It has been long between blogs. I find when I’m busy, I’m really an activist at heart and am inspired to rant about the current incomprehensible political situation, which Jim dislikes. I have not been traveling! So I rant. Jim reminded me this morning it has been a year to the day (yesterday) since I left the motorhome and took up the business of building a new house and all that transpires both expected and unexpected.
I got news of the awful Butte Fire from that distance, chagrined that my friend Deborah Mullen, a co-worker at the Calaveras Enterprise, was burned out. A devastating experience.
Today, after clearing through pounds of mail, I gathered clothing, shoes, tables, chairs, jackets, and stuff you think people will need in the aftermath of a complete loss of everything of a normal household. Deborah posted a picture on FB of herself and Husband Steve; “We have each other,” she said. Always one to look on the bright side.
After connecting with several recovery, resource sights, it became very clear that the stuff I gathered was not what is needed right now. It is more on the order, of paper plates, paper towels, face soap, q-tips, wash cloths, canned foods, powdered milk, peanut butter, fresh vegetables, flashlights, lanterns, batteries, ice chests, water carriers and so on. So, tomorrow, I’ll assemble a different set of household goods,and make my way to Mountain Ranch, then Valley Springs where daughter-in-law Laurie is holding much of my important paperwork taken at my request from my house during the voluntary evacuation order. I’ll start carrying my camera again, if I can find it.
My last day in Oregon, I went to a bridge repair meeting and met some neighbors from the private road we share, many of whom, I’d never met previously.
I also invited 12 people to a wine and nibble about 4 p.m. Saturday, before my expected leave on Sunday morning. I thought some of the neighbors might be curious about what my place looked like after watching the slow progress from the outside over eight months of building it. Four people showed up, three from one family. All but four answered with some enthusiasm, suggesting they’d be glad to come.
I thoroughly enjoyed those that came. I’m not a novice at entertaining guests, but I’ve never been so royally stood up in my life, and it makes me chuckle that I’ve had that experience at this time in my life. If I were a young bride, I’d have been hurt. Not one person bothered to tell me they could not or would not come. I thought it was strange but those that came, more than made up for those that did not.
It has been fun furnishing a new house, with nearly all second-hand items and attempting to keep it neat and not over clutter it with stuff as I am wont to do. I’ll eventually get pictures hung and curtains up and take photos; my goal to hopefully find this page a bit more often.
ciao-Mary
Que Sera, Sera... Whatever Will Be, Will Be... 
Mary, we’ve missed hearing from you, especially your political commentary. We still follow Jim’s blogs on a daily basis and enjoy them immensely. In fact, you two dear people were one of the main reasons we bought a motorhome and have been touring the Western US for the last year. Thank you for the motivation and enjoyment your blogs have provided thus far. We hope there will many more in the future. As for your Oregon neighbors, once they get to know you, you’ll be inundated with visitors. Enjoy the peace while you can.
Now, that is a concept I hadn’t thought about. Being inundated with visitors. Possibly so. I’ve had much to do to keep me busy, but keep me informed when you are in Southern Oregon and maybe we can provide a parking spot with house privileges for a few days. Hola! I’m headed back up in November right after election. But, Jim will be there for a week in October. And, another friend will be using my place as a way station on his way to the vets hospital in Palo Alto, CA. Thanks for your kind words. M