The ocean still roars as the Santa Anna’s blow. Ventura lives between the devil and the deep blue sea and today the winds are calming.  I feel like we have been in a Greek tradgedy staged between two horrific Gods.  The fires kindly went around many major populated areas but took many hillside homes as a sacrificial lamb.  Back to normal takes on a new shape.  A new normal.  The old normal will never be back.  

Yes I am heartened that neighbors, family and friends hold fast together as the bow of our ship tosses and turns.  16 days til Christmas and holiday cheer is anti-climactic compared to sky-cam live over the Thomas fire.  We are glued to updates on the weather.  Will it... can it double back.  Do the embers glow bright enough to rekindle flames while snuffing out lives?  Hollow shells walk around like ghosts..  Lives stolen by fire leaving only embers where a history has been.

The glory of time is that no matter how hard the tradgedy not one minute can be stolen nor replaced.   Memories don’t live in things, they live in our hearts, minds and the arms of our loved ones.  Glory to God that we still have each other.  And I am a lucky one surrounded by embers with my home in tact.