I am not sure where things will end up. This morning I woke up to the smell of smoke filling the house. Somewhere, a fire. The sound of the winds was up, curling around the house and howling. It is fire season and Santa Ana wind season in my neck of the woods. Phone calls from SoCal Edison warning of potential power shut-offs and calls from the school district letting us know schools are closed. I am drinking my coffee to wake up enough to figure out what to do. Writing all this is a way to clear the fog from my morning brain to make a list of what to pack in case we are evacuated.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
So sorry you’re going through this. I remember those Santa Ana winds. Living very close to Chatsworth and the Santa Susana mountains, we were ready for evacuation once. The San Fernando Valley was surrounded by flames. Fortunately we were not evacuated. I think fire is the frightening of all natural disasters. Good luck to you!
Thanks, Anne.
Keeping fingers xt you’ll be fine!
The coffee won’t help–it’s not brain fog, it’s smoke. Do the California jig…have your bags packed at the door, and be ready to run. Then, go on about your business. Not much else you can do. It all reminds me that I did the right thing when I left.
Haha. Nothing like a jig. But coffee is an addiction, and it does help!
Thanks, Fraggy. Me, too. As you like to say, “Stay tooned!”
best wishes.
Thanks, Mike. Much appreciated. Still in place . . . but all packed.
I am sad to hear of the fires and I hope that you and your family will be okay.
Thanks, Laura. Still here. Finally finished packing. Choices are hard.
Good plan to have a “go” list in your mind at this time of year. At least you’ve got time to pack more thoroughly. Best wishes, and let us know if you can, please. (Although if SoCal Ed has shut off your power, you’re not reading this.)
Hi Kathy! Still here but the air is foul, even in the house with the windows closed. We are packed, and it’s hard to choose what to take. I’m not able to find something I really don’t want to lose but cannot find the energy to search. We’ll head to T and J’s if ousted. But, all is okay right now but the winds are recorded at 70+ mph and gusting. And, it’s cold! Thanks for thinking of us – we’ll keep you informed. x
Fingers crossed and prayers being said. Consider going up to Ventura if your breathing continues to be affected. (That “no energy” comment is a little worrisome.)
Thanks for the the concern, Kathy. The “no energy” is just psychological – it’s a lot of work choosing what to take, what to leave.