“But my heart cried out for you, California
Oh, California, I’m coming home”
~Joni Mitchell
Toulemne Meadows, Yosemite
Vineyard and Hills, Sonoma
Point Reyes National Seashore
“I’d like to dream my troubles all away, on a bed of California stars.”
~ Woody Guthrie
Redwood Giants
Antelope Valley
Morning Hikers, Yosemite
“I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.”
~Greta Thunberg
Bodega Headlands
Big Sur
Carrizo Plain
“-More than 12,000 lightning strikes
– 560 fires since this began
-20 major fires
-771K acres burned (that’s about the size of Rhode Island)
Grateful for our firefighters and first responders on the front lines keeping California safe. “
~Gavin Newsom, August 21, 2020
Golden Gate and Hazy Sky
Jane Lurie Photography 
Just remastered my mother’s 8mm film of our road trip from SF to San Diego, going back through Yosemite. (Back in ’65…)
Lovely nature. So sad to see it go in flames… Stay safe.
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I bet those images are priceless, Brian. Did you post them? Yes, sad times in CA. So much loss. Thanks for your kind words.
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I wish we could send rain from Mexico. It’s still the rainy season here.
Haven’t posted the photos yet. I want to finish editing, then I start posting short videos.
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A very beautiful tribute to California, Jane. It is heartbreaking to see all the devastation the wildfires are causing. Thank you for the photos along with these great quotes ~ I hope you are well and take care.
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Hi Randall, I’m so glad you enjoyed this tribute. Feeling helpless and sad with the fires so it was a way to grieve and celebrate the state. We are safe and doing as well as we can. Thanks very much- great to hear from you. 💙
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Your beautiful State has been very much on my mind (as is your country as you know) and your photos are a wonderful start to the week as they always are Jane. There’s something about looking up to the top of those tall trees that always takes your breath away. I feel that every time we walk in our beautiful Pacific Spirit Park. Best wishes for the week ahead. Lets hope for better days to come.💕
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Hi Andrew, I appreciate your warm thoughts of support in such a troubling time, in our state and in our country. Pleased these reminded you of beautiful moments near and far. Thank you very much. 💙
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For a post like this, it feels odd to check off “like” but your images certainly do deserve it, Jane. There really is no controlling Nature and it is even more out of control when we make matters worse. The people who fight the fires are amazing and definitely deserve “hero” describing them. If only you folks in California would rake your forests. (I hope you recognize where the sarcasm is aimed).
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Thank you, Steve. Yes, a sad time but good to remember the marvelous moments in California nature. Hopefully the recovery will be fast. And yes, If only we had raked… 😉
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So much beauty in our world. Be safe, everyone.
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Thanks, Lisa. Good to focus on positive things. 😍
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Oh dear Jane, this was such a lovely tribute. Being smack-dab in the middle of the smoky, choking air in Sonoma County right now, my home, I was so moved to see these magnificent scenes of our beautiful Northern California. You chose iconic vistas too, I recognized every single one before I got to the caption. Tomorrow is my wife’s birthday and we have so many restrictions with Covid, but thought a nice drive to Pt. Reyes would be safe, only to find it’s closed, due to fires. Our Plans A, B and C are all nixed due to fires. Your photos gave me a reminder of how stunning our region ordinarily is…and will be again when the fires finally get contained. My warmest thanks.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed these, Jet. Rather sad going through them, but happy that these places exist and that we live close to them. Yes, I saw that Pt. Reyes is closed- hope the fires there are contained now. Wishing Athena a happy birthday- I know you will make it special somehow! Take care and try to breathe easy, friend. 🙂 💕
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Wow!
Just amazing, Jane!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! 😀
Loved them! It grows even more your will to hike!
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Thank you, Nuno! Great memories of hiking around beautiful California. Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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Beautiful post about the beautiful state of California. I was there once on a school trip from Scotland back in 2000 and would love to take my husband and 2 boys there one day. Such a breathtaking place.
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Thanks so much, Kara. I’m happy you’ve visited California and I do hope when the world calms down that you will come back with your family. So much to explore!
I do hope to get back to beautiful Scotland someday, too. 💚🌲
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Your beautiful photos of these Californian landscapes together with the quotes are profoundly poignant and read something like a prayer. The scale and tragedy of the current fires, the immensity of the destruction and the longer-term impacts made even worse during the Covid-19 pandemic are almost unimaginable. The firefighters face a long and daunting challenge and I hope they are getting adequate support. Hoping everyone can be as safe as possible in the face of this onslaught from the lightning strikes. Thinking of you and keep as safe as you can.
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Thank you for your kind and supportive words, Carol. Although it’s difficult to imagine right now, I know we will recover from this and the overall health crisis someday. It’s the people on the front lines of both crises who are the heroes. Appreciate you taking the time to view my photos and to write. 💙
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Absolutely – the dedication of the health workers and the firefighters should not be taken for granted as it sometimes is. And now we are hearing about the first responders as Hurricane Laura makes landfall …
Take care xxx
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hi jane, wow what a sunset i like very much and the other pictures have something special too.
many greetings robert
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I’m so glad you enjoyed these California landscapes, Robert. The sunset was enhanced by the wildfire smoke last October. Thanks very much.☺️
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beautiful photos such a stark contrast to whats happening at the moment and in these times very eerie almost
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Thanks, Andy. It sure is. It was melancholy going through these memories of beautiful places we’ve been. Hoping that they recover quickly. Sad times, indeed. I appreciate your visit here. 🙂
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These are beautiful pics of our awesome state! Sad that we have a fire season though… hope they can put them out safely. Thanks for posting the homage.
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Thanks so much, Guat. Happy you enjoyed this celebration of our amazing state. Hoping we bounce back quickly and that this finds you safe and well. 😊
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It’s really heartbreaking, what’s happening right now. And I know this post comes straight from the heart, from someone who deeply loves California. The state offers so much, and gives us so many reasons to be amazed. Let’s hope those under control percentages keep going up, and quickly. And why can’t a little of those Caribbean storms blow over your way? 😉 I think the hikers at Yosemite and the Carrizo Plain are my favorites here. Stay strong!
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Hi Lynn, How heartwarming to read your reaction. Thank you so much. I felt such pangs of sadness along with love going through the images. Glad you enjoyed this homage and those images in particular. Yes, rain would be wonderful! 🙂
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I could feel exactly what you describe. I think the Santa Cruz area got a little rain…but I read that more heat is expected. It’s up and down, like everything else. When I lived on the east coast I knew about the problems with wildfires in the west but living here makes it real and I’ve become a little more educated. There’s a lot that can be done but then again, a lot is out of our control, too. Have a good week, one way or another.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Chuck! 🙂
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What a beautiful ode to magnificent California.
Stay safe Jane!
Alison xo
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Thanks, Alison. Great memories of the places we’ve explored. Such sadness. You, too. Stay safe. xox
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Gorgeous images of your beloved home state, Jane. So heartbreaking to read about the devastation and loss of life caused by these terrible fires. My heart goes out to all those affected and the brave first responders.
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Thank you very much, Sylvia. Devastating times. Hopefully, they will get them under control soon.
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I am thinking of you, all folk and all the animals …those dreadful fires. Oh No.
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Thank you, Paula. Many things spinning out of control. Appreciate your kind thoughts.
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What a gorgeous paean to your home state, Jane. Lovely, lovely. The quotes are spot on, too. I am hoping that the wildfire season ends quickly for you all. I’ve seen the impact of the wild fires further north in Vancouver, B.C. It’s shocking.
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Thank you so much, Patti. Good memories of these amazing places in the state. It’s scary, and yes, Canada sure has had its share of wildfires. The air quality is a real health concern.
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Absolutely. Take care and stay well, Jane. If it’s not one health issue, it’s another! Crazy.
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A deluge of problems…wishing you safe and healthy days, Patti. 💙
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You, too, Jane.
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You capture such amazing scenes. Heartbreaking to consider the devastation caused by these fires.
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Thanks, Belinda. It was nice, yet melancholy, to revisit these images of place I love. I feel for people affected and for the devastating loss of habitat like the precious redwoods. Appreciate your visit here.
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The lightning that triggered the fires in NorCal, that had to be bad. Very unusual too in that it’s not observed that often on the coast. Colorado and Florida, I understand because of the convective heating which build ferocious storms. Anyway, we have our share of wildfire: 5 major fires with very little, or no, containment. I-70 through Glenwood Canyon has been closed for about a week now due to heavy smoke and active flames at the road’s edge. The smoke has been so bad it has led to air quality warnings, which is unusual for us. It has been quite thick on 3-4 days where you can’t turn out the horses too long in their paddocks. They’re turned out for a couple of hours before bringing them back into the barn.
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Oh no, David. Yes, these dry lightning storms are supposedly rare here…every 15 years or so. Sorry to hear you’re dealing with smoke, too. It got very bad around SF. Thanks for visiting and I hope you are well. What a world.
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The images and words chosen combine really well here. I hope there is significant rain soon and a chance to get the wildfires under control.
I think I’ll listen to “Mermaid Avenue” now – love that album!
Stay safe and take care.
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Thank you, Adam. Glad you enjoyed the images. Your comment reminded me that I meant to credit Woody Guthrie for those lyrics. 😬 You, too, stay safe.
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Beautiful photos. Praying for you all that the fires can be contained soon.
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Thank you very much, Carolyn. We hope so. Appreciate your visit here.
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A beautiful tribute to your magnificent state, Jane. My heart goes out to all those who’ve been evacuated, their losses, and the frontline crews that are battling the many fires. May God bless.
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Thank you for your kind thoughts, Eliza. Yes, thankful for the crews who are risking their lives. Hoping we get things under control quickly. It’s tragic.
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Beautiful
Sent from my iPad
>
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Thanks very much, Sue. 🙂
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Wonderful photos – stay safe 🌱eco
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Thanks so much, Eco. You, too. 🙂
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Some of the best California images I have seen.
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How nice to read, Bruce. Thank you so much! 🙂
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Splendid! I do love the colours int the final shot.
✨☀️🙏🕉️♾️☮️🙏☀️✨
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A wonderful collection, Jane. The destruction is gut wrenching, and such fear for those near any fire.
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Thank you, Ellen. It is frightening and tragic. And those who have to evacuate in a pandemic. 😦
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Beautiful ode to California Jane, hope you and the family are all safe out there. Such a heartbreaking time.
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Thanks so much, Tina. Glad you enjoyed these images that were made in better times. We are thankfully fine and hope that friends up north are safe. Hope you are doing well, too. 🙂
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🙂 Let’s hope and pray that the fires can be extinguished quickly.
Your pictures are lovely, al always!
Take care and a very HAPPY Sunday,
Claudia 🙂
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Thank you very much, Claudia. Glad you enjoyed these favorite images made in better days. Appreciate your kind thoughts. Have a happy day. 😊
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In New York and some other places a bodega is a small grocery store in a neighborhood. Fortunately no bodegas are evident in your picture of the Bodega Headlands.
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I’m amazed where your mind goes, Steve. 😉Yes, no bodegas here, just Mother Nature at her finest.
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You may be surprised that the Spanish word bodega developed from the Greek word that we see in apothecary.
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That’s interesting, Steve. Thanks!
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Such beautiful and nostalgic scenes, for me who used to live there.
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Thank you, Hien. I didn’t realize you lived in CA at one time. Glad these brought back good memories. 😍
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Stunning scenery, Jane, a beautiful tribute to California. I really hope those fires can be brought under control….stay safe
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Thank you so much, Sue. We can only hope. Thankful for our firefighters.
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What a beautiful tribute to California. I want to believe it will all come back.
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Thank you, Janie. Glad you enjoyed these special spots as we traveled around the state in better days. (many times with you) Let’s hope for a quick recovery. Sadly, it’s early in the season. 😦
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Some great photography Jane. Some of the flowery pics make me think of the Sound of Music; Edelweissssss 🎶 😁
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Thanks, Poetpas. I can see Julie Andrews dancing through the poppies. 🙂
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😂
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Beautiful pictures, Jane -and Joni Mitchell too! But the words of Gavin Newsom are the hard now – and I have a very old friend, and his partner, in Santa Cruz; I am anxious for them.
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Thank you, Adrian. Such scary times. I am sorry about your friends- that’s a hard hit area. Hoping they are safe and I appreciate your kind words.
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Fine set, Jane! Love the 2nd photo! That vineyard feels a bit surreal against that background landscape.. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Harrie. Wine country is a beautiful mix of hills and vineyards and stunning in autumn. 🙂
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From someone who knows the spectre of bushfires, my thoughts are with you. Pray for rain.
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Thank you very much, Amanda. Yes, you know. Unfortunately, another dry lightning storm is forecast. 😦
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Eek. Take care.
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Stunning pictures of these amazingly wonderful landscapes, views and colors. You Californians are blessed with so much beauty!
But sad to hear about the fires, that’s so terribly devastating… I saw the result in a nature reserve close by (a relatively small area but also heartbreaking to see )
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Thanks very much, Noortje, it really is a magnificent state.
The loss of homes and those having to evacuate in a pandemic is terrible. It is amazing how many parts of California are relatively uninhabited. And awful to see the loss of habitat like our redwood forests. As you saw near your home, it takes a long time to recover. 😌
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Beautiful shots of a beautiful, vulnerable state.
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Thank you, Sharon. Vulnerable is a perfect description…we are all feeling that way. 😟
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What a wonderful collection of beautiful California! Hopefully, the weather improves soon and the brave firefighters get the forest fires under control.
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Thank you so much, Peter. It was helpful to revisit these images and memories of happy times in this beautiful state. Appreciate your kind thoughts.
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The lovely California is our home, because we live here, as you have beautifully captured hopefully the wildfire rages will have a mercy and will be soon under control to save the beauty of this piece of land. I hope you are safe.
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Thank you so much, Cornelia. You know this place well. Hoping the same and that homes will be spared and our recovery will happen quickly. Take care. ☺️
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Such awe-inspiring scenery, Jane, and beautifully captured too! Praying that those devastating fires will be brought under control sooner rather than later.
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Thanks very much, Dries. I felt melancholy dreaming of all these beautiful places I’ve photographed with hopes that we will recover well. Appreciate your kind thoughts.
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Oh Jane…. it’s clear how much you appreciate the beauty to be found in CA. Hoping you and the family remain safe. Hugs
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Hi Leslee, Thank you so much. We are faring well under the circumstance. Hope you are, too. Miss you. 🥰
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Lovely series of photos. I feel for you as we had major fires in our Tasmanian wilderness last summer which started from lightning strikes. It ripped through many delicate alpine areas that are unlikely to recover as they were. The world is changing while our politicians sleep at the wheel, full steam ahead!
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Thank you very much, TasView. So sorry you have had to endure the same. Australia, as well. Sad about the alpine areas. We lost some precious redwoods in these. Agree, we need leadership to combat climate change! 🌏
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Excellent photos of California! I love everyone of them!
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Thank you so much, Stephen. That means a lot. There’s a lot to love about California. 😍
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I am stunned by the Golden Gate photo. Such beauty amongst current affairs. Beautiful photo, Jane. ❤️
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Thank you, John. I made this image this past October during the last bad wildfire season that brought smoky haze into SF. The smoke creates incredible sunrises and sunsets for all the wrong reasons. Hope you are doing well! 🙂
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I so hope the recent fires can be extinguished soon. God bless all of these wonderful firefighters doing battle. 🙏🏻
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Yes, so thankful for firefighters and first responders!
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Bringing tears to my eyes, Jane. I am in mourning for those who don’t know if they have a home or have lost their home and for the beauty that has been lost. Gratitude for the firefighters who are giving so much of themselves.
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A beautiful comment.
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Agree, John. 😊
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Oh, me too, Susan. Such tragedy. I hope you aren’t affected by the smoke in San Jose. Thanks for sharing here. Take care and be safe. 😌
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Smoke from the fires in Santa Cruz, San Mateo county and even our own East foothills is affecting our air quality, Jane. Just praying that the predicted lightening tonight doesn’t spark more fires!
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I wondered how much smoke you were getting. SF is terrible. I fear the upcoming dry lightning, too. I read they are rare…the last one was 2008 and now we’re on to a second in a week!
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it’s heart wrenching to see 😢 hope you and your loved ones all safe Jane 🤓🤗 hugs hedy
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Thanks so much, Hedy. The fires are mostly in the northern part of the state. Thankfully, we are fine so far since the fires closer to LA are under control. Appreciate your good wishes. ☺️
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