For the past 2+ weeks we’ve been stuck under a Heat Dome with “triple digit” highs every day. As you might imagine, it’s not pleasant. Most people stay inside with their AC cranked up. I say most people because some crazy people continue to paint their house—heat be damned.😉 That would be Paul and me. Sigh. We didn’t feel like we had a choice since we’re taking off in our RV in two weeks.

Then, last week, on the evening of July 4th, the Watch Duty app on our phones alerted us of a FIRE nearby. Evacuations started shortly after that, and one of the streets on the Mandatory Evacuation list included our son and daughter-in-law’s home—on the northern edge of the town of Mariposa. SNAP!

Everyone made it out safely—pets, included!!! But a fire at night is incredibly fierce looking, and from a distance you wonder how anything could remain standing.

We were relieved beyond words when the “evacuees” arrived here for showers and sleep. The next morning brought incredible news: the valiant firefighters and dozer operators had managed to turn the fire in time to save nearly all homes, businesses, and the High School. Don’t get me wrong. There were losses, including a mobile home at the end of JP’s street. The family made it out safely but lost everything.

In the final count, I believe 908 acres burned, 11 structures—including 4 homes—were destroyed, but if you watch the Sheriff’s Burn Scar video you’ll see it came close to being sooo much worse.

Happily, Paul and I finished painting two days ago. Just in time to greet Eric and Joann—two old friends from “way-back”— who dropped by on their road trip from Texas (a sort of reverse version of the one we just completed). It was great to catch up, and I found it reassuring to know the span of distance and time doesn’t diminish old bonds and memories.

BOOK NEWS

Our next Sweet2Heat box set has been postponed until January 2025. We have a great line-up planned, but after two years of steady releases, we all felt it was time to take a break to clear the clutter, recharge our creative batteries, and get back to work on our individual Works-In-Progress. (More about mine in my next newsletter, I hope.)

My friend and fellow S2H author, Lisa Mondello, has an awesome NEW RELEASE: Love Walks In (The 80s Mixed Tape series).

Available now in print here.

Or, you do like me and pre-order your ebook for delivery on July 30 here.

Stay cool, my friends and happy reading,

Deb

FYI: No newsletter on July 23. We’ll be on the road. But look for one on Aug. 8 from Brookings, South Dakota.