Year Three, Day 115: Praying for the Gorge

I almost hit the hay before blogging!

I spent the day with my very pregnant daughter and son-in-law in Vancouver. We had a lovely barbecue with their bible study group. My daughter was very tired. She asked if I would come next door to their home and rub her feet while she took a nap. Of course, I agreed. She looks ready! Her low back was also aching. We spent a good hour talking while I massaged her feet and back.

Suddenly her husband burst in.

"It's snowing ash"! He proclaimed.

The skies had been gray, hot and thick with smoke all day. I stepped outside and peered around the house. Indeed, there was a light covering of ash everywhere, with more flaring down.

I told him it reminded me of 1980. The day after Mt. St. Helens erupted.

Surreal is too mild of a word.

I took some photos of a spider web outside their home. Her web was starting to collect ash. I'm sure it's covered by now.

I am going to keep this short. I am glued to the news. There is a wildfire consuming our beloved Columbia River Gorge. It started in Eagle Creek. By someone carelessly throwing a firework.

Smokey Bear must be so sad. So am I.

It is burning over 3,000 acres. They have closed portions of I-84. Several towns have issued Level 3 evacuations.

Please pray for these fires to be contained. And for rain to come soon!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Goodnight and be safe,

Zita

p.s. Today was day 81 of my daily hooping experiment. I may skip tomorrow if the air quality is poor. Portland Public Schools is dismissing students two hours early tomorrow due to excessive heat and poor air quality.

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