Sad to say, Fire Season is a thing here. Each year everyone hopes for less disaster, fewer homes lost, and that the fire won’t be in their town. It is a very strange ‘season’ that did not use to exist. I have lived in this town for 26 years and while there was an occasional wildfire, it wasn’t an annual occurrence each Indian summer. Now, come August and September, it isn’t a question of ‘if’ a fire will occur, rather it is a question of when and where it will happen.
This morning I looked at the map for California to see where fires were burning and this is what I saw. We had a series of lightening strikes on Sunday and Monday nights this week and many (most?) of these fires were started by those events. There is a fire several miles from our home. It is far enough that I highly doubt we are at risk. There was a point where my parents felt nervous for their home and property so they came and stayed for a night at our house.
Up and down the state, land and homes are burning. The smoke and ash are just awful. I am ever so grateful for the responders, firefighters, Salvation Army (who feed everyone working on the fires as well as trying to help those who have lost their homes), the people who set up and run the evacuation centers (which are completely complicated by the need for social distancing and proper care for the Corona Virus), the sheriffs department who is tasked with alerting the neighborhoods that need to quickly evacuate. It is a huge issue and one for which there is no simple answer. Some people (looking at you President Trump) say it is because California doesn’t take care of land management properly and there is too much fuel. I don’t know the answer. But it is awful right now and I am hoping they get the local fire contained soon so we don’t have more homes lost.
OK – on to less depressing topics. Our trip to Seattle was just wonderful. We were there just over two weeks. We didn’t go out a whole lot – much of the time was spent with our grand daughters while my son and his wife house hunted. Fortunately they found a great place and are under contract for it now. Another 4 – 6 weeks and they will move in. I think it is the perfect home for them.
When I got home I needed to get organized – always so much laundry to be done, groceries to stock up on, etc. Now that is all taken care of so I am anxious to work on some sewing.
Just before I left, I finished this strip quilt. I had been loosely following along with Michelle, From Bolt to Beauty, who was hosting a quilt along for this free pattern on hers. It goes together so fast. I had about 1/2 of a jelly roll left over from the Postage Plus quilt I made. I added some strips from other fabrics to come up with enough for this lap quilt.
While the colorful bits were all from my stash, I didn’t have any neutral fabrics in a large enough piece for the background. I decided to use the last of a bolt from the shop. These cute polka dots are from Maywood Studios’ Beautiful Basics line. I think they add a sweet element to this quilt top. I am not totally sure what I will use this one for but I plan to get it basted and quilted up. Otherwise it will be hung in the closet and forgotten.
Last night I started cutting the pieces for the Morewood Mystery Quilt. I think this will be really fun and quite different from anything I have made, based solely on the fabrics I am using. The batiks are a stack of Anthology Fabric pieces that I have had for a really long time. The polka dots are the last of a bolt from the shop. The cut list for this mystery quilt looks super easy which makes me happy. I like easy! If you are interested in joining in, click here for the info. This event is hosted by Cheryl Brickey, from Meadow Mist Designs. Her Mystery QAL is a fun annual event. We are just getting started so you haven’t missed anything yet!
OK – I think that is it for now. I am going to go work on a block for the 2020 Monthly Color Challenge. I am a bit behind – July and August are both incomplete. Since we won’t be going outdoors for at least several more days, I will be able to get caught up. How about you? Tell me how you are doing and what you are working on? Sending good vibes and healthy thoughts to all of you!
I’m so sorry you all have to deal with those fires every year. So stressful! I remember your cousin lost her home a few years back. Really terrible—and the air being full of smoke!!
On a happier note, the picture of your granddaughter looking so adorably at you is priceless! You can tell there is so much love there.
As usual, I loved your post and keeping up with you. I hope and pray your area stays safe. 💕💕
Hi Bernie – Always nice to hear from you! Ray and I did have the best time with the kids. Both girls are so much fun – the baby started to really laugh while we were there which was a treat. She is really easy going and sleeps well so we didn’t have any trouble taking care of them. Looking forward to returning once they move into their house. The rental they were in is a bit small so we were sort of stepping over each other. Mostly just happy they are living much closer now!! Hope you and Randy are doing well. 🙂
Until you read someone’s actual experiences with these climate conditions changing through the years, you don’t understand what they deal with as it happens continually. Just like the hurricanes we have no control over and even they seem to be steering off into places never before seen in. Stay safe Bernie as it’s scary thinking of your parents too. Nice picture of you with the grandkids and glad they have a home to move into soon.
Yes – no area is without natural disaster issues. We are doing fine though and the fire isn’t spreading at this point which is great. Just lots of smoke and ash outside. Take care Kathy! 🙂
Oh Bernie, I am so sorry about all the fires! I know we could use some rain too. Take good care!
Would it be great if we got some rain but there is nothing forecasted so I am not holding out any hope. We rarely get rain until October. Just hoping the fire is contained soon and doesn’t grow any larger. Hope all is well Sarah. 🙂
That is quite the number of fires raging; I’m glad you feel you are safe from them. I sure hope they don’t move any closer. I hope your parents’ home as well as your son’s stay clear of danger for them too. Love that photo of you and the two grandkiddos – they clearly enjoy spending time with you. Love the big smiles and all the joy! So glad they found a home and will be able to move in soon. That jelly roll top is so cute – I may have to go check out that pattern, since I have some left over JR strips I need to do something with. Will be fun to see the mystery quilt take shape! Welcome home, Bernie! Oh – I’m working on some secret sewing (pattern test), but I might sneak in something fun this weekend 🙂
Hmmm, pattern testing. Hope we get to see what you are doing soon!
We were fortunate this morning and the air was quite clear so I got a little bit of yard work taken care of. Once the winds picked up though, the smoke blew right in. So thick and yucky. Spent the rest of the day inside. Such is life. Take care Wendy!!
It’s fire season in Colorado, too, and even though we live about 60 miles from the nearest one, we do get the smoke and ash from it. Not fun to live with, but hard to imagine what it must be like if you are closer. I’ve enjoyed your pictures with your adorable grandgirls! Love the strippy quilt top and the fabric pull for the mystery quilt. I’m working on lots of things at once – all in various stages!
My sister lives in Texas and was hoping to escape the heat by going up to Winterpark, CO. But it is too close to the fire activity so they are staying put for now. I hope they can get up there later though.
I like working on lots of things – It is nice to be able to pick something up and sew for a bit, making a little progress here and there. Take care Diann.
I hope the fires don’t affect you or family. Thinking of you.
Thank you Anja. That is so sweet. 🙂
We have good friends who likely lost most of their belongings in the rental they had in Bonny Doon yesterday. We have offered for them to come move in with us for the time being, and I think they need to wait and see if they will be able to go and recover any additional items before deciding how they want to re-group.
I’m so glad you got in so much wonderful family time! And it looks like you have a bunch of great projects to choose between for sewing fun.
Oh shoot Yvonne, that is so sad. Many people are going through this terrible experience of loss right now. I am sure they are grateful to just know they can count on you and Michael if needed. 🙂
Yes, this time of year is very scary when you live in the foothills of Northern California. We live in Placerville, but at the very end of it as its only 6 miles to Coloma (where gold was discovered). With over 10,800 lightning strikes in the past 72 hours its no wonder we have so many fires. But we live in a beautiful area & this is part of it, the good & the bad. So glad you got a nice visit with family & they located the perfect home!!
Oh wow – you are just an hour and 1/2 from me. I am in Grass Valley. My husband grew up between here and Placerville, in Georgetown. Small world! Hope you are doing well and staying healthy!! Between Covid and the smoke, there is lots to avoid right now!
The fires are awful but the picture of you with the grands is just lovely. It is such a yard thing to watch year after year.
Hi – Better to focus on the good things – the fire is horrible and hot and smokey – basically a tragic disaster. But grand children are amazing and make me smile daily. Those two girls remind me that even when the air is intolerable smokey, life is good and I am blessed.
Bernie, I was worried about what you might be returning home to. Fire is such a scary thing. Glad you had a lovely family visit and are safe and sound. Your jelly roll quilt could be fun to practice FMQ and I love the fabrics you chose for Cheryl’s mystery quilt. I’m slowly quilting up a few family support quilts, doing a lot of reading, and yes, even taking the occasional nap! Stay safe!
Ah, nothing better than a nap! I like even a 15 minute power nap.
Fire is part of life now. It is just awful. Luckily we had a relatively smoke free morning but the wind has shifted and now it is very smokey outside. The closest fire has not grown by too much so that is a good thing. Take care Karen. 🙂
So glad you had such a lovely visit ( chunky monkey!) and I hope these fires stay away. It’s devastating how much damage they can do.
Fire season has definitely gotten worse in Cal. I worry about my brother and sister-in-law in Orinda. The worst part for me is I’ll hear a news report of major fire out break in CA… but sometimes they don’t say where exactly! Thanks for the info on the cute jelly roll quilt. I need to check out the pattern. Have fun with your Morewood mystery quilt. Stay safe!
Bernie those beautiful girls! So glad you had a good visit. Hope the fire season is short!
Guess what! We are going back at the end of the September – they need help with the move (Ray’s job) and Gram gram will watch the girls. WooHoo!!! How is your moving plan developing?