View across Lake Pend Oreille (Idaho) towards Monarchs.
Since the middle of July we've had mostly smoky skies with occasional breaks for a couple hours. This past Sunday morning brought cool temperatures and some intermittent showers. Just what we'd hoped for so we could walk outside and take deep breaths. It's been so long since I felt I could do more than take shallow ones for fear of damaging my lungs forever. Our eyes have been dry and itchy. Headaches, tiredness, breathing issues...
A little clearer this night.
This is nothing, NOTHING, compared to what so many have endured in the west this summer. We can talk about our fellow citizens that have lost their homes, their businesses, everything. We can mourn the towns that will be forever changed and may never recover fully. Wildlife and farm animals alike have suffered. The loss of breathtakingly beautiful scenery that for many of us will never reach our memory of it in our remaining lifetime.
Prudent Man Plumed Agate from Idaho, Blue Topaz, Aquamarine
Ceramic by MakuStudios
Bead embroidered with Japanese glass seed beads
However it's the firefighters that have worked unbelievable hours in trying to do what seems to be the impossible that inspired this small series of jewelry pieces. The firefighters that have come from other countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have honored themselves and their country's friendship with ours. The families of those firefighters also are in my heart, especially those who lost their brave selfless relative to the flames.
Indian Summer
Cherry Creek Jasper set in copper
SOLD
It's awesome to celebrate the power and love of humanity at its best.
Prudent Man Plumed Agate from Idaho
Blue Topaz briolettes
I can't help but wonder if the head in the sand approach and infighting to the inconvenient truth (thank you Mr. Gore for trying) of climate change has taken us beyond human repair. Certainly no one can want to take a wait and see approach at this time.
Same view back in May. You can practically touch the Monarchs!
"Firemen never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved." ~Susan Diane Murphree