Shelter in Place, August 19, 2020

The Lanterna blossoms along the edge of the garden remind me in this morning’s early light of the illustrations in the latest California wildfire map - myriad young conflagrations sparked in grass by the strange lightening several days ago, each fire now growing bigger and heading for the hills. Seems the Bay Area was not as lucky as I’d hoped. Inside our house the smell is almost pleasant, like embers from a fireplace left to smolder through the night. But as soon as I open the doors to take a slow walk around the garden, all doubt is gone: fire season is the next plague upon us, not locusts after all.

I’ve been dreading this. I still consider myself a California newbie, but have already suffered through several autumn bouts of choking smoke and falling ash, the air so thick I could not see up to the corner. This is early and, with the lack of rain this year, not a good sign at all. My heart goes out to those more directly in the fires’ paths, the ones who are already compromised by the virus and its myriad disruptions to their lives and livelihoods and schools. I wish them safety and clean air to breathe today. I I wish for all of us a respite and a little peace.