YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW...

 

Early morning fog over the mountains of Santa Cruz, California

I used to live 

in a land that was

 covered by fog. 

 Or, so it seemed!

When I lived with the fog,

 I felt at times, 

that it was taking over my soul. 

 It burrowed 

deep in my thoughts and emotions and 

felt too heavy 

to bear at times.

Smoke over the mountains of Grass Valley, California, from my kitchen window

Now,

 I live in a land

 that is covered in smoke. 

 Or, so it seems!  

 Living with the smoke, 

it makes it hard to breathe, 

the acrid odor that occurs

 is something nasty 

that takes me back 

to a scary place in my youth 

when my grandparent's house 

burned to the ground and 

the only thing left

 was black char and that horrible smell

 that happens 

when water hits burning wood and 

lingers in the air

 for what seems like forever.

Early morning sun, in a smoke filled sky, as seen through my kitchen window

The sun,

 though covered with smoke,

 is a ball of fire, 

spreading the heat

 like an unrelenting torch.

Ash is falling 

over every available surface. 

It even has entered 

into our screened porch.

  I wipe it down each morning,

 come evening

 there it is again.

Even when we are safe 

in the Cottage, 

with all the windows and doors closed, 

it feels as if 

somehow or other

 the smoke has crept in.

When the world 

we look out at is right,

 life is good.

  Isn't that how it always is? 

We count our blessings and 

feel pretty pleased with ourselves and 

the world around us. 

 When things start to become 

a little off 

that is when the weakness 

that we all have within us 

tries to take over. 

 Some times

 it is harder than others

 to get us back on track...

...but there are 

always ways.

I am finding it interesting to look back

 - one year ago -

 and see how my world was then.

August, 2019

It appears that 

the zinnias were thriving 

next to a pretty green lawn...

August, 2020

...not at all 

the same sight

 I see today.

August, 2019

The Chinese Lanterns 

were bright and vibrant, 

just starting out 

to welcome the fall...

August 2020

...not the limp and lifeless sight 

I see now.

August, 2020

The Crepe Myrtle tree, usually so full and bright, is just a former shadow of itself, with blossoms falling almost before they have opened up on the tree.

Today, 

there is a soft, pink haze

 that settles over all.  

That sounds so much like

 a pretty description 

if it weren't so tragic.

  The hills are ablaze 

around California 

with people losing their homes

 not too far from us. 

Three nephews were evacuated 

from their homes 

down by where my kids live, and 

there is ash and embers 

covering most all in between and beyond. 

California is a beautiful state 

with much to offer and 

even though there are 

people already suffering here

 from everyday living, 

now they have to contend with

 the added burden of

 the virus and the fires.

It doesn't always seem fair 

how this old world goes around, and 

sometimes it seems almost impossible

 that it can

 return right side up...

...but there is 

always hope and 

whether we live in a world 

covered by fog 

or by smoke

 or somewhere in between...

...we can dream 

of a better tomorrow.  

One that is 

as good as our yesterdays and 

one that will be 

so much better than today.

We would like to send 

all our thanks and humble gratitude 

to all the fire-fighters 

that came from near and afar 

to help keep us all safe.

 Jake's best friend, Parker, 

is one of those angels

 that have put their lives on the line

 to get the job done. 

We thank and love them all.

...Judy...

Stay smart,

 stay well, and 

remember to wear your masks. 

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