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Cali Living by CBHine

Cali Living by CBHine -- Fires in California

Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 7:47 AM

Well, the fires have started up again and are raging hotter than ever; not here in Southern California but just north of us in the central coast area.

Here in the foothills of Los Angles everything is so dry that one tossed cigarette out a window and we will go up in flames. So, what do you do if you live here and know the danger looms? Water your yard like crazy!! Even though we are also being told to cut back on watering [seems to be the lesser of the evils].

The heat today will cause rolling black outs, so we prepare by running the air and appliances early in the morning, this helps keep down electric usage which in turn helps with the rolling black outs. According to the news we will have blackouts until Friday when the temperature will drop.

I am getting very accustomed to all these situations and really it just seems more of a way of life. Our home is older and is well insulated so the house stays much cooler on its own without much air conditioning.

As far as the fires, which could hit here anytime, well, we are on the south side of the 210 freeway several blocks south, and there is a firewall on the freeway. Things would have to get severely out of hand for the fire to get close to our home. I say that and I'm praying and knocking on wood!! Never say never -- right?

Just a quick note on my visit to Kennett, it was just grand! So good to see familiar faces! Hear the southeast Missouri accent and see how much the kids have all grown, except its just a unkind reminder of how time is passing and walking over my face!! Ha! But seriously, it was wonderful to be back home. So many of us are now transplanted all over the U.S., but home is where the heart is. And it's a great home. Blessings!

More from this blogger · Cindy Hine

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Cindy did you know that SOCA (except the LA basin- which has sorta disappeared) is in a DESERT?

Growing up in Orange Co, we NEVER had A/C. mom would put a fan in the upstairs window (facing out) and all the cool air from downstairs would be pulled upstairs and the whole stayed cool. Mom FINALLY purchased an A/C AFTER we all left home, but then for only one room that did not have a tree hanging over the roof. (but remember when I was growing up dinasours still roamed the earth)

-- Posted by myheart on Wed, Jul 9, 2008, at 7:44 PM
Re:myheart

Yes, I did know that. Its very easy to do without ac alot of the time. We are spoiled now days with it and use too much I'm sure. I love your stories about your mom and the fans. I can recall my own grandmother over in northeast arkansas doing much of the samething, although it never cooled off at night like it does here. Actually when the temperature only reaches into the 80's or low 90's we are good without ac and actually sleep with the windows open and sometimes the back french doors! Some would say that is not too smart (security?) but with two grown men and a large dog, we do it anyway. (A good number of the LAPD live in Claremont because its a suitable comute to LA as well) lol.....low crime in Claremont must have something to do with that.

My favorite time here is in the morning until around 10 or 11 am.... its cool out around 65, and the air is fresh and feels so good. Then around 7 it cools off again and the breezes are wonderful!

-- Posted by cbhine on Wed, Jul 9, 2008, at 8:49 PM
and no bugs??? I never saw a mosquito or firefly until we went to Kentucky on vacation when I was little.

I know this is crazy, but my MOST favorite time (season?) is the Santa Anna WINDS. I would lay out in the backyard to get sandblasted. LOVED IT.

But, that was AGES ago, and no where near as many people and houses as there is now. Claremont was a "sunday" drive for us then, no interstates to make it the "short" drive it is now.

I remember when there was NO 57 and the only road to your area from Orange Co was two lane through the farms and brush.

OK, so now I have made myself homesick.

-- Posted by myheart on Thu, Jul 10, 2008, at 8:31 PM
You really need to plan a trip out here. I can tell you are in dire need of a Socal fix!!! WOW, I wish I could have experienced what you did growing up. Totally unbelievable now! Still no bugs, I have little tolerance for them now, especially now! I too like the Santa Anna winds. Its just cool!!!

-- Posted by cbhine on Thu, Jul 10, 2008, at 9:36 PM
totally off the topic, but I saw this in the OC Register and it just makes my blood boil. Why don't they just leave him alone. Once he gone THEN take the land. GREEDY PEOPLE!!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lujano-city-property-2091869-until-swanner

-- Posted by myheart on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, at 9:44 PM
Its very sad when things like this happen. Maybe someone will step in and help this man and his family. My heart and prayers go their way.

-- Posted by cbhine on Mon, Jul 14, 2008, at 10:32 AM
Those walls that border the freeways are to dampen the sound of car traffic, not fire breaks.

-- Posted by elvis818 on Fri, Jul 25, 2008, at 12:20 AM

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