September 12
The Almeda Fire was started in northern Ashland on Tues, Sep. 8 around 8AM. just after Jenny left for home. It was deliberately set and the culprit was observed. But an extremely strong wind was blowing and there was no stopping it. Within 24 hours it had destroyed large parts of Talent and Phoenix , the 2 towns between Ashland and Medford. It was stopped befor reaching Medfrd but not before thousands of homes and businesses were burnt to the ground. It began just a few miles from Maple Ridge, and happily for us swept north. Even so we were evacuated and I spent the night in my home.
Early next morning Lolly called to say that Phoenix Singelow and family had been wiped out, both home and food truck destroyed, and could they stay in my house. I said of course said yes and that night they arrived, Phoenix and his patner Lichen and one of their 4 kids. They stayed abour 5 days and then moved to a bigger house, as they were 6 strong by then. Lolly knew them because Phoenix was a professional tennis player who gave Sam lessons on several summer visits,. He was also a singer, guitarist and band leader who had become a food truck owner and was doing extremely well at it.
The fire was major enough to be reported in the NY Times, and has left us changed forever.The outporing of help was tremendous, and gratifying, not that such a response was not expected here in this very liberal and generous community. And now we are beginning to restore – a sad and tremendous job. I will not add photos as there have already been many worldwide. But it came terrifyingly close to some of my friends’ homes and the huge OSF warehouse in Talent.
October 28
The aftermath of the Almeda Fire has revealed some unexpected losses that are reported regularly in our local news. Today there was an article in the Mail Tribune about those of artists in the Rogue Valley, among them Diane Ericson and Daniel Verner. Daniel also lost a collection of ancient instruments, because he had only a few minutes warning to flee from the giant black clouds that were racing up the valley on the wild wind. Both lost their homes and studios and are left with only digital files of the work that was stored at both sites. And both have had go-fund-me accounts opened by friends, a frequent response in our generous community. And Daniel’s was preceeded by another tragedy – the death of his wife a year ago.
As an artist I would find the loss of my boriginal work unconsolable. My own paintings are stored in my studio and filed according to time and style; beginning with drawings, then watercolor, and currently mosaic. They are a personal history of chapters in my life and irreplaceable. (I am reminded that I have not been recently updated them in this computer.)
Another type of loss is personal memorabilia, like ashes of family members, family rings and other handed-down objects, favorite clothes, and (rarely) pets. It has emptied the past for many and left them with a sadness from which there is no recovery. And life for the rest of us has been much diminished. So many cherished places destroyed, from Ashland Pond and the riparian corridor along the Talent Greenway to New Sammy’s restaurant and thus The World’s greatest Hamburger.
I’ve been having difficulty find upbeat things to say here, and didn’t want to spread more gloom. But then yesterday happened and it was actually fun so here I go again. It started with a trip to the Ashland Farmers Market where I always meet friends. And this time it was Margie and Michael, but Margie was not identifiable. She had changed her hair color and style and only her eyes were visible what with the required mask. But she recognized me so we got to chat. And there were lovely goodies, muffins and pasties which will make an upgrade in my meal choices here. And we were introduced to pawpaws. I had met them only in southern writers’ works, and Jenny had never heard of them. The farmer cut one in half for us and it was tasty, enough to want more, much like a guava.
And there was a giant mushroom that Jenny got to play with. I think it was a Chanterelle and it wad real, as there was a tiny caperpiller in a hole in the top.
The musician of the day was Kathleen Strahm, who plays in the symphony, and whose violin case was well filled with bills as live music is scarce in the valley. She too was hard t recognize but Jenny knew her from the Rogue Valley Symphony and recognized her playing.
At my house in October we had visits from friends including Channing, Jackie and Jack, Peter van Fleet and Anita,ll enjoying che sun on my patio for an hour talking. The weather was still allowing such outside occasions. Peter lost a group of his wooden art pieces in the fire that were stored at Dan Verner’s, but their house and studio are intact, thank goodness,
I received a lovely housewarming gift fom Eliot Richert, age 8, that was made by his Dad, Danny, who is an artist whose medium is wood. I think he is an academic by profession but am vague here. So Eliot did not make the bowl but was the mover behind its giving away. His Mom, Ann Marie is an Art Historian at USC, and a very close friend of Lolly’s. I know Eliot from a wet weekend on the Orange County coast and several celebratory events in Sam’s life, such as a Bar Mitzvah. It was a welcome gift for my new apartment at Maple Rige.
The horse cutout at Maple Ridge has moved, and its new barn is the elevator.
Halloween at Maple Ridge included a Pet Parade and Jen came with Nunu, dressed for the occasion with insect wings.The parade was pretty unusual. And a great way to bring this post to an end. Each dog was paraded around the entrance and there were 6 altogether. A nice nice to end on.
Next time – the election.
