Yesterday was disconcerting, to say the least. Smoke from wildfires in our state covered our area. We woke to darkness, as if it was a winter morning. The darkness continued until after 9 a.m. When it finally got light, the light was very dim.
Our cars were covered with ash, and the ash is worse today. Pieces of ash constantly drift down and swirl around, as if it was lightly snowing.
The plants in the garden are not amused. They are really covered with ashes today. I put the sprinklers on last night to hopefully wash them off, but they seem pretty dirty today. The lighting was so bad yesterday that I went out in mid-late afternoon to pick some green beans. I picked what I found. Today, when the light was better, I went out again and got another whole colander full that I simply did not see yesterday because it was so dim.
Long before 5, the sky darkened, and it was once again pitch black.
Today was a little better, but still very smoky and ashy and the light was dimmer than normal. The extreme conditions have moved up the valley a bit. Although it is freaky, we are very safe where we are, in the middle of the city.
I’m not complaining. There are entire towns pretty much wiped out. There are people who have lost everything they own, and some have even lost their lives. We have friends who have had to evacuate. Fire is raging in the canyon where we recently vacationed. We don’t even know if the cabin we stayed in is still there. That entire town has been severely damaged, we know from news reports.
One hard thing is that there are so many fires. They just announced that there are 27 in Oregon. They are all over the state. Down at the beach, one of our popular seaside towns has been partially evacuated due to a fire that is getting closer. In southern Oregon, my mother’s cousin had to evacuate a campground, and I read today that it burned up. (The cousins are safe) There are several fires in the county where we used to live, and one is extremely near to where our house was. Rob’s uncle and many, many others had to transport all their animals to the fairgrounds near them when they had to evacuate.
Almost every Wednesday for about 20 years, Rob and his friend have met for prayer, Bible Study and to visit. His son, a policeman, came by as his family was there for safety reasons, and Rob got to talk to him about the fires in the area. It was nice to have so much info. Rob drove up there today as usual, and they met in the pitch dark. The heavy, heavy smoke had moved up there today. He planned to visit a couple of friends and drop off a little garden produce while he was up in the area, but was unable to as one had evacuated to another location, and the other had been up all night, thinking they might have to go at any moment. So, those 2 dodged the zucchini bullet, just for today. They are safe, and their homes are safe as of tonight, and for that, I am very, very grateful. I heard from my friend that lives in Central Oregon, and she’s ok, too, even though there are fires there, as well.
I’m praying for the people who have lost so much. I’m praying for safety and strength for the fire fighters. I’m praying for everyone to make good decisions and stay safe. And, last, but not least…I’m praying for rain. Lots of rain.
Prayers for you, Becky, and all in California, Oregon and Washington.
I appreciate the prayers. We have so many friends and family that have been impacted, in small or large ways. We are fortunate that our only problem is to stay quiet and indoors and how big of a pot of soup we need to make to have enough to share.
How heartbreaking. Sending prayers out.
Thank you.
Dear Becky,
Just last night I was wondering how you were doing, hearing that there were fires in Oregon. I’m thankful that you and your friends and family are okay, but indeed, we all must be in prayer. My brother in Santa Rosa, CA sent a photo that looks much like yours, red -brown skies and darkness. He said it seemed like an end-times omen, and I can’t disagree. And my sister and her family in Southern CA are on alert. Our skies were much the same here in Colorado on Monday, but then we received an early snow/rain storm, which has cleared the skies and dampened the fires.
I believe the Lord would have us constantly relying on Him, and bearing each others’ burdens, and these “unprecedented times” (an understatement!) of this year, are opportunies for this. Thank you for your encouraging, uplifting blog; we are praying for you!
Psalm 46 : God is our refuge and strength!
Thank you for your prayers. I love that Bible verse. It’s very comforting.
It’s bad all the way up and down the west coast. I’ve never seen anything like this here in Oregon, on this side of the mountains. The pictures that are coming out on the fires are horrifying. I’m glad we have rain on the way.
I watched the news and thought of you and few other bloggers I read out in that region. I am glad you and your family are safe. My husband and I experienced this when we were first married in South Florida. The Everglades were on fire. It was terrible. The smoke was bad. Take care of yourselves. I’ll pray for the much needed rain.
Barb in PA
Thank you so much.
Oh my goodness…that really does look ominous…hopefully it’s not bothering your breathing too much…looks like the plants don’t like it though…stay safe…
~Have a lovely day!
I’m doing fine. I’m just staying inside most of the time, and not exercising. I’ll be glad when it breaks up, though, for many reasons. One of them is that we need to get out and take a walk! Of course, I’m looking forward to the fires being put out and everyone safe, the most.
We are in the same boat here on the Central Coast of CA with fires raging just to the north of us and also to the south. It’s a very scary time and we have been so sad to see Oregon on fire, too. We so love going up to Oregon on vacations.
I’m glad you are safe and l hope and pray you get some rain soon.
Thank you. I’m sorry you have to contend with fires as well. This is the first time in my life that I’ve had to deal with this much fire and therefore smoke in my area. I know California has been hit over and over with this. I’m sorry.
I’m glad to hear that you are safe from all the fires, Becky. We are having some pretty bad fires here, in California, too. 🙁
I heard the California fires are awful. The whole west coast seems to be aflame. It’s pretty disconcerting.
This is so scary! Prayers for your safety!!!
Thank you. We have felt anxious at times, mostly when we hear that friends and family have had to evacuate their homes….but prayer helps!
Unrelated, a reader on a frugal group found unsalted Umpqua butter for 99c lb. at a wheeler deeler store in Oregon today. Don’t know if you have that store but thought I’d pass it along.
We have a Wheeler Dealer right here in Salem. Rob goes there now and then when he is on the other side of town. I’ll tell him to look for butter.
Those pictures are so eerie.
I am so very sorry. It seems unreal doesn’t it. So many lives lost, so many sad stories. It is heartbreaking.
Praying for rain!!!
Me, too! We have ashes everywhere–we can’t take a big breath, but rain is in the forcast in a few days. Whew!
Praying for you in Australia as well. Wish our fireys could come and help.
Thank you. That’s so sweet.
Keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Sending prayers up for you and yours that everyone is safe.
Air quality here in the Vancouver metro area has gotten worse over the last four days. Fortunately the higher temps broke today.
Take good care.
Thank you. I guess we have the dubious honor of having the worst air quality in the world right now….. all I know is that the next weather system that brings rain can’t come too soon for me!
Becky, we are in Talent and so many of our friends have lost their homes. In this time of need the best support is our friends and family. I have seen an outpouring of love and kindness from the entire community and feel blessed to live in a place where people care so much about each other. Hope you are safe and well.
Marian,
I saw the pictures of both Pheonix and Talent. I was appalled. We lived down in Gold Hill for a few years, a long time ago, and Rob’s cousin is still down in that area, so I have a warm place in my heart for that area. I’m glad you are safe, we are totally safe where we live, though so many of our friends are evacuated right now, as they live in a different area.
I have lived in the Rogue Valley my entire life, including during the ’62 floods and this probably the most devastating event we have ever had. Am so glad you and your family are safe.
It is a beautiful place to live, it’s just different from this area. I liked it when I lived there, but really noticed how much drier the climate was then it is here. I could grow watermelon there!