Growing up in the hills of Northern CA, being fearful of wildfires was a part of life. We planted iceplant around our house, had a fire retardant roof and an evacuation plan. It was as much a part of of the "what if?" life as earthquakes. Growing up, I was deathly afraid of fires and they were the stuff of nightmares. The reality is much more brutal! I can only imagine the terror and sadness of everyone in the paths of the SoCal fires, and the devastation felt by those who have lost their homes. My heart and prayers go out to all who are in harm's way or who have lost homes and memories.
I continue to heal from my infection, a hardship that seems much less in the face of the troubles of others right now. I have used the enforced quiet time to finish a painting of a vineyard in Eastern Washington where I spent some time last June.