Wildfire Smoke in the Willamette Valley

This season has been incredibly dry and smoke from the California wildfires are hanging in the Willamette Valley. We have a few of our own fires burning right now and the smoke level is incredible. Due to a few storms that rolled through a lot of ours were started from lightning and the wind picking up and moving the wildfires even more. Here's a look at what it looks like here in the Valley right now.

The view of the Willamette Valley from an area between Lebanon and Brownsville, Oregon, named Washburn Heights. 

Sisters Viewpoint (Wildfire Smoke)

Five Simple Things (September 4)

Hello.

Things are bit overwhelming here in Oregon. I feel like I am running out of words to describe everything right now. Overwhelming, intense, stressful, anxiety-inducing, scary, etc. Oregon now has 475 deaths from the Coronavirus pandemic and most places have been trying to accommodate people through it all. Some colleges and school have continued the distance learning and with Labor Day weekend coming, our governor has been cautioning people to keep maintaining social distance and wear masks while in groups. Hopefully, our numbers don't go up after this weekend. On another front, the wildfires are still burning. A few of them have grown in size exponentially. The sky takes on this smoky orange haze as the day comes to an end and at times you forget what time it is. The smoke at night is almost too much to handle at times. Constant fans running just to keep the air moving. I've coughed so much this last week that it's been hurting my surgery scars and chest. I hope it gets better soon. Here are five things this week.

1. This Fork.

Before the smoke got too bad we went to see if the giant fork was still standing on the outskirts of the city here. And, of course, it was still there. We always feel that this giant fork doesn't get enough attention. There used to be a Geocache here, but it's since been removed.

2. This View.

Missing having a nice warm, sunny summer here. This year as been rough on us. I hope 2021 is a lot better. We've had some weeks where we weren't sure how we were going to get through, but we seem to have found a way on our own. No one has really checked on us, or asked how we're doing and that is disturbing. But, good thing is, we are still here and surviving. Hopefully, things get better before they get worse.

3. This Truck.

Not sure what's going on here, but "Send Nudes" on the back of the hay bales really made us laugh hard. It's been awhile since we've had a good belly laugh, so it felt good. Whoever this is, or whatever company this is, thanks. ☺

4. This Footprint.

I found this website that calculated your carbon footprint per year. Of course, it doesn't take everything into consideration, but gives you an idea of how much you could possibly be using in a year's time. The website is Clever Carbon and you can calculate your own footprint here. 

5. This THC.

Still working on a good blend for myself with THC and CBD. I am really liking the Beaucoup brand and the Cascade Indica Pack is a new one. Hopefully, it had positive affects for me and can help me with pain, anxiety, and sleep.

We also viewed the Full Corn Moon on September 2. The view was so vivid that through the telescope it almost looked like a flashlight being beamed on us.

Positive affirmations this week: Guilt is the price we pay for an honest soul. But, don't get this confused with carrying other people's faults and guilt. Only carry your own and work on having more self confidence in yourself to be able to make better decisions for yourself. 

Have a nice weekend. 

End of August 2020 (1 Second Every Day)