Monday, July 07, 2008

The smoke is back - although not as bad as last week. On a clear day, looking at this picture from last week, you should be able to see beautiful Mt. Diablo looming majestically up just past those small foothills. The fires burning all over the state of California have become old news... (except for the people who live in Big Sur or Goleta whose homes are being threatened) After 3 days of relatively blue skies and cooler temperatures, the hot weather and thick smoke has returned with a vengence. As I write this it is 98 degrees at 7:30 pm here in Walnut Creek.

I took this picture also last week, of the sun over my garage at 5:30pm... the air is filled with particulates that make it difficult to breathe.

The temperature is predicted to go up to 107F tomorrow. I'm so glad I popped for a tiny window unit air conditioner last month because the old dog can't handle that kind of heat (nor this old crow and old bear ha ha). IT'S HOT OUT THERE!


PS: Happy Birthday to my East Coast Sis, A.K.A. G
Go on by her place
and bring your chopsticks (I think they are having Chinese tonight) and wish her a very happy birthday!



13 comments:

G said...

Ooh eeh, but that's hot! Hope the smoke clears soon. I'd say that AC was a good investment.

Ariel the Thief said...

The Raymond Chandler California. But his aristocrat female characters never sweat.

Anonymous said...

Take care!

Tom & Icy said...

Now that is hot! And my eyes are stinging just thinking of the smoke. Reminds me of the movie/video game Silent Hill where the coal is burning underground.

SOe said...

I´m SOOOOO happy to be on this island! Unusually, we had also fog sometimes during the last days. Come over to 51°F and fresh air! You are welcome!

Fred said...

I hope the smoke has cleared somewhat. It's amazing how bad it is this year.

Anonymous said...

the dog is twice our age--us ,old--NOT !!! .XOXOXO

Logophile said...

Wow, that smoke is horrible! Glad you got the a/c too, ack!
My vaca in eastern WA definitely impressed upon me the importance of air conditioning in that kind of environment.

Nessa said...

I hope the fires stop soon. It's terrible.

tsduff said...

G - We lost our Big Kitty 2 years ago in this kind of heat - Tobin is very grateful for the air conditioner as I think it is saving his life.

Ariel the Thief: True, but then they never had to live through these temps or smoke while they were in the bowels of glamorous nightclubs with Philip Marlowe...

Anonymous - trying to... say, I sort of wish I could party in your birdbath like Jack...

Tom & Icy - yes, the heat and smoke is hard to escape from anywhere. I can imagine coal smoking underground - sounds choking. My sidebar says 107F degrees (42C) outside right now. Sweltering at 4pm in the afternoon - I think it will get even hotter today. This heat wave is predicted to get even worse in the next two days. UNCLE!!

SOe - *breathes in a deep breath of fresh Icelandic crispy clean air*.. ahhhh. Even if only a virtual breath of fresh air, it was freshing!!

Fred - Alas, it isn't much better at all. But thanks for the hopeful thought :)

Anonymous - Okay, I agree. 'Nuff said. xxx

Logophile - Some places on the west coast don't have air conditioning anywhere. Until this year, neither did I. It is brutal when you are old, very young, or have health problems. really, it is difficult to take this heat. Plus you feel guilty turning the water on outside because we are in a drought. I knew there was more than one reason I wish I lived in Iceland...

Nessa - Amen!

photowannabe said...

Yep...I think we have you beat. Its now 110F. here in Rocklin on Tuesday. Your smoke-filled shot looks just like home too. We can't see 2 miles away. Really ugly and murky.
Giving the A.C. a workout too.

G said...

Thank you my dearest WCS for the birthday greeting. You helped make it a spectacular celebration. xox

yellowdoggranny said...

it's so scary..all that fire, smoke, heat and wind...i am whining about the 97 degree weather her in texas, but it's all normal, so should just hush up..