EXCEPT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

The first smoke of the day was marked by reading the news, swilling coffee, no damned fireworks, and grim looking dog walkers. Poochie-woochie was probably hiding under the bed all night, and defecating there. I have no dog. And actually, hiding under the bed all night and defecating there doesn't sound too bad; if Amber Heard (an American actress known for an intense dislike of pirate captains) is in your life, you probably had that going on.

The rest of us will probably never have to hear about Amber Heard again, and good riddance. Just remember her when your dog poops.


A long time ago, before climate change happened, the burning season in Northern California began some time around Labor Day. Now it starts in the same month as Cinco De Mayo, and is in full throttle by Independence Day.

THE ELECTRA FIRE IN AMADOR COUNTY,

PAINTED FROM A PHOTO ON SFGATE

Having finished my coffee, I stepped out and lit my pipe. There's a quiet at that early hour which is enjoyable, and despite the grim dog walkers and their neurotic pets, the world seems very far away.


Young thugs spinning wheelies late at night in Oakland are not an issue at this hour. Neither are racist black criminals in New York, bigotted old white men in Oregon, Texas, or Georgia, verkrampte religious cavemen in the red states, hardcore neo-nazis who slobber over Fox News, petulant male deviants with gun fetishes, or any other manifestations of grampa Simpson, Ned Flanders, mayor Quimby, or reverend Lovejoy.

Even the puffy-faced orange turd seems a distant blip.

Crisp air, parrots overhead, curious crows.
This "micro-climate" isn't bad.



==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================