World on fire, part 3

La Luta Continua. Fires are starting to be contained, but the Palisades fire is inching into the valley and Brentwood, which has all those people understandably panicked. Air quality has improved considerably. I keep signing up for volunteer opportunities but get turned away because they have too many volunteers. How awesome is that? 

I have jury duty next week, but checked in for Monday and don’t have to go in. I’ll check in every night. Honestly, I don’t mind doing it - I have the flexibility, and I’m just that kind of person that I’m happy to do my civic duty. As long as kids can be dropped off and picked up for school, it doesn’t interfere with my life any at this time of year. 

I should find out later today if kids will have school this week. I think it’s likely they will, but I’m trying to prepare that they may not, at least for a day or two. Their schools are a bit closer to the almost-evacuation zone near the 2 and the 134, so I’m not sure what infrastructure issues they may still be having. 

Friends who have lost everything are starting to post and start up GoFundMes. God, I can’t even imagine. Trying to find a rental - when thousands of others are in the same boat - knowing it could be two years before you have your own home again - and all the paperwork and accounting and tax stuff and receipts and applications and finding contractors (again, while thousands of others are trying to do the same), not to mention replacing every single thing you own, from clothes to cookware to toothbrushes…where do you even begin?? Plus keeping up with your job and school and everything else you were doing on Tuesday when you thought it will just get a little windy. It’s…I don’t even have the words. 

I’ve been watching news coverage non stop, but as of today many news stations have had to move on - there’s not much to report now except the palisades fire creeping through Mandeville canyon. Winds are expected to return in the next few days, though, so everyone is on edge. 

Other than two grocery store trips, I have not left the house at all, for many reasons. I want to stay off the roads, I don’t want the bad air to exacerbate my ongoing illness, I don’t want to leave the kids alone, there’s nowhere to go, I’m lazy and bored and want to stay glued to the television in case something happens locally. And I know this self-imposed exile will end tomorrow, so why not spend another day in bed? I’ve made huge progress on both taxes and event planning, so it’s not all for nought.

Physically, my cold or whatever has transitioned from a fiery, angry throat to horrible head and nose congestion. I can’t breathe at all (using nasal sprays helps temporarily) and I have had no sense of smell or taste for three days now which is very upsetting. I’ll admit it has helped my diet, though, since I don’t want to waste good, yummy food when I can’t even enjoy it. I’m down four pounds. Four more to goal #1; five more after that to goal #2. I can do this. 

Next week is the final week of sane politics in this country. It’s really hard facing the unbearable load of shit that’s about to pour down on all of us. 

Here’s a picture of Bobby looking bored at a Burger King.