Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
Swedish Proverb
I read the Washington Post on my Kindle every morning, while having my breakfast in bed. For some reason, they have a reporter in Ojai covering the wildfires. This is what I read, and why I'm posting this. Don't know what I'm posting yet, but I do know that "shared sorrow is half a sorrow," so here I am, and here is what I read:
The largest of the wildfires - the Thomas fire, which spanned about 140 square miles in Ventura Country, roughly equal to the entire city of Philadelphia - surrounded Ojai on Thursday morning, officials said, endangering the popular winter retreat that is normally home to about 8,000 people. Most of the Ojai Valley was under a mandatory evacuation order.
Between 1976 and 1985, I spent ten spring vacations in Ojai and, for me, the town is so much more than a winter retreat. It's a place where people come to seek spiritual growth and understanding; it's a place where artists gather, inspired by the beauty of the valley and the majesty of the mountains that surround it; it's a place of memories for me, of good friends, good food, hikes in the mountains, and so much more.
Rachael and I spent a day in Ojai last spring and I posted these three posts from there:
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/meditation-mount-ojai-california-garden.html
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/meditation-mount-ojai-california-path.html
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/ojai-california-city.html
As I'm writing this, I'm calming down a bit and realizing that this is all equally horrific, from the poorest people losing their homes to Rupert Murdoch's vineyards buring down for all to see on TV.
I don't watch TV in the mornings, so I don't know what else is going on. I just wanted to share my sorrow, the sorrow I feel for Ojai.
But then, as I'm writing this, other sorrows come to mind. The sorrow I feel for the animals, the wild animals with nowhere to escape, so many horses that could not be saved, that will not be saved, other livestock, and pets. And the people suffering through all this.
Thanks for listening.
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/meditation-mount-ojai-california-garden.html
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/meditation-mount-ojai-california-path.html
http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/2017/05/ojai-california-city.html
About 150,000 books here. And a wonderful tradition of trust, going back decades. I wrote about it in one of the posts above.
The dogs and I are OK. We will be under Red Flag alert if the winds pick up, but so far it's calm here. I'm hoping that our cold nights will reduce the danger and so grateful to the tractor guy who cleared my land.
Thanks for listening.
Yes, I remember the place from your blog posts and I thought it was a beautiful place. My heart goes out to you and all the people of Ojai. Wild fires are so destructive. I hope some rain is on the way soon.
ReplyDeletePlease stay safe.
Hugs, Julia
Hi Inger - I remember your other posts on Ojai ... but sincerely hope this is not as bad as it could be - take care yourself. With thoughts for the people of Ojai and surrounding areas - also all the wildlife and pets - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHoping for rain for you and for us. most of our country is in real drought conditions. Fires, I cannot imagine the terror or fear, and think of all the wildlife too. Stay safe, dear Inger, Do you have a plan if you ever have to evacuate? Years ago when there was huge rain near us, we were all ready with medications, documents and cat cages!!! Does your mail get delivered every working day? I checked and the time frame is about 6 working days!!! So maybe by your Friday this week it might arrive. XXXXX
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about what's coming in the mail. It comes every day, except Sunday, but I have to drive to the postoffice to pick up. I'm a member of our Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, so I better know what to do. I'm not worried about fires now, but often during the summer. I also have a lot more than 100 ft clearance around my house, which so many of those who lost their homes did not have.
DeleteFriday already here, so tomorrow maybe it will arrive. So good to be trained and ready if needed.
DeleteOh Inger, I hope you all stay safe - my thoughts are with all those poor people and all the animals x
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted, Inger. My thoughts were of you, not knowing for sure if you were in danger. Gracie and I send our love!
ReplyDeleteVery sad! I hope you stay safe Inger!
ReplyDeleteI have never visited there but the horror of it all breaks my heart. all of these fires this year have been the worst in my life time and I to think of the animals and homes and business and jobs lost. praying for your continued safety. and I am glad you shared. I love this quote and posted it on FB .. it is so appropriate and true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the Swedish proverb, which I don't remember hearing there. I picked it up somewhere here.
DeleteFires are so very frightening. I hate the thought of all that loss and devastation. I am glad that you are safe and hope that you stay that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I add besides STAY SAFE, MY FRIEND!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are safe too. I was thinking of you with all that smoke yesterday.
DeleteWe are fine!! It's not too near us.
DeleteWildfires are terrible. I share your sorrow for all who face loss.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
As a fellow Californian, I too, am grieving for my beautiful state. Last month the wine country - and further north where I am - it's just been terrible. I pray for those brave firefighters, who have to leave their families, at what should be a beautiful time of year. I hope they make it back to celebrate the holidays with their children and families.
ReplyDeleteI feel for those who have lost their homes - but mostly for the life that has been lost. Maternal things that burn can be replaced. It's human life - animal life that we cannot replace. Those horses that were locked in the barn= that just killed my heart.
I hope you remain safe. I too live in a fire-prone area and this year we were sparred. We never know when it will be "our time" to evacuate.
It is so very sad. I know the tragedy of wildfire here in Colorado. I don't know your state as well but I do know the heartache of worrying about the wildlife who have nowhere to go and the people who are losing their homes. I hope that you stay safe. Thinking of you...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are safe. I live in Orange County and no fires in my immediate area. But as a native Californian, I've never seen anything like this. I fear for our future. The scientists are predicting even worse droughts in the coming years.
ReplyDeleteBetween all the hurricanes and fires, this has been such a terrible year for a great deal of people and wildlife. Stay safe, Inger.
ReplyDeleteThe fires are terrible. We had a small one(compared to the Thomas fire) in Murrieta yesterday. We've lived hear 42 years and each year that is our worry..fire. Even though our weeds are cleared, we have so many big beautiful trees. In So. Cal, we need them during the hot months but they are fuel for a fire. My heart breaks for all in the fire areas. It keeps us all on edge. Patty Mc
ReplyDeleteWas so good to hear from you and to know that for now you are safe. Please stay that way. Those fires are hard to comprehend. I hurt for those who have lost their homes but also for those animals, tame and wild that are in terror. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of you and watching the maps of the fires in your area. So tragic. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching on the news and thinking about you. I'm so sorry for everyone affected. Like you, I think about the poor animals who are trapped. It's all so sad. Continuing to pray for your safety and peace of mind. Take care. ~Jeff
ReplyDeleteWe've been thinking about you, Inger. Happy to hear that you have been spared.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unimaginable tragedy!
Please do take care and hugs to you and the dogs.
Hello dear Inger, I remember so well your beautiful posts about Ojai. I am very sad that "the most of the Ojai Valley was under a mandatory evacuation order." Just terrible, so sad... I'm so very sorry for everyone affected for the fires.
ReplyDeleteI hope you stay safe with Samson and Faith, my dear friend Inger! And I hope the same to your lovely friend Mary.
Lots of hugs and much Love!