It amazes me to learn that there are still people – a lot of people – who see climate change as an elitist joke and conspiracy to take their trucks away. I can’t quite grasp it, this in a country that brought so much transformative technology to the world.

Mother Nature keeps on reminding us she is quite real, most recently  by sending heavy smoke

So I just have to live around it. The Canadian fire smoke is heavy here again. It stings the eyes,  blocks the sun, and makes breathing a little harder.

The smoke even blocks our view of the hills and mountains around the farm, and leaves a metallic taste in our mouths.

Life goes on but it seems it will never quite be the same. As usual, the warming messages are a trifectag for me – diabetes, heart disease, old age – I’m being told to stay indoors as much as possible and do little.

This is the advice half of the country is  getting, I feel it acutely, I take it seriously, I’ll check on my flowers, go into town and stay inside as much as I can. No long walks or heavy lifting, my lungs feel it pretty clearly.

We did our morning rounds. Maria went out to get some Kale from the garden, escorted by the Imperious Hens, who follow in her steps when she comes out carrying something that might be food.

It’s still beautiful, smokey clouds or note. Today I’m feeling it more heavily than I have so far. Our sister, the planet, keeps trying to talk to us, but we don’t seem to want to listen.

This is my magical picture of the day, the forest fairy is out barefoot gathering her dinner in the woods, accompanied by some devoted chickens.

The very loyal Zinnia, watching out for me from her post inside the porch door. We are keeping Bud inside today, except for going to the bathroom out in the yard. This is the weather  he can’t handle for too long.