Dear Caring Sillies,
I find myself going silent in times like this. As you likely know, massive portions of Northern CA have been destroyed and the destruction continues. The fires are 75 miles north of me, and I'm perfectly safe. Yet safety feels like an incredible luxury right now. Whenever my thoughts stray to the fires, they land at the sentiment that all I can do is be kind and generous to those in need.
Kindness. It's nothing and it's everything. (I'm re-posting an ole and revised poem).
Kindness. It's nothing and it's everything. (I'm re-posting an ole and revised poem).
NOTHING AND EVERYTHING
We grapple to find answers
When there are none to be found
Since trauma and destruction
Never stem from somewhere sound
We want to make wrong right somehow
But can't undo the pain
Of spirits crushed by tragedy
Mere words seem so inane
We can offer loving kindness
To those who fight to live
It's everything.
It's nothing.
It's all we have to give.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Onto fun and cheer ~ the astute and witty Joanne at Word Splash, WON my Giveaway Guessing Game. And she WON so QUICKLY! I didn't think anyone would guess that the blizzard and tornado warnings were in Denver Colorado. But they were. Congratulations, smart lady!
Two more snapshots:
Two more snapshots:
Wherein I found my zen (from a little chocolate shop in Idaho Springs, CO)
Castlewood Canyon - on the search for waterfalls, which I never found (thus, the half smile).
More to come ~ the highlight, visit with a special person...
On an altogether different, tacky and self-promotional note: The Trumpeter's New Clothes is FREE as an ebook today (7/31) through Saturday (8/4) HERE.
Please be safe, be well, and treat yourselves kindly.
Love.
After growing up in Oregon, I know the destruction of a forest fire. The loss of life on all levels is sad.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's sobering.
DeleteFires are sadly all too familiar here.
ReplyDeleteLove your poem and in particular those final lines.
Thanks so much, EC.
DeleteBe well.
Thank you for my free copy of The Trumpeter's New Clothes--I love it!!
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you got a copy and love it. Thank you, fishducky!
DeleteGlad you found some special chocolates. Prayers for you with the fires. Having lived for nearly 12 years in the Great Basin, I know how frightening fire can be. I recently reviewed a book about the firefighters killed in AZ in 2013--one of whom I knew when he was a teenager: http://skidawaypres.org/pastor/?p=1776
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear about that loss, Sage. I also didn't realize how many of you (my bloggy friends) have known that type of fear and destruction.
DeleteLove that video, Robyn!
ReplyDeleteSo sad about those forest fires :(
Thank you, Martha.
DeleteTake good care.
Sure devastation all the way around when fires rage on. Never fun to be apart of, big or small.
ReplyDeleteIt's a helpless feeling - when it's near but far enough.
DeleteStay safe and well, Pat.
Looks like a smirk to me.
ReplyDeleteThe fires are very scary.
You know me too well, Alex.
DeleteYeah, it's probably a smirk! =) <-And that's another.
A compassionate, caring poem, Robyn. I know how frightening it is to defend one's home in a prairie fire. Combined with forests and towns in conflagration, the danger is compounded unimaginably.
ReplyDeleteSigh. That is is.
DeleteBe well and safe, Geo.
I've been hearing about the fires on the news. So terrifying and devastating for those who live near them. That chocolate zen looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt was a much needed, divine dose of zen.
DeleteThank you for your caring words, Connie.
such a good poem and yes, those wildfires and the devastation look awful. Very sad for the land and all in the path. Stay safe and keep looking for waterfalls. Chocolate zen - yum
ReplyDeleteJoanne, Joanne, Joanne! CONGRATULAIONS, smart later. YOU WON!! You're amazing. Thank you. Yes, I'll keep seeking waterfalls. Stay well.
DeleteSo glad you're a safe distance away. I feel horrible about the fires.
ReplyDeleteI know, Silver. The air is such that we can't forget. In fact, much closer fires broke out last night. Safety is a luxury, isn't it?
DeleteThanks for caring.
By the way, Robyn, Happy Anniversary, kinda. Today makes six months since you first commented on my blog!
DeleteThe fires are so scary! The huge one last year got near my mom in Montana and we were so scared. Glad to hear you're safe . That chocolate looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Holli. Yes, very scary.
DeleteYou stay safe and well.
Fires are scary. I'm glad it's not close to you.
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate concoction looks delicious!
That chocolate definitely took the edge off, Sherry.
DeleteThank you.
Yes, slow progress is being made. It's unbelievable how enormous this tragedy is.
Yes Ive seen the pictures and heard the loss of life. So terrible. 75 miles is close enough! We have a bunch of guys on their way there - probably already there.. our environments are quite similiar.
ReplyDeleteComing straight after Greece/ Tragic. And Thursday last at the nursing home i play Only the Brave that'd id been planning for several months. Ironic.
Stay safe. And happy
xo
We love you Aussies for making just a big trek to help us out.
DeleteThanks, Anthony.
Be safe and happy yourself. xo
The video is so good! Congrats on the new book. :) I'm glad you're safe from he fires. I agree, it's definitely a time to be kind and generous to those losing everything. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosey. Those two artists - who did my video - pulled it together voluntarily. (I hate the fact that I have big black make up smudges on my face. I didn't expect to be filmed.) But it is a very professional video. I appreciate all your positive thoughts and supportive sentiment. Stay well.
DeleteGosh you are one smart cookie! I love that video and love to see that book. chocolate is always great
ReplyDeleteIt seems like half the damn state is on fire! We could see flames last night from the one burning down here (Holy fire). It's not even fire season yet! This is crazy and scary...
ReplyDelete