I've been posting on the Chit-chat section about the awful fires in Santa Barbara, CA and my daughter's home and business being in danger. Now, I'm putting it here because it hit me that this situation actually is related to quilting.

She is in Chicago at a conference. Her landlord called to say the house may indeed catch fire, that if he can get to it, he will save one possession each for her and her housemate, a woman who is also in another state right now. So, if possible, he will save the housemate's cat and my Vanessa's violin. I told her I'm still alive, I can make more quilts. Her little dog is being cared for by a friend who loves him and babysits him frequently and this friend had asked to borrow her car, so that is saved too. So, if the worst happens, all she will have is her dog, her car, and whatever is in her suitcase for her business conference. She will lose all her photos, souvenirs, gifts of childhood-college friends and travels (we can duplicate family photos but not those) and her collection of musical instruments and music. She's been composing on the piano which is from my husband's childhood(sentimental), the folk harp handmade by a dear musical friend who died of cancer(sentimental), her sister's flute, and others that she also plays and enjoys. I sure hope the landlord can save her violin that is hugely sentimental and needed for her parttime job in the Santa Barbara Orchestra. She's also heartsick at the prospect of losing the quilt projects I've made for her over the years... I am too. But, she enjoyed them a lot when she had them and I can make her more.

Her business partner, also in his twenties, may be losing him home right now too. He lives with his wealthy grandpa so won't need to worry about where to live -ever. But still, he must also have special possessions. Hopefully, both their houses are spared. Vanessa has asthma so will need to have meds and inhaler handy when she steps off the plane tomorrow. She was advised to stay away for her health, but she's worried about her dog, her things, her business offices full of files and equipment (at risk, but not in imminent danger). She said for us to not come because there is no place for us... she will be staying in a tiny back room at her friend's yet that house is at the edge of mandatory evacuation and all motels are booked with the area's residents. There is a tent shelter place set up somewhere, but not for family visiting.

So, I am here now, telling you about this potential tragedy we are fearing, to ask you to pray that the fire doesn't reach her house or somehow magically skips over it.

Also, I strongly advise you all to do what I always do... take a photo of every quilt project you give away! If my daughter does lose everything, I will be able to print & frame a photo of her 2 bed quilts, special pillows, quillow, framed landscape, I'm not sure what else, I've made for her since I learned to quilt about 8years ago. It will make an artsy collection for the wall in her next home. I have already begun the Pioneeer '09 BOM so if she does lose her quilts, I will be making a sampler quilt of those blocks for her for Christmas.

I'll update you tomorrow.
Cathy

I sure hope her home makes is through. I'm sure that she will be able to find a place to stay. I am 40 mi south of there in Camarillo. If she can't find another place to stay, I have a couple empty bedrooms. Fortunately because the wind is not blowing this direction we do not have the smoke and ash problem we had when the last Santa Barbara fire occured. We have had some awesome sunsets the last 2 days because of the fire.

I am so sorry that your daughter is having to go thru this . It is awful all the property damage and mementos that are irreplaceable that are being destroyed. Please keep us posted and hoping all works out for your daughter and everyone else in harms way {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Sharon

Prayers are going out to her and to all that are in the wake of that fire.

Praying that all the worrying will be for naught, and the fire will be under control and no more damage will done!

I know everyone says "it's JUST possessions, but we do get attached to our stuff." I hope her house will be spared.

Back to that saying though - as long as your daugher and her roommate and the dog are safe - in the end THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

Hugs to the Bay Area.

I pray that your daughter's home is spared! Jim's Gem, how kind you are!

K x

So sorry. Hopefully the winds will change and things will return to normal.

Prayers for safety and strength from the SF Bay Area.
If this turns out to be arson, then :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: to the sub-human creature that did it!!!

I found this link to the Santa Barbara County website, re: the Jususita Fire, as this one has been named.

http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/dept0.aspx

The link has good info., time of updates, and most importantly, maps showing mandatory and potential evacuation areas.

Also, you can get to this same link via the CalFire web page:
http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php

The Santa Barbara area, while beautiful and sometimes call the American Riviera (same vegetation, geology, and geography as the Northern Mediterranean, i.e. Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the "Rivera"), like its European counterpart, is a terrifying place when the wildfires hit. The dry vegetation combined with wind and just one spark, turns into massive loss and destcruction. The canyons are steep. The mountains are rugged.

In addition to all the victims (current and potential) of this fire, we also need to send prayers for the safety and well-being of those heroes who look those wildfires in the face and say, "No way!". They put their lives on the line every time they face down one of those firey beasts.

Godspeed to all.

m.

I hope her house is spared. It's an empty feeling to lose everything. I don't understand why the landlord can only get one item for each. My goodness if he can look for certain item take a big trash bag and using common sense start putting items in the bag, once through the house and out of there. Finding the cat may be a chore, they sure like to hid when a upset.