But most puzzling, yes enigmatic, of all is this: After centuries of devastating wildfires, how could anything combustible still remain in our state? Like any Rationalist, I went outside and asked my cat.
[Normaphoto]
I found Tux. He was doing sentry duty on an old dead tree stump. I asked what was going on. He said:
"My brother, Hairy, is sneaking through the fence to see why our neighboring field is all dried up and flammable."
"Tux, there's been tragedy over there. My friend of over 60 years died last week and there's nobody to plant or water anything. Another friend from childhood moved back to the Vineyard 2 years ago and he'll see to the mowing. We're safe enough."
"Can we discuss this over a meal of dehydrated mice?"
"Oh Tux, I'm no deipnosophist, but appreciate the offer. Now I must try to address the world."
"Sure, do it!"
"Dear world, is anybody besides me having horrible problems uploading images onto Blogger from PC "pictures". Never happened to me before but tonight it's a major enigma."
Lots of people appear to be having similar problems loading photos - but time resolves them (or blogger relents).
ReplyDeleteAfter our horrendous fires of last summer I was extremely disheartened to learn that one State is already burning. And, like you, I wonder that there is anything left to burn.
Dear EC, it's nearly 3 a.m. here and I'm truly comforted by your comment. Don't know what is going on with Google but fear it's a departure from a free forum composed of complete thoughts. I'm no alarmist but suspect there's (as my dad used to say) moogie-doin's afoot.
DeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your old friend, dear George. This certainly has been a year of gut punching and losing someone who is part of the story of your life is especially hard. May you find peace in the memories you made together.
ReplyDeleteEvery year the California fires are devastating and when I saw the massive lightening strikes last weekend, I feared the worst. I pray that they don’t come near you.
This is not the time for Google to make our life more frustrating.
Take care, Geo. You and Norma are in my thoughts.
Lovely Arleen, I know we both have coastal loved ones and reciprocate your kind concern. There were three inseparable boyhood friends who moved back to the Vineyard area after many years of working and adventuring. I admit to being one of them. We're just glad we got to share some good times again.
DeleteGeo, Since I reverted back to legacy blogger, photos are not an issue, but there were terrible results in my brief tryout of the new and (non) improved Blogger. And, I am also wondering if there is anything left to burn in CA and hope you and Tux and Hairy are safe.
ReplyDeleteDear Beatrice, Blogger has a history of inflicting new systems and formats --many of which are exclusive of one another-- on its billions of trusting users. Seems every time Blogger's improvements settle into a usable routine they start throwing spanners back into the works.
DeleteSo much of this country, in its native way, depended on fire, as destructive as it can be. I like your reflections and am sorry about the loss of a friend. In my last post in my "sagecoveredhills" blog, which is on blogger, I also had a heck of a time posting pictures. Stay safe and well.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Dear Jeff, from youth I have considered fire weird. If I was a caveman instead of a hick (ok same thing), I would have studied the control of fire --from heating, cooking, to its measured combustion in metabolism. 2 of my sons (&families) live in San Francisco. Their air is heavy with smoke from the recent firenado igniting coastal forests. I hope practical knowledge of hicks and cavepeople will sustain them --as well as faith: San Francisco Theological Seminary is there. So, everything seems to be in place: emergency systems, safety protocols for body and spirit, and plentiful places to cool off by simply stepping off the continent for a while (the sea is our big friend). You stay safe, well and strong, Sage. World really needs you now.
DeleteI have been wondering for the last few days if California has been importing tinder. Please stay safe. My condolences for the death of your friend.
ReplyDeleteDear Emma. Thanks for caring --60 years is a long time to enjoy the friendship of a stabilizing person and I grieve. My little family is scattered over this great nation and never sends anything more flammable than letters and artwork. You stay safe too. You're important to me.
DeleteNo idea about your picture loading, but the reason you're still having fires is 'cause you left coast liberals don't rake your forests, obviously.
ReplyDeleteHope this finds you and Norma well.
Dear Mike, Indeed, I've neglected my raking. Our president's(2018) comments regarding California's poor "forest management" left us stunned and paralyzed with guilt. You ever tried raking a forest while stunned and paralyzed? Me neither. That's why Norma and I are well and hope you are too. There's much to do, doctor. We wish you strength.
DeleteSo sorry about your friend. 2020 hasn't been the year I had hoped for, although I did get my first grandchild in May. The wildfires have gotten worse and worse it seems. There were several Augusts where we (Washingtonians) couldn't go outside for much of the month, due to fire smoke/air quality. I think some of that was due to Canada though. I don't have Blogger but I have been dealing with a few photo issues with typepad, a service I pay for. I have let them know that it's unacceptable, in a nice way. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Margaret, thank you. Congratulations to your family on 1st grandchild. It's a lovely turning point in life --I speak from experience. I commiserate with your photo uploading(?) problems. I experienced blogger-bog in the wee hours this morning. Went to bed wondering if there was some less capricious and more manageable site.
DeleteI tried the new blogger three times and finally gave up. Moogie doin's says a lot.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the loss of your friend. These are strange times.
Last year's wildfire destroyed a town, took away 70+ people. Hope you are in a safety zone this year. Here in Riverside county we see smoke too many times.
Dear Susan, Strange times indeed. My sister lives about 30 miles west of you and has kept me informed over the years. Sounds like you are unfortunately familiar with strange amber sunsets and carbonized air. I think your reference is directed at the destruction of a whole town, Paradise, on the highlands over Chico (in 11/18?). In 1970, Norma and I spent a year there. It was so peaceful and friendly; felt like nothing bad could ever happen. It took 1/2 a century to prove us wrong.
DeleteIt is the season for that annual concern. The recent heat wave has contributed to particularly foul air of recent. Our thoughts are always for the well being and success of the firefighters.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed some recent "quirkiness" in Blogger. They are trying to move us all to a new format and and thus some of the legacy functions are, well not functioning.
Dear Tom, I too have great respect for those who protect our beautiful state from combining with oxygen and our lives from being carbon smudges. As for quirkiness, Quirks are strange little beings but rumor has it that Victor® Trap Co. has developed a spring-loaded abatement device they will market soon as they figure out a quirkhead outline to print on its base.
DeleteFires, Blogger, frustration, these can all be overcome or overlooked. But the death of a longtime friend, that's another thing. Condolences, Geo.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bruce. I know it's been a week but I still find myself listening for his wheelbarrow and tools when I'm in our gravel lane. He built a lovely little barn before he died. I suppose we're old enough to expect stuff like that but it still gets to me.
DeleteWhen I see the huge wild fires on TV, I get scared, Geo.
ReplyDeleteAnd I sometimes wonder if there is any vegetation left?
Keep safe, my friend, you and Norma and your cats. I think of you all a lot. Britta
I get scared too, dear Britta, but feel protected in your thoughts and good wishes.
Deletethe earth is constantly burning and flooding..eternally..
ReplyDeleteDear Jackiesue, True indeed. Nature is the language of the universe, the articulation of reality, but I still find it damned annoying sometimes.
DeleteHi Geo, I suspect you are a deipnosophist. Anyone who knows a word like deipnosophist must be pretty interesting. I wish that I had the opportunity to find out. I am sorry to hear about the death of your friend. Stay safe out there.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Consigliere. I must admit I've never used that word before --especially during dinner conversation-- because it's one of those slimy boneless words that leaves a mucous trail wherever it goes. It pains me to report that the lady of that house died a few days after my old friend. Same cause. Norma and I have battened down our hatches towards staying safe. You too, deal?
DeleteI'm only surprised your cat has not started charging you hourly for advice and counseling.
ReplyDeleteDear Maddie, cats have no thoughts so bothersomely fungible as money. They want food and tummy rubs and a safe place to sleep --easily the most affordable of counselors.
DeleteI'm sorry that you lost your friend, Geo. It's the age we are. If we're lucky to live long enough, we start losing friends. The dearest friend of my life died at 35 from an asthma attack on the side of a California freeway. May you find comfort in the memories of your life-long friend!
ReplyDeleteDear Louise, thanks for a comforting comment. My longtime friend and (recently, my neighbor again) died of covid-19. It's like combat, where someone who saved your life yesterday catches a bullet and drops dead beside you today. I don't pretend to know the full effect of this pandemic, this threat to the world, but whatever it leaves will be shellshocked.
DeleteOMG ~ Covid-19! Please, please, please be careful, my friend! Hugs to you and Norma!
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