Our air conditioning was off from Monday night to Wednesday afternoon late (the compressor died) so I spent a lot of time outside on the porch and also had the doors open. I didn't think about the effects of the smoke inhalation but I should have since I have some asthmatic tendencies and besides, I am no spring chicken. So as of yesterday I am staying inside as much as possible. I am fighting hoarseness, sinus and the whole nine yards. BUMMER!!
Amazing isn't it? Here I am over 200 miles away from the wildfires and feeling the effects of the smoke.
From today's weather update:
"...SMOKE FROM THE SOUTHEAST GEORGIA WILDFIRES CONTINUES TO SPREAD
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA...
WINDS ALOFT HAVE ALLOWED SMOKE FROM THE SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
WILDFIRES TO SPREAD INTO PORTIONS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA
THIS MORNING. VISIBILITIES WILL REDUCE FROM 1 TO 3 MILES AT TIMES
IN THE SMOKE. AS THE SUN RISES THROUGH THE DAY AND WARMS THE
GROUND...EASTERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE AND ALLOW THE SMOKE TO
DISSIPATE SLIGHTLY. HOWEVER...AREAS TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF A
LINE FROM PINEVIEW...TO MACON...TO WASHINGTON CAN EXPECT TO SEE
SMOKE ON AND OFF THROUGH THE DAY.
PEOPLE WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS...AS WELL AS THE ELDERLY AND VERY
YOUNG SHOULD REMAIN INDOORS"
Click on this POST TITLE TO VIEW AN EXAMPLE OF A RAIN DANCE I WOULD
TRY IF I WERE MORE TALENTED AND AGILE.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Where there's smoke
You have probably read about or seen news reports about the horrific forest fires that have been burning in south Georgia and that have moved into northern Florida.
I had not realized the intensity of the fires and how far north the smoke could travel until yesterday, when in the early morning hours the smoke on the horizon near our home looked like dense, grey fog. The smell was awful. My eyes burned. And Atlanta is about 200 miles from the forest fires that have been raging in south Georgia for over two months.
All of Georgia is suffering from a terrible drought.
"MACON, GA (May 23, 2007) - The Georgia Forestry Commission is asking for every Georgian’s help in preventing wildfire this Memorial Day weekend. With a serious drought underway and record-breaking fires in south Georgia still burning, the risk of wildfire demands strict vigilance with all ignitable materials.
“I can’t ever remember a time when so much of Georgia was at class 5 fire danger,” said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection with the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Class 5 is the highest level of measurable fire risk on GFC fire danger scales. “Our resources are stretched to the maximum with the south Georgia fires, so outbreaks anywhere else will present a real challenge. We need Georgians to pitch in and help prevent wildfires.”
As families begin spending more time outdoors this holiday weekend, fire risks can increase. Dozier advised extreme caution when enjoying campfires and cookouts. Fireworks pose a very high risk and are not advised. Lawn equipment on dry grass and the disposal of cigarettes should also be carefully monitored.
“Very simply, these drought conditions mean one stray spark can cause a ravaging wildfire,” said Dozier. “We want people to have an enjoyable summer, but it can easily go up in smoke if everybody’s not careful.”
Today an east wind blew in with a slight breeze that dissipated most of the smoke.
For that I am thankful.
My heart aches for those living near the fire area. They must be really suffering.
Please join me in praying for rain.
I had not realized the intensity of the fires and how far north the smoke could travel until yesterday, when in the early morning hours the smoke on the horizon near our home looked like dense, grey fog. The smell was awful. My eyes burned. And Atlanta is about 200 miles from the forest fires that have been raging in south Georgia for over two months.
All of Georgia is suffering from a terrible drought.
"MACON, GA (May 23, 2007) - The Georgia Forestry Commission is asking for every Georgian’s help in preventing wildfire this Memorial Day weekend. With a serious drought underway and record-breaking fires in south Georgia still burning, the risk of wildfire demands strict vigilance with all ignitable materials.
“I can’t ever remember a time when so much of Georgia was at class 5 fire danger,” said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection with the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Class 5 is the highest level of measurable fire risk on GFC fire danger scales. “Our resources are stretched to the maximum with the south Georgia fires, so outbreaks anywhere else will present a real challenge. We need Georgians to pitch in and help prevent wildfires.”
As families begin spending more time outdoors this holiday weekend, fire risks can increase. Dozier advised extreme caution when enjoying campfires and cookouts. Fireworks pose a very high risk and are not advised. Lawn equipment on dry grass and the disposal of cigarettes should also be carefully monitored.
“Very simply, these drought conditions mean one stray spark can cause a ravaging wildfire,” said Dozier. “We want people to have an enjoyable summer, but it can easily go up in smoke if everybody’s not careful.”
Today an east wind blew in with a slight breeze that dissipated most of the smoke.
For that I am thankful.
My heart aches for those living near the fire area. They must be really suffering.
Please join me in praying for rain.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Mother's Day
When I was growing up the custom on Mother's Day was to wear a flower honoring our mothers. If your mother was living you wore a red rose or other flower. If she was deceased you wore a white flower. I do not know if this was just a southern custom or if was nation wide.
My father died when I was nine but my mother lived to be 91 years old. When she died I was 55. I was fortunate to have her for so long. She got to enjoy our three children and they were devoted to her. She lived with us for 13 years and we had a built in sitter when my husband and I went out.
Today, there is so much I would like to talk over with my Mother. Now that I too have grown old, I understand the aches and pains and concerns and worries that she had back then. When I was younger I simply did not have enough patience and empathy and for that I am sorry.
Now, every night as I turn the living room lights off I pass by my Mother's picture when she was a young woman of about 25, I blow her a kiss goodnight and tell her that I love her.
All I can do now is hope she understands.
My father died when I was nine but my mother lived to be 91 years old. When she died I was 55. I was fortunate to have her for so long. She got to enjoy our three children and they were devoted to her. She lived with us for 13 years and we had a built in sitter when my husband and I went out.
Today, there is so much I would like to talk over with my Mother. Now that I too have grown old, I understand the aches and pains and concerns and worries that she had back then. When I was younger I simply did not have enough patience and empathy and for that I am sorry.
Now, every night as I turn the living room lights off I pass by my Mother's picture when she was a young woman of about 25, I blow her a kiss goodnight and tell her that I love her.
All I can do now is hope she understands.
Friday, May 04, 2007
"Scents" of smell
Roger B. on his most excellent blog, "There's Always Something" recently posted about some of his favorite scents:
This got me to thinking so I commented to Roger:
"Roger, this post conjured up so many glorious smells for me and yes, sometimes we are not appreciative enough of all our senses.
One scent that stayed with me for years was, indeed, "the scent of a woman." When my husband and I lived in Washington D.C. for 4 years we had an apartment at the Watergate. Claire Boothe Luce, the widow of Henry Luce who started "Time" and "Life" magazines, had two penthouse apartments there and we would sometimes ride the elevator with her. I always silently admired the lovely scent about her. Not too sweet, not overpowering, but just right.
Some years later, when we were back in Atlanta I started remembering the scent of Mrs. Luce's perfume and I wanted to duplicate it if possible. But how to find out. Claire Boothe Luce was now deceased.
I decided to Google her name and I came up with a book by Letitia Baldridge who was Mrs Luce's personal assistant for many years including when she served as Ambassador to Rome from the US. I found the book, and lo and behold. Ms Baldridge revealed that Mrs Luce wore the French perfume, "Joy" by Jean Patou. She mixed it with another lighter fragrance.
Amazing what one can discover with a "good Google"
My sweet husband bought me a bottle of "Joy" last Mother's Day and I mix it with "Cefiro" by Floris of London
Works for me:)"
(Check out Roger's blog by clicking on title to this post.)
...
What are some of your favorite aromas? Cinnamon apple pie baking in the oven, honey suckle on a summer's evening, a baby's skin after a refreshing bath...a fresh Christmas tree-------
or whatever
This got me to thinking so I commented to Roger:
"Roger, this post conjured up so many glorious smells for me and yes, sometimes we are not appreciative enough of all our senses.
One scent that stayed with me for years was, indeed, "the scent of a woman." When my husband and I lived in Washington D.C. for 4 years we had an apartment at the Watergate. Claire Boothe Luce, the widow of Henry Luce who started "Time" and "Life" magazines, had two penthouse apartments there and we would sometimes ride the elevator with her. I always silently admired the lovely scent about her. Not too sweet, not overpowering, but just right.
Some years later, when we were back in Atlanta I started remembering the scent of Mrs. Luce's perfume and I wanted to duplicate it if possible. But how to find out. Claire Boothe Luce was now deceased.
I decided to Google her name and I came up with a book by Letitia Baldridge who was Mrs Luce's personal assistant for many years including when she served as Ambassador to Rome from the US. I found the book, and lo and behold. Ms Baldridge revealed that Mrs Luce wore the French perfume, "Joy" by Jean Patou. She mixed it with another lighter fragrance.
Amazing what one can discover with a "good Google"
My sweet husband bought me a bottle of "Joy" last Mother's Day and I mix it with "Cefiro" by Floris of London
Works for me:)"
(Check out Roger's blog by clicking on title to this post.)
...
What are some of your favorite aromas? Cinnamon apple pie baking in the oven, honey suckle on a summer's evening, a baby's skin after a refreshing bath...a fresh Christmas tree-------
or whatever
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Dogs I have known and loved
In about 1937, as an eight year old I got my first dog, a brown and white beagle puppy. We named him Mickey after the cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. Mickey was an outside dog who ran free where ever he chose. No leash laws then and not much car traffic. He belonged to me and my older brother, Donald. When Donald went into the Navy during WW2, Mickey became my responsibility. He was a good dog and lots of fun He would sit on the front steps with me and at night we would gaze up at the clear, smog free sky and admire the Big and Little Dipper and all the bright stars twinkling above. Mickey was like a best friend for a little girl whose Father died when she was nine.
I did not have another dog until I was all grown up, married and my first child was born. When my daughter was about 4 years old, she started begging and pleading for a puppy. My husband and I looked in the newspaper and saw an ad for "Pug" puppies. I had never seen a Pug dog so we decided one Sunday to ride over to the seller's house and just "take a look" at the dogs. (you understand, we are NOT buying a dog, just looking). But of course we came back with an adorable little puppy. Who could resist those huge eyes and that curly tail. We named her "Lady"
Next there was a Collie dog we bought from my husband's secretary whose dog has just had a litter. I have to say this Collie was the dumbest dog I have ever known. She followed the children to school. She ran off and got locked in the unfinished basement of a house about 2 miles away. This was in a small town like suburb so we were not too surprised when one day "Lassie" came riding home in the back seat of a police patrol car. She was sitting up like the Queen of Sheba and enjoying herself immensely. It was pouring down rain and the policeman had spread his raincoat on the back seat to keep it dry and avoid wet dog fur and smell.
Then there was a precious little puppy that we named Sugar. She was a snow white West Highland White Terrier with a black button nose. We bred Sugar to a neighbor's Westie but it did not take. Later we bred her to another Westie and she produced two puppies which we gave away. Sugar was a real sweetheart. And smart too.
Our last dog was Mollie, an English Springer Spaniel, that my son chose for his sixteeth birthday. He spent many hours training Mollie and she turned out to be the best dog ever. Smart, obedient, fun, loyal. All the best attributes one wishes for in a companion dog. When our son went off to college, Mollie and I became inseparable friends.
Now I have grand dogs. Bella, the Havanese, comes to visit sometimes. When our daughter and her family are out of town we keep Bella and I pretend she is mine.
At my age a grand dog is the best of all worlds; just like grandchildren, spoil them and then send them home.
Are you a dog person? Tell us about it.
I did not have another dog until I was all grown up, married and my first child was born. When my daughter was about 4 years old, she started begging and pleading for a puppy. My husband and I looked in the newspaper and saw an ad for "Pug" puppies. I had never seen a Pug dog so we decided one Sunday to ride over to the seller's house and just "take a look" at the dogs. (you understand, we are NOT buying a dog, just looking). But of course we came back with an adorable little puppy. Who could resist those huge eyes and that curly tail. We named her "Lady"
Next there was a Collie dog we bought from my husband's secretary whose dog has just had a litter. I have to say this Collie was the dumbest dog I have ever known. She followed the children to school. She ran off and got locked in the unfinished basement of a house about 2 miles away. This was in a small town like suburb so we were not too surprised when one day "Lassie" came riding home in the back seat of a police patrol car. She was sitting up like the Queen of Sheba and enjoying herself immensely. It was pouring down rain and the policeman had spread his raincoat on the back seat to keep it dry and avoid wet dog fur and smell.
Then there was a precious little puppy that we named Sugar. She was a snow white West Highland White Terrier with a black button nose. We bred Sugar to a neighbor's Westie but it did not take. Later we bred her to another Westie and she produced two puppies which we gave away. Sugar was a real sweetheart. And smart too.
Our last dog was Mollie, an English Springer Spaniel, that my son chose for his sixteeth birthday. He spent many hours training Mollie and she turned out to be the best dog ever. Smart, obedient, fun, loyal. All the best attributes one wishes for in a companion dog. When our son went off to college, Mollie and I became inseparable friends.
Now I have grand dogs. Bella, the Havanese, comes to visit sometimes. When our daughter and her family are out of town we keep Bella and I pretend she is mine.
At my age a grand dog is the best of all worlds; just like grandchildren, spoil them and then send them home.
Are you a dog person? Tell us about it.
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