I've been sick

 For the last couple of weeks, I've had a cough due to cold (if you get that movie reference, you are a star) and general fatigue, not to mention general brain fog. The political atmosphere has done absolutely nothing to elevate my spirit, so that's also contributed to my general malaise.

I don't know, sweetpeas. I feel as if we're at the beginning of the end of this "American experiment" and no one seems to know what to do next.

************

On a positive note, we helped friends who'd lost everything in the Altadena fire start over with extra household goods that were just sitting unused in our garage. Super Nana has donated her expertise in negotiating governmental legalize for fire survivors. The outpouring of support for folks has been a real positive and does remind me that there are truly more good people in this world than you'd surmise from the news. 

But is that enough?

**********************

What's next?

I am almost afraid to ask.

January 23, 2025 or How many years has it been since January 20th?

I've been AWOL for a few days for a variety of reasons.

Some are political, but most have been because of an indeterminate malaise that caused me to take to my bed. The poor air quality didn't help, either. Anyway, last night new fires arose. We now have three named fires going (Sepulveda, Hughes, Laguna), in addition to the fires that haven't been completely contained. The LA Times has great coverage if you're interested.  We're on Day 4 of Red Flag warnings, so who knows when it will end.

The friends who lost their home have found a rental, so everyone is finding ways to help them set up/settle. The MITM's cousin finally contacted him and are safe. The Altadena fire came within 200 feet of her home but didn't touch her street. Her block was at the top of a ridge with only one way in or out! I can't imagine how she and her neighbors must have felt. Will I make it out? Or is this the end?

I'll try and make the rounds in Blogville today.

xoxo

Saturday and things are still burning

 It's smoky around here and not the good kind! 

Right now the news is 24/7 coverage about the fires. More friends have had to evacuate their homes in the Encino area and now it seems to be moving towards the Valley. The MITM has had the news on constantly since this all began and it's wearing on me. I finally checked my emails and responded to you know who you are with gratitude for their concern. This is one time that I'm glad not to have a working phone and that the MITM has had to field all the calls!

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm whining because I'm not. We're safe, we've been able to assist friends who've lost everything. 

There's just so much happening around us and it's all out of our control.

Stay safe wherever you are, sweetpeas!

Thursday, a day after the inferno

 Dear Friends,

Thank you all for the concern y'all have expressed in comments left over the last couple of days. 

Our Krewe is safe. Sadly, some friends in Altadena lost their homes to the fire, but they were able to evacuate safely. Super nana's friends living in the Palisades lost their homes, but are safe now. Friends also had to evacuate in the Hollywood Hills and surrounds, but they still have homes to return to. The devastation is monumental and will be years before rebuilding can be completed.

I can't even begin to explain what it's been like watching all of this on TV knowing that it was all happening within 20 miles of our home.

I can't even...

UPDATE here in LA

 Thanks for all your kind words and concern.

I just wanted to update y'all on what's happening around us. Stateside folks will be watching what's going on here on national news, but I have no idea how this is being reported outside of our borders. The Hollywood Hills are burning now and the fire is within a mile of Hollywood Blvd. The evacuation area is large and is economically mixed and highly residential.

All of LA County is under a boil water order because the demand for water to fight the fires is high and has decreased water pressure. Earlier today the County issued a request to limit the use of water. 

A friend in Maine has been using Google Maps to track the fires. I know the streets that are the borders of the evac area, so we're very aware of where it is and its proximity to us. 

We're safe. 

Watching the fires attack streets, places, and areas where you know friends live is frightening! We're keeping in touch with family and so far everyone is sitting tight and watching the news.

It's dark now, the winds are not as bad as yesterday, but who knows what the rest of the night will bring.

We're OK!

 We're safe, Ms Scarlet!

Right now 3 major fires are going in LA County. 

Pacific Palisades, Altadena/Pasadena, and Sylmar. These areas form a sort of semi-circle around what's called the LA Basin. The fires are fueled by all the dry vegetation on hillsides. The number of acres is in the thousands. The fires are being reported in newspapers, online, and shots on television. The major problem is the force of the wind gusts. 

We've heard from a few friends who've had to evacuate from affected areas, but they're safe and that's what is important.

Right now, all of So. California is waiting for the sun to come up and  the winds to die down.

January 6th, 2025

 Today my level of anxiety is rising.

I knew today would begin our so-called "peaceful transfer of power" presided over by Vice-President Harris. The difference has been portrayed in photos from January 6th four years ago, and the same locations today by Senator Andy Kim. (Photos available on twitter/X) I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that those images that we witnessed in real-time were not enough to dissuade anyone from supporting TFG* especially those Republicans who denounced him immediately after the Chamber had been secured and the certification of Joe Biden as President completed.

I'm trying to stay focused on maintaining my own mental health amidst the potential political and societal unrest to come, but it isn't easy. Since November, I've carried my passport with me even though I know the possibility of losing it could make obtaining a new one even harder. Even writing about this gives me pause...

Maybe the old saying is really true,

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

*The Fat Git courtesy of Ms. Scarlet

Happy New Year!

 May 2025 bring us 

a

little peace.

May 2025 bring us

a

little comfort.

May 2025 bring us

a

little relief.

But most of all,

May 2025 bring us

the impeachment of TFG

and

the restoration of

civility, honesty, integrity,

and

the fucking absence of MAGA

morons and all TFG's grifters.

All the best to all y'all all around the world!

I love all y'all!

xoxo