Big Sur Burning

I haven't been watching the news as closely as I usually do, so I was shocked when I got a call from my mom about the number of fires in Northern California right now. The homes at risk or lost, of course, is tragic, but what caught a lump in my throat was that Big Sur was burning. Because of the number of fires they fire departments are spread too thin and the fires that are not threatening populated areas are not being fought with the fury they usually would.
Big Sur is my sanctuary. Even when it's just in my memories that I make the trip, to picture the coastline or the river makes all of my cares just melt away.
Maybe it's because I'm still homesick from time to time, maybe it's because Big Sur is part of my life in California that I occasionally think that I should have been smart enough not to leave behind. No matter what it is that makes me feel this way, my heart breaks at the thought of losing it. I know it wouldn't be forever, of course. Fire is just as much a part of the natural cycle as the rain, but anyone who breathes knows the changes in our climate these days and I can't help but think that some of these places may never recover to their former glory.

Picture Site Link

It occurred to me that it has been a while since I posted this. Lots of new pictures if you haven't looked at it since the last time I posted my picture link. http://picasaweb.google.com/pamela.a.jacobson

First Times

There are so many things that I have seen out here that I have never seen before, probably more than I realize. Here are a few that have really gotten my attention.
1. Chipmunks. They are so damn cute! I don't know why they are more shy than the squirrels but if you see one it's usually it's ass end haulin' in the opposite direction.
2. Lightening bugs. I saw my first one Saturday night when I was at the Jefferson Memorial with my parents. I can't help but get excited. I have seen them everywhere since then. I like to take my glasses off and watch them flying around. I can't see them until they light up and it's just like magic.
3. Today I saw something crazy that I am not entirely sure is normal for here either. I was driving home from work and there was sun in my eyes, driving into the darkness with two rainbows ahead and lightening striking across them. I felt like I was in one of those wizard posters that you can win at Solano County Fair. The weather is so crazy out here. People tried to explain the thunder storms to me before but I never got it. 4. Cave Crickets. These little bastards look straight out of a science fiction movie. They don't make any noise but they jump around all over the place and eat fabric.
5. Sitting at a baseball game in the 9th inning and being so hot that I will pay $6 for a midget cup of Dippin' Dots.
6. Poison Ivy. We have hoards of it in our backyard. Thank goodness we stay on the deck. I guess eventually we will have to do something about it.
7. Cardinals and Robins! I feel like I should be in a Disney movie with them flying around singing. And speaking of singing birds, it sounds like a jungle out my window in the morning.
8. I have a basement. There are a few bonuses that go along with having a basement. These bonuses include: Not having to keep all of my camping stuff, luggage, extra blankets, coats and boxes in my closet. AND! Since we have seasons here in VA I also get to rotate my wardrobe and free up a lot of space in my room.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!
9. Parking. We have two driveways and tons of street parking.