"It's the not knowing that is interesting..."

Apologies to A.A. Milne and the dour Eeyore.

Yesterday morning at 4:30 a.m. I heard the nonstop wail of sirens. We had gone to bed the night before concerned about a fire in Ramona, about 20 miles from our home. The Santa Ana winds drove that fire into Rancho Bernardo.

The police were driving through our development, sirens and amplified mikes blaring, urging an immediate evacuation.

We left with very little and drove first to my office, to regroup, and then to La Mesa, to stay with a friend.

Thanks to all of you who have called and left messages. We spent the day and evening watching the local news and surfing the Net for information. We learned that about 25 homes in our Montelena neighborhood have been destroyed. We cling to hope on the thin thread that Lynn's voice still greets us when we call home. Our phone holds the answering capability. Frankly I don't even know if that is the correct technological touchstone for confidence, but I'm taking it,

With Highway 15 we have another decision to make. When we return to our home.

Over 300,000 people have been evacuated in the county of San Diego. Firefighters, media, city workers have toiled non-stop and their efforts have not gone unappreciated.