CHALK DRAWING ABSTRACT

We have had this framed chalk drawing for many years. (SEE EXTRA)
For many, many years we have lived in places where it was rarely sunny & blue skies were unusual.  We kept this drawing in a spot where we would see it often, to remind us that somewhere the sky looked like this.

We live in California now, where blue skies & sunny days are not that unusual. However, after10 straight days of AIR QUALITY ALERTS & smokey skies from the BOBCAT FIRE burning in the Angeles National Forest, this morning I saw a glimpse of blue skies & the sun broke through.  I could still smell smoke & my throat burned, but I was reminded of those bitter cold Winter days in Michigan when a tiny bit of blue sky peaked out.  

This fire is not as large as the wildfires burning in Northern California & Oregon, but it is only 3% contained & has caused evacuations in
Pasadena & Arcadia, plus it is threatening the Mt. Wilson Observatory.
It is difficult to contain because the terrain is remote, with steep ridges &
wind channels.  These are areas that have not burned in 70 years.
Our president would surely criticize the lack of raking.

According to the Los Angeles Times today, the smoke from these fires
is expected to "waft into Europe this week."  I have seen reports 
of smoke in NYC & Boston already, so it seems possible it could cross the 
Atlantic Ocean.  

A good soaking rain could send all the firefighters home to their families.
I remember, many years ago, we had a day in September, when there was a steady rain for hours.  If only we could get some of that torrential rain
now happening in the Gulf Coast....