My last blog post was about our unplanned trip to Seattle to spend time with Scott following his heart attack and
quadruple bypass. So much has happened since then it’s hard to know where to
begin. And it’s only been six weeks. Both girls have changed jobs; Jana has
undergone another surgery; we spent a week in SoCal moving her to a new
apartment closer to work (and to be with her during her surgery); we spent four
anxious days worrying about the Butte Fire, which was dangerously close; and,
most recently we enjoyed a visit from my two sisters – the first of its kind.
I spent the final few weeks in August preparing for two
classes I’m assigned to teach Master Food Preserver trainees. Like many
non-profit organizations, money is tight. The lab I planned was extensive and required much of the budget for the 10-week course, which covered several topics
besides mine. In an attempt to reduce costs, I asked for fruit donations from
members of our sister organization, Master Gardeners, I approached vendors at
our local farmers’ markets, and begged from friends with orchards. The
donations were plentiful, although the timing could have been better. Because
several donations came early, Verne and I had to juice and freeze much of the
fruit that would be used for jams/jellies at the first of my two classes.
Picking (and picking up) donations and preserving for later use took up a
couple of weeks. But, I was determined to be the best and make the experience
memorable for the trainees. I was prepared and primed…then came the disaster
that cancelled the class.
Just a few days before my scheduled class the Butte Fire started
in Amador County and quickly moved in all directions, but ultimately did the
most damage in Calaveras County. Our MFP program covers both Amador and
Calaveras counties and several people involved in it were directly impacted,
with three volunteers losing their homes. The smoke and ash each day was a constant
reminder that our home in Volcano was at risk. Had it travelled northeast, we
would have literally been in the line of fire. Instead, it aggressively moved
into our neighboring county. Needless to say, we were sufficiently worried to
move two of our cars and boxes of personal items, including all of my quilts
and art, to safer ground. Much of that week was spent packing and making trips
to Ione (about 45 minutes from Volcano) to Maria’s home that conveniently sat
empty. We survived the fire and on a positive note now have a comprehensive
list of what is and what isn’t important to us. While we have accumulated
boxes, rooms, buildings full of ‘stuff’ over the last thirty years, very little
of it would be missed if it were to be destroyed by fire. I’ll try to remember
that as we prepare to downsize to less acreage and a smaller home.
Once the danger was past, we set out for SoCal to move Jana.
I was certain we could pack in a day and be ready for the movers. I misjudged.
Like parents, like daughter! Jana has accumulated a lot of ‘stuff’ and she was
moving from a one-bedroom to a studio apartment. (Note to Self: Sell, give or
donate as much as possible during the months prior to moving!) Yikes! We
managed to pack in a couple of (long) days and with the help of Raelin and
Aaron move some of the lighter and more fragile items on Sunday. We finished
the day with dinner at Gloria’s (traditional El Salvadoran food), one of our
new favorite restaurants in Culver City. Most everything was moved by Monday
night and we began the slow process of unpacking. (Note to Self: Meticulously
label moving boxes!) I realize now that the hardest part of moving is living
out of boxes as you unpack and finding new homes for everything. The next few
days were a challenge with a full day spent at the hospital while Jana had her final
reconstruction surgery. As difficult as it is to face surgery of any kind, this
one was much anticipated and Jana’s surgeon did not disappoint. We left Jana in
the care of her boyfriend, Stefan, and her new apartment in a livable state
with most of the boxes unpacked, pictures hung, and so on, and drove home a few
days before our company was expected.
I have two sisters: my older sister by six years, Judy,
lives in Clarkston, Washington and my younger sister by six years, Jane, lives
in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I will briefly try to tell the story that brought
them together for a road trip from Sacramento to Fayetteville. Jane is an
artist and about three or four years ago was selected for a couple of juried
shows in SoCal, including the Laguna Art Festival. She shipped a plywood container
(4’x4’x8’) full of paintings of which eighty remained unsold at the end of the
shows and were placed in storage. You all know and probably have first-hand
experience with rented storage facilities. Out of sight, out of mind, except
for the monthly reminder when you pay the rent (and that’s not true if you set
it up on automatic bill pay). Anyway, when we were together in Missouri last
fall, they decided they’d like to take a road trip together to visit family and
pick up the paintings. They made their reservations to Sacramento and Jane,
hoping to rent a van or Suburban, was advised to rent a small truck. Upon
arrival in Sacramento, she was informed that they were upgrading her rental
(because they didn’t have any “small” trucks) to a 16-foot truck that was large
enough to move the contents of a 2-bedroom house. Excessively large and
awkward, but it makes for a very funny story!
It was great having them spend a few days with us. We ate
and talked and laughed and even got in a little sightseeing. Located in Volcano
and just a couple of miles from our home is the Black Chasm Caverns, a National
Landmark. We took a private one-hour tour of the cave, which has beautiful formations
of stalactites and stalagmites, but is best known for its rare helectite
crystals. Less than 5% of the caves in America have these crystals and Black
Chasm is famous because of them and their pristine condition. Here are a few
pictures from our sisterly reunion.
Judy brought an album of old pictures to share. This is one of my favorites of me with Judy and my brother Gary, who was killed in an airplane crash in 1971.
It’s already October. We have made a few trips to Ione to
retrieve our most precious possessions. Did I mention that during the crisis we
had the presence of mind to evacuate about 50 bottles of wine? Oh, yes. We have
our priorities straight! And, we have been making applesauce. A couple of
friends donated about 25 pounds of apples for my MFP training project, which
has been rescheduled for later this month. The apples wouldn’t hold any longer
and thanks to my helper, Verne, are now preserved as applesauce to be enjoyed
for the next year.
