And then some

We had a fabulous downpour of rain last night and the fire is now 100% contained, though 29 homes were lost and a 93-year-old woman perished. The prior firestorm was in a upscale area and I felt distanced from the event. This fire touches everyone.

It occurred in a corridor that you must drive through from Carson City to Reno. It's an area of small ranches running along a stream with very old trees. I remember my first time through there and the Merry Wink Motel signs spaced incrementally. "He who drives while half asleep is now buried six feet deep." Gone. It's all gone, though they did save Governor Sparks mansion, and I cannot imagine how. I saw the shell of friend's house in the flames. The origin was improperly disposed of fire place ashes. The individual has stepped forward, though I cannot imagine where that will go since he's an elderly man. Ian always worried about disposing of our ashes. Don't worry - he digs a hole.

The fire moved with terrifying speed in the winds, so that people just released livestock to run free. They're still trying to get that straightened out. We heard a report on the number of animals still unclaimed at the livestock event center - I forget the total, but Ian and burst out laughing as the list ended with a donkey, a llama and a goose. You look for humor where you can find it.
I wanted more than anything to just paint today. Erik and I talked over my painting from yesterday, and I had myself set up to paint before lunch. I just bought this crepe pan and so decided that the best plan was to make dinner, then paint my brains out, and afterwards put dinner in the oven.
Here it is, ready for the fridge. It's just two cups of medium white sauce with Costco rotisserie chicken, tarragon, mushrooms and peas. I added some dry white cheese for the last five minutes when I cooked it, and it was fabulous. Excluding the price of the pan, it cost $2.00.
This evening, I slit open a stuffed Christmas ornament that didn't get packed and shoveled in some catnip. I thought Charlie would be amused. I didn't stitch the slit shut. Charlie made a mess of things. Ian was not amused. The ornament/toy is no more.
Ian and I are in the midst of setting up a trust for our kids. I thought I'd quickly get things set aside that need to be photocopied, only I couldn't find one deed. After looking in all the logical places, I invoked my new year's resolution by accident - to clean up our filing cabinet. I came across amazing things, including my grammar school report cards, my ACT scores from when I applied to San Diego State College and my drivers license from when I lived in the Philippines in 1971. I did find the deed. I also found many documents and receipts that are no longer relevant. I think that's about 8" worth of paper. I'm not done, but I wish I were. No painting, just paining~ugh.

From my Kindergarten "Report to Parents" - Sharon knows her telephone number; she is able to recognize the numbers from 1 to 10. Sharon enjoys sharing experiences with other children. She should be encouraged to close cupboard doors quietly, sit in one place during storytelling time and be a good listener. Sharon is promoted to beginning first grade."