The Haze...

I never would have understood what a monster they are fighting out West w/ the wildfires, had we not lived through 2 of them here in Colorado. We were here for only 6 months when the Waldo Canyon fire occurred in 2012. I can tell you that when the fires literally exploded over the canyon and took out close to 350 homes in one fell swoop, not to mention the automated phone call we received from Medtronic, the supplier of Edwards' diabetic supplies, reminding us what to take if we needed to evacuate, it was horrifying. Forest fires create their own weather. What they are battling out West has been going on for weeks now, almost 1 month. It is hard to imagine. I am not sure why I was surprised when the wind changed and blew the smoke from the fires East, that we would be so effected here in Colorado. The air has been heavy, the haze so thick and unbelievably so, we could smell the fire. Also, most unexpected, have been the sunsets since the weekend. As a New Yorker, an orange sunset during the hot dog days of summer was not an unusual sight. Here, however, not so much. My camera literally would not register the color orange, and as a result, I got some interesting shots. Last night the wind was so strong I was almost bowled over, and thankfully, I am catching a glimpse of the Rockies this morning. Please, keep the firefighters and the good people out West in your prayers. I have included 1 pic from the Black Forest fire which was taken from Edward's room, literally 1 hour after the fire began...it happened. 

Life marches on, we continue w/ our daily routines. I have been savoring these last days of the outdoor pool being open, and broke my record of 70 laps, to a big, 72 laps yesterday, which is a little over 1 mile!!!

As a post script to last weeks post about the Corpse Flower, 'Stinky' as it was known here, has keeled over and died. No picture necessary!

Saturday, 8/22

Sunday, 8/23

Monday, 8/24, setting...

Monday, 8/24 setting..

Monday, 8/24 setting..

Last night, 8/25..

From Edward's room, literally 1 hour after the Black Forrest fire began, 2013...

'For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

 I know all the birds of the hills,

and all that moves in the field is mine.'

 Psalm 50:10-11

Now We Have an Epic Fire....

Waldo Canyon started burning on Saturday, around noon. Right now, there are 15,342 acres burning. 32,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. Yesterday around 4PM, the worst case scenario occurred. There was a thunderstorm on the other side of the canyon which contained 65 mile per hour winds and literally pushed the fire over the ridge and into the Northwest part of Colorado Springs, which is residential. As of this hour many many homes have been lost. Most thankfully, there have been no injuries!! We are about 20 miles away, a bit north and east and we are in a high spot. The pictures posted here were when this virtual explosion occurred. It was within that hour when we began to think about really preparing to evacuate. I received a recorded phone call from Medtronic, the supplier of Edward's diabetic equipment 'reminding' him of what to bring in case of evacuation. A shudder ran down our spines at that moment.

These pictures were taken from outside my front door, and down the street at around the 4 o'clock hour. One of our neighbors brought out a very powerful pair of binoculars which he set up on a tripod so we could see what was happening on the Ridge. We saw the houses burning well into the night....clearly. This is a historically challenging fire, where all agencies and jurisdictions are working in unison. Please be assured that we are okay. The information is non-stop and we will heed all warnings. Again, we are 20 miles away. We would ask that you pray for the people of Colorado Springs, for the firefighters, for the newscasters, for  all the very important decision making people who have been extraordinary, and for the weather cooperating. Will most definitely keep you posted.

Dear Restlesss Heart...

'Prayer'

Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;
God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.

Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God's own smile,
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.

Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so,
He hath a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;
Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.

Dear restless heart, repose upon His breast this hour,
His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;
Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.

Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;
God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.

Edith Willis Linn
1865-1945