Tumultuous and Humbling 2020

On August 16, 2020, massive thunder and lightning storms occurred over large parts of California. The lightning strikes started fires everywhere. Some escalated so quickly they merged with other fires to become super fires. The closest to us was the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, which grew to be the second-largest fire in California’s history. Thanks to the heroic firefighters, we were never in direct danger. The SCU Lightning Complex Fire, as of this writing, is still not 100% contained. 

The flames could clearly be seen at night.
So close!

The fires have spread and merged across California and other western states. The quality of the air is terrible and unhealthy. Smoke fills the air, and soot and ash rains down everywhere. However, the knowledge of the destruction and loss of life resulting from the fires is overwhelming. Some people that lost their home in the Camp fire lost their new home in the current firestorm. Unbelievable and terribly tragic.

Early morning photo of the sun through the smoke.
Soot and ash build up.
This picture shows how the smoke blocks the sun rays.
The tiny reddish/orange dot between my head and the tree is the sun.

Has this year been overwhelming, or what? As I started writing this, the sky outside was apocalyptic. It was a surreal dark orange color. Ash was falling everywhere. How did we get here? What happened to the year 2020?

For me, the chaos first started on September 26, 2019. The sprinkler line in our house exploded and resulted in extensive water damage. Seventy-five percent of the house was taken down to the studs and rebuilt. The repairs were completed just before the new year. Even though it ended well, I thought it was a terrible experience, and I was sure that 2020 would be a great year.

Instead, 2020 brought problems and changes never before experienced. The biggest, COVID-19, a virus to which we have no immunity, became a pandemic and quickly spread worldwide. COVID-19 led to unbelievable loss, fear, and isolation. As a result of COVID-19, we’ve had to adapt to a new way of life. At the same time, we have political and social turmoil that is dividing the country. Then the murder hornets. What?

The Murder Hornets are probably one of the more benign problems, and I am not sure of their current status, but they are pretty scary looking! Just in case you have not seen a picture of a Murder Hornet, I found the picture below on the Science News for Students website under the title, What you need to know about Murder Hornets.

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-murder-hornets

 

So far, the area in the Sierras where my wild animals live, is safe from the wildfires. I pray that continues. I apologize for the delay in posting! With everything occurring so rapidly, my pool of creativity went down the proverbial swirling drain!

11 thoughts on “Tumultuous and Humbling 2020”

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