Can’t hit the like button knowing that’s so close to you. PLEASE be safe and know we’re all thinking of you, Tom. May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.
My darling friend, there you are in LA, watching flames on the horizon like some apocalyptic sunset while packing cat food and your computer - which, by the way, is exactly what I would grab too because let's be honest, our lives are in these machines now, aren't they? Remember when people just grabbed photo albums? Now we're all clutching laptops like life rafts.
I did this dance 30 times in Montecito (yes, THIRTY - who says lightning doesn't strike the same place repeatedly? Fire certainly does). And every single time, I'd think "Well, surely THIS time I'll be calm and collected" - and then I'd find myself throwing random things in bags at 3 AM like someone who's never heard of organized packing. Though I must say, your Navy training is showing - wet food AND crunchies? That's what I call emergency preparedness.
Here's what I learned after evacuation #12 or maybe it was #22 (they all blur together): grab your favorite pajamas, pillow, and blanket RIGHT NOW. Actually, just put those pajamas on, wrap that blanket around your shoulders like a superhero cape, sit on the pillow, and let your cat nestle into your lap while you keep watch. Trust me on this - there's something oddly comforting about facing potential disaster in your coziest clothes. I used to parade through fancy hotel lobbies in my ancient, beloved bedroom slippers, holes and all. They became quite the conversation starter, but hey - it was my personal crisis party, and I refused to dress for anyone else's comfort but my own.
I love that you're making fresh coffee and keeping watch like some modern-day Paul Revere ("The fire is coming! The fire is coming!"). And yes, it's perfectly fine to feel that flood of relief when the danger shifts away from you, followed by that immediate Catholic-level guilt (even for an atheist) when you realize it's heading toward Brentwood. That's just being human. Speaking of which, your line about "this atheist thanks you" for the prayers made me laugh out loud - crisis really does make ecumenicals of us all.
Stay safe, keep those updates coming, and remember - it's okay to be scared. Even with all that military training, you're still allowed to be human. Though I must say, you're handling this with far more grace than I ever did. I usually ended up stress-eating all my emergency snacks before any actual emergency happened.
Sending love and hopes for gentle winds in the right direction. And maybe grab an extra bag of those cat crunchies, just in case - we both know cats pick the worst times to get picky about their food. Now go put those pajamas on - consider it a direct order from a veteran fire evacuee.
I've been sitting with a relay of felines on my lap, binge-watching "From The Earth To The Moon" - which is really excellent, recommend it to all. If this had been the story NASA had told, nobody would have ever gotten bored with the space program. They took all the danger, all the hanging-it-over-the-edge adventure out of it. Of course people got bored. The episode with Al Shepherd orbiting the moon at 50,000 feet altitude while two guys back on earth figured out how to reprogram his 15kb memory computer (it couldn't read a modern email) with punch cards, so they can punch it in and keep the computer from initiating the abort descent procedure is the best argument against "We only need to send machines."
Space tales have never been boring, just edited to the max. So many animals in harms way, in addition to the wary humans. Thank you for the updates, the country is with you.
Not to mention the impact this refugeeism will have on children. I hope parents are providing ongoing explanations about what they are doing and why so kids have something to absorb to help counter their fear.
Tom, I just walked to end of block to see where things stand. The fire appears to have crested ridge near Braemar Country Club straight up Reseda Blvd at dirt Mulholland. Appears to backing down hill to north into the San Fernando Valley. Not by much but still worrisome. We need to make it to daybreak for big aircraft to hit fire. Helicopters are barely keeping up.
From here in Encino Park, I don't see anything coming over the crest. The fireline is where it's been all night - just over the crest on the south side. Sure looked dangerous around 9pm though - big flames rising above the trees.
The wind is supposed to increase around dawn, a good northerly around20-25mph.
When the nearby Tubbs Fire (Sonoma County - 2017) broke, my Talibangelical mother called to ask where I was in relation to the fires. I said I was just northwest of them. She replied, “Ok, I’ll pray for northwest winds.”
I said, “Are you out of your mind??? Do you realize there are people over there too? You want to pray, pray for rain. Pray for the firefighters. Pray for the newly homeless, and the newly orphaned. Or even pray for the winds — to stop.”
TC this photo is terrifying. My son (over on Collins St.; if I hadn't been sick over New Year, I'd be visiting there tonight....) just sent a similar red cloud photo. You and the kitties stay safe. Horrifying to think of what you, Robert, and thousands of other folks have faced or are facing in this inferno. I know you aren't a praying man, Tom, but prayers ascending here. Be strong; be safe; be vigilant.
Teeth in the backs of their necks untoil they're directly above the carrier opening. Old vet's trick - it's kitten reflexes. They tend to go limp. It's how we get ours into his. Been using it for decades.
Your teeth. Even for big older cats, the teeth in the kitty's neck triggers the kitten response, when their mother picked them up that way. One hand under rear legs, position the carrier as needed, get your hand in quickly in place of the teeth and drop kitty in carrier.
It appears we are going to avoid putting that into effect. So far, there is no change since the last time I was outside at 2300. Looks the same - and lots of aerial work going on. They're fighting it all night long.
It’s all about the wind and fuel for the fire. In the old days the 101 would be a firebreak as would Ventura Blvd but the high wind negates that protection. You have to stay alert, people in the Palisades had mere minutes to leave, it really sucks man, I am so sorry for all of you, so many friends have lost everything, this is an ongoing tragedy of epic proportions. Unless you have lived in, LA I don’t know if it’s possible to understand what has been lost and what is still under threat.
One of our cats hates her carrier and hates the car. I get a bath towel, then herd or chase her into a no-escape spot. When she can’t get away, she scrunches down and looks up at me with big eyes. I gently wrap her up completely in the towel and lower the whole kitty package into the carrier.
Thanks for this new update, Tom. Hope you and the cats are packed and ready to move out on a moments notice. I have an unused double bed and can take one or two people and cats (but not other pets (sorry) Please continue to keep us posted.
Thanks for keeping us posted Tom. We’re all heartsick about this and concerned for you. Take a moment to look for any documents, photos and small treasures you can take. Also eye protection and masks if you have them. If you have contents insurance, photograph everything. If you don’t have enough cat carriers, cut lots of small holes in boxes, tie or tape shut. They will eventually forgive you. Stay safe friend.
The easiest place to catch a kitty is in the bathroom. Leather gloves and a towel or blanket. They will make terrible noises but that's OK. Good Luck and please stay calm. I know, easier said than done.
Can’t hit the like button knowing that’s so close to you. PLEASE be safe and know we’re all thinking of you, Tom. May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.
Yes to what Pat said!!
My darling friend, there you are in LA, watching flames on the horizon like some apocalyptic sunset while packing cat food and your computer - which, by the way, is exactly what I would grab too because let's be honest, our lives are in these machines now, aren't they? Remember when people just grabbed photo albums? Now we're all clutching laptops like life rafts.
I did this dance 30 times in Montecito (yes, THIRTY - who says lightning doesn't strike the same place repeatedly? Fire certainly does). And every single time, I'd think "Well, surely THIS time I'll be calm and collected" - and then I'd find myself throwing random things in bags at 3 AM like someone who's never heard of organized packing. Though I must say, your Navy training is showing - wet food AND crunchies? That's what I call emergency preparedness.
Here's what I learned after evacuation #12 or maybe it was #22 (they all blur together): grab your favorite pajamas, pillow, and blanket RIGHT NOW. Actually, just put those pajamas on, wrap that blanket around your shoulders like a superhero cape, sit on the pillow, and let your cat nestle into your lap while you keep watch. Trust me on this - there's something oddly comforting about facing potential disaster in your coziest clothes. I used to parade through fancy hotel lobbies in my ancient, beloved bedroom slippers, holes and all. They became quite the conversation starter, but hey - it was my personal crisis party, and I refused to dress for anyone else's comfort but my own.
I love that you're making fresh coffee and keeping watch like some modern-day Paul Revere ("The fire is coming! The fire is coming!"). And yes, it's perfectly fine to feel that flood of relief when the danger shifts away from you, followed by that immediate Catholic-level guilt (even for an atheist) when you realize it's heading toward Brentwood. That's just being human. Speaking of which, your line about "this atheist thanks you" for the prayers made me laugh out loud - crisis really does make ecumenicals of us all.
Stay safe, keep those updates coming, and remember - it's okay to be scared. Even with all that military training, you're still allowed to be human. Though I must say, you're handling this with far more grace than I ever did. I usually ended up stress-eating all my emergency snacks before any actual emergency happened.
Sending love and hopes for gentle winds in the right direction. And maybe grab an extra bag of those cat crunchies, just in case - we both know cats pick the worst times to get picky about their food. Now go put those pajamas on - consider it a direct order from a veteran fire evacuee.
Thanks Gloria.
I've been sitting with a relay of felines on my lap, binge-watching "From The Earth To The Moon" - which is really excellent, recommend it to all. If this had been the story NASA had told, nobody would have ever gotten bored with the space program. They took all the danger, all the hanging-it-over-the-edge adventure out of it. Of course people got bored. The episode with Al Shepherd orbiting the moon at 50,000 feet altitude while two guys back on earth figured out how to reprogram his 15kb memory computer (it couldn't read a modern email) with punch cards, so they can punch it in and keep the computer from initiating the abort descent procedure is the best argument against "We only need to send machines."
Space tales have never been boring, just edited to the max. So many animals in harms way, in addition to the wary humans. Thank you for the updates, the country is with you.
Not to mention the impact this refugeeism will have on children. I hope parents are providing ongoing explanations about what they are doing and why so kids have something to absorb to help counter their fear.
The damage will likely be generational
Stay safe. We are all with you.
Tom, I just walked to end of block to see where things stand. The fire appears to have crested ridge near Braemar Country Club straight up Reseda Blvd at dirt Mulholland. Appears to backing down hill to north into the San Fernando Valley. Not by much but still worrisome. We need to make it to daybreak for big aircraft to hit fire. Helicopters are barely keeping up.
From here in Encino Park, I don't see anything coming over the crest. The fireline is where it's been all night - just over the crest on the south side. Sure looked dangerous around 9pm though - big flames rising above the trees.
The wind is supposed to increase around dawn, a good northerly around20-25mph.
Pray for the winds TC?
When the nearby Tubbs Fire (Sonoma County - 2017) broke, my Talibangelical mother called to ask where I was in relation to the fires. I said I was just northwest of them. She replied, “Ok, I’ll pray for northwest winds.”
I said, “Are you out of your mind??? Do you realize there are people over there too? You want to pray, pray for rain. Pray for the firefighters. Pray for the newly homeless, and the newly orphaned. Or even pray for the winds — to stop.”
TC this photo is terrifying. My son (over on Collins St.; if I hadn't been sick over New Year, I'd be visiting there tonight....) just sent a similar red cloud photo. You and the kitties stay safe. Horrifying to think of what you, Robert, and thousands of other folks have faced or are facing in this inferno. I know you aren't a praying man, Tom, but prayers ascending here. Be strong; be safe; be vigilant.
Got your go bag ready?
Packed. Worried about the cats - there are three I don't think I can coerce into a carrier.
Throw a blanket over them. You must take them with you 🙏
Yes. This!
And do it now not later. They will hate you for a bit , but they don't understand.
Wear gloves and wrap them in a towel. Tell them it’s okay to be angry, but pack ‘em up!
Teeth in the backs of their necks untoil they're directly above the carrier opening. Old vet's trick - it's kitten reflexes. They tend to go limp. It's how we get ours into his. Been using it for decades.
Deborah, more detail please. Whose teeth??
Your teeth. Even for big older cats, the teeth in the kitty's neck triggers the kitten response, when their mother picked them up that way. One hand under rear legs, position the carrier as needed, get your hand in quickly in place of the teeth and drop kitty in carrier.
Thanks Deborah!
It appears we are going to avoid putting that into effect. So far, there is no change since the last time I was outside at 2300. Looks the same - and lots of aerial work going on. They're fighting it all night long.
Still, the bad air, even upwind. Mask up, okay.
Phew. Hoping you are able to get any kind of rest.
Tom, I trust you explained to them compliance is not up for debate? Prayers ascending for your wellbeing and sanity and safety.
It’s all about the wind and fuel for the fire. In the old days the 101 would be a firebreak as would Ventura Blvd but the high wind negates that protection. You have to stay alert, people in the Palisades had mere minutes to leave, it really sucks man, I am so sorry for all of you, so many friends have lost everything, this is an ongoing tragedy of epic proportions. Unless you have lived in, LA I don’t know if it’s possible to understand what has been lost and what is still under threat.
One of our cats hates her carrier and hates the car. I get a bath towel, then herd or chase her into a no-escape spot. When she can’t get away, she scrunches down and looks up at me with big eyes. I gently wrap her up completely in the towel and lower the whole kitty package into the carrier.
Please stay safe. We’re thinking of you.
Thanks for this new update, Tom. Hope you and the cats are packed and ready to move out on a moments notice. I have an unused double bed and can take one or two people and cats (but not other pets (sorry) Please continue to keep us posted.
And pack water.
Thanks for keeping us posted Tom. We’re all heartsick about this and concerned for you. Take a moment to look for any documents, photos and small treasures you can take. Also eye protection and masks if you have them. If you have contents insurance, photograph everything. If you don’t have enough cat carriers, cut lots of small holes in boxes, tie or tape shut. They will eventually forgive you. Stay safe friend.
we're concerned about you and the kitties, Tom. Please be ready to go at a moments notice!
Praying the winds blow away from more destruction.
The easiest place to catch a kitty is in the bathroom. Leather gloves and a towel or blanket. They will make terrible noises but that's OK. Good Luck and please stay calm. I know, easier said than done.
🙏🏻❤️🤞🏻❤️ to You and Robert and Ben and friends. 💔 for city. Worried about you all. Vital reports. Thanks so much. xo