checking in.

a couple weeks back the hubs invited me for an evening drive. in the Jeep. higher in the mountains on rough roads, twists, bumps, turns. i was sporting a bit of a 'tude but accepted his offer though honestly it was the last thing on my list i thought i'd enjoy. i'm such a ninnie sometimes. going off road means viewing beauty that folks on a main road never have the opportunity to see. my 'tude disappeared in quick order and i was able to allow myself to enjoy the ride - and thus allow my hubs to enjoy it as well, more so than contending with a 'tude-ish wife that night. beauty abounded at every turn.

arriving at the top of the peak ..

the view was breathtaking; it was heartbreaking as well.

our county along with other counties are in the middle

of anticipated fire storms. numerous states are on fire.

seems the whole world is contending with "fires."

this was our first glimpse.

smoke layer above the ridge..

the peak..

from another direction, billowing raging red.

 

we personally know families whose homes were completely 

lost in the fires.

in our tiny town evacuees have set up camp 

so to speak - and our community

is coming together to meet needs .. 

practically, emotionally, and spiritually.

"By your grace, we will leave everything

most sweetly in your hands.

Where else should these things be left?"
{Spurgeon}

a daytime view from our tiny town.

smoke and ash rain down intermittently

depending on wind direction.

we're safe from danger at this point.

yesterday it was cool enough to turn on the oven..

hasn't been the case this season - a long, hot summer.

out of the ordinary for typically a couple weeks

is sizzling in these parts, not the entire season.

so while the hubs grilled burgers,

i prepped and baked 'oven fries',

and cut romaine and tomato, red onion and cheese,

brought out jars of pickles, jalapenos, mayo and mustard,

catsup and ranch dressing. a feast.

heirloom tomato slices were delish!

i like to eat mine along with the romaine,

*not* on the burger. yUm.

a couple weeks ago i needed to use up some roasted broccoli

and onions ... so i figured a quiche was in order. also yUm.

in light of present day concerns, consider this:

"I would rather have questions that can't be

answered than answers that can't be questioned."

{Richard Feynman}

strange times indeed

.. & ..

please keep Afghanistan in prayer ..

please keep the American citizens on the ground, in prayer ..

.the horror is beyond imagination.

... please continue in prayer for our country ...

in His love,

.sherry.