Love For Dread Val!
I had some things in mind today, but they have been a bit pre-empted by a comment I read a couple hours ago from Spacelaw saying Dread Val had been in her car for two days trying to reach her home in California. She is having trouble trying to get home because everywhere near her home is on fire.
Can't be good, I thought.
I called Dread Val, and spoke to her and she has indeed been trying to reach her home for two days. All the roads leading to her home have been blocked, and she had to drive some distance last night to spend the night with a friend. She is again trying to reach her home today. Driving the streets in her yellow Mini, hoping she can get there.
The mandatory evacuation order is in place in her neighbourhood, 1/8th of a mile from her home. I said "Let's be clear on this 1/8th of a mile thing, as in, we could sprint there, or hit it with a rock"
Yesssssss, said Dread Val, that's about it.
She is very worried about her dog and her cats. It is possible if she cannot get there, that her Mom can go and get them. She just, at this point, wants to be let in, grab them, and a few things, and get somewhere safe, but doesn't know if the fire and police will let her.
Kind of puts a lot into perspective, doesn't it?
She asked could we keep up with the good thoughts, and that it meant so much to her that we were worried and thinking of her and sending good things via the universe. She is going to keep in touch with me, and I will keep you posted.
I can't imagine driving around, in a Mini no less, hoping and hoping that you could get to your house, before it and all you owned burns forever and hoping at least, you can save your pets and one or two other things. I think it would very clearly crystallize exactly what is important.
Here's love for Dread Val, and any other Fiends in the path of this horror.
UPDATE! This just beeped via text: Passing the hills on the south and east side of my house, black, scorched and smoking"
Love and Prayers,
Lorraine
posted by FabulousLorraine @ 12:20 PM
141 Comments
141 Comments:
Eeeeks.
rain dance group.
BIG rain dance group!
Oh, boy. :( Much scarier situation that I realised-- I've been off the computer all day and hadn't seen any other news till now. Eek indeed. I hope Val can get home and to the pets-- or that someone can get in there and grab her stuff. Hang in there, Val. Be safe.
It's snowing here. I imagine that's not much help to Southern California.
She gave me her address so I could plug it into a website that would tell us how close things were getting, but she wasn't clear on the website and obviously,I don't want to bother her.
Anyone know?
There's always Google Maps, but I don't know if that'll give you any indication of where the fires ar in relation to her place. Maybe that blog Vampi linked in the other thread says something?
http://lafd.blogspot.com/2008/11/lafd-sayre-fire-evacuation-zone.html
LA Fire Dept. blog is here and an evacuation map is here.
Apparently today I am full of linky information.
might this website help?
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-firemap,0,6179739.htmlpage
A friend from the la area sent it to me to show where her family is (safe, thankfully) Not very specific, but the links to the right might help. I'll poke about a bit.
Stacy beat me to it! Go Stacy. :)
hmmm, well, here's a fire damage database
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-firedamage2-db,0,4317368.formprofile
I think some of the links above might be more helpful, though
If you open that page; on the map itself is a pic of a fire; click that; then it will tell you to 'search nearby' you should be able to put in her addy & have it tell you something.
Hi Cassia, and thank you! I will start poking around too on these links...
Just Beeped from Val:
"Made it home! Animals safe house safe, but you can see smoke. No evacuation yet but I am packing the car just in case. Love V."
And another text, from our Val, showing true spirit!
"Aw, fuck it! I am having a Guiness!"
**phew** I was so nervous. Glad to get the update. If she needs anything; I've room!
God Bless Val - When In Doubt - Drink Guiness!!!
slg
Yay! And yes a Guiness would be lovely in such circumstances. Or a stiff whisky. Or two.
I could imagine that evacuating a house with animals in a Mini can't be trivial either...
haha, excellent! Glad to hear things are fine at least at present.
I've spent all of a beautiful, sunny Sunday in front of a computer, so I'm going to take myself away and find something active to do.
*sets status to re-lurk*
From Val:
will try and log in soon once I am packed. Feel worlds better seeing my animals safe. Now trying to decide which paintings to take. Artist hell.
Cassia! No re-lurkig! We will have non of that!!!!!!
wow.. just logged in a caught all of that at once. Val, I am so glad your animals and things are okay. I was, as I read through this, and am still very scared for you and all your neighbours and all the folks living though this with you. My heart is with you.
Stacy, passed on your offer....I know she will be gratful, at least for the thought, hope it is not needed.
It's very scary. Ican't make any of the maps show exattly how close things are, brain dead that I am, if anyone thinks they can, let me know, and I'll send her address...
(posting it seems weird, says paronoid assistant girl...)
I'm pretty good at mapping locations, and understand about not posting her addy.
email it, if you want.
slg6734@msn.com
Oh, poor Dread Val. But so glad her animals are safe and she is packing and being prepared. And having a Guiness. Thank you keeping us updated!
Ms. Fablo, the story you are thinking of was written by the wonderful Mr. Ray Bradbury. I cannot recall the exact title, and cannot at the moment locate which of the short story anthologies it is in (it's either The Illustrated Man or Golden Apples of the Sun or, crap, I can't remember the third -- your nice Boss would be able to tell you the title of both the story and the anthology in less than a nanosecond, I've no doubt).
Back to typing my last project of the semester . . .
Will do , Siri!
YES! It was Ray Bradbury...Can't forget that story..
Sorry to hear this, i know people are in trouble out here. There has to be help in getting out the animals, that is heartbreaking. It is hot and yellow hazy here in Hollywood, and i am pulling for you, Panta. oh wait you are home safe it says.
Now, what about Malena?
Oh Val -- so glad you made it home and that all is safe for the moment anyway. Hard to imagine how surreal this much all be.
Kitty, glad you are out of the way, and we will wait for updates from Val...
Oh, Kitty has new photos and concert reports up at
http://furrytiger.blogspot.com
while we wait for Val updates...
(don't think Malena is affected except for smoke and such..)
Val says she is going to try and hop on soon and sent me a map download which I can't figure out how to do anything with...Close, very close is a good word..
Fiends! I am home, the animals are safe, and my car is packed in case I have to evacuate. Thank you all SO much for your thoughts and support.
The fires are just to the south and east of me, a bit to the west as well. The mandatory evacuation is indeed in the 'throw a rock at it' distance category -- although it is on the hill across from my hill. (My city is nothing *but* hills, we're trying to give Rome a run for its title.) Will be posting photos very soon so you can see the fun and excitement.
Stacy, I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can get south *to* you. ;/
If you want to see the fire map, it's here. Scroll up a bit; my place is just east of where the 60 and 57 freeways meet, adjacent to where that red road southwest is.
Good times. I'll update here as I can.
It definitely puts your day in perspective, that's for sure. Having to go through my studio to see which paintings I would take with me and save... looking at my books... oof.
Val, I'm so glad to hear you're safe. Fires are such scary things, so hard to predict. Doing rain dances here for all the Fiends who need rain.
Uh, does it look like you are in the Volentary evacuation area????
Be safe!
Believe it or not, I am not in the voluntary evacuation area. Fod only knows why. That red road that goes southwest is yards from my place.
I can hear the fire engine sirens, and the low buzz of the helicopters and planes as they drop water on the fires.
Oh god, that's so scary. Stay safe.
i'll bet all your babies were happy to see you! keep us posted.
Well no need for me to report, since Val has - thank God for that. From the forecasts I've seen, if you make it through the night, tomorrow the winds may shift. I'll keep working on getting them to simmer down.
Wow! I'm so glad you made it to your little critters. Stay safe, my thoughts are with you.
Now that's something exciting to come home to read! Val, I hope it stays over on that other hill, or better, goes out completely!
Hurrah Val!
I'm glad you got home and the pets are safe (and that you're ready to bail if need be).
Now, the Guinness is a good idea, but despite what Nathalie says, maybethe wee drop or two of the whiskey should wait...after all, you want to be able to actually drive out under your own power, yes? :P
stay safe val, thank god you were able to get home! all good wishes and vibes pointing westward.
Oh and Q; the author was H.G.Wells.
It was one of my favorite short stories.
random; ever notice how similar the stories Clockwork Orange & Terminal Man were?
Very glad you're safe, Val! Drink that Guinness. I hope in the end you won't have to choose among any of the paintings or books, though. What an awful decision to have to make. :(
I posted a brief version of the last 24 hours, and photos on my blog.
Thank you all very much for the continued good wishes; it means a lot to me, knowing you're all pulling for me and I have your support.
I think I'm going to try to get some rest for a bit -- I'm utterly exhausted. Then, if I can, I will see about finally eating something, seeing as how it's been since Friday.
Yes! You! Go eat and sleep!
(I'm not bossy. No siree, not me)
Oh, and I'm home, and exhausted. I have one thing I must do tonight, but am having trouble finding sufficient motivation for the ten-minute task.
Instead, this.
Mistress, Love the Mean Kitty song! That's an Egyptian Mau, what gets bred with Asian Leopards to make Bengals!
Glad things e on hold there Val! Hang on...
I just woke up, so fell asleep for the last few hours, felt good, but now I am not sure where I AM!
Val - I'm glad you finally made it home and hopefully you get to stay! Sending our best thoughts and "fire-putting-out" power due south.
That guy's some fancy dancer, as well.
Quiche: you are in Minnesota. It's possible you're in your own house. Check for leopards. If there are leopards, you're home.
Here's a mellow song to make you wakeful.
Jess, Mellow!
So now that Val is sfe, for the moment anyway, let's talk about Face book, I sort of got re-intruduced to it today, and I am making friends and beign there, but I do not have a CLUE as to what it is about? Anyone know? Anyone want to b my friend? What do I DO????
The heck with Facebook- why won't you be my Lastfm buddy, Quiche? Why?? *cries*
;)
I lasted on Facebook for about thirty seconds before I decided that one blog was probably enough. My friend from college keeps trying to get me to open up another account, though. Question is: do I really want to find other people from college? She tells me they're on there.
Just did a friend request for you on FB.
I use it mostly to check in with old friends and follow causes or artists I like. Okay mostly I play mindless games and send and recieve vertual gifts... but I also catch up with friends and report my state of mind.
One of the things I like about FB is that you can keep what you post there sorta private -- seen only by your friends.
I don't really think of FB as a blog -- I don't think it works for the sort of long posts you do on your blog, Jess. It is more like a quick stop in the pub for a shot whereas I see Blogger or LiveJournal as a leisurely dinner with good wine.
Just sent you a friend request on FB. My whole family uses it as an online photo album. really good way to see what the nieces and nephews have been up to.
Hi Quiche & everyone,
I'm so glad Val and pets are ok, oh Ok and the yellow mini, fires are really scary.
Man what a weekend. Maddy's party went really well, and I won't clog up the blog with details, but anyone who has kids under 10 might find it mildly interesting.
Here is the link and I can't remember how to do it and I don't have time to think about it right now. http://theprocrastnatr.livejournal.com/3042.html.
I had a funny conversation with my daughters the other night. I was playing the Lorrain & Malena cd and they really liked it and wanted to know who it was.
I explained it was you and they made the connection that I read your blog. Quite a lot. And they got so excited that I knew a famous person, so thanks for the cred :)
I hardly use facebook. I started one when I left my previous job, to keep in contact, but I'm really slack. When I work out how I get into it again, I'll friend you!
Sorry Jess, haven't checked in on Last FM for a while, which is sad as I like the whole music thing.
It's weird, I had the same reaction with Face book and asked why and what and was told I could talk with people and check in with them, and what not and I thought, Ihave that HERE, with the Fiends on my blog, and I will talk with anyone here...
I will keep up withFacebook fo a bit, but am not sure I have the time or that it is me...
first off, i'm north of val, so if she needs a place to stop a second and have a beer nd think, i'm available. Boy will deal with random internet people stopping by, i met him because of hte internet, so he can't argue.
i use face book like a fiend. i like the structure, myspace is such a hate crime on html. i hate how myspace totally hijacks my view and takes so long to load. facebook has applications, and yes some are fairly annoying, but you can choose who sees what, what application you use, and what notices you receive because of applications. i'm lonley in los angeles, so i'll always accept friends, i believe i'm the only donielle gross on there. surprisingly, i'm not the only donielle.
I'm with you on Myspace Vampi, thereis just so much on each page it gets overwheming. I wish FB would go back to its old homepage though.
BTW, just sent you a fiend request
Hee, don't worry about the Lastfm thing, Q. As you were. I'm just making trouble. As I do. ;) Having way too much fun with that site lately, though. Been listening to all kinds of stuff I never bothered to listen to properly before. (Thus the Joe Jackson in my head...)
I once knew a Donielle, Vampi! Though she was the only other Donielle I've ever encountered up to now. :)
I tried to be your friend on Facebook, but I can't make it work. Drat these modern technogies - old fogies can't handle 'em. I'll continue to be your fiend here, though.....(maybe someday)
Val - if you wake and check in, sending positive vibes and wishes for an onshore flow.
'Night all the rest of you - new girl starts tomorrow, so I'm going to be well rested. Peace and sweet sleep to all...
I have never liked my space, won't go there...So over...
Vampi, you should not be lonely, you have us, and I will be your Friend Tho I do know LA, very different animial....
Fods, can't believe it is only nine, had a three hour nap and am still ready to sleep..Long weekend.
I think you and I are having almost the same day Lorraine, I slept late, took a nap in the afternoon, and feel ready to go to bed again now.
I think MySpace is really only good for musicians. They worked that system out well, but for just general online community type stuff it does not work for me really.
Good evening, Fabulous Zombie and Fiends!
Val, I hope that the fires burn themselves out without causing any more damage. Short of that, that you and yours, and anybody else in its path, are safe and healthy.
And now for something completely different...look here.
Oh Fods! I so love Owls! They are the best! The Birdchick spent a part of today looking for Sawents as she had seen singns of them , don't know if she found them, I came home for NAP!
Yes, Aleta, sometimes one must give in to the nap, in my defense I must say I only had a few hours sleep and that on my couch, having given both beds to houseguests...
And I have to ask, what is this writing on my wall in facebook, a lot of people are doing it, but I don't know what it is or where...
in the upper left of your facebook page click profile.
That should bring you to your "wall" -- there are some tabs toward the top of the page -- sort of in the center about 2 inches from the top. One of those tabs says "wall" -- be sure that is selected.
Look again, Fabulous Zombie. That's a kestrel, not an owl.
the wall is a comment area. they recently made it so you can comment on specific updates.
i didn't mean to sound like such a sad sack. i enjoy the interaction here, this is my guilty pleasure. la is so weird, and to top it of, i'm now managing a department of 12. moving is so much easier when you are in school as you have forced social situations called classes. that being said, i do love living here, it feels so much more me than ohio, north carolina, or florida ever did.
Val, I am SO glad you made it home to your place. I don't really know how you would react but as I was reading I imagined you encountering an "official" person telling you that you could not go get your dog and cat and what you would do. The image was NOT pretty! ;) So glad it did not come to that. I really hope that you are well and do not have to flee in the night. I lived in Oakland during the fires and it was much more frightening than any other natural disaster that I have experienced. Good luck, energy and wishes to you!
Just sent you a friend request Q :)
Trying to get the munchkin to bed, i'll be back later.
i have a facebook; no clue what that means. i have friends and will add anyone i know :) problem is; i don't know how to send 'friend requests' it keeps asking me for a file download or something. no clue and don't want one. it's way too much all over the place for me; i just don't get it. if i want to talk to my friends; i email. i'm also on twitter which is fun but it's still a one way convo.
I just went back and read some posts that I had missed. You all are correct about SAD and your kind thoughts made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I will try to post but more importantly read all of your witty and brilliant comments. :) I'm sure that will get me through this time.
I have sent Q a fiend request on Facebook. We will all connect there too. :) And I will try not to hibernate.
Val, I hope you are OK!
Thoughts of rain heading for the LA area.
Val I'm SO glad you made it home and the pets were safe and sound. I didn't see this post until I got home from work and was practically holding my breath as I until I got to your update. Guiness and a nap are definitely in order, methinks.
Val--my sympathies and best wishes.. it is scary when Armageddon seems to be going on right next door.
SO glad to hear you made it home (two days!! I'd be mental by then, with worry over the furries) and also glad you are having the time to get your car together. Now, let it be like an umbrella--something you have that you won't need.
And don't forget to get a mask (like what painters wear?) in case the wind brings you unpleasant presents. Your throat is probably already pretty thrashed from what you've been going through.....
big hugs to you and yours....
That is definitely the ONLY thing I don't miss about Santa Barbara...
Gayle, me too (have the SAD).
Great! Now the fiends have a group on FaceBook too! Great idea. Thanks.
I really feel for you guys who have the SAD. I always think the beginning is the worst time and for some strange reason I find exercise helps. I know it would be worse where you guys are.
Hope it gets better soon.
Q, have just sent you a friend request on facebook. You can also search for people by name or if you click on 'find friends' it will let you log on to your em-mail and then give you a list of people who are in your e-mail address book, who are on facebook (obviosuly this part only works if they are using the same e-mail adress on facebook)
Val, hadn't realised how close you were to the fires - I hope all is well. I did the rain dance but I was obbviously not suitably focussed, geographically speaking, as it's now raining here!
Thank you all, again, for all the good thoughts and offers of help. If I need to take any of you up on them, I will.
I never did manage to get any sleep; instead I've been up, checking the news, the latest fire maps, and looking outside. The evacuation area has gotten larger, to the south of me. For all the 'the fire's behaving itself and life is fine!' on the news, no one seems to have clued the fire into this. I'm finally going to bed, to at least lie down and rest for a bit, if not sleep.
More later, but before I go:
Fiends, you ROCK!
I hope you get some rest Val,and the fires behave themselves
Don't forget to eat a bite as well.
I have been wondering a lot about the Fiends in that area, and I'm glad to know this. I'll be even more glad if I find out things turn out okay. We're all thinking about you, Val.
~Emily
Working out does indeed help with SAD, one of the best things for it, other than the light lamp...
I've been adding friends to face book, and see lots of peopl have Done Things, but I still am not sure, and still can't find my Wall....
First cup of tea. Best up of tea.
Morning, Fiends!
According to the LA Times' map, the evacuation area's gotten closer; the OC Register's map has it remaining the same. So it's another day of waiting and nailbiting.
Oof.
Yikes, Val. Are you home today just in case, or did you have to go to work?
rain rain rain reign Rahne
Work and life are conspiring to keep me from my fiendish rounds. Miss you all. Hope everyone and their animal overlords are safe and fed.
My animal overlords are complaining because I don't feed them every hours...
My animal overlords are napping. One of them has taken over my Reading Chair with her big, furry bum.
Quiet round these parts. Has everyone migrated to Facebook? Help, I'm all alone on Blogger (which is one way to get me to go back to work).
I'm home today. Saltmine U. lets employees take a couple of days of emergency leave with pay for just this sort of thing; and when you can send your boss and HR director a map with your place marked ~1500 ft away from the evacuation area, no one says, 'hmm, think she's faking it?'
;)
Will keep you posted.
Microbetta thinks I am spending WAY to much time on the computer and had decided to lay between the keyboard and I to let me know where my priorities should be...
I'm here. I'm at work, honest, but I am so completely braindead that today's project appears to be cataloging the books in my office on LibraryThing, which is at least semi-useful.
Are there other Fiends on LT? (Don't worry, it is a book site with only a tiny bit of social networking thrown in. More like last.fm and less like myspace.) I'm not on Facebook or Myspace, and don't plan to be.
I am on LT. It's taking me forever to enter the books though...
No Facebook, no commenting, except while I am eating my lunch here, I am working very hard....Very busy...
Val,1500 feet? Ack. You, er, have a Plan?
My Animal Overlords were irritated by the lack of Steak Bits this morning and broke glass all over the place. No pleasing them....
Riding night tonight AND I have a camera, ought to be a fun post, as long as it doesn't include, "Well, Val's house burned down"
Lunch done, back to work, Val send me a text if anything BAD happens, yes? Hugs...
That's good, Val, I'm glad you are home.
Oh. Right. Braindead. I own a barcode scanner. It is in my desk drawer. I can scan books into LibraryThing.
Right.
I was on LibraryThing, but now I'm on Goodreads. I like that I can just plug in whatever I'm reading now. That I can handle-- whereas LT made me feel like I was back in the acquisitions department at the Akron U library. :D
Val, YIKES. That's a little too close.
Hurrah for horse piccys! Sounds good.
Another day of sending you good wishes and hoping for wintery blustery wet weather in LA.
Good luck Val. We are with you. Even if we are miles and oceans and mountains away, we are with you.
What Kristina said.
Will do. Found an updated map from 30ish minutes ago with slightly more information. I do have a plan, yes. If I need to leave, I'll be heading to my mom's place, north of here. Car's been all packed since 2:30 yesterday, and I can get out in about a minute.
The firefighters seem to be definitely playing it safe and evacuating way more people than they think might need to technically go (wise of them). The evacuation area's still roughly 1000 feet from me (e.g. across the main street, covering the west wide of the opposite hill). However, for the *fire* to get to me, it'd have to burn through a few hundred houses. Which hopefully won't happen.
Q, I will definitely text you if anything bad happens.
Sending good thoughts your way Val!
I've got virtues to put away and laundry to do, just checking in with everybody.
once again, my voice software picks wonderful words. I'm not putting away my virtues, I'm putting away my groceries!!!
Putting away your virtues sounds great.
:)
That is probably how I lost mines (they are probably stuck in a drawer somewhere, because it made sense at the time, eaten by moths or ennui...)
(Not sure what type of pronunciation would lead to the translation of groceries into virtues, though. The mind boggles.)
Your guess is as good as mine on the pronunciation...it's so far off sometimes!
look how we just casually pass the 100 mark... without even trying these days.
:-)
I could handle putting away some virtues. I think I like the thought of them being eaten by moths and ennui. Nice line Nat.
but if you put away your virtues, does that mean you bring out your vices?
'cause, you know, there are more vices than there are virtues.
CX
I'm on Goodreads too. I'm really bad at keeping it up to date though, so I ahve days where I sit and try and think of all the books I've read then do a bulk update.
Damn Val, I was hoping that while I was asleep your fires might have gone away
Being here is still more fun than FB.
You are up early, Sally!
Yeah, dentist appointment in an hour to fix my naughty tooth
Good luck with it. I hope it gets fixed once and for all this time.
Thanks, me to *shudder*
Chantrelle: When I first read that you had put your virtues away I imagined them to be some small objects, like Zuni Fetishes maybe. I imagined some lovely ritual/meditation being done -- most likely to provide some sort of spiritual support for our Southern California friends. I think I'll keep this notion and pretend there is no misunderstanding -- that your software knows what you really intend! I also think this notion of Virtues as Objects may find its way into a story. Thanks for the inspiration!
Dan! Good to see you! I imagined that you were caught up in "The Lab" working on evil genius stuff.
Gaypet: I have never been diagnosed with SAD but each year I seem to have more and more trouble with the dark days. Sending you thoughts of light.
Val and others in SoCal: Glad everyone is safe thus far. Heard from my cousin in LA and he and his are fine and far from the fire. I am glad to hear you have a plan, Val, and I hope you do not have to use it.
Lorraine: Busy busy life you have. Can't wait to see the riding photos.
Everyone else: So much to say so little time!
Sally good luck at the dentist.
Sally - sent you a Goodreadsy friends request. Who needs Facebook when there's real books?! HAH! \o/
Hope your tooth is better, and that the feeling comes back to your gums soon. ;)
Put away all of your virtues
and put on your red red shoes--
for the Ennui Moths are dancing
in the wardrobe of your soul,
oh yeah.
I'm glad MacSpeech Dictate was so inspiring!
Sally - I also sent you a Goodreads friend request (my first).
Jess - how can I find you to do the same? Or could you friend me? Pretty please?
I just used Arwenn for any other goodreads fiends....it looks like a great site.
Morning/afternoon everyone,
I so hope the fires are out soon, waiting and not knowing is awful.
For anyone who needs a really good laugh, if you haven't been there already, you should go right now to Lorraine's boss' blog and watch the coal miner guy. I haven't laughed so hard in years.
Sally, I hope your dental visit goes ok.
I just sent goodreads requests to sally and arwenn :)
I'm Robyn Pearson on there--no hiding behind pseudonyms!
I need to update my books!
Hi Fiends
back from dentist. Got a new filling, and dentist is keeping fingers crossed that it will fix the tooth. There is apparently so little left of actual tooth that it should be capped, but public health system very rarely pays for capping. *pout* this is what comes from a lifetime of grinding teeth at night
Teeth Grinding is NOT GOOD STUFF. I do that. too much stress or something. gives you nasty headaches. Sally, have you tried using a mouth-protector? That is supposed to help.
Arwenn - sorry I missed your comment before! You're, like, totally friended now.
Sent you a request too, Chanterelle! :) Fiends everywhere! Reading! Wooo!
*laughing*
Good poem Jess!
When I read your of your virtues being put away Chantrelle, all I thought was "Damn skippy- good idea that".
Put mine away years ago. Haven't missed 'em a bit.
Val- Be safe. I'm glad you're ready to bail at a moments notice, but I'm sorry for all the waiting- it must be wearing your last nerve.
Q- The Empress Goes A-Riding...there better be pics or there will be an uprising. Torches and pitchforks and everything....
I didn't get the request but i sent you one right back so we'll be friends whether Goodreads likes it or not dammit!
Well it may not have been intentional but, "putting away virtues" just may be my fav thing ever. :)
Val, I was thinking of you all day. I hope you can get a day off when all of this is over to catch up on sleep.
The symptoms of SAD are not the same for everyone but mine are: muscle and joint pain (like the flu for 6 months), tiredness, clumsiness, hopelessness, and forgetfulness. Well those are the worst anyway. I will get through this year but there was one year I almost didn't make it. Hence the move back to CA next year. I had it a bit in CA but I would go to a dog park and walk for 4 hours and feel better. Can't really do that here. I could walk in the malls but the mall is depressing even in the summer. ;)
Any northern fiends who want to try to hang out during this dark time just let me know. Exercise is best but costs $ here this time of year so being around other people is the next best thing.
Oh, and I forgot the compulsive eating. Gotta get that under control this year. My winter clothes are not work appropriate.
Gaypet, you're right about shopping malls, they only make things worse.
Bummer about lack of free exercise venues, do you have access to stairs? I found that pretty good exercise and built up my fitness levels.
I should try to find some stairs. That is a good idea! There are 3 floors in my apartment building but not really enough stairs to do it. Maybe the library at my school. The intense muscle pain makes cardio difficult but it would be better than nothing.
Worried about you Val! Sitting and waiting must be so difficult!
Off to read The Tempest. :)
You probably know this, but have you tried vitamin d? I'm pretty sure that's what's created through cholesterol in our skin when we catch some rays. It also aids in absorbing calcium, which might help with muscle and bone pain.
Hopefully The Tempest will help you escape for awhile :)
I just got home from knitting (coming home between work and knitting would be wildly inconvenient), and am quite entertained by my quick vaguely nutritious dinner: a PBPB sandwich! That would be a peanut butter and pumpkin butter. :)
Pumpkin butter: just like apple butter but, well, pumpkin.
Morgan tells me that fluffy black cats like PBPB sandwiches too. He is explaining this very intently by sitting next to me on the couch, purring loudly, and staring fixedly at the sandwich.
Phiala, I love the way you anticipate "WTF is pumpkin butter"
I can honestly say I've never heard of it. It also sounds like we're missing out.
We must be missing out if the fluffy black one covets it.
Putting away ones virtues...Ought to be it's own reward I'm thinking.
Just back from a really lovely ride! Fods, I love that horsie!
And YES, no pitchforks needed, LOTS of pictures! I just need to soup Boss, and (Yes, anything can be a verb now) and walk dog, and then I will nip home and put them up for you....
Q, as long as that doesn't mean turn Boss INTO soup. I know you have a stressful and difficult job, but if you ever start feeling that particular urge, we're here to help! :)
Jacqui, I'd never heard of pumpkin butter either, but stumbled across it at a local farmer's market. Not only is it entertaining, it's made from local pumpkins. It's spiced rather like pumpkin pie filling, with cinnamon and cloves and nutmeg, and goes very well on toast.
Morgan didn't want the pumpkin butter so much as the other PB, and he has a complete adoration for bread crumbs. He's a weird cat. But spoiled: he got to lick the plate.
It sounds yum. Is it thick like peanut butter?
I haven't heard of a crumb-eating cat before. Our dog likes to get into the guinea-pig leavings when I clean them out and eats the pellets and old vegies.
Which reminds me....
Do you know what apple butter is like? Pumpkin butter is the same consistency, much thinner than peanut butter. It's more like jam, but not gelled. For either (also pear butter, plum butter, etc.) you take the fruit puree and cook it down to remove some of the water. There's a nice pic here to give you the idea (and incidentally some Amish Friendship Bread starter recipes).
My cat is weird. His favorite foods include breadcrumbs, canteloupe, tortilla chips, and most especially gingersnaps.
Oh that is what I need! Pumpkin butter!!!
Oh... I have some pecan pumpkin butter. I think it is time for some toast!
My Bengals like muffins....
Pumpkin Butter rules...
It is a wee but tricky as far as jobs go, but haven't had the urge to make soup of the man yet...
Downloading pictures...
Thanks for that Phiala. We are (or I am) unimaginitive types here, I've only seen peanut butter or lemon butter.
Your cat is certainly unique in his dietary preferences! I wouldn't have thought they liked to crunch hard brittley things, their mouth and teeth all seem to be the wrong shape.
The whole butter thing is just getting better and better.
Horsie Pictures are up!
OMG, Phiala! I thought I was the only one with a canteloupe-loving cat.
My Caos likes crumb. Well anything edible, really. I had to fight my food with four desperate cats this weekend. You'd think they never had got fed...
Well, evacuations for my area have all been lifted, which is great news. WHEW.
Now I can go to work tomorrow. The firefighters out here worked extremely hard to make sure that no homes in the city were burnt, and there is a palpable sense of relief here tonight from my neighbors.
Thank you all SO, so much. You were the best combination of supportive and distracting. :)
Weeeeeeeeeee!
That is great news, Val!
Let's hope you don't get stuck in the traffic once more.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home