Monday the 7th
The only sign that life remains
are in the moments just before dawn
somewhere down near the creek … the children playing
called quickly indoors before the smoke returns
and suffocates
I linger over apps that promise relief,
which never comes. The first day of triple digits,
I close the windows before the sun comes up,
the house stays bearable until late afternoon.
The second day, I draw the blinds,
the house stays bearable until noon.
the third day … I pray the power stays still on.
Currently it’s hovering between 108 and 110 with an air quality fluctuating between Unhealthy for Certain Groups and Unhealthy, period. The weatherman keeps promising a break but I know what’s going on. They just don’t want to admit that California has become a pizza oven. Guess what suckers – welcome to your new reality.
Even my funky penis plant is suffering. I had expected the blossoming to have climbed to the tip of the stalk. But then it stopped.
I’ve actually come to love this funky plant. I think I’ll grow a whole garden full of them.
Only they prefer an arid landscape and it does rain in California. Sometimes. I hope. Soon.
Tuesday, Sept. 8th 8:00 AM: The power is back on but high winds are expected. Meaning: charge your batteries and buy ice. It’s 72 and too smokey to see the sun. But, the children are playing in the driveway across the street.
Saying nothing in particular 
Aeolus thrashes his whip and the jetstream writhes in answer. The crack sounds and California suffers the shock.
https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/250hPa/orthographic=-140.24,37.86,412
That what it feels like for sure.
I think it’s still stunning.
Gee, that’s hot.
It’s a little better today but the sky is surreal.
I bet.
I hope it rains soon, Jan.
Meanwhile, Trump has no time or money for the Paris Climate Accord. Because climate change is a hoax.
Thanks Mary – no rain in the forecast but I’m doing every rain dance in my repertoire!
Our planet is in big trouble. I hope that conditions ease soon in your region.
Unfortunately … too true.
Thank God you are still there I was so worried for you 💜💜
Thanks Willow. I hope you and your family are doing well.
We are okay thanks, it you guys we are worried about 💜
Yikes. I can’t even imagine. Oddly, we have been dropping down in the 70s this week…as if Autumn is in a hurry.
Your plant is still stunning.
Today we’re basically sitting in the dark. The sky is a dark orange mixture of “marine layer” and smoke. But it’s only 63 degrees. Very surreal.
Wow.
The sky is orange, the air is thick with smoke, but tomorrow’s forecast says the high will be “only” 92. I might need a sweater. 🙄
Indeed – I’m thinking of making a pot of hot tea.
Poor sods. I suppose, having lived in paradise for so long this is payback. Hope you stay safe and able to breathe.
Thanks Geoff. I don’t know if I’d call this area paradise – we don’t get enough rain for a decent garden and the annual fire season is hell on earth.
Wow! I’d just about be able to cope with living in Bodega Bay. And I hear it’s been snowing in Colorado?
Take care and keep staying safe, Jan.
There was one fire up near Bodega but I believe it’s well under control. Yup – snowing in the Colorado! But then I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Rockies when there wasn’t snow somewhere.
High heat and bad air is a terrible time to be without power. I hope things settle down for you soon.
Thanks Dan – now the real problems are north and south of us. We have some kind of funky marine layer pushing the smoke up high so the air quality is better but the sky is dark orange. One newscaster said “I went to sleep on Earth and woke up on Mars.”
So crazy!
It’s stupid hot here, but not that hot. Still, the power goes off regularly.
It was never this hot in Toronto, when I moved here. Now, it seems the mercury is punishing us.
It reminds me of an old Twilight Zone.