Daylight Savings?

by Andrew

When we were younger, time didn’t matter so much. We went where we wanted, when we wanted, free as birds in the wind. Surfing, sailing, dancing, beach…

Now we’re older and set in our ways. I didn’t mind the time change so much back then (although I resisted it by maintaining my schedule as much as possible). But now I do.

It goes against my grain. I get up early. Now I get up really early, whether I want to or not. This is ridiculous. I’m waiting for it to get light as I write this.

Even my dog, Mooka, starts pacing and jumping in bed with us at 5:00 a.m. now, instead of her usual 6:00 wake-up time.

Something has to be done.

I think Daylight Savings Time should be abolished. Let’s keep it the same all year long. Dori votes for a compromise, right down the middle. This sounds good to me.

Could somebody please Twitter President Obama about this?

If we act now, maybe we can avoid rebooting next Spring.

Working Late

I've been saying that Andrew has been working for every hour of sunlight for the past few months. Well, occasionally he goes beyond that, like last night, when he was still painting after the sun set.


He was so busy he didn't realize that behind him, the sky was doing this:

New Windows and Siding

Last year we started to put new windows in our house, but the siding, especially on the south-side (which is also the biggest expanse) was a shambles. We tried patching it together before winter, but it wasn't possible to finish in time, and our poor house spent the season covered in plastic.


This spring and summer Andrew has been working furiously to get the project finished before rain comes.

While viewing these photos of him climbing around up high on scaffolding, keep in mind this is the same guy who had both hips replaced a few years back.




He attributes some of his ability to balance to the Bongo Board I got him for his birthday in August. There are a few different kinds of bongo boards, but this one has a track on the bottom, and rolling cylinder that slides back and forth across the bottom of the board. It's pretty challenging. He worked out on it quite a bit before starting the high-up work, and he says it helped immensely.



Moving on to the finishing touches, our friend Robert came to help install the final layer of bats and paint.






They got the last piece nailed up on Saturday, just in time for the storm on Monday that dumped somewhere in the range of 10–12 inches of rain in 24 hours.

Fire Watch

by Andrew

When I’m on fire watch I pay attention to the animals…and the smoke, and the wind. The birds’ behavior tells me a lot. This time I knew what to look for.

During the Martin Fire, it was the lizards that caught my attention. There seemed to be hundreds of them, where before there were only dozens.

The birds are not quite right. They miss landings in smoky conditions, their flight seems erratic, and they eat a lot. When I see a bird (who can fly away) having difficulty, I know it’s time to look sharply and walk carefully.

I was told to never run on a fire ground some years ago (by Santa Cruz City Fire Department Chief Wayne Peterson). With my hips nowadays, it’s easier to comply with that order.

The buckets of water I’ve placed around are turning into water troughs. We’re all thirsty from the smoke. Yesterday I saw a deer, a doe (or is that a doe a dear?) She drank out of one of my buckets right out front. I left her alone.

The quail in our meadow have been so tame. With fewer people around they seem to trust me more. This weekend I need them as much as they don’t need me. Some kind of symbiotic relationship I’m sure.

The animals give me more resolve to work on my ranch, to protect it and improve its infrastructure.

It’s hard to figure out what matters in a fire, but when everything comes out in the end, we are humans, we are survivors, and we do what we have to do.

Lockheed Fire Photos

Yesterday afternoon the quantity of smoke increased and became orange.






Then six or more airplanes began flying in low circles over our house and into the smoke. From our vantage point it was an incredible airshow.












The planes seemed to have an affect, and after awhile the smoke calmed down considerably.

The sun setting into the fire was a brilliant orange.






These last photos are the sky this morning, which is smoky, but not in such a visible plume, with occasional glimpses of blue. At the moment it is fairly still with a mild breeze.

Lockheed Fire Morning Update

Last night CalFire was reporting 2800 acres burned, 0% containment. This morning we are at over 4000 acres, and 5% containment.

The atmosphere changed a lot overnight. By dark the smoke had mellowed out significantly from the photos I just posted. The orange was not visible anymore, and the plume had settled down to almost resemble fog over the treetops.

By morning the smoke and ash had descended, and the sky was strangely hazy at sunrise. Now it is extremely smoky out—probably best to wear a mask outside.

The predicted wind has everyone nervous. Most of the neighbors on our road seem to have stayed. We’re in radio and phone contact with neighbors on two sides.

Last night a police car came in through the upper gate, drove down the driveway. We were at the back of the meadow, unloading trash into the trailer. They drove into the meadow and approached us.

They had puzzled expressions on their faces. After questioning us, the story came out that they were chasing a roadblock runner, and were sure they had seen it come into our driveway.

Not so, we insisted.

The roads are all closed for inward bound traffic.

At this point we’re not leaving, because we don’t want to be unnecessarily stranded away from this place that needs us.

We’re deciding what to as we go, and we’ll keep you posted as much as possible.

Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts.

Morning update from CalFire website

Last Updated: August 14, 2009 7:00 am
Date/Time Started: August 12, 2009 7:16 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Mateo - Santa Cruz Unit
County: Santa Cruz County
Location: Bonny Doon area - Smith Drainage
Acres Burned: 4,100 acres
Containment: 4,100 acres - 5% containment
Structures Destroyed: 2 outbuildings damaged
Threatened: More than 250 residence are currently threatened in the Swanton and Bonny Doon communities.
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations for Bonny Doon and Swanton affecting 2200-2400 people.
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County, Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Total Fire Personnel: 676
Engines: 120
Fire crews: 16
Dozers: 15
Water tenders: 3
Costs to date: $750,000
Major Incident Command Team: CAL FIRE ICT #9
Conditions: Significant resources have been ordered for this incident.
An evacuation center has been established at the Vintage Church at Hwy 1 and Mission. A large animal evacuation center has been set up at the Watsonville fairgrounds and a small animal evacuation center has been established at 7th & Rodriguez.
Phone Numbers (831) 335-6717 (Lockheed Fire Information)

Smoke watch

We're still here in the Lockheed Fire vicinity. We signed a waiver for the sheriff to defy mandatory evacuation orders. Anything could happen, so it's just wait-and-see. Andrew is hosing down the roof. The cars are facing out. We're going to hang in as long as we can.

Another fire

Just wanted everyone to know we're dealing with another one up here:

Lockheed Fire

So far it's not coming toward us, but getting ready for the possibility. Our area is on voluntary evacuation, and we're not volunteering to leave just yet.

A long parade of fire trucks is marching up our road. I've heard they're staging at the Bonny Airport again. The sprinklers are on...but I need to go move them around now. I'll keep posting updates as long as I am still here and have power.

Backyard Bash round-up

Andrew's sister Tiger's new band played at a party in their backyard a couple weekends ago. We went! They were great.










Tim, the pirate, surrounded by adoring young fans...


Andrew hamming it up in Travis' guy-lair.


Nieces Emma and Chloe, caught in the act of pillaging the food table...




Andrew probably talking "ranch" with Travis' dad.


Next band, the Fourfits..








And for your listening pleasure, some Neighborhood Sinners, live:



Thanks Priors for a great day!