So if any of you are wondering, “Why the hiatus from the useless information?” I’ll tell you: I was evacuated early Monday morning because of the San Diego wildfires. It was my first evacuation, though my college roommate and I used to play hypothetical games all the time, like, “If you were in a fire, what would you take with you?” so I did have some preparation. So what did I end up taking? My kids’ toys (especially the key stuffed animals), pillows, blankets and dry food in case we ended up at a shelter eventually, two changes of clothes for everyone, our important documents like passports, house stuff and birth certificates, cell phones / chargers and my camera (I really like my camera. My husband took his bass.). I also packed cotton balls and some water.
Later on, after we left, I saw a list on TV of all the things you’re supposed to pack. They said, “Don’t forget your medication!” which of course was thing #1 that I forgot (for my daughter — I’m not vying for any mother of the year awards). They also said that you should take photos of everything in your house for insurance purposes, which I also didn’t do — though I had my camera so I could take pictures of dogs on the street in case they would help my insurance claim! I’m very lucky my house didn’t burn down (for many reasons). It came as close as six miles away.
The really cool thing was how San Diego really pulled together. Qualcomm Stadium, one of the evacuation sites, had to issue a press release saying that they could take no more donations at their site — there was apparently entertainment for the kids and bands for the adults there. Other shelters who posted for help were similarly bombarded. My husband went to Target and then to Qualcomm to drop off some air mattresses and pillows, and for the most part people were really grateful (except the teenager who hovered around and said, “So are you giving away that computer?”). Friends called friends offering refuge.
The best story I heard was about a guy who was walking on the street with a gas mask (the really major WWII type), a wet suit…and a surf board. That’s San Diego for you!
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