Yesterday the Santa Ana's started blowing fiercely. At one point a gust caught my car and I almost went into the other lane. The humidity dropped considerably (as if there was much to drop)throughout the day. Perfect condition for a major fire were brewing. I had hopes that this time, we would get through the Santa Ana without worry or harm. Those hopes dissappaited when I spotted a purplish glow over the ridge as I walked back to my apartment about half midnight from playing Wii at J's. In the AM, I found out just how bad it actually is. Over 600 hundred mobile homes gone, now a crime scene--arson is suspected. Thousands being evacuated. My hope in humanity plunges. The big answer small question whyis unfathomable.
Power is threaten, so I may spend the evening in the dark with my trusty flashlight purchased after the Hawaii flood. Our big library is severly short staffed as most of the staff live in the Valley. All major access points out of our valley to LA have been closed. I look out at the ridge line and that one area is burning down but seems to have been put out as it is all smokey. No visible flames licking the undergrowth. Still too close for my personal sense of comfort. My friend's daughter is at working at Olive View Hospital which earlier today lost power and was ringed with fire. M. spent all last night worried about her child. I phoned across the country to try to allay the fears of my mother for her wandering child. Mother's bear a heavy burden that doesn't lessen significantly through the passing years.
Earlier today the wind shifted--the smoke was then coming our way, but it seems that it shifted back, I see mostly blue skies with billowing smoke drifting away. I am comforted but realize that my comfort is at the expense of thousands of others. Theirs would be at mine. Comfort today comes with a close companion of guilt.
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