Friday, August 21, 2015

Celebrate the Small Things: Clean Air for One

Fire and heavy smoke  Monday closed Interstate 90 near Vantage, Kittitas County. (Washington State Patrol)
[Seattle Times] I-90 shut down due to smoke Jul 20
Eastern Washington has been 'under siege' by smoke and forest fires this and last month. Yesterday we could barely see across the lake. Today, with the wind that blew through in the right direction last night, the air is clean again.

What we really need is a good old-fashion downpour--a week's worth! The entire state is as dry as a cinder, and it's affecting the way we live. Recently I-90 was shut-down near where I live and traffic was backed up for miles.

My husband and I had planned to camp in Northeastern WA this weekend at a beautiful state park. One of our small towns there is holding a popular fly-in called Wings Over Republic, and with all the activity surrounding this event, people fly in with their small planes and air camp under the wings, or pitch tents and camp in their RVs at the adjacent state park. Not this year. Today we cancelled our reservation and I just read online that authorities are calling for cancellation of the fly-in as well. Last we heard, the town was at a Level I alert, which means some residents might be evacuated.

[KHQ TV Spokane] Current fire in Ferry County, near where we had hoped to camp.
Sadly, three fire fighters lost their lives in the Twisp, WA fire on Wednesday. Prayers are needed for the remaining crews' safety and those living near the fires! Burn victims have been reported and dozens of homes have been lost too. Unfortunately, knowing where the next fire will flareup can't be predicted. Wind and lightning strikes feed these fires. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for the 'breather' today. 

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On a different note.....
I've been swimming a lot at the community pool. Swam 18 laps two days in a row. Kind of proud of that....I could barely do 8 laps when I started two months ago. 

 Have a Relaxing Weekend!


Source: http://www.topix.com/county/ferry-wa/2015/08/kettle-complex-fire-in-ferry-county-at-42-000-acres;
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/brush-fire-closes-i-90-near-vantage/ 

Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLitCo-hosts are: L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge and Katie @ TheCyborgMom


34 comments:

  1. Yikes! That's terrible about all the smoke and fires. Sorry that's been so nightmarish over in your state lately... :(

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    1. And it's windy again too.......where next, I wonder.

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  2. I've seen the horror of the fires on our news stations here. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks. We have the river lake on one side and fruit orchards (plus a runway) as protection on the other side.

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  3. Thanks, I don't think we're in any danger where I live, other than lots of smoke.

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  4. Those fires look pretty terrifying! Definitely a good idea to stay away.

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  5. How awful -- and doubly scary when you think that you could have actually been there at the fly-in or nearby when the fires started. Stay safe, and congrats on the swim laps!

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  6. Thank you...I really feel in shape afterwards. But no swimming today, unless it's up and over the waves. The winds have really picked up. Planes here are likely grounded for the day. What's with this crazy weather?

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  7. How awful, that must be pretty scary not knowing where the fire will spread. I send my best wishes to you all there. Congratulations on the swimming too, it's great when you can see and feel the improvement.

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  8. I do enjoy the swimming. Thanks. Big sigh on the smoke and fires. Wind has shifted and we are getting smokey again. Fall weather is starting to look pretty good.

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  9. We've been watching the horrendous fires taking over your state for over a week now. I'm so sorry for the lives that have been lost. Keep Safe!!!!

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  10. The wind is so crazy today. Smoke blowing our way earlier is now blowing in the other direction. It must be wrecking havoc on the fires burning elsewhere. I wish we'd get some rain. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Very scary... fires are just horrible. Here in Australia we get terrible ones too during Summer... Keep safe.

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    1. Yes, I can imagine it would be awful there. Thanks for commenting.

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  12. My prayers and best wishes go across the Atlantic to the land beyond the sea. May God almighty bring much needed rains to water this continent and bring a halt to the raging inferno. Love and blessings from South Africa.

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    1. Thank you so much. This morning my husband showed me an aviation map. We are quite literally surrounded now. Prayers really are needed. God bless you, Geoff.

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  13. Very sad about the loss of lives to fire. We live where fires are frequent and inevitable, so we're always appreciative of our firefighters who risk so much to protect the homes and wildlife here.

    Great news about those laps!

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    1. Yes, very sad. I don't have details but usually the fire fighters are young. Swimming has been a surprise joy, something my husband enjoys too.

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  14. Well, it was fine last year in the end. Thanks!

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  15. I was in Yosemite years ago when forest fires were raging through the parklands. Where I was (Tuolomne meadows) the fires were just a misty sky at night and the vague scent of smoke. No one was hurt in those fires, as I recall. This summer is different and I am so sorry for the loss of life. I love your transition to swimming laps. YUou are only competing against yourself, all is cool, moist and silent...

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    1. Thanks Diana. Appreciate your thoughts on the fires. Swimming does have a silent aspect to it....very relaxing too once you nail down how to breathe.

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  16. Oh my-Stay safe! These fires are just awful and I feel so bad for the firefighters and their families. They are true heroes. I hope it does rain soon because this drought is too much! I must congratulate you on a wonderful event -swimming 18 laps. This is no small feat so congratulations!

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    1. Will do, thanks. I feel for the families hurt by this. Fall will hopefully bring relief and much needed rain.

      Pretty pumped about the swimming. Yay, 18 laps again today :)

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  17. The fires out west are so frightening. I can't imagine what they must go through.

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  18. It just seems to get worse. Tuesday, dry lightning is predicted....still no rain!

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  19. The fires are unreal! So sorry for the loss of life. I worked EMS for many years and worked side by side with firefighters. They're amazing. I'm hurting for the families who lost their loved ones.

    You go girl with your 18 laps around the pool!! Nice. Keep it up! Hugs to you. Eva

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  20. Dealing with smoke in the house now and our eyes smart. Golly it can't last forever. Relief in sight this Weds, barring any lightning strikes and erratic winds. Thanks Eva!

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  21. I really hope things are less wild Sharon and all are keeping as safe as possible. May the rains come soon -

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    1. Thanks Susan. Sorry to not visit your blog in awhile. Still catching up. Hope you're having a good summer.

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  22. The fires out there are just terrible. I'm sorry to hear about the firemen who were lost. Sending prayers for rain your way. Way to go with the swimming laps. What great progress! Hope you're having a good week!

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  23. Thanks, Lori. We need rain badly. I don't recall it ever being this bad other than when the volcano blew in 198_, which put the state at a standstill.

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.