Trying to keep normal

There is an eerie stillness in the air tonight, even though there is a breeze. It's like the feeling of waiting for something to happen. Even the birds are silent and in hiding.

The smoke from the fire south of us fills the valley, and you can taste the smell, if you know what I mean.

Looking south towards the fire.

There is no way I would ride in this dense of smoke and compromise the horse's lungs. My lungs are having enough difficulty.
We hired a fellow in need to paint the round pen for us; grey it is, although I will add a touch of red to the uprights and cross bars of the gate.

It's a work in progress.

Beamer has been having difficulty with his arthritis. I have tried several different products to no avail, so I'm going herbal. After some research, I have opted for a blend of burdock root and dandelion root tea poured over a couple of cups of alfalfa pellets, along with some nettles and a bit of black cumin seed oil. Topped off with apple cider vinegar to disguise any bitterness from the burdock and dandelion- Beamer does like ACV. 

He approves- he licked it clean.

 I sure hope this gives him some relief. I hate seeing him hurting. 

I spent sometime today online, keeping up with the news from south central B.C. where wild fires are raging out of control. There are reports of livestock being lost, and several frantic people trying to get their horses and other creatures out of harms way. Some people have lost their homes, and all their winter's hay in a year when hay is hard to find. The Facebook community is rallying , and people from all over are offering sanctuary for displaced families and animals, and hay donations are being rallied. Rescue efforts are under way but it will be some time before the full story of the devastation caused by the Rock Creek fire will be told. Right now the highway is closed.

Photo credit: Chris Knight

Meanwhile, more fires are being reported in the area, in one place a fire truck and crew was trapped and requested air support - no further news there yet. Towns and farm are being evacuated. My husband has family in one of the towns that is being evacuated tonight.  People with horses are opening their gates and letting the horses out- roads are closed so I think they are hoping the horses will find their own safety. There are already groups being organized to help find animals after the fire has passed or is contained enough for search parties.
My heart is hurting for all the people who have or will have lost their homes, their livelihood, and their animals. Fire is so unforgiving and indiscriminate. And it's a long way from being over, we are just getting into the hottest part of summer.
My husband and I are supposed to be driving through that area next weekend on our way to a wedding in Kelowna; if the roads are open. I would rather help with rescue efforts than go to a wedding.
God bless and keep safe all the firefighters and the people in harm's way.