Flashpoint Flashbacks

It's like deja vu! It was just four years ago this week when we last had wildfires on this scale in our area. It was our anniversary that week too. I've told the DCA we really need to stop celebrating by having wildfires in SoCal. It's just not good for anyone when it happens!

So far, we're okay. We can see one of the fires from our dining room, but it still has quite a way to go before it reaches our neighborhood. Our cars are packed and ready to go--all we have to do is grab the cats and throw them in the car.

I know you're thinking, "What does an obsessed knitter pack when possibly evacuating their home?" Here's what I grabbed:

• Every skein of unused sock yarn in the house
• Sock pattern books
• Knit Picks Options set
• The other straights and DPNs
• The ballwinder and swift
• The UFOs and any yarn needed to finish them

Amazingly enough there was room in the car for all that even after we packed the college diplomas, framed wedding invitation, cross-stitched wedding sampler, the kids' cross-stitched birth announcements, and family photos in frames. We also grabbed our lockboxes with important papers, jewelry, sleeping bags, pillows, enough clothes and uniforms for a week, cellphone stuff, toiletries, Legos, a few books, and stuff for the cats. The PC will be disconnected and stuffed in the car as soon as we have an evac order.

We've been up since 3 a.m. when a friend called to tell me she and her girls were leaving home to go stay with a friend. The fire looked menacing in the dark so we finished our packing from the night before. The kids got up at 4 a.m. when they heard us moving around. In the light of day, it doesn't look nearly as bad--it's smoky but not unbearable. The winds are shifting and starting to blow away from our house so we might be able to stay here a bit longer. It's just a matter of "wait and see."

Right now, my favorite pair of jeans is in the dryer so I can wear them out of here when we leave. It's so important to have comfy clothes!

Private to the Other Morgana: Your package arrived safely on Friday before all this started. I loved every precious bit of it! The box from you is in the trunk of my car, and I tossed all your items into the top of it. It may still be a while before I can get it in the mail, but for now it's all stowed safe and sound.

To the other Hogwarts Swappers: I'm sorry for not posting pictures of Morgana's fabulous box, but the camera is stashed somewhere in one of the cars. It's just going to have to wait until later!

If you're in SoCal with me, I pray that God protects and blesses each one of you in this time of trial. If you're somewhere else, please pray for all of us here and all the fire and rescue workers who are working so hard to protect us. God be with you all!