Waiting for Oz

 I'm out on my patio again this morning with my buttered sesame bagel and creamed coffee and my latest writing project. It's light bur the sun hasn't risen above the neighbor's trees yet. Will it be another orange ball in a brownish gray sky or will it's brightness forbid me to look at it?

The sky is once more a light gray. I can't smell smoke or see it drifting in and out of trees, but neither can I see the blue sky I long for. Do I remember what it looks like? I refuse to count the days since we've had clean air for fear of depression, but neither do I want to listen to the T.V. as it tells me how to protect my pet from smoke. This just is. It won't last forever, so I get on with the day's chores - bathe, wash my hair and make it look presentable, purchase new cartridges for the computer, manage my writing, look in the frig and see what I have to transform into balanced meals.

Again this seems to me a time of waiting. I'm waiting for the Wizard of Oz moment when I wake from my black and white life to the red, yellow, green, and especially blue skies of Oz. Until then I will praise the God of my salvation for new and different ways to learn and grow. Yes, God gives us time to hunker down but somehow I don't think it's now. This is a brand new day to discover,explore, fertilize, water and push open.

Insightfully yours,

Paulita

Ashes, Ashes, All Fall Down

 Today my world is covered with a fine coat of ash. There are wild fires all over my state and the wind has blown the ashes into the valley where I live. Yesterday, I couldn't see the sun through the smoke. Today, I see an orange ball in my gray-brown sky. Yesterday, I went out to water my garden and there was ash on all my squash, swiss chard, and bell pepper leaves. Today, it's my patio. When I walk on it, the ash swirls into small piles.

Our son bought us an air purifier and we put it in our family room where we spend most of our time.We didn't realize our need for it until the last two days.

O Father God, You are the one who controls the storms. Please send us a gulley-washer to clean our air and wash away the ashes.

Father, how selfish I am. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods and pets. Some have lost family members. I have lost nothing except my comfort level. Sweep away the ashes that cover my heart and help me, today, to help someone else.  

Insightfully yours,

Paulita