Hey, for our California residents here:

1. Are all of you okay and not damaged by the fires? (Of course, if you're burned out, you probably don't have a computer to read this . . . . and I tend to doubt this is the first place you'd be checking from a laptop in a hotel room . . . .)

2. Are the fires anywhere near TS' avocado ranch? It'd be a shame if he lost 600 trees in the freeze and then the others burn up!

SelleckLover, you're around the area, aren't you? What's your take on things? I'm assuming you're safe, I hope, I hope.

golf

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"Portside, buddy."

Golf you beat me to the post....

I hope our So Cal friends are safe and sound!

Sellerlover I hope you and your family are ok, please check in with us when you can.... I think when you spoke of your California roots you are basically located in the midst of the fire.

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Don't look at the dogs, work the lock

Thank you everyone for your concern. I am indeed, near one of the fires, (Santiago Fire) but not near enough to be affected by it. I live about a 10 minute drive from the ocean and can see Catalina Island on a clear day.

Mr. Selleck's ranch is in Ventura County near the L.A. County border, but the fires thankfully never got out of L.A. County. Our fire, (in Orange County) was set by an arsonist and they are offering a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist. The air quality is very poor here, because we're getting all the smoke and soot from the fires in San Diego. Every day I go out and have a layer of ashes and soot on my car. I don't go outside unless I have to. They closed the major interstate highway (I-5), and it's the only way to get down to San Diego. Since we're close to San Diego, a lot of people around here work there.

We are doing fine and are in no danger. Thanks for the concern!

Glad to hear you're OK.

Maybe it's just me, but I think the arsonist when caught should face life in prison. Not sure if California has the death penalty. The unbelievable damage, and risk to life and property by this dispicable act is inexcusable.

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"But Higgins, I can explain."

N,
FYI: In California, arson is classified as anywhere from a Class II to a Class IV Felony if there is > $100 in damage, to a Misdemeanor if there is <$100 in damage. The minimum sentence is 8-10 years in prison with restitution to the victim(s), and the maximum sentence being death if there is loss of life.
Unfortunately, only 13 people have been executed since California reinstated the Death Penalty in 1977.

Source: My sister is a lawyer who practices law in California.

P.S. The reward is now up to $250,000.

Yes, but you' re lucky to still have this penalty. In France 26 years ago it has been removed. Others european countries don' t have too.

O,

You don't have to apologize for your English...you get your point across quite well. If I had to do all my posts in French, having to rely on the French I learned in high school, I wouldn't be posting anything unless I felt sick, or tired. (Je me sens malade, je me sens fatigue.) Don't ask me why I remember that from almost 40 years ago! LOL

Thank you for you message. Sometimes it' s not easy for me to write english, so i' m worry some people are bored to read me.
Bye !

Olivier,

Il ne faut pas que vous faites des excuses pour votre anglais! C'est ma francais! Quel est mieux?

Donc, s'il vous plait, continuez a dire en englais, avec confidence! Nous vous comprendons (je pens que j'ai dit cela correctement -- ou peut-être non!).

golf

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"Portside, buddy."

Bravo Golf ! I' m surprised, your french is very good. I hope sometimes you have the chance to speak french in U.S.
A bientôt !