Sunday, October 15, 2017

From the California Fires

A  L  O  H  A  
             From the North Bay 
                            

Too close! But we are 
safe, except for
smokey air 
for days now. 
It is humbling to
see places close to me, 
that I know, totally gone. 










The people of this area 
are my neighbors and I've 
been amazed by the 
Aloha & professionalism 
I am seeing all around me! 









A fire Marshall from this town (Novato) 
the Fire Chief of Mill valley,
& another fire fighter from 
San Francisco, all 
lost their homes  
in Santa Rosa 
(30 mins north of here) 
one week ago on 
Sunday night.

But they, and many 
others who lost all,
are on the job, 
protecting the public.

In one case, a young iron worker
lost all of the tools that 
support his family.
A senior couple whose 
iron worker son had died of cancer
gave him all of the 
tools they had saved!












Dr.s, nurses and allied professionals
 at Kaiser and another 
hospital in Santa Rosa 
watched their own homes 
burning on the hill while they worked 
to help the people coming in. 
Very sad.  Deeply inspiring!

Fire companies from
surrounding counties
and states are making
good progress. In some
cases their are enough
assets to save whole farms
and neighborhoods from
encroaching flames!











Some of my senior friends 
were evacuated. 

I bought n-95 
breathing masks 
on Friday for us. 

Farms, Vineyards, Wineries:
All Gone.
Many domestic animals
big and small
have been rescued.

In one scene, officers from
San Francisco, in their
SFPD cruiser, helped to
corral frightened livestock;
A far cry from the streets
of San Francisco!

And let's spare a prayer
for the frightened
and thirsty wildlife!
People who find ashes
where their homes were,
nonetheless, are telling
one another to put out
water for the foxes,
deer, raccoons, bobcats
and such.












Anyway.... what shines forth is ALL 
the wonderful humanity and helpers! 
Our community center near here is 
FULL of supplies donated. 





I feel a new courage 
about whatever the 
future brings because 
I see how people 
REALLY step up for 
each other in an emergency!

There is a great spirit here.
The spirit of '17.
A new motto has emerged:
"The love in the air is
thicker than the smoke."



ԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԾԹ

Thank YOU
Dear Friend
                   Gratefully, Cloudia



17 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Truly lovely.
My niece from the Napa region is donating HUGE bags of feed for horses, and tells me that people are constructing 'sift-boxes' so that those who have lost their homes can go through the ashes looking for precious momentos.

biebkriebels said...

It is terrible and frightening situation. So much loss of houses and belongings. As nature and animals as well. It is a disaster.

Lynn said...

It's always so lovely to hear about people helping each other in times like these. Amazing stories, Cloudia. So glad you are safe.

Sandi said...

A new motto has emerged:
"The love in the air is
thicker than the smoke."

Cloudia, hug.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I love the motto. Prayers for all the people and wildlife. God Bless the firefighters and local heroes.

Teresa said...

Thanks for the encouraging post! Humans are magnificent when we remember that we need each other more than we don't.

Cloudia said...

Oh that's wonderful bless you and her

Cloudia said...

Thanks for your comments Friends! Each of you is a gift! 🎈

Charles Gramlich said...

those fires are so horrible. I'm overwhelmed by the extent of the damage and loss, to both nature and humanity. Glad you all are safe. Very scary

Rick Forrestal said...

So sad, so sorry.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your community.
Love is indeed thicker than smoke.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

It's heartbreaking Cloudia. I've been following on the news and am so shocked by the extent of the fire. At times like these you do see the strength in people helping people no matter who they are. If good wishes for a speedy end to the fires count there are bucket loads coming from Perth xx

Cloudia said...

MUCH Appreciated Dears <3

William Kendall said...

Disasters like this do have a way of bringing out the best in us. I've been following coverage of the fires here as well.

Mike said...

The pictures of the total destruction of neighborhoods are worse than the hurricane pictures. Mother Nature is being a bitch this year.

RedPat said...

A wonderful post, Cloudia! There are heroes among us.

eViL pOp TaRt said...

God bless and spare the people of northern California. I hope relief comes quickly.

Cloudia said...

Thanks so much Friends 🎈