Things I found in the fire...

Recently there was a movie and I think the title was "Things I lost in the Fire" or something to that effect. After what has happened, the things that I found after the fire are what has sustained us the most.
Yes, we have found my things that have been to precious to us....pictures, birth certificates, jewelry. But the most precious thing that I found in the fire is the heart and soul and love and unity of this wonderful city call Pomona.
You are all so precious to us and we thank you from the deepest part of our hearts. Thank you for being there for all of us, thank you for your hugs and tears, thank you for being the city I never want to leave.
I am so proud of you.

God Bless you all.

Dear Pomona

Thank you all who came out yesterday to help shovel through the debris. It's a hell of a town.

3 dump truck loads from the house alone. I think we were able to salvage 5 or 6 pieces of furniture. I have advanced to the "numb" state as I walk through the empty house hopeful that the wood will dry nicely and and not swell further. We are amazed that so many pictures and bibles were saved...things that dated pre civil war. Larry is a descendant of Patrick Henry. I have the certificate from 1998 when the house was on the Heritage tour...a little wet around the edges.
During the years many alterations were done to the interior of the house and it's wonderful to see the pillars that were covered up when the sleep porch was enclosed. So through all of this there are bright moments.
Today the trees that were destroyed are coming down. The rest we are hopeful will survive.
Thank you Meg for mentioning the bureaus/dressers. We have piles of donated clothing and no where to put it. I am going to try to sort through some of it today.
When I look at the backyard, which will be totally baren when all the clean up is done, I would like to make the land available for a community garden. I would like that very much.

Pam

Fire Update

What does one say? Dawn, Fred, Larry and I are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring from this wonderful community that we live it. It will take volumes to thank each and everyone. We grieve, but so do you. Members of the Evans family have paid a visit. The Evans family purchased the house in 1908 and the grandson and great grandson came to the house. They had lived in the house on Pearl and the Grandmother had lived in our house. We carefully ventured into the entry way the wallcovering had pealed away to reveal his grandmother's original wallpaper. It was a very sad moment for them. That was the moment that I realized that we had only been caretakers of this beautiful home and that there had been so many others before us with wonderful memories.
The morning is the hardest when I wake up and realize that I cannot make a cup of coffee and sit at my computer overlooking the garden. There is no where I would rather be than Pomona.
The help is needed most at Dawn's right now with the plants. Saturday is our clean up day. We thank so much those that have brought clothes and food. We are telling everyone who wants to help to go to the Dawn's house next door in the back yard. Food and water to help the volunteers is very welcome. We love you all and ask to keep us all in your prayers.

Fire Update

After speaking with the insurance company we find that we were probably under insured. We will see how far it goes once the adjusters finally appear.

We feel that the downstairs can be saved and the upstairs rebuilt. The cottage is a complete loss and everything behind it.

The lawn in our yarn was mowed that morning by Larry, but the vacant lot behind Dawn's and our house was at least 2 to 3 feet high with dried grass. It is a sad note.

Pam Henry

Pomona my sweet Pomona

To all, and I will try to pull back the tears, thank you so much form the bottom of our hearts. Dan McIntyre is the most incredible person on this planet. I can never, ever repay Dan and Joan for being the friends that they are, coming to our aid. We are all saddened over our losses, but it will take more than a friggin fire to drive Dawn and I out of Pomona.
Yes, we are very upset with the fire department. THOSE HOUSES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED. Therein lies the tragedy. The deep grief in my heart is having to bury my pets that could have been saved. The children are fine, we are fine. Dawn and Fred are terrific. Those that brought food and clothes and shared in our tears are priceless friends and neighbors. And we all thank you.
We lost the cottage that our yarn shop was in that was built in 1887 and the roof and top floor of the main house is gone. We will know tomorrow whether or not we will be able to rebuild. Sadly Dawn's house has been red tagged. My heart is so sad for her and Fred. I have no idea what the Lord has in store for us, but my deep faith in Him is strong. We live in Pomona...and we have a hell of a town!!
Thank you all again for your prayers.

Awww Sweet Mystery of Life

O.K. So I've been lazy and haven't written a thought lately. As my dear French Grandmere used to say, "If you haven't got anything good to say, then shut up". It always sounded better in French.

So here we are at last, 2009. What do we do with it? Gas prices are starting to climb again, 1/2 million jobs were lost in December, and I listened this morning with great anticipation to our very refined new President Elect. Is he or isn't he? Will he or won't he? Does he or doesn't he? Can he or can't he? My head hurts. But truly, it's so refreshing to listen to someone intelligent speak. (Is potato still spelled with an "e"?) I'm still trying to get over Bush with the "deer in the headlights" look on 9/11. Still, I'm just so damn hopeful, and I find this very scary at my age.

So with the kiddies back at school - oh, before I forget - High Five to our 2 Pomona High Schools as being among the top 500 High Schools in America. BRAVO!! That would be Valley View and Diamond Ranch. Makes your heart proud. The Daily Bulletin had a little mention last December. I would have headlined it, but then, that's me.

Almost forgot - so with the kiddies back in school I decided to treat myself to a quiet breakfast alone with my new iphone. I remembered seeing a little restaurant (looking very out of place) tucked into an industrial park on Holt. Although it was only a brief glance, I mentally noted it at the time. So little restaurant looking out of place, let's see what's up. Sweet surprise. Love, love, sweet surprises. New (last May) small and very friendly. Although advertised as a Walnut address, it's actually a Pomona business. This is the kind of place I would love to have down here much more locally situated. The kind of place I always envisioned on 2ND St. The menu is not big, but simple and direct. I had the Bacon, Spinach, Cheddar Omelet with Hash Browns. Great and wonderful - the coffee bar is the treat. One of the owners, Obie (charming, charming) brewed for me a carafe of Nicaraguan coffee. They carry blends from all of the world. I know it hurt when I added cream and sweetener, but that's the Diva for ya. This was more than I could eat - 1/2 would have served me well.

If you are looking for Chicken Fried Steak and Biscuits and Gravy - this ain't the place honey. They cater mostly to the Cal Poly Students and the businesses around, but I loved the atmosphere and the friendliness - that counts very high for me. So Obie and all - good luck, and I will see you again soon. The Sugar Rush Cafe rates 5 stars and you can visit their website at www.cafesugarrush.com

I have to make mention that I highly agree with the Goddess on the Pomona Post Office. What a joke. Now don't get me wrong, I love my postman. He's just great and friendly, but that post office staff over on Monterey needs a huge attitude adjustment. I doubt I have ever encountered a bigger bunch of miserable looking employees. (Oh great, they will stop my mail delivery now). The lines are longer than at the DMV and there is usually only 1 or 2 windows open at the busiest time of the day. And then someone who had toooooo much time on their hand, decided to move the drop off mail box off Monterey into the parking lot. An accident waiting to happen.

I ran in a couple of weeks ago (line was out into the lobby) and quickly discovered that the stamp machine that dispenses singles was out of order. Just then a man came out wheeling a cart with stamps and started to fill the other machine that only dispenses "sets". Since I only needed 1 lousy, miserable, single stamp - I asked if I could buy just one from him. I guess that was a "pay grade higher" because he pointed to the line that was now out the door, and said he just couldn't do that. Screw your long line. I drove down to the Fedex station near Starbucks and they were more than happy to sell me one stamp and to mail the letter for me. Yes, the Diva can get very irritated.

Anyone going to the grand opening of the Saturday night Farmers Market?? This just might be interesting.

Until next time,

ciao

Tis The Season!

Well, after all of this "around town sadness" since our elections, I really needed last night. The whole family trekked up the hill to the Christmas recital at Diamond Ranch High School and I left in AWE!

The evening event was so stunning. I don't know about anyone else, but in times like these, I look to our children and hope springs eternal. I have until last night felt not in the Christmas spirit. The Music Director at Diamond Ranch has done and outstanding job and the students are so talented. Our middle schooler did a fine job and I suppose she needs a new violin after last night. She felt inadequate after hearing the strings section from the high schoolers, but I reminded her that they didn't get that way without practice. AND, they had the same music teacher that she has now when they were in middle school. Bravo to all last night. Ya made me proud.

Feeling so much more "Christmassy", I glanced out at the streetlight at the end of the driveway and couldn't help but feel sadness knowing that a pig banner will fly in September, but no Holiday banner flying in December. I think that I will protest the pig banner in 2009. If ya can't give me an American flag banner for the 4th, and something in keeping with the Holidays in December - then no pig banner in Sept.

OK...I opened my mouth and Pomona Cultural Arts Commissioner Moore marched over with a big jar. She wants me to fill it up! The 2009 High Schools of Pomona Mural Competition is in needs of fundage. So here goes....it's our kids. We need to encourage them as much as we can, and if that's through even the smallest of donations, let's give. We need to show them how much we appreciate them and their talents. If you want to donate, I will have to call and find out where best to send it - unless someone knows and can post it. Although, I will be collecting at the yarn shop and will make sure it gets to Cindy. You might even spot me around town with the jar.

Looking forward to all the events that are being held this Second Saturday. Especially the ceramic bowls filled with Chili that are being offered for sale at AMOCA. The cost is $12/bowl and will be from noon until 8pm. Can you think of anything better with this crisp weather?

Until next time,

ciao