Arrived in SF yesterday to hear about the horrific wildfire in Santa Barbara. News reports indicate 30,000 homes evacuated as of this morni ng, unknown (to me) number of houses destroyed. I will be boarding an airplane around noon, and will be unable to keep up with developments. Check the various links to the right, or visit your favorities to keep up with the Jesusita Fire in the Los Padres National Forest.
Month: May 2009
Leavin’ on a jet plane …
… don’t know when I’ll be back again. But I’ll be a year older when I do~!~
Tomorrow I leave for SF, and Friday, this will be me, again. This one Rose took last year when we headed to the Amazon.
The same intrepid travelers … different destinations. I am lucky to have Rose in my life, as a friend and as a traveling partner, and Vilia (whose mom lent us her condo in Athens), and all my friends who support my mental health … or lack thereof. Thank you, ladies. You know who you are!
BigSurKate goes exotic
Cottage Flowers, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Fire season will start in no time, and this blog could become very active for the summer. (If I am lucky, it won’t.) Come July, I will have been blogging for one year, almost every day, sometimes many times a day. It is time for a short break.
While I can, before the fire season starts, I am taking a vacation — the exotic locales of Morocco and Greece. I leave in a few days, and will be back Memorial Day weekend. I haven’t decided if I will take my laptop, or not, so unsure if I will be blogging.
Look for a Big Sur update on Memorial Day weekend, when I’ll be stopping in our little village to meet friends on my way home. In the meantime, may you have a glorious May. (BTW, Dakota update below — #714.)
Dakota Update #714
Just kidding. I think I’ve only given about 6. It just seems like 714, huh?
She got the drain out — not two, but one long drain that went all the way through. She looks really good according to the vet’s assistant. She will go back on Friday, not Wednesday, for stitches removal. Weds. is too soon. No talk of a 3d surgery, which is great. I forgot to ask, but I’m sure if it was looking like that, someone would have told me. That is a major relief.
Tomorrow, Dakota and I move back into the regular place, so I can train her and the other dogs, and get her ready for my departure. I want her isolated one more day while the drain holes start to close up. It is easier to keep her and her bedding clean in here without the dog hair, dirty paws, and slobber of 3 other dogs around. (Actually, none of my dogs slobber, but you know what I mean.)
I have spent a lot of time training Dakota and the dog-sitter, and am feeling more comfortable about leaving. The ex will take her in to the vet on Friday, and bring her home afterwards. Isn’t he a great guy?? So, things seem to be shaping up nicely.
Dakota Update, 5/3
Dakota took a major leap forward this afternoon. She tried to chase a cat. While I don’t condone that behavior, and have consistently tried to break her of that habit, it is the first time in weeks, where she cared enough to even attempt it. Tomorrow, the vet.
A one-room cottage
Reminder of Grandma, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
I have been spending a lot of time in my cottage, alone with my injured dog, Dakota, nursing her back to health. I am hoping that in doing so, we can avoid yet a third surgery. It has been only 5 days since her second surgery, but she brightens a little more each day.
In my cottage is this print hanging on the wall. It is old and faded, in a cheap frame, and not worth much to anyone but me. It was my grandmother’s and hung in her living room. I love this print, and love this photo of it.
During the last 5 days of confinement, I have come to appreciate this one-room cottage even more.
Last Night’s Rain Totals
Last night (5/1) brought a significant amount of rain. 1.0″ for the day and evening, bringing the season total to 34.75″. I hear rumors of only a slight chance (30%) of rain today (good for the Wildflower Party at the Big Sur Lodge), and the same for tomorrow.
Oh, and Dakota is doing well. Recovering more each day.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
4 suspected Swine Flu cases in Monterey County
KSBW reported tonight (5/1) that there are 4 students in Monterey County who are suspected of having swine flu. One is from Salinas, and the other 3 are from South County. All are being confined at home. Test results will not be available for 3 days.
Story available here: http://www.ksbw.com/news/19346114/detail.html
And I thought this would be a slow news day. Three posts, albeit this is the only important one.
5/1 Updates
Quick report:
11:30 am – The much anticipated, and welcomed rain has begun, thankfully, very gentle drizzle. Hopefully, more to come.
Dakota continues to heal, but very slowly. She will get the drains removed Monday, but in the meantime, I try to keep them clean, keep her quiet and calm, and give her medications twice a day. Walk her carefully four times a day. Just about a full-time job taking care of her, right now, making sure she doesn’t lick or try to pull the drains out. She cannot wear a collar, it puts too much stress on her.