Monthly Archives: August 2026

Humpday Ho Hum

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Humpday Ho Hum

One day you can see the mountains and the next day they vanish. It’s wildfire season. I’ve been coming here for ten years now and this is the worst year yet. And there’s no reprieve in sight.

Hiding inside with air-conditioning is the new norm although we can still smell the smoke inside. Even when we’ve gone to the cinema you can smell the smoke indoors. There is no escape.

Tomorrow we’re off to Waterville for the NCW Fair. We’ll be armed with our n95s. Everything is outdoors.

Another day of final editing in the third book of the trilogy. Determined to get it published before I leave. And I’m leaving earlier than usual this year.

Let’s lighten this post up with some humor.

Little Johnny asks his mom, “Mommy, where do babies come from?”
Mom sighs, decides it is time for the talk, and explains the facts of life in detail.
When she finishes, she asks, “Do you understand now, Johnny?”
Little Johnny nods and says, “Not really. But it makes sense. My friend Timmy said he came from Cleveland, and I was just wondering where I came from.”

AQI (Air Quality Index)

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AQI (Air Quality Index)

Here in East Wenatchee the smoke has been relentless. There are several local and regional wildfires. The Little Giant Fire just northwest of Leavenworth seems to be having the greatest impact.

The AQI was over 850 the other day when I returned to Wenatchee from Cashmere. Link Transit shut down all public transit and they’re threatening to do it again today.

A member of our writers group is a retired doctor and he passed out masks at our meeting yesterday. Being outside for one hour is akin to smoking six cigarettes. He has advised that the real damage to our lungs may not be seen for another ten years if we continue to go outside unmasked when the AQI is so high.

I miss the view of the mountains. The air is too thick with smoke.

My heart goes out to the more than 65,000 who have been evacuated from the Spokane area.

Highways are closed and activities are canceled.

Washington State is on fire.