Where there's smoke.........

So sorry for all my Canadian friends concerning the wildfires. We are 600 miles south of Ontario and it's very smoky! Weather alerts and all. Plus, the pollen is extremely high so it is a double whammy for those with allergies.

Are you affected?

>1 Tess_W: Affected? I'm going to have to take my car out of the garage and drive around in the rain to clear off some of the pine pollen that cakes my poor old Honda. I'm only 265 miles southeast of Ontario, sneezing and sniffling and now coughing and gasping throughout the day, but we are getting the most beautiful red and orange smoky sunsets. My heart goes out to the people and animals living through this in their forests and lands. How distraught they must surely be!

Here in central Texas, we have a similar (although not as dire) situation with the smoke from fires created by Mexican farmers clearing their fields for new crops. Had to cancel playing at an Open Mic Night because it was an outdoor venue, and it was more than I could handle. Haven't seen anything in the night sky except the moon and Venus for about a month now. I shouldn't complain, though.

My brother in Florida had to fly up to central Pennsylvania yesterday. His daughter, who has been battling cancer for the past ten years or so, has succumbed to weeks of smoke in the air and is now in a coma in ICU. The outlook is grim.

>3 WholeHouseLibrary: I'm so sorry!

>3 WholeHouseLibrary: I just read your post. I am so sorry to hear of this.

>5 mnleona:, >4 Tess_W:, Thanks for that. Here's an update: Just yesterday, my brother drove back to Florida. Two weeks ago, his daughter woke from the coma, yet remains hospitalized, and is still getting chemo. No one is making any bets as to if/when she'll be able to go back home.

>6 WholeHouseLibrary:

My thoughts and prayers are with her, and all your family.

>3 WholeHouseLibrary: I hope things go well for your niece and that she is able to come home.
Best wishes to you and the rest of your family. k4k

>6 WholeHouseLibrary: Best wishes for your niece. She appears to be a fighter.

>6 WholeHouseLibrary: How is your niece doing?

>10 mnleona: Thank you for asking. She remains in the hospital. Beyond that, my brother isn't saying.

>11 WholeHouseLibrary: Sending prayers. Take care.

Just an FYI ... my niece died this morning.

>13 WholeHouseLibrary:

So sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she rest in peace.

>13 WholeHouseLibrary: So sorry to hear this. Losing someone in a younger generation is always difficult. Condolences to you, your brother and family.

>13 WholeHouseLibrary: So sorry. Blessings to you all.

>13 WholeHouseLibrary: So sorry for your family's loss.

>13 WholeHouseLibrary: I am so sorry the hear this. Prayers for all.

Thank you, all. It seems my whole side of family will be descending on Scranton, Pa this weekend. The funeral/burial/memorial/drunken Irish wake is on Monday, and the closest relatives are over a hundred miles away in New Jersey. My next older brother wins the award for traveling the farthest to attend (San Francisco area.) There'll be possibly 20 of us to see her off.