As the title says, I have returned home after having evacuated from the fires on the West Coast. I'm lucky. My house is still here. Needs to be aired out a bit, but it's here and everything is intact and safe. For this, I'm very grateful. There are many that aren't so lucky. Entire towns have been destroyed and houses have burned, leaving hundreds, probably thousands, displaced and looking for a spot to rebuild. Some will return to their homes when it's safe and rebuild there. Others may very well move elsewhere. My prayers go out to all of them and those still in danger from fires that still burn. I also pray for the firefighters who are working so very hard to get the blazes back under control so that those places yet untouched may remain safe.

My area is still a level 1 evacuation zone as of right now, but it's safe enough we felt we could return. We'll be keeping an eye on things, just in case, but I feel we will be okay. Now I turn my attention back to looking for a job. I have a very good prospect I'll be investigating as of tomorrow. If it goes well, maybe my search will be over. I also intend to start putting an increased effort into house maintenance and into my writing. There are things that need to be done and I need to stop stalling. Bit by bit I will reclaim my life in all the ways I can.

My deepest thanks to my wife's grandparents for housing us for the last couple weeks while we waited to see if we could return home. My thanks to the firefighters in the field and all they are doing. My thanks to my friends who have supported me throughout this situation. I've deeply appreciated all of the support and emotional help as I processed this event, the closest I've been to a true catastrophe in my life. I know I have it easy, but it was easier still with friends.

If you are suffering from a major event and need someone to talk to, I'm here. I can offer my support, my ear, and my prayers. Always feel free to say hi.