Tuesday, August 6, 2019

The Smoke Has Arrived

A quick post today. I had planned to be at the lake but the smoke drove us home Saturday night. There are several wildfires burning around our state. As of today we are in the very unhealthy air quality index. Remember all of the beautiful pictures I post of the lake? It usually looks like this.

Saturday afternoon it looked like this.  There is a fire about 25 miles due west of our trailer.

Today you can’t even see across the lake.  I don’t have a picture of that. 

At home you can barely see across the street. I have a difficult time breathing in this kind of air and my cardiologists office sent out a text to me to stay inside in the air-conditioning. We’ve had such a beautiful summer so far. I am very grateful to have air-conditioning on these very hot smoky days. Our temperatures are hovering between 95 and 100°F all this week.

I finished a pair of socks for Mandy and have Piper’s about three-quarters done. I’m leaving hers like that until we get to their house so she can try them on and I know they are the right length before I finish the toes. Unfortunately, they are in the bedroom where Dennis is now sleeping. I’ll take a picture tomorrow for my next post. :-)

I just started a baby blanket about 10 minutes ago for an expected little baby boy in Texas. It’s a new pattern to me that I saw on YouTube called the “Which-Way Filet Baby Blanket.”

My prayers are with the families and the victims of the recent shootings here in the U.S. There are no words and my heart is broken for the families. I fear there is no easy answer. Our society seems to be so angry with each other and looks on anyone who thinks or believes differently than them as their enemies. It seems you have to search for the love these days and that saddens me.  I know that it breaks my Heavenly Father‘s heart to see the anger that inhabits the earth.  I also know many of you feel the same.

I was torn on whether to even write anything because I know we’ve all been bombarded with it over the last few days. I just couldn’t write a post and not mention it. Please join me in prayer for peace in our world.

I used this verse in my last post but I believe it is even more appropriate today.

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:12

Blessings,
Betsy

14 comments:

  1. Oh, no....too bad about the smoke. I can't imagine how scary that must be. I have nightmares about our woods ever catching fire.
    It won't be long until everyone is caught up in the mass shootings. As I commented on other blogs, my son was in the Navy Yard the morning of that shooting, Daughter lived a block away from the Columbia Mall shooter, I had to shield my students with my body from the DC Sniper just to get them on and off the bus every day for weeks AND I was having lunch with my lady friends in Annapolis the day of the Gazette massacre. And hey, that's just little old me. Some folks have had it worse-at least my family is all still alive. It's a sickness that's turned into an epidemic.

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  2. So sorry about the fires (I had not heard about them). Hope the smoke dissipates soon. Your new blanket looks like an interesting pattern Betsy. Wishing you a peaceful week.

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  3. uh, oh! Fires already--sorry.
    Be careful.
    And yes, the Scripture is a good reminder of the spirit which is moving through our land....

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  4. So sorry about the wildfires and the smoke at the lake.
    “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid" How can anyone get through a day without Him? I certainly can't!

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  5. So sorry to hear about the wildfires. Hope they are able to get them under control quickly. I find it very hard to not think about the senseless tragedies that occur over and over. Watching the news and hearing stories from family members of those gunned down is truly heartbreaking. I can see why the pattern is called Which Way. Needs a question mark at the end. Which way? :)

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  6. Hi Betsy, I'm sorry for the fires in your area and that you had to leave your beloved lake due to the smoke. I was fascinated by the crochet square you made, I've never seen that design and it's clever and fun. I look forward to seeing how more of the squares look like put together. I'm glad you spoke up about the mass shootings.. we all need to do our part to communicate how we want them to stop.
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Gosh, that's a lot of smoke. Praying for all who are involved in the fires and smoke. I am with you, I had no clue what to blog when speaking of the last two shootings. I agree 100% with you on that there is so much anger going on right now. So much darkness in our world, only His light can shine through it all. I join you in prayer for our great nation. Blessings to you always my dear sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  8. I watched the tutorial but could not understand the dialogue! You are doing a great job. I have a question. Do you just continue until it's the size you want or are these squares to join?

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  9. Sure hope you get some rain! We noticed smoke over the mountains yesterday and today the sky was quite hazy but nothing like yours. This is getting to be an August habit, isn't it? That makes me so sad. I totally agree with your thoughts about the gun violence; it is heartbreaking. Sending hugs from this side of the mts.

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  10. Wow that is alot of smoke, no wonder you went home to the AC.
    Nice blanket beginning!
    Yes our Nation is a mess...but God is in charge:)

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  11. Aww Betsy, its been awful just awful.
    I love that you leave the toes open for a perfect fit!!!

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  12. Oh, I am so sorry you are dealing with those awful fires again and trust the Lord will protect all who are being affected by them. Seems there is so much heartache, and we must continually refocus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. My heart goes out to the dear ones who have lost loved ones, also. It is just heart-wrenching. I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and it is just all so unbelievable. God is our only hope. May He bless and comfort all who mourn.

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  13. So true those verse Betsy thanks for sharing, you are such a blessing. Praying. Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  14. What a bummer.....do you have fires every year? You had it last year too didn't you? Thank goodness for AC. Yes....sadness abounds in our nation for so many reasons but the lack of empathy for other humans and their suffering astounds me and when you are the cause of that suffering you are evil for sure. So unnecessary and pointless. Love the blanket!

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