! Sending a {{{big hug}}} to the whole family. My heart is aching for you all.
My goodness, this fire picture of yours is dreadful! Is that your place? You're backed that close up to the hill? Yikes!!! I was up at the cabin when the Old Fire/Waterman Canyon blaze got going in 2003. Tony came up for me and we cleared out just before the mandatory evacuation. It was a bad drive home. And that smoke cloud darkened our skies all the way down here, like 75 miles away!!! Scary times. Hope this year we won't have a bad fire season :(
Thinking of you. Hugs ~ Jeanne
Vicky, you have so much going on right now. It's a wonder you're even able to get out of bed and face the day. I'm so happy you have your quilting friends! And, you'd better take that boss up on the trip home before he changes his mind!
Judy L.
Even the charred pictures xcan still be viewed and remembered. You are right that she will eventually let go. It's just too much at the moment to comprehend. I'm glad they are at least getting settled into a place to call home for a while.
Yea, fly home. the numbers won't go anywhere for a few days!
My prayers are out for you and your family - for your brothers health as well as for your safety from fires.
Wow, that picture is amazing and scary! We live on 25 acres with lots of woods and we get nervous everytime we smell smoke.
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