I've been asked if we are near the disasters that have befallen some of the most beautiful stretch of the Southern California coast...we are not...but our daughter and her family, friends we know through them, and more friends in towns along that highway are living through that nightmare. They are all virtually stranded there. They have sparse (if any) electricity, wifi, news or phone communication. Our daughter will call, say "hi" and is immediately cut off. We find texting to be the most reliable communication. She was able to drive to the beach where she recharged her phone and we had a complete call.
Schools are closed until next Tuesday.
The restocked refrigerator will be full of spoiled food.
The highway will not be open until Monday at the earliest.
She went into town hoping to have wifi to work for her company in Chicago, but that failed as well. (I suppose she sent a text to let them know what was happening)
She tried to send me pictures to add to the video, but only one (of the beach) came through. You'd hardly guess it was a beach, and people are telling everyone to watch out for snakes!
That anyone should have lost friends and family members is heart-breaking. Ashley tells me that "everyone knows someone" in the towns so near to one another. Our SIL, John, has taught many students from Montecito. No one knows yet the extent of what has happened.
Once again, I sorted through my many many photos of visits there and paired them as "before" with "after" taken from friends and off the internet. I tried not to make it any longer than I did, so if you read all this, you may have spent enough time with me already! Once again, the background music is Duo Concertante in Lunenburg...probably not the right blend with "tragedy", but I had to complete this before bed tonight. I'm having a second cataract removed tomorrow, and I think I'm not supposed to spend a lot of time at the computer for awhile...
My closing thought:
To live in the lap of luxury is a pleasurable illusion, as all that we value in life can disappear in a minute. _Louise
I'm in tears Louise!! So very moving!! It is heartbreaking to see those stark images. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy. Much love to you and may your family stay safe!! xx I am Faving this video as I want to be able to show my friends and family. You have done a remarkable job in putting it together.
brought me to tears too Louise. We have been seeing the terrible devastation on our TV new. Such a great loss of lives, homes and beautiful country. You and your family are in our thoughts
Absolutely compelling to watch. I have worried since I heard on the news. I knew your daughter was with you and wondered if she had returned home. Glad she is ok for now.Mother nature can be a formidable foe and you can't negpgiate with her,
Absolutely amazing Louise - such a moving piece. As you know I am thinking of you and all your family and friends. This should be shown to everyone. fav
I’m speechless, Louise. What a poignant and moving video. I couldn’t not watch it through to the end. Mother Nature is indeed vicious when she wants to be. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this series of natural disasters.
That brought tears to my eyes. What a lot they have been going through. Here's hoping that was the last of it and they can rebuild now. Much love to you and your family.
Fav for your tenacity in working through this when you have family involved. Fire, floods and slides are heart bteakingly familiar to us in our home state here in Australia. I feel the pain.
This is so heart wrenching. Thank you for sharing it so everyone can see the devestation first hand. My heart breaks for everyone touched by these disasters, what an unbelievable series of events. So hopeful your family and their friends can have some relief soon! 💔
This was heartbreaking to watch Louise. We have seen the devasation caused by bushfires, but to then have the horror of mud slides on top is unimaginable. I've been thinking of you since I heard as I knew that your daughter and her family were returning home.
A great documentary showing the devastation the poor people in California are experiencing. I feel relieved that your daughter has survived the devastation and relieved that she has been able to contact you even if has been sporadic
Simply unreal. One disaster on the heels of another. Your video documentary illustrates the horrific extent of the devastation. My heart goes out to all who have suffered in the wake of fire and 'mud' flooding. I'm so grateful that Ashley and family are safe. I know this has been an incredibly stressful time for all. Hugs to you, Louise. xo
Didn't realize the scope of the mudslides till I saw your video. Glad your daughter is alright. Good luck with your cataract surgery. We'll say a prayer.
Your video is a moving tribute to all involved. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and all others who have been touched in some way by this tragedy. Your video is a Fav - so well done.
Hope they’re safe. It is difficult to watch the news as all our folks are covering abp d getting chocked up and the even the anchor... it made me cry. It is the closest 80 miles. The fires and the the rain came too soon. Tonight there was more sliding and we are being told to avoid the 166. To get up here it is such a circuitous route... hours long. I hope your family and friends continued safety.
Looks horrible to me if this is happen to someone. All my pray`s and sympathies goes to those victems of this nature disaster. Hope they all survive and getting help. I saw mud is now also a disaster. California get it all it looks like.
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An immense *THANK YOU* all for taking the time to allow me to share this with each of you. We've heard nothing from our daughter today & she hasn't answered our call this evening...we wait... Some of the dead were known to friends of Ashley and a friend of Ken. The cleanup of the highway will take longer than planned; they're searching for bodies. The water from the creek has taken a new path and continues to spill on the freeway... I've been following FB Thomas Fire Info for the most current news. I posted this video there as well, and I'm now getting more news and stories from others; a lot of people are suffering. Thank you all for kind and supportive words; I'll pass them along ♥ And a note of good news...I've been reading all this without my glasses! Operation a success...yes! ♥
@Weezilou in our news this evening, 101 to be closed indefinitely. Cal trans has no idea now as the water continues to accumulate in the low points of the hwy. a stretch, longer than a mile, the water is so deep that the center divider is completely submerged and non visible. Glad your op was a success and I look forward to reading once you speak with your daughter. Good thoughts to all. Very sad.... every commercial break, the news room gives us updates.
@elatedpixie I read the same news this evening on SB's Noozhawk...it's unthinkable that a *River* is going to impede their work! I hope people can just be patient and hold it together; it doesn't seem to be over yet... "What doesn't break us makes us stronger"....Hoping... Thanks for sharing Phyl♥
An immense *THANK YOU* all for taking the time to allow me to share this with each of you. We've heard nothing from our daughter today & she hasn't answered our call this evening...we wait... Some of the dead were known to friends of Ashley and a friend of Ken. The cleanup of the highway will take longer than planned; they're searching for bodies. The water from the creek has taken a new path and continues to spill on the freeway... I've been following FB Thomas Fire Info for the most current news. I posted this video there as well, and I'm now getting more news and stories from others; a lot of people are suffering. Thank you all for kind and supportive words; I'll pass them along ♥ And a note of good news...I've been reading all this without my glasses! Operation a success...yes! ♥
I hope you here from loved ones soon - thinking of you all