Thursday Thoughts and Scenes

 

We're back to the smoked-in status today after enjoying a few clear days. 

When the dogs, Bill and I left for a drive around Bottle Bay last night, skies were clear.

After waiting for construction delays at the south end of the Long Bridge on our way back, we could see in the dusk that the views of the mountains around the lake had diminished because smoke had once again set in to do its hovering. 

This morning, as I look out my west window, I see no mountains. Same is true to the east. 

This situation made our drive more meaningful because for most of the trip, roadside scenes were still clear to the eye, including views of aircraft picking up water from the lake and flying over to the Trestle Creek fire complex for water drops. 

The folks on the south and east side of the lake have  had ring side seats to watch the continuous smoke plumes or clouds coming from the fires which were ignited by lightning more than a month ago. 

Along with the fire activity, we saw countless deer as we drove the curves along the lake, then the Gold Hill Road, which was a first for me, and finally Sagle Road back to HWY 95. 

Unfortunately, we were in the wrong place at the wrong time to get a decent picture of what had to be the most spectacular, reddest sun I've ever seen.  

To me this was surprising because smoke creates those brilliant colors, and the smoke must have settled in on the West very soon after we had driven south on the bridge and had seen a spectacular golden sun beginning to dip in the western sky. 

It was nice to take that air-conditioned drive at the end of another uncomfortably hot day.  Three more high 90s days to come means probably three more evening escapes. 

 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2021/aug/12/trestle-creek-complex-efforts-stagnant/

While I was watering flowers in the north lawn yesterday, this nice lady and her dog Max came walking by. 

Turns out she's new to the neighborhood, having recently married our neighbor at the other end of South Center Valley Road. 

Welcome, Deanna. 

It was great connecting and visiting with you. Hope you enjoy this neighborhood as much as the rest of us do.  

~~Virginia Tibbs~~

Aug. 12, 1921 -- Aug. 12, 2021

100 years. 

Eight years gone. 

Your wisdom, humor, spunk and, most of all, your presence are missed, Mother.