Advice on Recovering from a Wildfire, From Californians Who’ve Been There KQED's Forum · Episode

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@afterthefireusa.bsky.social CEO @jgt-707.bsky.social and business owners Melissa Schuster and @lizzporter.bsky.social spoke with Mina Kim on managing the practicalities of losing your home to a wildfire.

I’m not happy with it as it is now, it’s the only space in the house I don’t *love* I think this is the solution!

I love it! I tried to work it into my living room gallery wall but I think I’m going to redo our guest room into a “California room” I already have a vintage SF cable car painting and a couple of historic maps.

“I Love You California” I bought this sheet music many years ago not because I liked or even knew the song but because the artwork charmed and surprised me. The fact that one of the song’s composers bore the name A. F. Fr…

The original bear is from the 1913 sheet music for “I Love You California” Annie’s is a version based on that.

somanysongbooks.com/2020/05/29/i...

Airport bartender says “I’ll be right back” and leaves. There are no employees here. What’s a reasonable time to wait for her return so you can pay? (There are 3 other customers plus me)

I’m OG, dude. Hello and I love you. 😘

Friends, if my wildfire-related content has been helpful to you this last week, you can also help support my own family’s recovery (because it’s still ongoing) by purchasing items from my business, pewpewlasercraft.com. Thank you!

You should watch the show.

Too expensive, too much crowd noise, can’t pause it to go pee, uncomfortable seats, too far from my house (20 min to old little theater, 40 to a newer fancy one), too loud, just nothing that can’t wait until streaming. Even streaming, I’m not paying $25 to rent Wicked. I can wait.

I’m so sorry. I lost the Joy of Cooking my mom got as a wedding gift.

Dog snuggles. A text from a friend to say hey. My husband bringing me coffee in bed. My kid hugging me even if his friends are there. A piece of shortbread to go with my tea.

Also I sent a request!

They have like a 3.5% average conversion, some as high as 8%. Emails are so cheap to send, they’ll take their chances on annoying you. (As a biz owner, I don’t like them either so I don’t send them)

I do like Star Trek, grew up watching TNG with my parents lol But Star Wars has my heart.

I recognize you! You’re welcome to look me up and send a request! Same name and profile pic.

If you have a friend who is impacted by fires, do me a favor: Set a reminder for 6-9 mo from now to check in, send a gift card. It’s hard when you’re in the thick of recovery and the world has moved on. All of this support and donations + assistance goes away + then you’re on your own and it sucks.

Dolores Umbridge, you mean?

Etsy sellers impacted by the fires: Did you know Etsy has free grant money available? Up to $2000! Apply here: advocacy.etsy.com/etsy-emergen...

Rewatching right now preparing for season 2!

I Choose the Bear - SoCal Fire Fundraiser - Ornaments and Magnets "I choose the bear" is the perfect saying for California; it's more than just a place we live, it's our home, it's the home of dreamers and artists and passion takes on a life of its own in our belove...

Wildfire fundraiser: All proceeds after costs will be donated directly to families via GoFundMe. Please check out the link and share! pewpewlasercraft.com/products/i-c...

I lost everything in a California wildfire. Here’s what people in L.A. need to know now As a Bay Area native, the threat of wildfires has always been in the landscape. I just never though they would reach my doorstep.

I grew up in San Ramon, my husband in Palo Alto! www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

This is standard practice for wildfire impacted areas.

Stay safe, friend!

Our loss was 3.5 yrs ago. We’re home and on the road to recovery. I’m just trying to help those who are in the thick of it now.

If the fire starts in the middle of the day (Palisades started at 1-‘z my own was at 2:30) By the time you get an alert, it’s too late to get back to the house.

No, River Fire in 2021. Placer and Nevada Counties. Around the same time as Dixie and Caldor. Ours was “only” 2500 acres and 100 homes, so it doesn’t get the coverage that others do.

It’s amazing to see in person.

Here’s what we’re not gonna do: Shame/harass people for how they act (or don’t) after the fire. You don’t know how you’d react either.
Exhibit A: I snapped my mask off, posed and smiled for a pic after spending several hours sifting through the ashes of our home. I don’t know why, muscle memory?

Where in NorCal? Did you notice? Our Placer County crews headed down last night, just like the whole state them to us in 2021z 💙

A note for my fellow wildfire survivors: Being on here and helping/talking to people is work in the thick of it work. Hard work. Take care of yourself and be gentle with your heart.