Sunday morning – FROM THE FRONT PORCH!!!  The smoke is not entirely gone, the fires are not near being out and in fact the Black Cat fire near Jim n Mary’s RV Park crested Evaro Hill last night and is bearing down on the town of Arlee, MT – which I know from a fire department email alerting us (fire dept volunteers) that Engine 7 manned by the Chief Mahugh and Fire Dept president John Klippel left the district at 8 p.m. last evening, responding to a statewide mutual aid call on this fire.  Two men with wives, children and businesses on an at least 24 stint on a fast moving wildland fire – God Speed to them and all the firefighters.

Here – at my home, things seem much improved.  The sunrise was pinkish and there is still a lot of smoke but not as much and no ash and it is very pleasant at 53 degrees.  A favorite breakfast of chicken fried steak, pan gravy, poached eggs, fried potatoes and strong black coffee started the day.  I’m enjoying the last cup of coffee on the porch as I write – I’m also enjoying the company of Karl and Bob and what, except for the interruption of the hot, smoky, waspy summer – had been our routine – enjoying the early morning outside together.

Actually, it is just after 9 so hardly “early” but it’s Sunday – a slower start…and we were all up at just before 3 a.m. as a group of coyotes were “singing” close enough to wake the house and all of the dogs within earshot.  Karl joined in the chorus…  It is one of those things that is eeirie and beautiful at the same time.  I have always liked waking in the night and walking around a dark house or better – a moonlit house.  Luckily I have a dog so can excuse myself for venturing outside to look at the stars and moon because “the dog wanted out” – truth is he rarely does unless he’s ill and he doesn’t go far in the dark – sticking close to backup – me!!! And often I have to coax him out with me on my middle of the night ventures – it’s not like we go far – I just like to step off the front porch and look up.  I don’t have “security” lighting so there is no “light pollution” to get in the way of seeing the night sky. 

Wow – it is so quiet and peaceful … and beautiful in a smoky/misty way – there is a forecast for rain today and more this week and hopefully in enough quantity to offset the wind coming with – hopefully to be help and not hindrance to the fire fighters.   It is late August with September just around the corner – the start of my favorite time of year. 

I read something awhile ago that comes to mind on occasion… along the lines of “if you think of everyone the same then no one is special.”  …as in if there are no valleys then you cannot have the mountains – I thank God for the special people, special pets and special times in my life – gifts from a GOD to whom all are truly special.