Sitting in the Saint Mary’s College tent

Where is Saint Mary’s and why am in a tent?

No, it’s not the circus, but it IS a circus in many ways. People are coming and going, fighting for space, and some have taken up residence as their home-away-from-home office. Students are offering flashlights, lanterns, food and drink. There is a line outside. People aren’t giving up their seats or charging stations. After all, there’s free WiFi in a land without power.

Saint Mary’s is my local college, a few miles down the road, famous for its basketball team and now a haven for those of us who are victims of the firestorms that have been engulfing our state.

The good news: our houses have not burned.

The bad news: we haven’t had power since Saturday.

I’m writing because this is just an example of the best laid plans don’t always work out as we’d like them to work out.

I’ll be sending out a post shortly – when the lights come back on – about a few days recently spent in Los Angeles and the Palm Springs area. It was a great mini vacation and will give you a glimpse of a wonderful area of California.

I’m also packing to leave on a very big journey soon, which will take me to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, then back to Hawaii. It’s not so easy to pack in the dark but I’m taking advantage of daylight as much as I can. I gathered my socks this morning, and when I get home, I’ll work on other items of clothing.

This year hasn’t been a big travel year for me, since Life interfered with some of my plans. I underwent surgery for a benign tumor and lost twenty pounds over night – instant spa! All is well on that front. I was also caregiver to a dear friend who lost his battle with cancer in the summer. Both events deeply affected any travel plans I might have had.

Now, healthy and hearty, though a little bit sad, I am ready to get back on the road.

Are you ready to join me?

8 thoughts on “Sitting in the Saint Mary’s College tent”

  2. Can’t wait to relive our trip through New Zealand and Australia with you., so yes to getting you blog.

    Parts of Vallejo have had power shut off, but so far we haven’t, it is no fun, but I think it is preparing people for something bigger unfortunately.

    Have a great trip and birthday!

    What a year you had. I bet you are looking forward to 2020!

    See you the first of December!

    Love,
    MaryAnn

  4. Good to hear from you, Karen ! California situation is scary and sad —- fear of the unknown too.
    And I worry about the massive animal life being impacted too.

    Keep me posted

    1. Yes it’s scary and the poor animals are always affected, unfortunately. I’m afraid it will be our new normal. Power has been restored here and let’s hope the winds die down. California is a tinderbox It’s always been a seasonal event but has been getting much worse the last few years.

  5. Oh, how I envy you, Karen!

    I spent two and a half months in Texas (which I absolutely hated!), helping the Junior Fees move there. First Jodi, Savannah, cat, and Wendy Thompson drove there. Marlee and I followed by plane a couple of weeks later, and then Josh and dog finally flew in. They rented a house, which is very much like these in California. I miss seeing them on a daily basis, but life has to go on. Won’t see them until Thanksgiving, but Dave’s Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is worse now and he’s on oxygen 24/7. We’re waiting for a more portable oxygen machine to come our way.
    Have a grand time on your excursion! Again…I envy you so!

    1. So sorry to hear about Dave. Why did the kids move? Best of luck and take very good care of yourself. Being a caregiver isn’t for sissies!

  6. I’m glad to hear you and your house are safe from the firestorm. Wow, a 20 pound tumor. Really, really glad it was benign!! Now voyager, go forth and enjoy your trip.

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