I am not one of the people who has lost a home, or even been directly threatened by the wildfires. That said, I am sick from the smoke. The fires began in June; they have spread mercilessly. There are fires to the north and northwest of where I live and to the south and southeast. The valley in which I live is surrounded by fires. It's sickening, how much magnificent land is burning - not to mention wildlife being killed. Strangeness is occurring. For example, at dawn I hear birds that don't normally live here. I'm sure they are confused and trying to escape the flames and smoke.

My throat has been sore for weeks, my ears hurt, I'm in pain all over my body. I left my a/c'ed apartment this afternoon, went to the grocery store, and was choking so badly on the smoke I was seriously considering going to the ER - except I don't know what they can do there. I was (yuck) spitting up gunk in the parking lot so I could take deep breaths, but still I was coughing.

Then an elderly lady got all pissy with me because she wanted me to deliver a shopping cart to her car door after she nearly ran me over. She said, "Now I'll have to use my walker to get a shopping cart" - and she gave me this prissy smile when she said that. Ohhh, how I hate when people smile when they're angry! Well, she has a walker and she's not on meds that are giving her brain zaps from the heat. Plus, my husband broke his foot yesterday (fell while jogging) and, although he doesn't look it, he's 71. I'm taking care of him; I can't take care of everyone all at once.

Ugh. I'm sorry, I'm just really venting. Today was the worst day yet as far as the smoke and falling ash, tomorrow will be just as bad. I want to see a normal white moon, not a deep orange moon. I'm just so tried, I'd like to lie in bed for 4 days with my cats snuggled up next to me.
Thank you for reading this.