Feeling rather apocalyptic...

[cilla4progress]

We here in the inland Pacific NW have been living under a pall of hot smoky haze for a week. Our typically stunning views of bright blue sky and tawny late-summer hills blunted and snuffed.

Along with talk of rising nuclear tensions with NK, environmental degradation that is intensifing exponentially, and the underlying death wish of tRumplandia, I am recommending to my 24 year old daughter that she go out and grab all the life and fun she can in present times...while sharing her gift of love for children far and wide in her work.

I find myself ratcheting down my personal social engagements; perhaps being more guarded about who with and how I spend my time...much of it spent in caring for my animal family, making sure they are comfortable and well taken care of. I am fortunate to do social justice work, so am able to stay engaged with my principles in that way.

How are you doing?

[redstateblues]

1. I'm taking your advice

To go out and grab all the life and fun I can in present times. It's been unusually cool this past week here in TN-it won't last but I'm practicing living in the present.

[cilla4progress]

2. For sure.

Several years back when the right was practically torturing our dear Pres. OBAMA with every sort of heinous insult and the news was blechhh day after day, I came up with the meme for myself that, "I decided to just have fun."

In other words, don't let others determine your truth or reality. There is fun and life to be lived, even during the darkness. It has worked well for me, and I am generally not subject to any kind of mind control.

There may be a dose of denial in there, but I maintain there is laughter and fun to be found even at times like these. I find mine mostly in nature, and especially in my animal family. I try to bring this attitude to my family and workplace.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

3. Please don't give into fear...

That's what they want you to do. I understand. Scaryx2 times.

A quote from a book... Dune.

Frank Herbert

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

Yes we must be aware, we must fight, we must inform...but fear, that's not for me.

Here in Michigan we are facing a very lot of problems because of climate change. Pollinators vanishing to the point I did not put in a garden this year.

Dry and sunny for so long the river I live by has dropped 18 inches this year. Then when the rain comes it's in torrents. 2-3 inches at at time.

Bird habits have completely changed. I have seen insects I haven't seen since I lived in Alabama.

I don't live with the fear of nukes. I remember though when I was younger the nuke drills we did in grade school. Scary!

But, always a but, please don't give into fear.

Thank you for letting me have my piece.

[MFM008]

4. This weather sucks in WA.

Looks foggy out due to haze.
Like walking in soup.
I have 7 fans and an air conditioner going.
I hate these long stretches of upper 80s- 90s.
Good news??
Possibility of R A I N and 70 degrees next week.

[cilla4progress]

6. Are you

In inland Washington too?

[MFM008]

7. no

about a 5 minute drive from the water.
Still crap...

[dhill926]

5. living well, is the best revenge....

[nolabear]

8. I'm in Seattle. I've never been so worried.

The smoke doesn't help but it'll go, at least for now. That asshole tweeting about utter bullshit has me deeply alarmed. At the very least he should be attempting to reassure and let people know the government is aware and doing its job. He's full on Queeg while we wonder if we're going to die.

[cilla4progress]

9. I

Feel you