Can I get some good thoughts for my mom, please? She's evacuated due to fires in CA.

[herding cats]

Last edited Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:43 AM - Edit history (1)

Update: Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts.

Sadly, my mom's home was lost last night. Keep her and all those suffering in these horrible fires in your thoughts.


I don't want to divulge too much info, but her home is in the current direct path of one of those monster fires. She's about to retire next year and get out of the hell her home for many decades has become, but this year might have been one too many.

She's a beautiful person, a teacher and deeply under appreciated in her local society.

If you could just send her some kind thoughts and hope that her home is spared, I'd deeply appreciate it. She's safe right now, but everything she owns isn't. She desperately needs to sell to be able to relocate away from California.

I'm so very sad for my hard working mom tonight.

[tblue37]

1. I am sorry. I hope her home is spared! nt

[herding cats]

22. Thank you. ❤️

I hope the same. She's worked her whole life so hard. She doesn't deserve this chapter right before she tries to retire.

[MLAA]

2. Sending 💖💕💖🍀🍀🍀🌟

[herding cats]

23. My thanks.

All good thoughts are appreciated right now.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Good vibes for your mom, hope her house will be OK!

[herding cats]

25. Thank you. ❤️

It's appreciated.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Best wishes to her! n/t

[herding cats]

26. Thank you.

❤️

[marybourg]

5. Yes, good thoughts to your Mom,

and all the Californians struggling tonite with life in these United States.

[herding cats]

27. My thanks to you.

There are so very many people losing everything right now. Sadly, my mom is deeply underinsured. She's covered for what she owes, but insurance rates exceeded what she could afford on a personal level beyond that. I'm sure she's not alone in that.

[Pachamama]

6. Sending her strength and safety to deal with this terrible time

I can’t even imagine how difficult this is on top of everything. I hope you will update us on things are for her.

[herding cats]

29. My deepest thanks.

This school year was such a stress in itself. This added horror... my poor mom didn't deserve this on top of the other stresses.

[canetoad]

7. Sending her

The very best wishes HC. The 2009 Black Saturday fires burned to within 20 minutes of me; well aware of the anxiety.

[herding cats]

31. I remember 2009.

I'm so sorry you had to endure that.

Your empathy means a lot to me. I'll share it with my mom. She'll also get it.

[Beaverhausen]

8. Good thoughts to your mom

And to all living things in the fires’ paths

[herding cats]

36. ❤️ My mom and I have talked extensively about the wildlife.

Even tonight, with her literal retirement about to go up in flames, she's worried about the bears and smaller wildlife not escaping.

Like I said, she's a beautiful person.

[Leghorn21]

9. I can't imagine the terror

ALL BEST WISHES, cats, to you and your dear mother

[herding cats]

37. It's scary, but it's not completely unexpected.

We hoped it would avoid her until she could escape, but hopes and reality don't always mesh.

She's desperately under insured due to the rates where she lives. She's covered for what she owes because that was all she could afford. I'm sure of this because she showed me her books recently.

Thank you for your kind wishes.

[Frances]

10. My heart goes out to your mom

My town had to evacuate for a different CA fire
It is tough
I am glad your mom is safe herself, but I empathize with all she’s going through

[herding cats]

40. My heart goes out to you, too.

All these fires are extremely stressful. When they impact you on a personal level it becomes traumatic. My heart and thoughts to you, too.

[cayugafalls]

11. Kind thoughts sent.

Situations like this are so hard to fathom. You never think they will happen to you and then they do.

I hope for all the best.

[BusyBeingBest]

12. Hope it works out for her.

[herding cats]

43. Thank you. ❤️

As do I.

[Beakybird]

13. Sending a Covid-free hug to your momma and wishing her love and safety!

[herding cats]

44. I'll be sure to share it.

She's a hugger and this will resonate with her now.

[crickets]

14. Positive thoughts for you mom! Hope she'll be okay. 💖🌷

[herding cats]

45. Thank you.

I hope as much, too. Your kindness is appreciated. ❤️

[Cha]

15. 💗How scary for your Mom & all those who

need to be evacutated because of the Fires, Cats.

💗 May your Mom be Protected & all those in the fire's path who need it. 💗

[herding cats]

48. Thank you, Cha.

It's a deeply scary time for so many right now. I respect that.

I don't mean to sound selfish about my mom, but I'm just terrified for her right now. Her home insurance is so expensive it just covers her note. That's literally all she can afford right now. Now there a freight train of a fire heading directly toward her home of decades tonight. I know I sound shallow, but I feel so inadequate in my ability to help her. I do care about everyone else, too. But, this is all just so difficult.

[Cha]

62. You don't sound

selfish or shallow at all! I just thought I'd include them too for good luck. I can imagine how scared you are for your Mom.. she's who you know and love.

We had to evacuate our home in Asheville, NC in the early '70s because a firefighters' practice fire got out of control and was headed for our house. I smelled the smoke and went down the hill to tell them about it. Very Windy that day.

We had a Montessori class in there too. i remember walking to the park where they all were gathered thinking of everything that would be gone. Not nearly as bad as your Mom's.

We were lucky.. the fire stopped just before the back of the house.. the back yard was charred.

Here's to the very best for your Mom, Cats. Please let us how it turns out.

[herding cats]

72. Sadly, she lost everything last night.

But, she's coming here in a few days and we're going to work this all out.

The good news is she's going to be closer to her granddaughter and great granddaughters. So, silver linings.

[Cha]

75. I'm so very Sorry, Cats.

Yeah I'm always looking for silver linings too.

[niyad]

16. Vibes of safety and protection for your Mom and her home, and vibes of strength and peace for

you, HC. I can't even begin to imagine how stressful this is for all in harm's way.

[herding cats]

50. Thank you.

Your words are truly beautiful. I appreciate them deeply.

[Karadeniz]

17. I'd be afraid to live in California, nice as it is...sending Mom thoughts of safety. ❤

[herding cats]

51. I don't live there anymore myself, so I do underused that feeling.

Thank you for the kind thoughts of safety. ❤️

[Maraya1969]

18. Sending some loving light to your mom.

[herding cats]

52. My thanks to you. ❤️

I appreciate you and your kindness.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. K&R! Sending powerful DU thoughts for your Mom tonight, my friend!

She sounds like a wonderful person - no big surprise...

[herding cats]

54. My love and my thanks to you my kind friend.

My mom is. She's an amazing force for kindness in this world. You deeply flatter me by equating me to her level. I aspire to such, but I have much work to do to achieve her greatness.

I miss seeing you more often.

[Rhiannon12866]

59. Awww, thank you so much for the kind words, my friend

Your Mom sounds much like my Nana - my paternal grandmother. She was also a teacher and one of the strongest people I've ever had the privilege to know. She lost her husband - my grandfather - just a week past her 40th birthday, leaving her with 4 young kids to raise including my Dad who was the second oldest at just 12. But she stepped up and all her kids turned out well, every one graduated from college. Education was most important to her. I strive to be more like her every day and I'd like to send my Nana's vibes to your Mom as well - it sounds like they have a lot in common.

And I've missed you, as well - think of you so often. But you always know where I am...

[skylucy]

20. Sending hope and prayers that your mom's home is spared from the fires.

I'm a retired teacher who lives in the Bay Area. I have lived my whole life in California and have never seen anything quite like this. Hugs to your mom. Please keep us posted.

[herding cats]

60. You mirror my family.

They're by and large teachers in that region of California. I'm the rogue who became an accountant. I also moved away.

It's truly different this year. But, every bad year has been "different" recently. I've moved away and I'm ready for my loved ones in the paths of these fires to follow suit. I deeply loved the region and at one point had planned to return. Not anymore. Now I want my loved ones out of there.

When the fire is literally barreling down on you and yours, it's another level of stress. It is no longer managing the smoke and air quality, it's actually saving your life

I will update. Hopefully it will be good news.

[crimycarny]

21. I saw a general cooling on the forecast for tomorrow.

Supposedly cooler temps are supposed to help slow down the fire spread. Let’s hope so.

[DarthDem]

24. Good Vibes and Thoughts for Your Mom :)

I hope her home is spared and that everything turns out just fine for her.

I think there are long-term solutions for CA fires - mostly by scheduling controlled burns regularly and with scientific precision - but for some reason there hasn't been the political will to do that to this point.

Best to your mom!

[SophieJean]

68. There have always been controlled burns in California,

however, those actions have been greatly reduced due to the pandemic this year, and it was not apparently a political decision. Although, remember trump wanted to cut off wildfire relief funds because CA is a blue state. And, regardless of what has been done to clear forests of dead trees, etc., climate change will only get worse-with hotter summers and less rain and snowfall creating the potential for more fires.

From the Los Angeles Times Joseph Serna-

"The outbreak has caused other changes as well.

Recently, the U.S. Forest Service announced that all prescribed burns in California were canceled to minimize smoke exposure for those already vulnerable to COVID-19.

Prescribed, or controlled, burns involve the deliberate burning of wildland to reduce the amount of plant matter that can fuel larger fires’ spread. The technique is most often used in the northern part of the state.

Also, a refresher training session on how to manage a large incident for the state’s fire commanders has been delayed and may end up being a videoconference, officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

In Southern California, Los Angeles city firefighters have delayed their annual defensible space inspections for homes in the foothills by at least two weeks, while other agencies in the region have canceled public outreach and education events..."

[niyad]

69. Jewel come to DU and thank you for that excellent information.

[DarthDem]

70. It's generally agreed

That more controlled burns are needed. There were three recent articles to that effect; sorry, but I don't have links at this time. The lack of controlled burns predates the pandemic.

[Maru Kitteh]

28. Thoughts for you and your Mom.

I hope the best possible outcome for her. A fire is a retching, horrible experience, but sometimes unexpected opportunities can also arise. Wishing the best for both of you.

[littlemissmartypants]

30. (((((Mom)))))

I hope everything works out for her, herding cats.
I can't imagine what she's going through. Sending positive vibes.

❤ lmsp

[wendyb-NC]

32. My heart goes out to your mother at this time.

along with every living being in the path of the raging fires. The videos, pictures I've seen in the news media and the accompanying stories are terrifying and heart breaking. May her home be spared, moving away from California, is probably a good plan. I will send positive thoughts and energy her way. May you both be able to breathe a sigh of relief, that the fires will be contained, also so may nature intervene, with some weather that will help extinguish the fires and reduce the ability for further spread. May you both be safe and comforted.

[brer cat]

33. Sending my very best wishes to her, herding cats.

You and she must be frantic at the thoughts of losing all she has. My heart goes out to you, my friend.

[Nevilledog]

34. Crap.... That's a shitty situation.

I'm glad she's physically safe, but the possibility of losing her home must be a heavy burden. I hope this will give her the final push to relocate somewhere where she'll be more appreciated and be away from the reoccurring danger. All my positive vibes headed her way, except for a little bit going your way because I know you're stressed.

[marlakay]

35. I am at level two here in Medford

Fires all over my area. What a sucky year!

[SophieJean]

65. I have a good friend in Medford,

who is also level two. Obviously, fires are happening elsewhere, not only California. I hope the situation improves up there. Stay safe.

[ancianita]

38. Sending hope for her finding her way.

Teachers are in short supply all over. At the same time, they are under-appreciated all over. She might consider the blue state of New Mexico where, as in CA, it's sunny about 350 days of the year and the seasons in the south end are gentle, particularly on the Silver City plateau right below the Gila forest, which sits above the biggest aquifer in the West. The cost of living outside CA is significantly lower, and if she can simply get what she put into her house, she can relocate without lowering her quality of life.

All the best to her.

[Hekate]

42. Good to know that about the aquifer

[ancianita]

46. Yeah, I guess I went on too much.

Aquifers and unpolluted rivers -- without Nestle stealing one's water supply -- are key to sustainability. They're the frackers of Earth's water supply.

[Hekate]

49. California's population and farms are sucking up all the water underground....

Years ago the LA Times ran an article about a plume of rocket fuel leading from under the old JPL Lab and into the aquifer. Ugh.

I like living here, but water is something we get trained to think about due to our years-long droughts.

I like what you said about New Mexico — I never considered it.

[shanti]

55. There's one of those plumes

under Aerojet, here in NorCal. Yet, they are now building homes on it. I wouldn't bet on it being fully mitigated. My dream would be a rural home with its own freshwater spring.

[ancianita]

56. Ah. I see. You live in CA, too, I take it.

Well, I've been to NM at least 12 times in the last six years because my 33 yr-old son once put a lot of thought about where to make a new life. So far he's made a very smart move, imo.

[Hekate]

61. Yes, I live on the Central Coast in Ventura....

Was in Goleta, next door to Santa Barbara, for a very long time. It really is lovely, but the issue with the fires is getting so much worse. We no sooner moved to Ventura that we had to evacuate due to the 2017 Thomas Fire — our neighborhood was spared, but the hills all around were charred and many of the homes we had looked at that spring and summer burned to the ground.

It used to be that there was about a 30-year window after a big burn (that’s just my guesstimation based on Santa Barbara County history) — it took about that long for the fuel load to build up again. Looking at it that way, we were 70 when we bought this house, and in decades past I would have said we dodged a bullet with the Thomas Fire and could expect to live here peacefully until our late 90s or something. By now we know there is no window for rebuilding and not much for regrowth: it’s all fuel, all the time.

It makes me sad. This is full-on climate change, and so many people are suffering right now, including our friends at DU.

[ancianita]

63. I feel that, lately & feel bad for our Californians. I've always loved your country, as I call it.

I've five friends there. One in Brentwood (east of SF), one atop a foothill east of Oxnard, Northridge, Pasadena and W. Hollywood. They're all uneasy.

Anyway, California's huge, but livable, affordable land is pretty scarce, according to them. I met a few CA refugees in Boseman, MT, when I did a car trip around the continent a little over a year ago. My son also says they're 'gentrifying' his town in NM. So I gather there's a migration going on.

Nature isn't fooling around when it reacts to fossil caused atmospheric pollution. Which is why our politics should immediately and always lie with the Inslee climate crisis progressives.

If you can find peace in another blue state, the economic relief alone might help mitigate the loss of familiar surroundings which might soon disappear, anyway.

[Solly Mack]

39. To you and your Mom.

Lots of hugs and good thoughts.

[herding cats]

73. How are you and yours doing?

Are you and yours ok?

[Solly Mack]

74. We're much better. Thank you. Took a couple of days for power to reach my house - to the left

and right had power before we did - but it was restored. Would see the lights from other houses and pull a face.

My outdoor lights came on before my indoor lights did. Rural area, so we have actual loblolly wood poles in the yard to light up the land. Separate power source.

Keep us posted about your mom, please.

Fire is an unpredictable animal all on its own.

[herding cats]

76. I'm so glad you're getting back together!

Rural power grids can be comical. I'm just glad you have your power back. I've been keeping up with how slow it's been moving there and the media has been ignoring it. It's frustrating to say the least.


Sadly, my mom's home burned to the ground last night. The fire was so hot the fireman said all that was left was the foundation. But, she's heading here and we're going to be just fine in time.

We've just been focusing on all the positives. Like how she's well and whole. And that we share the same size shoe and I can supplement the one pair of shoes she has now. We'll navigate this and be fine.

[Hekate]

41. Sending a prayer, from Ventura

[herding cats]

77. I know your know this too well yourself.

My thanks for your thoughts.

[flibbitygiblets]

47. So sorry for you and your mom, Cats.

Sending all the love, hugs, thoughts and prayers ...and solidarity. I was evacuated myself today as well.

All the best to everyone going through this now.

[Demovictory9]

53. 😰

Hope the fires spare her home

[sprinkleeninow]

57. My heart hurts for your mom and for you.

Strong prayers for her coming out of this intact.

[calimary]

58. Keeping her - AND you - in our thoughts tonight. For sure.

Lots of good protective vibes.

Virtual

[speaknow]

64. I will

pray for her well being and hope for her
house to be saved from the fire. Your
Mom sounds like a hard working person,
and it seems she raised a caring child.
By the way I'am a reverend.

[TheBlackAdder]

66. Sending Positive Energy ⚡️ Her Way!

[vercetti2021]

67. Good thoughts coming

I can understand I have a friend that in Oregon and her mom's evacuating up to Washington right now

[wiggs]

71. Glad she's safe. My daughter was evacuated an HOUR before her wedding in

Big Sur yesterday! They eloped because COVID cancelled their bigger wedding originally scheduled for last weekend...and they hoped to have a tiny ceremony at a resort there. With humor and determination, they persisted and had a ceremony on the beach before heading away from the fire/smoke. All good with them, but torching of Big Sur and Big Basin and Armstrong Redwoods and Henry Cowell and Trinity Alps and Point Reyes and Napa...and all the lives and structures...just heartbreaking

How many lives disrupted / turned upside down in 2020?? Good luck to all in the paths of major and minor fires in the West right now. And positive vibes for herding cats mom!