Comments on: Seasons of L.A. http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/ slowly going where everyone has gone before Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:54:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: olga http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-829 olga Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:28:54 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-829 The animals( which we have plenty) snacks, my knitting bag........oh yeah, the husband....oh and kids....if I have too.. The animals( which we have plenty) snacks, my knitting bag……..oh yeah, the husband….oh and kids….if I have too..

]]> By: Debi http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-830 Debi Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:40:56 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-830 I just pray neither you nor I EVER have to make that decision! Fire is so scary! Considering what the cost of a fire must be, I wonder why no one has come up with some sort of flame retardant you could proactively spray over the trees. Even at considerable cost it's gotta be less than the cost of a fire! Just be safe Wen! I just pray neither you nor I EVER have to make that decision! Fire is so scary!

Considering what the cost of a fire must be, I wonder why no one has come up with some sort of flame retardant you could proactively spray over the trees. Even at considerable cost it’s gotta be less than the cost of a fire!

Just be safe Wen!

]]> By: Stacey http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-831 Stacey Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:30:23 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-831 The fur babies and as much yarn as I could cram in my car! Oh... and clean undies. Cause my momma said "Always have on clean underwear in case there's an emergency" The fur babies and as much yarn as I could cram in my car! Oh… and clean undies.

Cause my momma said “Always have on clean underwear in case there’s an emergency”

]]> By: Leanne http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-832 Leanne Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:46:42 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-832 I would definitely take some yarn if I had to evacuate. I couldn't bear the time spent waiting and worrying without my knitting to keep me sane. I would definitely take some yarn if I had to evacuate. I couldn’t bear the time spent waiting and worrying without my knitting to keep me sane.

]]> By: Kristen http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-835 Kristen Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:04:42 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-835 Does insurance cover fire damage in southern California? Because it's almost all the time, and it seems like the insurance companies would be less helpful and more, "Well, you knew about the fire season before you moved!" Your yarn should be insured. It's not Red Heart. It's good stuff. Whether I'd take my stash depends on how much notice I have. My purse has a designated Project Pocket where I've always got a sock (for emergencies). The stash that's here and not in storage can fit into the trunk of my car. Otherwise, my priority would be to get the cats, enough yarn for one pair of socks, a change or two of clothes, and my Important Stuff folder. Does insurance cover fire damage in southern California? Because it’s almost all the time, and it seems like the insurance companies would be less helpful and more, “Well, you knew about the fire season before you moved!”

Your yarn should be insured. It’s not Red Heart. It’s good stuff.

Whether I’d take my stash depends on how much notice I have. My purse has a designated Project Pocket where I’ve always got a sock (for emergencies). The stash that’s here and not in storage can fit into the trunk of my car. Otherwise, my priority would be to get the cats, enough yarn for one pair of socks, a change or two of clothes, and my Important Stuff folder.

]]> By: Jocelyn http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-836 Jocelyn Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:46:14 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-836 Being a Californian, too, I've definitely thought about the what-to-take-in-a-fire question. We'd just moved down to North County San Diego from the Bay Area before the big Temecula fire, and since that was before I'd really caught the knitting bug, my lists didn't include yarn (although I did have the lists divided into 15-minutes notice, 30-minutes notice, and 1-hour notice -- the short list included the kids, the pets, and some food for each; at the time, the photo albums were still packed up in boxes, and therefore were going to have to stay). Now, though, I guess I'd have to include the really big FOs, like Icarus :) Hang in there! This year's fire season is going to be scary... Being a Californian, too, I’ve definitely thought about the what-to-take-in-a-fire question. We’d just moved down to North County San Diego from the Bay Area before the big Temecula fire, and since that was before I’d really caught the knitting bug, my lists didn’t include yarn (although I did have the lists divided into 15-minutes notice, 30-minutes notice, and 1-hour notice — the short list included the kids, the pets, and some food for each; at the time, the photo albums were still packed up in boxes, and therefore were going to have to stay). Now, though, I guess I’d have to include the really big FOs, like Icarus :) Hang in there! This year’s fire season is going to be scary…

]]> By: Sally, the Fearless Knitter http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-837 Sally, the Fearless Knitter Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:09:49 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-837 Easy! The cats and their essentials (food, water bowls, litter pans, catnip mice and mylar balls), legal documents, cash, and my completed knit goods. I always carry a small project in the car so I won't need to pack another one. Raw yarn can always be repurchased if necessary as can books, but my laptop and iPod are must-haves as are my cell phone and its recharger. You know, around these parts (Kansas) we set our land on fire intentionally. It is a natural cleansing process for the tallgrass prairie, and essential to its health. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear that. On the other hand, I have also dealt with the aftermath of a fatal house fire (non-prairie burn related) and I know that it totally sucks. Easy! The cats and their essentials (food, water bowls, litter pans, catnip mice and mylar balls), legal documents, cash, and my completed knit goods. I always carry a small project in the car so I won’t need to pack another one. Raw yarn can always be repurchased if necessary as can books, but my laptop and iPod are must-haves as are my cell phone and its recharger.

You know, around these parts (Kansas) we set our land on fire intentionally. It is a natural cleansing process for the tallgrass prairie, and essential to its health. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear that.

On the other hand, I have also dealt with the aftermath of a fatal house fire (non-prairie burn related) and I know that it totally sucks.

]]> By: dandelion http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-838 dandelion Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:34:31 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-838 I remember the Laguna Fire. We were living in North Fullerton. I was outside and there were big ashes gliding down and settling everywhere. All I could think of is that this was someone's life. Their house and photos. Their couch and favorite sweaters. So sad. I would grab the family and my purse. If there is time I would also grab the spare cash hiding in the freezer. That's it. There are credit cards in the purse and the extended family has lots of pictures. Terri I remember the Laguna Fire. We were living in North Fullerton. I was outside and there were big ashes gliding down and settling everywhere. All I could think of is that this was someone’s life. Their house and photos. Their couch and favorite sweaters. So sad.

I would grab the family and my purse. If there is time I would also grab the spare cash hiding in the freezer. That’s it. There are credit cards in the purse and the extended family has lots of pictures.
Terri

]]> By: Mindy http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-839 Mindy Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:39:56 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-839 I think I would have to go with the dog, food, the kids and toys enough to keep them occupied. I always have a couple of knitting project ready to go so I would have those. I think I would have to go with the dog, food, the kids and toys enough to keep them occupied. I always have a couple of knitting project ready to go so I would have those.

]]> By: Amy in StL http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-840 Amy in StL Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:23:19 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-840 When I lived on the East Coast, every year I faced the "What do I take in my car in the event of a hurricane?" question. I drive a Trans Am, so not much fits. I had it narrowed down to my dog and his food and some toys; my legal documents(divorce decree, birth certificate, etc); an atlas; my two stuffed animals from childhood; a couple days food and water; clothes and accoutrements for a couple weeks; stuff to keep my hands busy(xstitch at the time); photo albums. Thank goodness I never lost everything, but it was always a possibility! Ugh, I don't miss those days! When I lived on the East Coast, every year I faced the “What do I take in my car in the event of a hurricane?” question. I drive a Trans Am, so not much fits. I had it narrowed down to my dog and his food and some toys; my legal documents(divorce decree, birth certificate, etc); an atlas; my two stuffed animals from childhood; a couple days food and water; clothes and accoutrements for a couple weeks; stuff to keep my hands busy(xstitch at the time); photo albums. Thank goodness I never lost everything, but it was always a possibility! Ugh, I don’t miss those days!

]]> By: Carrie http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-844 Carrie Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:02:17 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-844 The Boy, the dogs, the husband, the meds, my purse. I would want to be long gone with those "items" before the fire had time to get to me, so the yarn would have to take its chances. The Boy, the dogs, the husband, the meds, my purse. I would want to be long gone with those “items” before the fire had time to get to me, so the yarn would have to take its chances.

]]> By: warcrygirl http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-845 warcrygirl Thu, 05 Apr 2007 01:00:09 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-845 I would grab my kids. If Hubby is with us he can get the kids and I'll grab the cat (if he's inside and grabbable). I would hope I'd have my photos saved to disc and stored in a fireproof safe; if not I'll try to grab them. Everything else can be replaced. I would grab my kids. If Hubby is with us he can get the kids and I’ll grab the cat (if he’s inside and grabbable). I would hope I’d have my photos saved to disc and stored in a fireproof safe; if not I’ll try to grab them. Everything else can be replaced.

]]> By: Krista M http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-848 Krista M Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:35:23 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-848 Cat, purse, knitting bag, pajamas, toothbrush. In that order. I wonder what my husband would grab? Cat, purse, knitting bag, pajamas, toothbrush. In that order. I wonder what my husband would grab?

]]> By: Michael http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-883 Michael Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:42:02 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-883 I think I know the feeling after evacuating for Hurricane Rita in 2005. Our house was under mandatory evac, being only 16 feet above sea level. The were expecting up to 8 feet of water in the house. We boarded up the house, moved all the expensive stuff up high in the house, packed clothes, the dogs, grabed pictures AND computers and hit the road. Didn't need to prepare other than that, because Mom had been beating people up at Sam's Club buying batteries, BBQ's, Water, and Food (we still have some of the water after almost 2 years). And hit the road. That is where the fun started. Only 250,000 were under mandatory evac, but in Houston style, 2.5 million hit the roads at the same time. Tell me why someone 70 miles inland needs to evac? Shit that was were we were going. Only took 4 hours, due to some creative driving, to go what normally takes 1 hour.....I love human nature. I think I know the feeling after evacuating for Hurricane Rita in 2005. Our house was under mandatory evac, being only 16 feet above sea level. The were expecting up to 8 feet of water in the house. We boarded up the house, moved all the expensive stuff up high in the house, packed clothes, the dogs, grabed pictures AND computers and hit the road. Didn’t need to prepare other than that, because Mom had been beating people up at Sam’s Club buying batteries, BBQ’s, Water, and Food (we still have some of the water after almost 2 years). And hit the road. That is where the fun started. Only 250,000 were under mandatory evac, but in Houston style, 2.5 million hit the roads at the same time. Tell me why someone 70 miles inland needs to evac? Shit that was were we were going. Only took 4 hours, due to some creative driving, to go what normally takes 1 hour…..I love human nature.

]]> By: Stephanie http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-910 Stephanie Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:58:59 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-910 Those fires scare the crap out of me. (Maybe you should put some of the best yarn in your trunk.) Those fires scare the crap out of me.
(Maybe you should put some of the best yarn in your trunk.)

]]> By: Madge http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-915 Madge Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:28:35 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-915 Hey, I was at Black Sheep Knittery when that fire was going. Freaky to look up and see it so close to the Hollywood sign. Right after we moved into our house there was a big hillfire a mile away. It didn't get to us, but a mile? We were nervous. And good to go. Now, like then, I'd grab the husband and the cats. If I had time, I'd grab the photos, financial files, computers, clothes/toothbrushes and as much Koigu as I could carry. Hey, I was at Black Sheep Knittery when that fire was going. Freaky to look up and see it so close to the Hollywood sign.

Right after we moved into our house there was a big hillfire a mile away. It didn’t get to us, but a mile? We were nervous. And good to go. Now, like then, I’d grab the husband and the cats. If I had time, I’d grab the photos, financial files, computers, clothes/toothbrushes and as much Koigu as I could carry.

]]> By: Andria http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-950 Andria Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:01:56 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-950 Man, I never get emails when you update anymore. I'm going to add this blog to my google reader so I'm not a month late next time. Besides clowns (I am not joking), fire is pretty much the scariest thing in the world to me. I couldn't imagine having to decide what to take and what to leave. I guess I'd make sure I had my cats, and my pictures..and after that... whatever I could grab and fit in my car, I suppose. Man, I never get emails when you update anymore. I’m going to add this blog to my google reader so I’m not a month late next time. Besides clowns (I am not joking), fire is pretty much the scariest thing in the world to me. I couldn’t imagine having to decide what to take and what to leave. I guess I’d make sure I had my cats, and my pictures..and after that… whatever I could grab and fit in my car, I suppose.

]]> By: dez crawford http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-1524 dez crawford Mon, 28 May 2007 18:45:20 +0000 http://slowknitter.com/2007/03/31/seasons-of-la/#comment-1524 I have lived in the hurricane zone all my life. Mom, in New Orleans, has always had all her family photos and important papers in a trunk on wheels. Ever since Hurricane Betsy in the '60s. Also, carriers for her two cats are handy at all times. She's prepared, and when Katrina hit, I had all her critical things in the car in about 20 minutes. I work in animal rescue for a living. This is my recommended list for everyone, wherever you live, not just hurricane and fire zones. Anyone, anywhere could have to evacuate due to a chemical disaster, tornado or somesuch: 1. Pets collared and tagged (ideally, microchipped) and accessible at ALL times. 2. Comfortable carrier for each pet HANDY at all times -- not stashed behind 47 boxes in the attic. If a large-dog carrier won't fit in your car, have a leash and harness for each dog. Cats and small dogs should be transpoted in carriers so you don't get separated from them and so emergency workers can help you if needed. Also grab food, water and pet meds, as well as vet records. 3. Critical papers (including and espcially insurance and house/car titles) in a small, portable fireproof safe that the weakest person in the house can lift. 4. Prescriptions for family members. Prescriptions should be in an organizer or zipper bag so you don't have to hunt for them all over the house. Make it a habit. 5. Photos and other truly irreplacable mementoes. These should either be already kept in a portable container, or, you should have an empty trunk handy at all times for this reason. 6. Purse/wallet with ID and credit cards 7. "Survival kit" with one gallon of water per person and pet, food for three days (a case of ravioli and a can opener is adequate), toilet ppaer, paper towels and a first aid kit, a change of clothes, also diapers etc. if needed. This should be prepacked in a rubbermaid container. Then, if you have room left in your vehicle, other things of sentimental value. Anything else can be replaced. Have an evacuation drill at least once a year and have your family ready for an emergency. Also, put your pet in the carrier just for the heck of it now and then, and let them out after a few minutes. This makes it easier to get them IN the carrier in an emergency. If it comes down to a matter of minutes? Grab the people, grab the pets, grab your car keys and get out. Anything else can be replaced or reconstructed. Never, ever leave your pets behind for any reason. If it's not safe for you, it's not safe for them. During hurricane season I keep a large knitting bag with my best needles and yarns packed and handy. The best advice is to keep your important things organized, compact and grabbable. Now that so many people take digital photos, I would recommend that you scan older family photos onto disc as well, and keep all your discs neatly in one box. Much more compact to carry than photo albums and framed pictures. I have lived in the hurricane zone all my life.

Mom, in New Orleans, has always had all her family photos and important papers in a trunk on wheels. Ever since Hurricane Betsy in the ’60s. Also, carriers for her two cats are handy at all times.
She’s prepared, and when Katrina hit, I had all her critical things in the car in about 20 minutes.

I work in animal rescue for a living. This is my recommended list for everyone, wherever you live, not just hurricane and fire zones. Anyone, anywhere could have to evacuate due to a chemical disaster, tornado or somesuch:

1. Pets collared and tagged (ideally, microchipped) and accessible at ALL times.

2. Comfortable carrier for each pet HANDY at all times — not stashed behind 47 boxes in the attic.
If a large-dog carrier won’t fit in your car, have a leash and harness for each dog. Cats and small dogs should be transpoted in carriers so you don’t get separated from them and so emergency workers can help you if needed. Also grab food, water and pet meds, as well as vet records.

3. Critical papers (including and espcially insurance and house/car titles) in a small, portable fireproof safe that the weakest person in the house can lift.

4. Prescriptions for family members. Prescriptions should be in an organizer or zipper bag so you don’t have to hunt for them all over the house. Make it a habit.

5. Photos and other truly irreplacable mementoes. These should either be already kept in a portable container, or, you should have an empty trunk handy at all times for this reason.

6. Purse/wallet with ID and credit cards

7. “Survival kit” with one gallon of water per person and pet, food for three days (a case of ravioli and a can opener is adequate), toilet ppaer, paper towels and a first aid kit, a change of clothes, also diapers etc. if needed. This should be prepacked in a rubbermaid container.

Then, if you have room left in your vehicle, other things of sentimental value.

Anything else can be replaced.

Have an evacuation drill at least once a year and have your family ready for an emergency. Also, put your pet in the carrier just for the heck of it now and then, and let them out after a few minutes. This makes it easier to get them IN the carrier in an emergency.

If it comes down to a matter of minutes? Grab the people, grab the pets, grab your car keys and get out. Anything else can be replaced or reconstructed. Never, ever leave your pets behind for any reason. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.

During hurricane season I keep a large knitting bag with my best needles and yarns packed and handy.

The best advice is to keep your important things organized, compact and grabbable.

Now that so many people take digital photos, I would recommend that you scan older family photos onto disc as well, and keep all your discs neatly in one box. Much more compact to carry than photo albums and framed pictures.

]]>