The city of Los Angeles is nearly 500 square miles large. The 2 largest fires were approximately 2o miles from each other as the crow flies – about 35 miles as the car drives. They engulfed their communities and thousands of homes and businesses were burned to the ground. I live about 6 miles from Altadena. Here’s a factual update: The winds have been very quiet in my neighborhood of North Highland Park. Even if they kick up again, they are unlikely to be of the velocity of the rare wind event that occurred on the night of January 7th. But this is a geographically huge area and the winds vary depending on the terrain. Every Angeleno is praying for calm winds to reduce the spread of fire. I predict our prayers will be answered.
Both in my neighborhood and downtown LA (Chinatown) where I work, the air quality has been really good the last 2 days. But again, this will vary depending on one’s location.
I snapped a few photos out of my car window on Friday. This candelabra euphorbia salutes everyone who passes by the Vietnamese Grace Baptist Church and the police museum. Hello, hello citizens of the world. Look at me!
Meanwhile the wolf moon photobombs from above.
The 14,000 acre Eaton fire in Altadena is 33% contained. That doesn’t sound like much to someone who doesn’t live in wildfire country, but for those of us who do, we know how incredible that progress is. The Palisades fire, is the larger of the 2 fires, at nearly 24,000 acres. It is 14% contained. Also remarkable progress.
The magnitude of what has happened to the residents of the Palisades and Altadena is unprecedented. The wind wave that came down the mountain in Altadena has been described as a blow torch. I steer clear of the regular television news and prefer to keep my eyes on Watch Duty app and read factual updates from their staff reporters who keep political commentary, nonsense, and blame absent from their reports. Just the facts please. Also 60 minutes had a really good piece the other night.
I include scenes from my local neighborhood on January 10. We were some of the lucky residents of the city of angels. Relatively untouched, despite the evacuation warnings, losing power, and being scared shitless the night of January 7th. No big deal.
But for the dear souls of the Palisades and Altadena we all collectively mourn. What has been lost is great.
I got out the ipad and scribbled a few things the other day when poor air quality kept me inside.
The cat posse are back to their usual tricks.
I put fresh sheets on the bed. Then bright and early this morning I went back to school where the crew (the kids)and I had many hours of pure foolishness and a little bit of work. One kid made an improvisational speech to the class while we listened to elevator music (his choice).
My wigs all waved hello when I walked inside.
I’ll keep you updated as the days pass. Thanks for your kind words and well wishes. I was deeply touched and felt very surrounded by goodness.
Good night dearest middle-aged mammals. Sleep tight. xo
p.s. waves of undying love and gratitude to the brave firefighters doing battle to save our homes and city. This photo courtesy of Insight LA Meditation Center
continue to pray for your safety and for all the residents and animals too! be well…
Keeping LA in my thoughts. I feel so bad for those who have lost their homes. I forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday! Stay safe. ❤️
Your updates are so very appreciated!
Praying for all of you from Louisiana!
We’re praying so hard for you all up in Vancouver BC. 🙏❤
Hi there. I am a new subscriber and have been following a long for about a week now. I live in the Southeast but my husband grew up in LA and actually attended Palisades High School. It has been so surreal and heartbreaking to see all the devastation. Dear friends lost everything in Altadena! We are thankful that you and so many friends and family are safe and we continue to pray for the city and surrounding areas.
Thank you for sharing the updates in real time. Be safe.
PS. On a lighter note, I am a mixed media journaler. I actually found you on Pinterest. 🙂
Shon, so pleased to “meet you” here in the comments. The community of Altadena is difficult to explain to outsiders, but we who know…know. The historic and cultural significance of this fire on its inhabitants is heartbreaking. Great blessings on your friends and mine who lost so very much. xoxo
Grateful for the dispatch and news that all is ok at Moss Cottage. Sending love to you and the kitties. Elevator music will forever bring a smile now because of your story. Linda xx
send us some of your lovely rolling weepy fog, we need it! love hearing from you xo
I so appreciate your perspective. We travelled from the beach cities up to Glendale for a wedding shower Saturday and were keenly aware of the fire when rerouted to avoid Eton fire traffic. (It’s always about traffic.) Friends are displaced and one close friend has lost his home in that stretch of neighborhood that was leveled in AltaDena. Our hearts are broken for the people we love. And shocked at what seemed to have been a fairly normal but not-so-outrageous annual occurrence. Glad you’re safe. Praying for it all to be over. And wearing my KN95!
The magnitude of these fires is one for the record books. The high and low pressure that met and formed the wind wave in Altadena and in general the wind event was EXTRAORDINARY – even in these times. So sorry about your friends, about everyone. It’s hard to fathom that kind of deep loss.
So very glad to hear you have not lost your home. My granddaughter lives in West Hollywood and is a CCRN at UCLA Medical Center. She also says the air has not been bad in her area of town. So, so very sorry for the thousands of people who have lost not just their homes but their schools, churches, libraries, community centers, grocery stores. I get the damage having witnessed the Tubbs Fire in 2017 that burned 2000 residences in one subdivision in Santa Rosa one night. But this is a horrible escalation in the numbers between the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires. May the angels continue to be with all of them as they struggle with their future.
Yes yes yes. Guardian angels of the fiercest sort to surround and protect everyone as they recover. We need all of our imaginations finest allies to assist as needed. I’m calling forth mine nightly.
Thank you for letting us know you are safe. Prayers going out for you and all of those living through this unprecedented disaster.
Sending extra large wing loads of love and care for all of Southern California. Thinking of you and other art peeps as the hours pass. I am relieved you are and your neighbors are safe. Still, the loss is enormous and I cannot image what lay ahead for so very many. Physical and emotional trauma go hand in hand, physical loss of home and emotional heartbreak for so many memories and also for lives lost.
Hi Mary Ann. You must give your wigs cool arty names.
Thank you for this.
AMEN.
I am so glad you are doing well. Having never been to Los Angeles it’s really hard to picture or understand the geography. Thank you for sharing the real real. I have some serious retirement countdown envy as I wonder how I must make a similar choice possible. We’ll see. Take care.
Hoping you get there with me. May it be so! 4 months and 27 days to go.
I’ve been wondering about you and how things are going. Thanks for the update, Mary Ann!
Good News knowing you and the posse are safe.
I have been waiting for an update from you and hoping your area was well. I too saw the 60 minutes program the other night. I so worry and wonder about the people who have lost everything and did their pets get out also. We love our pets. Where have they all gone to sleep and shower, eat etc. Do take care you Angelinos. Sending prayers your way.
Amen.
So hard to comprehend the devastation out there. Do you have any recommendations about where to help monetarily? It’s so hard to know what will do the most good.
Stay safe. I look forward to your posts.
I have great allegiance to The Red Cross!
So happy to read your message. I was wondering how you and the posse were faring. ♥️♥️♥️ wishing ALL well.
So glad to hear from you again. Praying your prayer for calm winds and all the folks affected by these fires. Take care of you and the twins.
Thank you for the update! You are surrounded by love from those who have never met you in person but know you well.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to magical LA. The devastation as seen on tv is horrible and no doubt much worse in actuality. My heart hurts for those who’ve lost everything, and for those who may not have lost their homes but have lost loved ones or pets. For most affected it will probably be years, if ever, before they can have a “normal” life again.
It does my heart so good to see you are ok. It also breaks my heart for all who have suffered devastating losses. Thank you for the update. Blessings.
So glad to hear from you! I was worried today.
I think it is terrible that some people are politicizing this situation.
Take care, stay safe! XOXO
Oh, I love your new profile picture on Facebook. Can you please tell us the name of your wig? It’s just what I’m looking for!
We are following closely and sending as much love and prayer as we can!! Thank you for keeping us updated, and how fortunate that poor air quality is your largest personal safety concern.
On another note, are Iris and Otis still taking medication and having medical issues?
Thank you ❤️❤️
Thank heavens, and thank you for the update. I’ll keep you and your area in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending hugs too.
Sheila
I’m so grateful for your continued safety and deeply saddened for all that has been lost.
My brother is one of the firefighters. Keeping them all in my prayers.
your brother is a HERO. Our firefighters cannot be given enough thanks. xoxoxoxoxo
Have been thinking of you and wanting to write to check on you. I really thought you and the cats were safe at your sister’s house. Thanks for the update. Take care!
hugs
Thank you for the update. So glad to hear you’re safe and able to carry on a relatively normal life. This event is a reminder to all of us that we can take nothing for granted. Take care of yourself and your beautiful cats.
Much love, good thoughts and support to you. To all actually. No words. Just feelings here. Give those kitty extra scritches.
Take good care of yourself!
i check on you on watch duty. im glad you’re ok – and even getting to go the school. as if the world is sane.
stay safe. i know you will
Unfortunately, today, I am hearing about the looters that have been going into those areas and stealing from those burned out homes. Because those homes belong to people of wealth most of them. I guess these fools think they can just go in and find $1 million just in the ashes and I guess that’s what they’re trying to do. Does not sound good. I hate it because these poor people don’t need anything else. Thanks friend for keeping us updated with the truth. So glad you are safe!! Love you. Take care!!