Thankfully....

....we've seen so many friends mark themselves safe from the Los Angeles wildfires, but, oh, how sickeningly awful and scary and devastating it looks out there.  I remember years ago my sister calling me from her home in Texas when her neighborhood was evacuated due to wildfires near them, the sound of her voice, the terror in it, the helplessness of being able to do anything about it.  It's something I'll never forget.  Thank you to all the brave firefighters who are doing their best to quench all the fires out there and everywhere and to all the people who are helping others through this tragic time.

Here, we're experiencing just the opposite - a winter snow is falling outside, beautiful, swirling flakes.  From the raging of orange and red flames and black smoke on the West Coast to a peaceful dance of white snowflakes in the Midwest....kind of defines how things are going in our country and around the world - polar opposites....yep, I read the news today, oh, boy.....need to shake it all off....

Please take care of each other, the stranger on the street, the people you hold dear, the person serving your dinner at your favorite restaurant, the coworker in the next cubicle.  Life is short and precious, and if we're not here to help each other, then I really don't know what we're here for.  Be kind to others.  Be kind to yourself.  Here's a bit of beauty for you from Starved Rock.  Peace out.