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The shit you take when you evacuate.
I took a ratty stuffed elephant I had as a kid.
His name is Dinkie.
He has one eye.
I probably ate the other eye.
When my friend lost her home she said “I wish I’d taken my son’s baby blanket.”
I had time to pack before evacuating.
So I grabbed Nash’s baby blanket.
And our photos.
Should have taken things like…underwear.
We were already devastated by the shooting at Borderline.
Who knew the devastation that was to come.
The first night we stayed with my friend Paula.
She’s a yoga teacher.
Yes…it was a very LA evacuation.
We went to buy the essentials…wine, chocolate & cat litter.
I was setting up the litter box when she said…
“Don’t bother.”
My cat peed on her duvet.
Good thing she’s so zen.
Then we moved to our friend TMZ Harvey.
We were there for four nights.
Thankfully the cat didn’t pee on anything.
Forever thankful to Harvey and Paula for taking in me, Mr G, my Mom, Milly & that darn cat.
The turtle found a home with a pond so he (she?) is happy.
Nash is away at school.
He’s been concerned, but fine.
I have so many friends who aren’t fine.
Friends who lost everything.
One friend saw her home burn on TV.
Another friend, a Fire Captain, ran in to save what he could.
We all want to do whatever we can.
Mr G’s TV station (CBS) raised a million dollars for fire victims.
And in the midst of all this…
Jillian had her double mastectomy.
Three days after her surgery Steve said “Let’s go see her.”
I said…”Does she want company?”
He said “Let’s surprise her.”
Not every girl who has a double mastectomy wants a surprise.
We barged into her room.
She was getting a pain shot in the butt.
I got to be the first person to see the new boobs.
They’re beautiful.
She’s beautiful.
She’s been in a hyperbaric chamber for healing.
So her skin is glowing.
To think this started two weeks ago…
With a Mimosa.
I like a Mimosa at brunch.
But who knew they could save a life.
Jillian’s friend Lisa Ashley had a Mammogram and Mimosa party.
And that’s where they discovered Jill had cancer.
It’s easier to write…Jill has cancer…than to say it.
When I say it out loud my voice cracks (even more than usual).
One of our old producers at GDLA is a breast cancer survivor.
She told Jillian…
It’s one crappy year…
And then you are ok.
I know Jill will be ok.
I know Malibu will eventually be ok.
Not sure the people who lost children in the TO shooting will ever be ok.
This all happened in one week.
I’m home now.
Mr G, Mom, dog and cat all ok.
I find I cry a bit.
Sometimes for no reason.
Or maybe for every reason.
What an eloquent essay on all the weeks devasting events. I’m glad you’re home and hope you found everything in tact. Anxious for the next pod cast. I follow Jillian on Twitter. She’s remarkable. Hope her positivity in unaffectrd❤️❤️❤️ Long tine fan, Jo Cox
You have a beautiful way with words. I cried a little! Mostly I’m touched by Jiill’s story right now because I had a similar situation two years ago. Not to make the fires and TO shooting less , all are so tragic. I watched you guys for years. And then you were gone. But now, you’re back. Thank you for sharing everything. It’s comfotong to hear from you! Wishing the best for you and your family and love ones.
Plotz! I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all this. There are no words other than to say you captured my heart so many years ago when we were young. Now to see the depth of your soul through your writing brings me back to those days. You’ve always been resilient – with an easy laugh when you could. You will find the strength through this all while helping others. You continue to be a very special person. Thanks for sharing that with us all.
Love & miss you. Think we are due for a long lunch.
Xo
DL
Oh Dorothy, I’m so sad and happy at the same time. Hppy that your safe and one of the fortunate families to be able to move back into your home. Sad because there are so many families have been displaced and have no home to return too. Most of all for all the families that lost there loved ones in the massacre in that same week. My prayers go out to all of you and to all the firefighters that have done one hell of a job!!! Miss seeing you three on Gdla. Not the same anymore. My prayers to Jillian as well. I am currently going through reconstruction surgery myself and am happy to say I’m cancer free!,, A journey it is, but we are fighters and this too will pass. Thank you God
Oh Dorothy, I’m so sad and happy at the same time. Hppy that your safe and one of the fortunate families to be able to move back into your home. Sad because there are so many families have been displaced and have no home to return too. Most of all for all the families that lost there loved ones in the massacre in that same week. My prayers go out to all of you and to all the firefighters that have done one hell of a job!!! Miss seeing you three on Gdla. Not the same anymore. My prayers to Jillian as well. I am currently going through reconstruction surgery myself and am happy to say I’m cancer free!,, A journey it is, but we are fighters and this too will pass. Thank you God
Oh Dorothy, I’m so sad and happy at the same time. Hppy that your safe and one of the fortunate families to be able to move back into your home. Sad because there are so many families that have been displaced and have no home to return too. Most of all for all the families that lost there loved ones in the massacre in that same week. My prayers go out to all of you and to all the firefighters that have done one hell of a job!!! Miss seeing you three on Gdla. Not the same anymore. My prayers to Jillian as well. I am currently going through reconstruction surgery myself and am happy to say I’m cancer free!,, A journey it is, but we are fighters and this too will pass. Thank you God
Oh Dorothy so glad you are ok and home. Wow what a week. Amazing what those devil winds can do.
We are In The Inland Empire and have those winds a lot. Omg two nights a go the fire blew in our end. We live in Lytle Creek a Mtn Canyon of I -15 . Those brave firefighters couldn’t use air the were using Dozers. Yes dozers. Drove right thru the fire . So crazy. I am glad your family is safe. We were evacuated a few years ago and my friend suggested taking your clothes hamper. Smart lady huh, well unless you have just done the laundry. She said all your comfy stuff you wear and saying that word Unfies are there. Well I hope this never happens to either one of us again. Gentle hugs for Jill next time you visit. Hugs to you and hlots of wine… Happy Thanksgiving
The things we’ve seen through out the years have been heartbreaking. We’ve been through the fires with you before and you’re still standing. I go home everyday drained from the constant coverage and do letters of Gratitude to perfect strangers, that’s I’m coping these days.
LB is wrong. You never really get over it, but as I said to Jill ” Welcome to the Perky Forever Club”. Everything else will sag but we’ll have the tits of a 20 year old way in to our 80s.
We are all still so blessed. I miss all of you.
Happy Friday Dorothy! I am so gold you and your family is safe in this crazy weeks, but God is good everyone is going to be OK with god
Hello Dorothy, i remember you from Channel 16 here in pa. I live at moosic lakes. Dave Krisanda is my brother in law. I miss you on the news here. I am so very sorry for all you have been through. I have been praying for a stop to the fires and all impacted. You will now be a name i can add to my prayers. Nice to read your writings. I am thanhful you are alive. Rosanne Krisanda.
I am glad you guys are ok. I still miss seeing you on tv. I have not watched GDLA since. I guess some things you never get over.
Dorothy,
Just wanted to reach out and send you a virtual hug. So glad you and the family are ok.
Tough week for so many….
Love,
Sue
Love you Sue.
D,
As always, you’ve captured the essence of the situation and brought us all along with you. Thank the good Lord for friends in wild times like these. Every time I thought about maybe feeling a teensy bit sorry for my evacuated self this week I thought of the elderly trying to cope while being displaced or the friends who lost everything. That shut my humbled mouth shut pretty damn quick. Now we roll up our sleeves and help. And if the tears fall a little into the ashes—so be it. Xoxox
You guys ok?
I offered for your cat to pee on my duvet!
I offered all the wine in my fridge!
Cancer sucks!
Prayers for Jillian and my friend Dale!
Dale is 55 and has 6 months to live!
I’m thankful that my friend Dorothy and family are safe! I’m
thankful that your animals are safe!
Love your writing and you!
Wine at my house is still safe and waiting for you to drink
it with me! Bless all the fire victims and anyone fighting diseases!
Hug your loved ones. Come get a hug soon! Xo
Oatmeal would be happy to pee on your duvet.
That you can write about your emotional week is step 1 in finding your center again. You might sit on or walk along the beach and just listed to the surf and the waves and if the sea breeze has cleanse the air, breathe deeply and slowly.
Dorothy,
So happy you’re home with family. And that you still have a home to go to. Thanks for sharing a most heartfelt story.] Somehow, I know you’ll be helping those friends who no longer have homes to return to.
Hey! Two of my NEP News Directors comment on one blog!
I have been waiting to hear how Jillian is doing and hoping her kids are doing ok. Give her a hug gently of course. I am glad that you are all safe and home.
Love and hugs <3
Rhonda
I stumbled across this blog, yet this got my chocked up. Sending love and prayers.
love this article
Adore you Audrey.
You are one of a kind Dorothy, and I love you just the way you are.
Great Writing!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family,
Valentina
Hey Neighbor! Lovely to see you at the Pepperdine event.
Dorothy, Your loving soul is an inspiration! Anyone who knows you is fortunate to have you in their life! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story with us. Love and healing prayers for all that this tragedy has touched, as the branch of life goes on. XO