CalicoKitty

This morning's fire report says that the fire has now officially crossed the border into Nevada. It is heading East, which is good for me. A North turn would not be so good. I'm told that this fire seems to be following the same path of a huge fire in the 80's, and will hopefully not head our way. But it is only about 30 miles away. Surprisingly, only 10 structures have been lost, so that tells you how remote this fire is. Helicopters and planes are passing over frequently, and I think they said about 1200 people are working on it. I'm ready, and have a place to go if I need to get out. Thank you for thinking of me. I will let you know about my brother's book as soon as I know a release date. Thanks for asking.

Yes, there are many different sects that are "Amish". The community I am familiar with is very "old world". They do not have telephones, they do not drive cars (or anything with a motor), they do not have window curtains (too worldly). They do not have electricity. I was in one general store where they rigged up a gas-powered fan. They do not use buttons on their clothing (again, too worldly). The women close their dresses with straight pins up the front--aIways perfectly spaced and perfectly straight. They use hook-and eye-closures if straight pins won't do the job, such as on the men's trousers and shirts. And all women and girls wear dresses and bonnets. Smaller ones out of white net-like fabric at home or in the garden, and big black ones over the white ones when they leave home. It is kind of odd looking to see a baby in arms wearing this huge black bonnet. I guess that is their version of a bow for a girl. All married men grow a long beard. Monday is usually laundry day, and you will see clothes lines full of sheets and clothing at every farm. They farm completely by horse. This particular group is very strict. They are not comparable to the communities that run restaurants or gift shops. There are no billboards advertising "This way to the Amish". Once a year they have a huge auction, which is popular with the town folks, to raise money for their school buildings, and it is quite an event. They have a couple of general stores that local people can go to, a grocery store that I see local cars at, and you will see signs on the fences of families that sell quilts, rugs, or repair harnesses and shoes. And a couple of bakeries. It is certainly not a "tourist stop" community, but people from the towns around will shop at their general stores. I've been going through that community since I was a small child. My mother's family lived in the town nearby. I used to see buggies tied to parking meters in town, but for many years now they have a special lot for their use. Can't park a horse at a meter any more. The grocery store in town always has a buggy or two parked in their lot. If a boy and girl are courting, they must ride in an open buggy. You can have an enclosed buggy, or one with a top, after you are married. They do not have church buildings. Church is held on a rotating basis at each farm, and they wear their "Sunday Best". Sometimes I have seen all the men in their suits in the front yard of a farm along the main road, talking together. The women that I saw were in the house, probably cooking the lunch for the group. I have seen people from this Amish community around town more in the last few years (I usually go to Iowa once a year, but I lived in town as a child). They can now go to the Dairy Queen and McDonalds, which was "forbidden" in years past. But they pretty much stay to themselves and seem to be "good neighbors" with the surrounding towns.

I forgot about that. In the community that I know, the Amish have a list of non-Amish who will drive them on errands. I have seen them at the grocery store--not sure why they needed a ride. But since they themselves cannot drive anything with a motor, they have people with cars that they have an arrangement with to take them places. I don't know how they contact the person with the car, since the Amish do not have telephones, but they must have some system to get the hired car and driver. They also hire drivers when then need to go to a wedding or event that is too far by buggy.

In Iowa, I have seen paid Amish men building a non-Amish building in town. They also have signs on their farms for cabinet construction and hand-made furniture for sale. In the area I'm familiar with, which is an "Old World" community, the Amish have realized in the past several years that they need the outside community to survive. They have become much more friendly when you meet them in a store in town. When I was growing up, they very much kept to themselves, and didn't speak when you saw them in town. It has opened up a little more in recent years. I've had some good conversations with the people in their stores. One man was so excited to find out I was from California, and had to tell me all about his trip to the Redwoods. That would never have happened in my earlier years. We almost always exchange waves when I pass their buggies on the road. But they remain stedfast in their own customs and beliefs.

My car is packed with basics, and I have a small list of things to grab last minute. The trick will be rounding up the cats. They are so good at hiding when they suspect a car ride. I truly hope that round-up will not be necessary. Thank you.

This fire is not contained at all. It is now heading toward the valley. Highway 88 is closed. We received a "prepare for an evacuation notice" notice today. So far, no alert to leave. I packed my car today with my "go bags", food for the cats, some crackers and peanut butter for me, bottled water, blankets, and have my computers ready by the door. I'm glad I have a safe that is small enough to carry. (I have two). So at least jewelry and important papers can go with me. I can go to my friends who live in town, but we both have pets and I'm not sure where we would go if this fire heads toward Gardnerville. I understand that the evacuation center in town is pet friendly, but I'm hoping I don't have to find out! If you read about the Tamarack Fire, that's me. I realize that "things" are not important, but I just moved and build a new house (at my old age) for a new life adventure. I finally have everything just the way I want it. I don't think this what I was planning! On a good note. My brother has been writing devotions for over 20 years, and found out this week that his collection will be published. I do not recognize the name of the publisher, but he was excited that he got his ISBN number today. Just a little more legal paperwork, picking a cover, and other small details, and then it will be printed and go on sale. He was just going to self-print 200 copies to give to friends, but the publisher seemed to like his submission. I am so proud of him. He is very "non-preachy", and if people like it that's fine, and if they don't, that's fine too. I sure have a good brother!!

We have no evidence that Felicity had a meltdown, or that she is spoiled. We actually don't know very much about her at all.

At least they are allowing her to make some decisions that are age appropriate. When I was teaching Kindergarten, I once had a little girl show up to school in a spaghetti-strap dress in the middle of winter. Her mother had pinned a note on her to let me know that this outfit was the child's decision, and that she knew it it was not weather appropriate. Kids need to be allowed to make some choices and develop personality.

Anytime I've had a procedure with anesthesia, I was always asked who I had at home to look out for me. In my case, it was a neighbor. So Jill just dumped this woman on her bed and left, and did not call or check on her later in the evening? She knew she was not able to care for herself. What would have happened if Jill hadn't bothered to call in the morning? She must have lied and told the hospital that she would look out for the lady. This is not only unkind, it is dangerous and against the rules. (and against being a good human being)

Thanks. They are attacking the fire on the ground and from the air. We could use some rain, but I'm guessing the fire was set by lightning from a thunder storm earlier in the week.

This is a picture of the sun this afternoon. There are two wild fires in the mountains near me, and we have a lot of smoke here in the valley. Lots of ash all over everything. The lack of wind is probably good for the firefighters trying to contain the fire, but it is horrible for our air quality. I'm now glad I bought a large house air filter when I moved here. I'm also glad for my stack of masks. I haven't heard on fire containment today, so I don't have any idea how long this will last. At least the smoke makes the temperature about 15 degrees cooler than before the smoke (I'm trying to think of anything positive!)

I wonder if Eagan gave permission for his name and picture to be posted. That is not a very positive picture.

I have a letter written to me by my dad when I was 2 years old. He is telling me good -bye and that he will not be with me for Christmas or my next birthday (he was called to active duty in Korea ). He came home again, and died in his sleep at the age of 95. But I treasure that letter, and all the travel postcards and notes I have from him over the years. I think what Jeremy is doing is very touching. Without reading them, we really don't know what he is writing in that journal to his daughters, but whatever it is, it is to each one personally in his writing.

I had an Apache friend who was always talking about "Uncle Brother". There may have been an "Aunt Sister", though I'm not sure. But she and Uncle Brother were always going places, like the casino, together. I was never sure if he was actually her brother or uncle, but I do know they were related in some way. Apparently, this terminology is more common than I thought.

I'm going to make a guess that Izzy and Sam weren't subjected to a long sermon before having fun, either. I really felt bad for Spurge and Henry on that trip.

Good news Sunday. I did not hit a deer. I was about a block from church in a residential neighborhood, about a block from the main street (which is a highway). I'm driving along the street, and a deer comes walking from someone's lawn and decides to go see what the house across the street has available to nibble. It just stepped out into the street, and slowly walked across without a care in the world. It just took it's time and didn't seem to care if anyone was there or not. I know there are deer in the area, but I did not expect to see one in town near a very busy street. I hope it found a good breakfast, but I'm guessing the homeowners feel differently.

My grandma was the WORST cook in the world. I used to dread having to eat there. She just couldn't cook. Unlike Janelle, she was not lazy, and she really tried. Everything just was plain bad. In his adult years, my dad would eat anything, and would eat fast. Everything because he appreciated good cooking, and fast because he learned the faster he ate his mother's cooking the less he tasted it. I loved my grandma, and she was a very lovely person, but her cooking was really food to avoid. (And she had a college degree in home ec!!!)

No, I meant the actual fire fighters have to check the hydrants and the trucks. I was thinking that James was just part of the birthday party group. I did not know that James owned the truck.

I'm wondering if this was when the fire department needed to check the hydrant anyway. They check the ones in my community on a rotating basis. Same with the fire engines. They need to take them out even if there is not an immediate call. Maybe not, but I think this is a possibility.

These people really amaze me. They live in crowded conditions, they don’t feed or properly educate their children, and get into other people’s faces. They do not live by example at all. St Francis said (paraphrasing). Always be preaching. Use words only when necessary. In other words, take care of your own life, and live a life that others may want follow. Constant bragging and being the center of attention does not influence people in the correct way. (Rant over!)

Sorry about the above post. I don’t know what happened. When my brother was three, he had a fire truck birthday. Our dad asked at the fire house, and they said they had to take the truck out anyway, so all his little friends, and I, were driven around town on the truck. My brother had a great birthday that year. I doubt they will do that now, however. Please excuse my poor posting. I am in a hotel room, and my iPad is acting up with their WiFi.

And above-the-knee shorts!

And the freezer "cake" made out of dozens of ice cream sandwiches and covered with Cool Whip (I'm sure a generic brand).

Maybe he was taking the picture?? Just a thought.

The Millennium Tower is already tilting about 2 inches, isn't it? I just keep waiting for the headline on that one.