PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE
Heat and Smoke, With Some Walks In Between
Week 7: July 12–18
This was another hot week, but our highs stayed in the 90s instead of the 100s. I started walking more and I’m trying to eat healthier because I got invited to a wedding next month and I want my dress to fit!
The valleys north and south of Carson City are covered in a layer of smoke. My eyes burn and my throat itches. Those are minor discomforts compared to the people fighting the fires and the people worried about their homes.
I locked the dogs inside on Monday afternoon because of the heat. One of the dogs is smart, but Charlie (pictured above) will go outside and lay in the sun. We’re worried he will fall asleep and overheat, so we keep a close eye on him. He has plenty of grass and shade in the backyard, but he chooses to lay on the concrete slab in full sunlight, during the heat of the day.
I usually don’t mind the heat, but these constant high temperatures over 100°F have zapped my energy and motivation.
I don’t know how new these $1 coins are, but I found one on Tuesday and had to take a closer look. This was the first time I’d seen one. The light in my office wasn’t right, so I couldn’t get a clear picture of the back. The bank teller said he hadn’t seen them before, either.
On Wednesday after work, I finally decided to transplant the three plants that have been desperately needing new homes. The aloe wasn’t doing well, so I planted it in a larger pot with new soil. The two tomato plants stayed in their plastic cups for way too long, so they might not produce, but they will live a little longer now.
The blackberry plant was a birthday gift from a coworker. I got the original in 2019 from a friend, but gave it away last summer when we found out we had to move. My coworker and his wife said the plant was doing great at their house. They cut off a clipping, rooted it, and gave it back to me.
On Thursday when I went grocery shopping, I got vegetables to snack on instead of chips or other junk food. My friend in Utah is getting married and I’m going to her wedding. I’m also going to visit my sister and other family and friends for the first time in two years, so I decided it’s time to focus on eating healthier and getting a little more exercise.
On Friday I decided to go for a walk. The plan was 20–30 minutes, but I was gone for an hour! Carson City has a historic neighborhood with resident deer, so I explored a little more than I had planned. The deer pictured above let me walk right by, watching me the whole time.
I saw smoke rising from the mountains south of us, so I texted my husband to ask where the fire was. It’s on the California side in the Sierra Nevada. The fire started small, then blew up overnight.
I got up early enough for a walk before work on Saturday morning. The smoke hadn’t fallen into the valley yet, but it made the sunrise a fiery red. During the day, the smoke made its way further north.
The lead photo shows my view from work on Sunday morning. The smoke settled into the surrounding valleys and our air quality is hovering around the “unhealthy” range. We’re supposed to limit outdoor activities and avoid burning candles or incense inside the house so we’re not breathing in more contaminants.
This has been my week in photographs. Thanks to Dennett for starting this PHOTO-A-DAY challenge last year. Anyone can join! I’ve had fun looking at my daily life, deciding what to share in pictures.
Regular participants include Anne Bonfert, Barbara Radisavljevic, Mia Verita, Susan Alison, Barbara Dalton, Erika Burkhalter, and many more!
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