And so the fires begin.  Right now the hills are burning just east of Universal City, right above the Hollywood sign.  So far it seems that no structures are in danger and they seem to be getting things under control.  The winds are blowing a bit but should let up tonight, so they should be able to get it out before there’s any damage done other than some blackened hillsides.  Fortunately we are far enough away from it that we can see the smoke but it’s not penetrating the air here causing breathing problems.  We are only about 6 blocks away from the foothills, so I am extremely concerned that fires will come close this summer.  They think this one started due to kids playing with fireworks in the dry brush.  Dumbass kids.

Meanwhile I was off work today for the Cesar Chavez holiday (?).  Hardly anyone else gets the day off, but I am more than willing to take it!  Went shopping this morning for waterbed stuff.  Found a waterbed store in Glendale (about 10 mi away) and got two new sets of sheets and a new mattress pad.  Decided against getting a new mattress right now with the hope that the old one (with duct tape patches) will hold up for awhile longer.  The new mattress pad is very thick and I think it will help to keep the cats from puncturing the actual mattress–which is the cause for the patches!

Then headed out to Home Depot where I got a new rosebush to replace one in the backyard that doesn’t seem to be making it back this year.  The new rose is called John F Kennedy and is bright white with a good fragrance.  I only have one other white rose and it is edged with pink, so this should be a nice addition.  Also got some perrenials with the hope they will last and I won’t have to replant one of my beds in the backyard every year.  Only picked up a few annuals since the selection was sparse.  May stop by the nursery nearby to my house tomorrow morning to see if they have anything.  Just need a few plants for the bed out front next to my front porch.  Also got a few succulents.  Going to put those in a large pot that I’ll put out back somewhere.  I have good success with succulents and hope these do well enough so that I can get starts for additional plantings.

Have been trying to get new wicker furniture for my front porch from Target.  They had a sale this past week and every store in the area is sold out.  I even tried to order online, but gave up when the shipping costs came in at (are you ready for this?) $283!!!  Are they nuts?!?!  Apparently there is a glitch in their system which I discovered after calling their 800 number.  However, they can’t get it fixed until next week.  I have a raincheck for the store, so am hopeful they will get more in sometime soon.  I don’t want it bad enough to pay over $600 online with shipping & tax.

Off to unload my car and get started on planting and washing the new sheets.  Nice to have two more days to work in the yard and house.