The Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “contrast.”
The Southern California wildfires have been burning for 13 days in Ventura County to Santa Barbara County. Residents described the neighborhood as “war zone.” This is the third largest wildfire in California history. Wildfires have devoured more than 116,000 acres. Smoke stretches 1,000 miles across the Pacific – the distance between New York and Miami. 2017 has been the most expensive year for US wildfires, with damages topping $10 billion.
My heart is heavy for the people who lost their homes and all their treasures. I do pray for rainstorm pouring in this part of the world, to stop the fire and clean the air. Some residents came back to their burned homes, putting up Christmas trees and decorations to bring some cheer to the neighborhood.
The fire zone is about 120 miles from our city, but it surely affects the temperature in this area. In contrast to the past winters, the last two days were in the 80so F during the day. The birds were chirping as if it was spring. The flowers in my garden have a burst of growth.
I would like to present these flowers to the residents who lost their homes in the sense of hope!
Always with you for sending my prayers to whoever needs it! Merry Christmas Miriam to you and all your loved ones in advance, in case I miss it to wish you tomorrow ☺⚘🌲
Miriam, I had a good visit with my granddaughter a couple of weeks ago. We spent 4 hours together at a nice bowling alley in Central Oregon, bowling a couple of games, doing an early-Christmas gift opening, and then with some art supplies we made some drawings with colored pencils and pastel crayons. She ran into my arms when she first saw me! And she sat next to me and we talked together, she told me about her school and her pets and the way she draws pictures, etc. (She’s 6-1/2.) It was lovely. I hope Autumn and Mercy and Will are still doing well! Have a lovely holiday. 🙂
Hi Teresa, sorry for the delay in answering your comment. It’s good to hear you had so much fun visiting your granddaughter. She muse enjoyed the early Christmas opening. Wow, she missed you a lot and ran into your arms. Kids before 3rd grade are so fun to be with. They love you sincerely. You must be delighted to do the drawing and coloring with her!!
They have daily reports. She is getting 1/2 hour nap 3 or 4 times a day. When I hold her, she could nap for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I don’t feel good about her not getting enough nap time.
She works in the accounting and payroll for a non profit office partnership with businesses to help first time home buyers and entrepreneurs.
I’m babysitting even though they paid the daycare already.
How wonderful that she is working for a nonprofit. That’s great. And how wonderful they have you to be with Autumn! I think that early bonding time with Grandmother and grandchild really helps later on, as I visited my granddaughter every 2 months for a week from when she was born through about age 2 to 2-1/2, and even now, though we only see each other once a year, she still runs into my arms and seems to remember that time together. 🙂
Thank you, Teresa. It rained a little bit two nights ago. Then the weather made a sudden drop. I hope the fire died down by now.
We’re leaving tomorrow (Sunday) for Portland, spend Christmas, Mercy’s birthday on 26th with them. Will come back on 30th. Hope the airport is not too crowded!
Yes, Robbie. In August, there was a wildfire in the forest covering Washington and Oregon States. It went wild overnight. And now this that has been burning, no stop in sight. We do need some weather change. Thank you for liking my flowers. I feel guilty to have winter bloom due to the warmth!
Thank you for sharing your images of hope, living up here in British Columbia, we find we are keeping a close watch on the fires, it brings back memories of the fires that our province recently suffered through this past summer!
Thank you for your comment! Yes, I understand this is the dry season in danger of fires. My daughter and her family live in North Portland. They had the house all closed up after the fire in Eagle Creek, Washington/Oregon. I was there in September and took some photos of the sunlight filtered by the smoke. https://theshowerofblessings.wordpress.com/2017/09/15/eagle-creek-wildfire/
You’re very welcome, Lynn. I almost felt guilty to post flowers in my garden. After I watched the CNN and saw the people decorating for Christmas, I felt better to post some flower photos. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that. My friend’s son’s home was damaged. The school he teaches was half burned to the ground. There’s no school until further notice. It’s been terrible for so many people!
There’s no prevention as the winds are unpredictable. The neighboring cities would join to help, then will mobilize the national force to control the fires.
The winds are the crucial factor. One year we watched on TV that one small fire was carried by the wind and dropped on a house far away to cause that house on fire.
We can only pray for mercy for the winds to stop and hope for rain. There’s so sign or rain.
Last night, San Diego was on fire. I wonder how your friend is doing!
Hi Miriam! This is really dangerous. I have goose bumps. My friend lives in Irvine though. All is well with her. I checked last night. How it is in Fremont
It is showering right now. When my husband told me about that, I was jumping and clapping. I took a photo of the wet ground!! I hope it will have good rain tonight!
The Showers of Blessings 
Always with you for sending my prayers to whoever needs it! Merry Christmas Miriam to you and all your loved ones in advance, in case I miss it to wish you tomorrow ☺⚘🌲
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Thank you, Meenakshi. Merry Christmas to you and your family!😀🌲💮
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Miriam, I had a good visit with my granddaughter a couple of weeks ago. We spent 4 hours together at a nice bowling alley in Central Oregon, bowling a couple of games, doing an early-Christmas gift opening, and then with some art supplies we made some drawings with colored pencils and pastel crayons. She ran into my arms when she first saw me! And she sat next to me and we talked together, she told me about her school and her pets and the way she draws pictures, etc. (She’s 6-1/2.) It was lovely. I hope Autumn and Mercy and Will are still doing well! Have a lovely holiday. 🙂
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Hi Teresa, sorry for the delay in answering your comment. It’s good to hear you had so much fun visiting your granddaughter. She muse enjoyed the early Christmas opening. Wow, she missed you a lot and ran into your arms. Kids before 3rd grade are so fun to be with. They love you sincerely. You must be delighted to do the drawing and coloring with her!!
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Yes, thank you, Miriam! It was very delightful. You are right about that age! Have a wonderful holiday! 🙂
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Thank you, Teresa!
I have a couple writing project in mind when the holiday is over. I hope I could do it. 🙂
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How fun to have something to look forward to! Have a wonderful holiday, Miriam!
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Same to you, Teresa! It’s snowing in Portland!
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So beautiful when it snows, isn’t it? Hopefully you-all still have power!
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It was just one day of snow. They are at work today. I babysit. Daycare is not open!
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Oh! No! Good thing you are there, Gramma!
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Thank you. They tasked about what to do in the future when the daycare observes all the holidays when their companies don’t.
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Daycare issues are challenging!
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They have daily reports. She is getting 1/2 hour nap 3 or 4 times a day. When I hold her, she could nap for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I don’t feel good about her not getting enough nap time.
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Oh, that’s wonderful, Miriam! I’m sure Autumn feels secure in your arms. You were there at the beginning!
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Yes, Teresa. Now I’m babysitting for an hour while Mercy is at the gym!
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So nice of you!
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I totally enjoy it. Mercy and Will went on a date. Autumn has been sleeping since they time off. It would be an easy job u ntil they get home!
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Yay! That is wonderful. 🙂 As we say in our household, “good management” – getting the baby to nap! :>
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We’re improving, getting the baby to nap quicker!😃😉
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Yay! I love hearing your updates, Miriam!
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Thank you Teresa. I just feel that I don’t have to worry and be able to do my thing and wait for the next visit which is about one month away!
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How lovely. That’s wonderful, Miriam! 🙂
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Thank you, Teresa. 🙂
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I read your post that Mercy’s back to work already, huh? That’s hard. What field is she in? 🙂
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She works in the accounting and payroll for a non profit office partnership with businesses to help first time home buyers and entrepreneurs.
I’m babysitting even though they paid the daycare already.
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How wonderful that she is working for a nonprofit. That’s great. And how wonderful they have you to be with Autumn! I think that early bonding time with Grandmother and grandchild really helps later on, as I visited my granddaughter every 2 months for a week from when she was born through about age 2 to 2-1/2, and even now, though we only see each other once a year, she still runs into my arms and seems to remember that time together. 🙂
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Yes, it’s very true. I plan on coming every 6 to 8 weeks and spend about 5 days.😄
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Wonderful!
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You gave me the idea. Thank you, Teresa!
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I’m glad you are safe, Miriam!
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Thank you, Teresa. It rained a little bit two nights ago. Then the weather made a sudden drop. I hope the fire died down by now.
We’re leaving tomorrow (Sunday) for Portland, spend Christmas, Mercy’s birthday on 26th with them. Will come back on 30th. Hope the airport is not too crowded!
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Oh, how wonderful you have that time coming up with Mercy and her family. Hooray!
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Yes, I saw Mercy’s post on FB, Will and Autumn are doing coloring “together” in a restaurant. She is so focused on the coloring page, so cute!
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Gosh, America has certainly taken a pummeling lately with the hurricanes and now this. Your flowers are delightful, Miriam.
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Yes, Robbie. In August, there was a wildfire in the forest covering Washington and Oregon States. It went wild overnight. And now this that has been burning, no stop in sight. We do need some weather change. Thank you for liking my flowers. I feel guilty to have winter bloom due to the warmth!
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Thank you for sharing your images of hope, living up here in British Columbia, we find we are keeping a close watch on the fires, it brings back memories of the fires that our province recently suffered through this past summer!
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Thank you for your comment! Yes, I understand this is the dry season in danger of fires. My daughter and her family live in North Portland. They had the house all closed up after the fire in Eagle Creek, Washington/Oregon. I was there in September and took some photos of the sunlight filtered by the smoke.
https://theshowerofblessings.wordpress.com/2017/09/15/eagle-creek-wildfire/
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So sad what’s happening over there.
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Yes, I know. Some are getting help here and there. It’s a long road for recovery, people and land!
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You have such a beautiful and compassionate heart! I have family in California. Thank you for this post! ❤️
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You’re very welcome, Lynn. I almost felt guilty to post flowers in my garden. After I watched the CNN and saw the people decorating for Christmas, I felt better to post some flower photos. 🙂
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Your post is so clear, informative and deep details – The wild fires had a negative impact on my family and it was so terrible experience!
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I’m sorry to hear that. My friend’s son’s home was damaged. The school he teaches was half burned to the ground. There’s no school until further notice. It’s been terrible for so many people!
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That’s so sad to hear. What is government doing to control these fires?
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There’s no prevention as the winds are unpredictable. The neighboring cities would join to help, then will mobilize the national force to control the fires.
The winds are the crucial factor. One year we watched on TV that one small fire was carried by the wind and dropped on a house far away to cause that house on fire.
We can only pray for mercy for the winds to stop and hope for rain. There’s so sign or rain.
Last night, San Diego was on fire. I wonder how your friend is doing!
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Hi Miriam! This is really dangerous. I have goose bumps. My friend lives in Irvine though. All is well with her. I checked last night. How it is in Fremont
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Yes, Irvine is fine. Fremont is good also. They are not near the fire zone!
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Hope all will be well soon
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Heavy clouds are coming in. I continue to pray for rain.
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I too join you in this prayer
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It is showering right now. When my husband told me about that, I was jumping and clapping. I took a photo of the wet ground!! I hope it will have good rain tonight!
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So happy for this ☺ May it rain heavily and take away all worries with it
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I think it rained overnight. It stopped in the morning. I hope it helped to stop the fire. Thank you for joining me in prayer, Meenakshi! It worked!
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