My apartment building (6 apts - 3 up, 3 down) caught fire one night and I have never been so frightened in my life, ever. I caught one of my cats, but the other went under the bed and I could not get to her. Then I realized if I don't leave the apartment NOW I will die.
I was in the ambulance being treated for smoke inhalation when there was a loud knock on the door. It was a fireman asking if I had a big white fluffy cat - I did! He rescued Maizie, giving her mouth-to-mouth and oxygen. He said she was in a box sitting in his fire truck.
The ambulance wanted to take me to the hospital, but wouldn't let me take Bluey or Maizie, so I refused. I spent the next 3 nights in a Red Cross-paid hotel room with my cats. Bewildered. Blackened. In shock.
Two weeks later I moved back to Austin, TX, with a few clothes, the cats, and a brand new couch I'd purchased 2 weeks before the fire that was still at the store.
Maizie had a stroke four months later, likely related to fire according to my vet. But that fireman is my hero. He was the bright spot in my tragedy.
Best thoughts, healing, and prayer if you believe to Los Angeles.
I know a dozen families who have lost their homes in Altadena in the Eaton Canyon fire, including the parents of my son's best friend. To say it's heartbreaking is an understatement. I am located far enough away from the fires that the worst I had was a "prepare to evacuate" warning which has since been lifted. The sun is once again shining yellow in the sky, instead of a dim orange disk, fighting its way through a dense cloud of smoke and debris. It feels like we're out of the woods for now, but this heartbreak and sorrow will linger for a long time.
“Helping others when you are ready will feel the best. It is higher purpose. It is community. If you can’t and you aren’t ready, that’s ok too. It’s all valid. Share.”
About we have left now that it (or should be obvious) without a national party that actually wants to anywhere near the amount of good for the nation that’s needed is community and solidarity, taking care of our own because if we’re not for us, no else will be.
(I’m also an Old Testament guy that believes in bad actors being appropriately punished but that’s another matter.)
Thank you, Neko. I’m safe, but many in my community are directly affected or living on edge, and pretty much everyone in the whole County now has to vigilantly monitor their local air quality.
It’s been deeply discouraging to see the callous responses in some corners of social media, even some celebrating this as if it’s some “eat the rich”-type victory. But it’s been beautiful and inspiring watching our community rapidly pull together its own web of crisis responses and mutual aid and care.
Los Angeles is a sacred place. I hope that from this tragedy we can draw some lessons about how to hold each other closer and prepare for the many threats ahead.
My friend's husband still owns a house in the Palisades where his son and family live. The house burned to the ground, but thankfully, every human and animal is safe. The part that breaks my heart is that his son is an artist, and the house is where he had his studio with new work ready for exhibition. Though I've never met the son, hearing about the loss of creative work as a writer is really shitty. I'm sure he's not alone in that respect. Love to you from the Berkshires where we had our own wildfire scare a few months ago on a much, MUCH smaller scale.
This is so gutting. I know several people who have lost their homes there, including a couple who had lost their previous home in a SoCal fire in 2020. They have posted that they are going to strive to help their neighbors navigate the next steps of cleanup, claims, temporary housing, resources, etc., since they are now experts at this. I think that's amazing. You're amazing too.
Hi Neko. I’m glad I found your newsletter. Thank you for sharing your experience of losing your home to fire and your 9 yr rebuilding process. I have experienced being knee-capped by predatory people when remodeling my home. It sucks. But I got through it. I love the Warren Zevon nativity scene that I’m sure your friend Gavin won’t mind that you shared. Love and light to you and to all Angelenos who have lost your homes or a loved one or pet. 💙🩵💜
My apartment building (6 apts - 3 up, 3 down) caught fire one night and I have never been so frightened in my life, ever. I caught one of my cats, but the other went under the bed and I could not get to her. Then I realized if I don't leave the apartment NOW I will die.
I was in the ambulance being treated for smoke inhalation when there was a loud knock on the door. It was a fireman asking if I had a big white fluffy cat - I did! He rescued Maizie, giving her mouth-to-mouth and oxygen. He said she was in a box sitting in his fire truck.
The ambulance wanted to take me to the hospital, but wouldn't let me take Bluey or Maizie, so I refused. I spent the next 3 nights in a Red Cross-paid hotel room with my cats. Bewildered. Blackened. In shock.
Two weeks later I moved back to Austin, TX, with a few clothes, the cats, and a brand new couch I'd purchased 2 weeks before the fire that was still at the store.
Maizie had a stroke four months later, likely related to fire according to my vet. But that fireman is my hero. He was the bright spot in my tragedy.
Best thoughts, healing, and prayer if you believe to Los Angeles.
I know a dozen families who have lost their homes in Altadena in the Eaton Canyon fire, including the parents of my son's best friend. To say it's heartbreaking is an understatement. I am located far enough away from the fires that the worst I had was a "prepare to evacuate" warning which has since been lifted. The sun is once again shining yellow in the sky, instead of a dim orange disk, fighting its way through a dense cloud of smoke and debris. It feels like we're out of the woods for now, but this heartbreak and sorrow will linger for a long time.
Wiser words and all that:
“Helping others when you are ready will feel the best. It is higher purpose. It is community. If you can’t and you aren’t ready, that’s ok too. It’s all valid. Share.”
About we have left now that it (or should be obvious) without a national party that actually wants to anywhere near the amount of good for the nation that’s needed is community and solidarity, taking care of our own because if we’re not for us, no else will be.
(I’m also an Old Testament guy that believes in bad actors being appropriately punished but that’s another matter.)
Be kind, y’all.
I believe that too ...Bad actors being appropriately punished. May take a long time, but eventually they will.
Oh, I have no expectations that any such thing will happen to any necessary extent, but I appreciate it each time it happens.
Thank you, Neko. I’m safe, but many in my community are directly affected or living on edge, and pretty much everyone in the whole County now has to vigilantly monitor their local air quality.
It’s been deeply discouraging to see the callous responses in some corners of social media, even some celebrating this as if it’s some “eat the rich”-type victory. But it’s been beautiful and inspiring watching our community rapidly pull together its own web of crisis responses and mutual aid and care.
Los Angeles is a sacred place. I hope that from this tragedy we can draw some lessons about how to hold each other closer and prepare for the many threats ahead.
Thanks for writing about this. I got teary reading it.
me too, thanks Neko-- so raw and heartfelt.
❤️
My friend's husband still owns a house in the Palisades where his son and family live. The house burned to the ground, but thankfully, every human and animal is safe. The part that breaks my heart is that his son is an artist, and the house is where he had his studio with new work ready for exhibition. Though I've never met the son, hearing about the loss of creative work as a writer is really shitty. I'm sure he's not alone in that respect. Love to you from the Berkshires where we had our own wildfire scare a few months ago on a much, MUCH smaller scale.
Hi Neko, this terrifying fire is unsettling. Adelaide has a similar climate and bushfire has devastated the country for all my born days and beyond.
It doesn't mean it is never less than shocking and gut wrenching.
I gave to the US Red Cross and checked our friends are ok (they are)
Take care and may the dodgy tradies meet their karmic debt soon
Love to you Neko ❤️
This is so gutting. I know several people who have lost their homes there, including a couple who had lost their previous home in a SoCal fire in 2020. They have posted that they are going to strive to help their neighbors navigate the next steps of cleanup, claims, temporary housing, resources, etc., since they are now experts at this. I think that's amazing. You're amazing too.
People are so incredible, aren't they?
Hi Neko. I’m glad I found your newsletter. Thank you for sharing your experience of losing your home to fire and your 9 yr rebuilding process. I have experienced being knee-capped by predatory people when remodeling my home. It sucks. But I got through it. I love the Warren Zevon nativity scene that I’m sure your friend Gavin won’t mind that you shared. Love and light to you and to all Angelenos who have lost your homes or a loved one or pet. 💙🩵💜