My Blog Entry
FIRES
Hi all my wonderful pals! Well, yes, we have been out of touch again, but this time we have a really good excuse! Mom has been just obsessed with searching the internet for information on all the fires around here, so she doesn't let us on MDS too much.
Not only is our Daddy off fighting the fires, but one of the fires is within a mile of our cabin. We knew it was close, but we didn't realize just how close until we went to a public meeting on Friday evening. Mom made us wait in the car and Ember ate Mom's leftover pizza. Mom said that the point of the meeting was to inform us of the fire fighting strategy as well as reassure us that, barring a change in the weather, we were not likely to be evacuated. She said that the fire is burning down the hill and heading towards us, but the firefighters are cutting lines closer to us and setting back burns, so they're intentionally starting fires even closer to us, hoping they'll burn up the hill and the fires will meet and burn themselves out. Well that SOUNDS like a great strategy, but we've seen those control burns get out of control before, so we were still real nervous. Plus, a change in the weather was predicted... dry lightning storms with wind were predicted for the weekend, and we asked Daddy, and he said a burning ember can easily fly a mile, so the predicted wind also made us real nervous. So Mom had some decisions to make...
We've changed our moving plans, and have decided that we're not going to live full time at the cabin afterall (not because of fires- this was a pre-made decision), instead, we're gonna be moving closer to my cousin Abigail! We're real excited about this. So with that in mind, Mom is working on getting both of our houses (the cabin and the Cat House) all packed up and our cabin is on the market to sell. We don't think anyone will buy it anytime soon, since you can't see from one end of the property to the other through the smoke! But since we're moving anyway, Mom decided to be strategic about what she packed up, and we ended up loading the car full of stuff including pictures and things we don't want to lose. She reassured us that we're not evacuating, we're just moving (but we're not actually moving until the cabin sells)... if we weren't moving anyway, would we have taken all that stuff home, we asked? She didn't really know what she would have done, but she was glad that she had the moving excuse so she didn't seem paranoid. Daddy said she wasn't being paranoid- since we're lucky and we have options, there was no reason not to go ahead and get stuff out of there and move it to the Cat House on the coast. So that's what we did, and we left on Saturday afternoon before the storms were predicted to hit.
So the good news is that the storms never really hit! There was no wind and only one more lightning fire was started, and it wasn't close. So as of now, our cabin is still fine and we are still not under evacuation orders, but the fire is still headed our way and firing operations are still underway. Mom says we're not out of the woods yet, but she's a lot more comfortable with the situation today than she was on Friday.
In the meantime, Daddy has been sent out of county on a strike team. So naturally, when we need him the most, he's busy saving other people's homes! That's OK though, we're proud of him for that and Mom has it under control anyway. If we should end up getting evacuated, we think there'll be enough time to go out and make one more trip with more stuff... it's all packed up but there was no more room in the car. Mom says we needed to get stuff out of there anyway, to make it look nice for prospective buyers... but we know it was also because she was scared! She said herself nobody's gonna buy it anytime soon, so what's the rush to get stuff out, huh Mom? Yeah, she seems to have it all together, but on the inside, Ember and I sense some nervousness.
So that is why we've been out of touch. Hopefully things will get back to normal sometime soon. Mom says we can't spend much time at the cabin cuz the air is too thick with smoke. Well that made me and Ember sad, so we decided to make the most of the time we had there, so we rolled in the swimming pool, then rolled in some dirt! Mom says neither fire nor rain nor sleet nor snow will stop us from having a good time! She thinks we should grow up to be postal carriers.
Now Mom has some work to catch up on but we hope to be back in touch with all of you this week!
Hugs and wags,
Olie
Here's Ember after our roll in the dirt!
Blog Barks
Ollie, Ember and family. First we pray that everything will work out and you will ALL be safe. Ember you are just to darn cute.. I can hardly stand it, I know you rolled in the mud to mad your mommy laugh just when she needed a good laugh huh?? Thats what I do, I can tell when mommy is upset and will go get her shoes and chew on them or do something silly. You all are in our prayers... Bark when you get the time.. Kisses Georgia Marie and family
46 days ago by Becky
Ember looks so cute. Good to see she is not letting things get to her. You have been dealing with so much. We are glad to hear so far so good. As far as taking your pictures and things, better safe than sorry. I am sure you are all missing your dad too but you must be so proud. We will keep you all in our thoughts. Sending lots of warm wishes. -Sami & Mommy
49 days ago by SamiLou
Olie:
I am hoping you're coming here tonight with Ember so I can finally meet her. Mom showed me the pictures your mom sent and that one was closer than the one mom and dad saw when they visited you two weeks ago.
My dad is home now because he is the only forester in the unit and someone has to continue with the timber stuff in the meantime. But, we're not sure if he will be on a fire, patrolling, or doing squirrel stuff over the holiday weekend - one of those options is likely. So, ma and I will be home alone some more. Like you guys, he is gone when we need him the most.
Mom is worried because we had VERY close lightening (we thought one of our trees was hit it was so close) and we have the driest conditions we've had since the Biscuit Fire back in 2002. Dad says if any fire got close he would go drop some trees on the property before we evacuated - but if he is gone, that leaves mom to drop the trees and she hasn't operated her chainsaw since college.
I am just hoping no one around here buys fireworks. I think that is the stupidest idea ever - besides, they scare me. I will be hiding in the house most of the night if I hear any.
Well, hopefully I'll catch you later. Dad said maybe we'll see you at the FoodHouse tonight.
~ Abigail
50 days ago by Coastredwoods
Hi Olie and Ember, gosh you guys are really having a rough time of it.
Yes we can sense when something isn't feeling right. But it seems your
mommie has everything under control. Just hold each other tight.
We're thinking of you. And boy what a great dad you have. He is very
brave.
We know now were your name originated from, Ember.
Hugs,
Sasha and the girl
50 days ago by lonestar
Hi Olie and Ember
You all stay safe. Our prayers are with you all. Kathy and Baxter
50 days ago by Kathyintexas
Olie, Ember and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have a very brave mommy!
Ember, you know the saying "your name is mud" BOL
51 days ago by Marciatin
Olie, Ember and family,
Parker and Family
51 days ago by Parker21
Ember, you look great. Just like a puppy should. Boy....when we came to the paragraph about the storms with wind and lightening not hitting, we were relieved. My mom said words about your move that I didn't quite get, but we both think it's a good idea. She said stuff like 'bearing the entire responsibility alone is too difficult' and stuff I don't know what it means. She says being closer to Abigail is a very good thing. Your daddy is very, very wonderful to be helping all those people.
Astrid and mom
51 days ago by Astrid
Olie and Ember we are praying you guys, your mom and your daddy! You are all very brave! Ember...we think Olie is teaching you some not so good things...like rolling in the dirt. But hey we figure...a mud bath everyonce in a while keeps you looking young.
52 days ago by SableandChi
You know you are in our thoughts and prayers..stay safe....
Hugs Fran
52 days ago by TuckersMom
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