Holy mackerel friends! My birthday coincided with a wind event and firestorm of apocalyptic proportions. I had taken the day off luckily so was at home when the evacuation warning came through on my phone. Having never gotten one before, I didn’t realize there are 2 levels: warning & mandatory. I walked outside and headed up the hill behind my house to get a look at the canyon and hillside.
No flames or smoke, although the air was filled with smoke and ash drifting over from the big Eaton fire in Pasadena. Talked to some neighbors to assess the situation. They were staying put so I followed suit. We’d wait for a mandatory evacuation. Thankfully, that never came. That orange glow is from the rising sun not fire.
The winds blew furiously on the night of January 7th, birthday eve. Moss Cottage is tiny without interior rooms. The noise was tremendous. I was grateful to have battery powered candles and a really good rechargeable, wireless, desk lamp, and a portable charger that worked for both phone and lamp. All the rooms of Moss Cottage flickered dimly, The lamp provided a steady glow by which to write.
I lost power for about 32 hours or so. I had hot water though and my gas stovetop worked to heat soup and make coffee. Lucky me! If you’ve watched the news you know many many other people were not so fortunate. The fires have burned hundreds of homes and businesses in Pasadena and even more in the Palisades fire which is 20 miles to the west on the coast. I’m nestled in the hills between Pasadena and Eaglerock where the blue dot is on the fire map above. That is from the app Watch Duty. I’d recommend it if you live in wildfire country like I do.
A burnt book page found its way to me from who knows where. Naturally I glued it into my journal!
Yesterday I packed during daylight and readied for a mandatory evacuation notice in the middle of the night like many have received. Those areas above the 134 freeway on the map above were already receiving mandatory notices so it made sense to be ready. I always wondered what would I take? What things would make the cut? A dozen of my large journal volumes were packed into 2 bags and loaded into the car. 2 sketchbooks, medicine, passport, 3 wigs, some important papers, a few pairs of underpants, cat litter, cat food, a few pics of ma & pa.
Pam kindly prepared a room for me at her house down in Orange County. What a relief! I was worried about trying to find a motel or airbnb with cats and had heard through the friend network of texts that many of the hotels were booked. I had on Bobi’s hat, and old sweater all day. Talismans of good fortune that I wore. And last night after I was done loading up the car I looked up and saw the moon and stars and planets and felt deeply protected. Without the roaring wind, one’s mind can settle more easily. To see a ceiling of stars through a clearing sky – such peace.
I send great waves of love, compassion, and protection to the animals, trees, and humans in harm’s way. There has already been so much devastation. May it end soon. Just know, I am GOOD.
The view out my front window this morning. The light is perpetual sundown with the smoke. I’ve been keeping my property watered by hand, the birdbaths, and humming bird feeders filled.
Before the fires I enjoyed some patio time on my new table. Kelli came over and we played together on a warm day last week. That’s her big sketchbook in the photo at the bottom.
Everything was covered in ash and debris yesterday morning but I cleaned it all off once the winds died down yesterday afternoon.
I lost only one small branch on my African Sumac tree and some shrubs lost limbs, but no big deal overall. The oaks stood strong as they’ve done for over a hundred years. In fact this year is my 62nd year of life and dear Moss Cottage has turned 100. How I love her.
Stay safe dear middle-aged mammals. I’ll report in again soon with updates.
I’m so glad you and the cats and journals are safe. I’ve been worrying over y’all all day! Wishing you a safe, peaceful and healthy year and hoping things may somehow yet calm down a bit. One can but hope. xo
So glad to hear that you are making it through this firestorm. They can be anxiety provoking and deeply saddening. I always feel such sadness for the animals and birds. So important to be packed and prepared. It sounds like you loaded up the most necessary things, especially getting the cat family prepared! Colorado has sent help and I send you my good thoughts.
Mary Ann, I’m praying for you and kitties and Moss Cottage…you are dear to your followers. The devastation in California is horrific, please stay safe…we love you!!
Happy Birthday Mary Ann and thank goodness you are okay. Thoughts and prayers go out to all Angelinos at this dire and sad time. Just know, so many are thinking of you.
Happy Birthday Mary Ann. I was so glad to see this post come in my email and hear that you are ok. Praying for everyone that has been affected by the fires.
happy birthday dear MA!
Sending 🧡 to LA from WNC.
So glad you and your kitties and neighbors all were safe. My heart breaks for those less fortunate.
Glad you are ok during this very difficult time.
Prayers for you and those affected by this tragedy.
Stay safe . 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Just here to say I love you and I’m so glad you are safe and cared for.
Mary Ann, thank you for letting us know your status during the fires. God bless you, the kitties, and Miss Cottage.
I meant Moss Cottage.
So glad all is well at Moss Cottage. I have been thinking about you during this disaster, as you were the fabulous human who gave me the courage to go to Budapest on my own back in 2016! Take care!
Oh my goodness! I have been thinking of all of the people and friends that I know in that area just in LA and the Palisades. And I also had you in my thoughts also with prayers that everybody is safe material things can be replaced, but lives whether it be animals or humans cannot be.. The only thing I can say now is just please stay safe and take care and I know you will. I had a call last night from a relative that doesn’t understand the terrain the areas. I don’t know what else to say. Thought maybe we were in the middle of it but we live in Modesto way north and so they were happy that we weren’t in the middle of that And so was I.
Oh Mam! I’ve been worried about you! Thank you for posting and letting us all know. You’re in my thoughts, meditating for rain for LA.
I’m so happy to know you’re okay. What a terrible tragedy.
I am so glad that you are safe and sound. I can’t imagine living with the wildfires, I realize that it is a reality on the west coast and many of the western states. Life is certainly interesting, I’m glad we’re here to experience all of its turmoil and beauty! Happy birthday Friend!
So grateful to hear you are safe. I am holding you and all life affected by this disaster in my heart and prayers.
So grateful that you and you cat posse are safe and that Moss cottage has survived. Prayers to all who are not as fortunate.
Been thinking of you since the fire started and contemplated sending you a message. So glad you’re safe. Please take care and sending prayers and good energy to all.
I am thankful that you, the kitties, and Moss Cottage are safe. My sister is in LA and has been sending reports too. What a scare! Wishing you a happy birthday, Mary Ann!!! Stay safe!
Whew…so glad to know you and yours are okay! How horrible to see such destruction so close. And late happy day! Still holding you safe in my thoughts.
Peace, love, and safety in your 62nd year!
I am so relieved to read you are safe. Thank you for your post. And thank you for the link to your tribute to Bob, which I have just reread and wept again at. your words and your love for she who has gone ahead. You articulated the things I wish I had been able to write when I lost my dear sister-in-law, but reading the “Bobi Post” reminded me that your loving words said what I could not.
Please stay safe, you and your wonderful cat posse. I count you as one of dearest unmet friends.
XO
Thanks goodness you are okay! 🙏
Stay safe. Hope this horror will soon be over,
And hope there will be Tiasufficient help for those who have lost loved ones and/or homes.
❤️🌺🌻
So glad to hear you and Moss Cottage and kitties are safe, Mary Ann. Such devastation… Thank you for keeping us posted and stay well!
So glad you, the kitties, and Moss Cottage are okay. It’s heartbreaking seeing all the devastation.
Bless you dear one. Stay safe.
Thanks for letting us know you are safe. Watching it all live on CNN
Love Ingrid
Such a relief to hear that you’re okay! My heart just breaks for everyone in those areas, and all the people who have been affected. Sending love…Stay safe!
Was close to tears (of relief) reading this. I have been very worried about you as I see the news and I am beyond relief that you and yours are safe. Thank you for updating us. It is early morning here and I am just out of bed.
Thank you for letting us know. You were in my thoughts every day. So glad you and the kitties are safe.
I don’t normally comment here, but I am so pleased you are safe! Living here in Australia, we know only too well what you are going through! I have enjoyed your blog for a wee while now and just found out we share the same birthday. Happy birthday to you!
Dearest Mary Ann….I am SO GLAD to receive your update and know you, your furry children, and little Moss Cottage are safe! On my drive home from work last night, I mentioned you to my husband and wished upon the cold Wisconsin sky stars that you were ok. I also checked up on my sister, her family, and my mom who are in the general area. Thankfully, they are near Barstow and have almost 2 hours and quite a bit of mostly barren desert in between! But honestly, with those insane winds, who knows what additional hell could have been had? I am thankful that the winds are being tempered and hope some containment can be gained now.
Please stay safe and I will keep you and those we love in my thoughts and prayers!
Happy Birthday 🎂 I’m glad you are safe.
Evacuating from hurricanes with the kitties is and was always the biggest challenge. Happy happy birthday, and thanks for the sneak peek of the fur baby looking out the screen door.😍 Please stay safe.
I am SO RELIEVED to read this. I downloaded that app yesterday just to check on YOU and Moss Cottage…I even set alerts and have been praying for every single life affected by this awful and devastating event. Much love from the other coast…I miss you, friend!
I was on the look out for your news and I am so relieved that you are well and safe in your house.
I’m so glad you, that cats and your cottage are ok. What a blessing to have a safe space for you and your kitties to land in OC! Having gone thru numerous evacuations in Sonoma County, I know how that waiting and deciding when to go can be so stressful. Take care of yourself.
So relieved to read all is well at Moss Cottage and you are safe. The devastation is beyond belief as I watch the news here in Australia, it’s heartbreaking. Take good care, thinking of you and Happy Birthday!
Happy to hear you are safe. Please stay that way.
Much Love
Dear Ann
I’m so glad you and kitties are okay.
Lori
Wonderful to hear you are safe! So scary. My heart goes out to so many who lost so much.
So glad you and your buddies are safe.
Happy Birthday and thank goodness you are safe! Have been worried about you and your beautiful cottage since the Eaton fire broke our a few blocks from my childhood home in Altadena. I knew that the chaparral and trees would catch fire and send embers burning far from their source, but so glad your area was saved too. What a week this has been for so many friends and families. So tragic for so many.
Take care and stay safe!
THANK YOU! We don’t know each other face-to-face, but I’ve been reading your posts and taking your classes for years. I was genuinely concerned for your safety! Thank you for checking in. While I’ve heard from 2 cousins, the rest of my extended family hasn’t checked in. On pins and needles here.
PS
(Sorry for the unwanted/unasked for advice)
If you’re out on the patio, wear a mask! You can’t see the micro particles and ash, but if you smell smoke, check the AQI and mask up!
I still have smoke stains around my heater vents!
Thanks so much for letting us know you are ok. Peace to your heart dear woman.
Glad to hear that you, Moss cottage, and the kitties are safe. With so many profound stories of loss, it’s good to hear some positive news. Was looking at the photos of your darling cottage and noticed what appeared to be a large orb in the photo with the yellow tea towel. My parents were affected by wildfires a few years ago and took photos to document the ominous skies. (The community was spared as the flames couldn’t jump the highway). One photo showed about two dozen orbs of various sizes underneath a tree. Can’t explain it, couldn’t duplicate it, and subsequent photos were devoid of orbs. Makes you wonder.
Something to look for after a fire of this magnitude: displaced wildlife. There were countless critters in my parents yard as they tried to find a safe haven. You just might have some unexpected visitors.
Meanwhile, saying prayers for all and hope that the fire is contained soon <3
Every night I was saying prayers to you in LA.
Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story.
Are you still in Orange @ Pam’s?
It is good to be in our 60’s or beyond, we know
That we can live out of suitcase.
Holly
So glad you’re OK. I took my dog to our usual hiking spot today (Powder Canyon in Rowland Heights). Once I got outside and smelled the smoke, I was wondering about the wisdom of hiking, then I saw that the trails were closed, so we walked around a local neighborhood. We’re smoky, but not as bad as your area.
I volunteer for a very active Southern California arts organization. Two members have lost their homes, one in Pacific Palisades and the other in Altadena. In the past, when there were fires, we emailed and phoned, checking on friends and most of the time, they were OK. We’ll never again take that for granted.
Ohhhh, it is SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU !!!! You (and many others, including family) are in my prayers. Stay safe and hope to hear updates as you can/want : )
Many Blessings,
Sandra
Happy Birthday! I was thinking of you and praying you were safe. Thanks for letting us know you’re doing well! Thanks for being a good influence on my during a very dark time in my life by sharing your knowledge through the many classes I took from you. I’m still journaling away through many years since that first class! ❤️
I am so glad you and Moss Cottage are safe. I’ve been gone from California for many years but had a house go up in flames a life time ago in the Trinity Alps. I do remember the feeling of losing everything except the clothes on my back, coupled by complete devastation as we had no renter’s insurance. Stay safe. May rain and no more wind find it’s way to Southern California.
I’m so glad to hear that you and cats are safe. Thank you for posting!
Happy 62nd Birthday! Wishing you many more. XOXO
I am so happy to hear you are ok — I was worried about you . My husband was born and raised in Pasadena and we watched with great sadness as the fires devoured homes. We send you all love from San Francisco. And, a belated happy birthday – so glad you and Moss Cottage and the kitties are safe.
I’m so glad you, your fur kids and home are safe! This is all so awful. I can’t even imagine. Watching the videos, I was thinking about what I would take knowing the whole house would be gone. Being spared will be one of your remembered birthdays! I wish you every good and lovely thing in the coming year! Blessings!
So glad to read your update and know that you and Moss Cottage are safe. Thank you for sharing.
So good to hear from you, although I admit to texting Sharron late yesterday so I knew you were at-the-ready. Whew. I’ve been watching the smoke journey this way. It seems to have settled directly overhead, but with no wind to speak of, is gently lifting up and up. Fly away, Smoke. Fly far, far away.
Praises for the moon and stars.
Happy birthday! Definitely a memorable one. HA!
I’m relieved to hear you are safe! Thanks for letting us know. And happy birthday! 🥳
Over here in the UK we’ve been so worried for you, our dear friend (and all the unknown humans and animals,) for the cat posse and all your journals and paintings… Keep safe. We love you.
Thank you for letting us know that you’re ok. I’ve been watching the news and worrying about you… We don’t know each other, but your travels and classes and blogs have cheered me up often.
Thank you for letting us know you and the kitties are safe!
Happy 62nd birthday!
Life is a wild ride!!
You are a blessing in it.
Happy Birthday! Glad you let us know you are safe. I was sending good thoughts! So sorry for the people affected.
Forgot to include happy birthday wishes! No need to ask if it was exciting, but memorable nonetheless.
OMG! I didn’t realize how close you are/were to the fires! I am so glad that you are okay! It has been devastating news to watch!
Thank you for sharing this news with us! Please stay safe and belated Happy Birthday!❤️
thank you for the update. so glad you’re safe. it’s too terrible to comprehend. the images of devastation. so awful
so glad you checked in! i’ve been v concerned. glad you and the kids are safe❤️. hoping you can stay that way, and so sad for all those affected. hard to imagine so much devastation.
AT2 = HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRECIOUS – SO GLAD YOU’RE PACKED AND READY TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES —WE ARE TERRIFIED FOR YOU AND EVERYONE IN HARM’S WAY – and the animals and trees, as you said,
Sending much love – AT1
What a nightmare. Stay safe
So happy you’re ok. Keep safe!
Happy Birthday Mary Ann! What a precious one it is. Thanks for letting us know you are safe and Moss Cottage is intact. Thank goodness for good friends and a benevolent universe.
I knew u would pic up that burnt paper and put it in your journal. Also glad to see u had your priorities right. Sketchbooks and animals and wigs! The important things in an artists life! High winds are so nerve wracking. We just went thru 110 mph winds from Helene so I feel your pain. They leveled so many things from trees to houses here. Stay safe. It’s a crazy world.
I am so glad you posted the update and very happy everyone is safe at Moss Cottage! I’m thankful you are ready to evacuate if needed and have an exit strategy.
So happy you’re ok. Keep safe!
Thank you so much for the update, glad to hear you are good, sending continued excellent art energy !
Thank you so very much for letting us know you & the kitties are safe!
Thank you so much for the update Mary Ann. I’ve been worried about everyone in LA. So terrible.
So glad you are all right and safe!
Thank goodness to get this news! The whole situation is APOCALYPTIC! Stay safe and KEEP US POSTED!
Thank heavens you are well and Moss Cottage is okay. I’m glad you’re keeping track of the danger. Is your school close to the fires? You remain innny thoughts & prayers.
Love,
Sheila