This post is not about grammar. It is, however, a little bit connected to writing.
I know that some of my readers live in Northern California, but I know many of you live elsewhere around the world.
This past Sunday evening, as I was just trying to get to bed, a friend texted to ask if I had plans to go anywhere on Monday. I texted back that I had lunch plans in Petaluma. She said there was a fire in Napa. I didn’t know why this would affect my having lunch in Petaluma. I then, of all things, tried out a meditation app on my phone. I thought that the quiet roaring was part of the meditation.
Even with the meditation, I, as usual, couldn’t get to sleep. I don’t remember quite when it was or how I find out, but shortly thereafter I realized what was happening. I couldn’t smell anything at all from my bedroom. But I could hear the wind, and from Facebook or the radio, I figured out something big was going on. I went out to the living room where I could smell the smoke. I eventually packed a bad in case I had to evacuate. I didn’t.
High winds made a small fire in the hills roar at breakneck speed before anyone was ready for it. Of course, there were no extra forces; this was not expected. We are now on Day 5 of this massive fire. I should say fires. There are fires everywhere in Sonoma County, Napa County, Solano County, Mendocino County, Yuba County, Nevada County…
I live in Sonoma County, where Santa Rosa is the largest city. It is wine country. It is beautiful. Santa Rosa is about 8 or so miles north of Petaluma, where I live. Santa Rosa is home to Safari West, a tourist attraction with wild animals. Thank goodness, all the animals were rescued. Santa Rosa is also the home of cartoonist Charles Schulz’s ice rink, Snoopy’s Home Ice. It lost power and for the first time in its history since it was built in 1969, the ice melted. They called out for a generator, and because the people in Sonoma County are beyond kind, generous, and helpful, a big generator was delivered. Unfortunately, his house (he passed away, but his widow lived there) was burned to the ground with all the memorabilia. Fortunately, most of the memorabilia is in the museum, located near the rink, and so far, they are still OK. Thank goodness, his widow, a local philanthropist, escaped unharmed. We have lost many of our wineries and restaurants. Santa Rosa has lost nearly 5% of its houses! 3924 houses at last count, and 410,000 square feet of business space.
And fires are still raging. Help has been enlisted from as far away as the Carolinas and Australia. This included a Boeing 747 dropping flame retardant. Winds started the spreading. Winds were predicted for the last two nights. They didn’t materialize. Winds are again predicted for tonight and the weekend. We pray they don’t materialize. I am still on watch for evacuation. My car is packed and has been for days.
So far . . . I am one of the lucky ones. I am connected to two large communities, of which most of the people live in Santa Rosa: my writing club and the ice rink (my daughter is a professional skater, and I spent many, many, many hours at that rink). So many of my writer friends and skating friends and acquaintances have lost homes, or have friends or relatives who have. It is terrible. My heart breaks for them.
The community has come together as I have never seen. People have stepped up to volunteer and donate. Restaurants are giving free food. Gyms are open for free showers. Hair salons are giving shampoos and blow dries. Comcast is giving free cable. Our local bookstore is a place for evacuated people to come to charge their phones, and hang out with their dogs. A local bar has laptops for use. I could go on and on.
My writing club puts out an anthology every year with short pieces. There is always a theme. This year it was Sonoma County. The anthology just came out, and it is so poignant that these stories honor this county, now in such a sad place. In fact, I wrote a piece about the ice rink. E-mail me if you would like a copy of my piece. The anthology is available on Amazon if you want to read about our beautiful county.
The Santa Rosa fire is now 25% contained, which is actually good news for us. The air is smoky, and we are advised to wear masks, which are tough to find, of course! School has been out all week – some schools have burned. But we are Sonoma County Proud. Pray for us.
Thank you for this article. This is the one I’ll send to my relatives to help them understand this experience. I would read, with relish, your article about the ice rink. Thank you for your words and the article to come.
Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to me that you feel my article represents the feelings and experience here in Sonoma County. I will be sending a copy of my Santa Rosa on Ice article to you!
Dear Arlene,
it’s the first time I write to you, but what you wrote about your county and the whole disaster in Northern California is so touching that I could not refrain from writing a short note. I live in Italy and you probably know that we have recently had plenty of hearthquakes in my country; I know that this is the time when you need to have comfort and support from your friends even if you don’t know them all. Well, then, here I am! I’d love to read a copy of your piece about the ice rink but, more to that, I’d love to let you know that if you need a place to stay for a while, a kind of holiday from the smoke, I will be happy and glad to host you and your family in my house. I know it is not much, but that is all I can do from here. Please, take care and keep on writing: I really enjoy your posts.
Lix
P.S.: Please, forgive my mistakes and my terrible English.
Your comments and invitation all the way from Italy have truly touched me. Thank you. I will send along a copy of my story about the ice rink.
Thank you, Arlene, for your heartfelt story about the fires in your area. I am glad to know that you are safe. Blessings to you, and all the people in the fire area in California. What we are shown via TV here in Virginia is devastating. What we see on TV is only a fraction of the “real” situation that is there for so many people.
It is encouraging to hear about all the people and businesses that are helping one another. That is what we need here in America and is a pleasure to hear when we know all the good people are doing when the bad happens to others.
Thank you, Sondra, for your kind words. It is good to hear from you! Thankfully, things are turning a corner due to the incredible work of our firefighters and other responders. The response of the community has been beyond one’s wildest dreams. Amazing.
My husband and I just visited Mendocino and Santa Rosa this past summer after almost 25 years of living in the Bay Area. It’s heartbreaking to see what is happening. Please know that we here to the south on the peninsula are thinking of you.
Thank you, Audrey. And thank you for all your support in general (retweets, etc).
I would love to read a copy of your piece about the ice rink.
I will be e-mailing you a copy!
Arlene. We met once at a writing/book event several years ago at the Hampton Inn in Vacaville and I’ve enjoyed your newsletters ever since. So glad to hear you and your family are safe!
My cousins live in Santa Rosa and others in Lake County. The Santa Rosa cousins evacuated and moved in with their sister who lives in Rohnert Park. The situation is horrific!
I live near 128 in Solano/ Yolo county area. If the winds continue slow down, we will be fine. As we know in a heart beat that can change. Stay safe and know that your subscriber’s wish you well and look forward to your continued professional success.
Sincerely,
Vaughan Ramon
Good to hear from you, Vaughan, although I don’t remember ever being at the Hampson Inn in Vacaville! I am, however, sure that I must have been there! And your name sounds familiar. Yes, so far Rohnert Park and Petaluma, where I am , have been spared. I hope you and yours and your home stay safe as well. Thank you for all the kind words. Greatly appreciated!
Your words are eloquent and clearly heart-felt. You’re right–one of the hidden blessings of this terrible event is the way people are coming together. #Sonomastrong is right!
Thank you, Thonie! I hope you and yours and your home are all safe. I have never seen such a beautiful, giving community. The article was heartfelt and unedited 🙂
Very well done. Keep packed!
That night I got up wide-eyed about 3 am. Smelled like there was a bonfire in our living room. I jumped up. Nothing. I checked all the rooms, even the backyard in case our idiot neighbor behind the solid fence was burning garbage. Zero. So I closed all the windows and went back to bed. I was writing that morning when Barb asked if I knew anybody in NE Santa Rosa. I asked why, so she dragged me into the living room to see the disaster on TV. Ten minutes later her daughter from Rohnert Park called that the entire family had been sent running, so they ran here. Fortunately, that afternoon they were called back home. (I now know that prayers are answered.) People have been extraordinarily kind. We are now eating five meals a day at the free eateries up north, and I’ve taken to bathing thrice daily in the free showers. Even the road kill is better, and already roasted. Marin County has prohibited aerial fires until 2018 so we are safe, which frees us to send boundless good will and chants to our northernly neighbors. That particularly includes you, Arlene, and your family, and some of your friends. Hope to see you at BAIPA.
Gordon Burgett
Thank you for your story, Gordon. I am glad you and you family and daughter are OK. We still sit nervously in Petaluma. I love BAIPA meetings, but I am afraid to leave my house (since no one else is here to watch it) and most of all my dog for that long, so I think I will likely miss the meeting. That makes me sad because I really enjoy those meetings, and I can’t make the November meeting because I have a speaking engagement. I missed you at the last meeting. I think I had to sit by myself!
My mom lives in Santa Rosa and my sister lives in Sebastopol. I lived in Petaluma for 4 years. My love and concern for Sonoma County and the wonderful people who live there runs deep. It’s surreal what is happening this week. My heart is bleeding for everyone. Stay safe Arlene. Please keep us updated.
Thank you so much for your comments and kind words. You know what a beautiful place this is. I am actually from the East Coast, but have been in Petaluma since 1993. Where do you live now?