Mount St. Helens in Washington State in the US is an active volcano some 300 miles from White Rock in B.C., Canada. Peaceful at a distance, it can erupt as it did in 1980 killing many. Now in Los Angeles, an eruption of fires brought ruin to a community that largely rejected the man who speaks of Canada becoming the 51st US state. The vengeful hostile nature of Trump's vibes by chance came alive in apocalyptic ways in LA. Some, who likely love the escapism movies provide but despise "Hollywood", seem almost gleeful in response to the horror unfolding, some want to withhold aid even as others risk their lives to help. Amid new snapshots along worn paths, a few words inspired by heroic actions and reactions that harbour the pungent whiff of retribution.
At home we've seen stunning red skies some mornings and nights but no fires.
In the evenings, street lamps glow mysteriously as if they are moons.
Some mornings are soaked in moisture and mist.
I see familiar messages along my usual walks.
They are hopeful signs so maybe, maybe ... someday?
Luckily, there is joy to find in little things no matter what others say.
However, there is something very, very big afoot we pretend not to see. Those "crazy environmentalists" and others who dare to explore climate change solutions such as a rebated carbon tax are often attacked mercilessly on the internet full of intentional misinformation. Truth is also there. Perhaps you'll recognize a bit of it
HERE.
I remember when Mount St Helen erupted. I watched it on TV like I watch LA now. I sit and pray and watch. I never think we shouldn't help those at the mercy of Mother Nature. If I lived closer, I'd offer to take in a lady refugee. When hurricanes hit Florida, say St Petersburg. Then other unaffected communities seek people to take in refugees who lost everything. Do Unto Others. . .
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. The fires were to the north of where I live (in Orange County). Absolutely devastating, and it's going to take years (if ever) for people to put their live's back together.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos but a sad commentary.
ReplyDeleteI love your sky.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images! It's disheartening to see the lack of empathy and the spread of misinformation.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful and I love the cute messages you see on your walk. Peace, Joy and Bee Kind, I have hope for our future. Prayers for California. Have a great day and a happy weekend.
Love your poem. It's all so much to take and some of the line-ups seem other worldly. A test for the human spirit.
ReplyDeleteLovely series of photos and you are so right about our next POTUS ~ dread the next 4 years and the damage he could do ~ but will have a mind set of my own ~ much like yours ~ Hope and Kindness ~ hugs,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
We appear to be entering a dark time in our history - ignorance reigns - empathy and compassion have been cast aside - the lost jewels of a culture gone mad....
ReplyDeleteFrankly I am gobsmacked that my country would choose such a power hungry buffoon, and his cohorts. He certainly represents humanity's "dark side"...
It's hard to understand how people can think of either the hurricane or the fire as a political issue. FEMA's been doing an especially bad job in North Carolina. Many say it's politically motivated but I see it as more politically motivating; observing FEMA makes us want to cut THAT part of the budget back to the ground, like roses. They don't seem to be doing an especially good job in California, but shock and novelty seem to be galvanizing an effort to do SOMEthing. People scream about favoritism. It does all go to show that the federal government is just too big, already, to be efficient...I don't think anyone seriously wants us to have 51st through 63d States!
DeleteIt's a weird feeling watching the screaming on social media. I did that for an hour or so. North Carolina is where Mother's family came from. Los Angeles is where I was born--in fire season, and they were having fires then too. People living in crowded cities show no human feelings whatsoever. How is it possible to read about people losing their homes and type responses that don't start with how many sleeping bags you can fit onto your floor?
Pris cilla King
I'm puzzled, too, Mystic! The alternative would have been stability and decency in my view.
DeleteWell-worded poem Yes let their burning rage smother. It is devastating to see what's happening I feel for the people who lost everything. Your photos are beautiful
ReplyDeleteWe are coming into a winter of malice here in the USA where we speak ill of long term allies and friendships and spout nonsense about climate change. I'm just hoping we can hold out until the midterm congressional elections where maybe we can change a few things.
ReplyDeleteIf we don't start acting on climate change and cut emissions, sadly more extreme events will occur, more frequently...a time for both action and empathy....
ReplyDeleteI despair for humanity some days. Be kind, indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is incredible, very moving to me. You always share the most beautiful images and your post is heartfelt. My heart is weeping for those affected by the fires. My heart is weeping for the callousness of those who continuously point fingers from hands that should be open to helping. What gives me hope is the amazing number of people out there who are in fact helping in this great time of need, not only from the US but from many places around the world. These are the people I truly admire. Thank you for another wonderful post Penelope.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. Your words mean a lot. And I agree, we can take heart in the helpers during these times of great suffering and need.
DeleteBeautiful images and reflective words - a wonderful post
ReplyDeleteI fear that we are only at the very beginning of a period of unparalleled vitriol, hatred, revenge and mistreatment of anyone who does not toe the line. How this man got re-elected with control of all the levers of power is quite beyond my understanding. He has already become the de facto president and he has not been sworn in. I don’t think there is any serious threat to Canada’s sovereignty, but if we were to become the 51st state I would leave. The United States is the most failed nation in history and I would not want to part of it.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteYou images and poem are beautiful. My wish is always more love and less hate.
It is sad that the people who will be in charge care more about money than our country. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Your pictures are beautiful. Especially the view of Mt. St. Helens and the sky over Los Angeles. Canada stand strong! Most of us are with you and those who aren't couldn't find you on a map.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne. The sky scene is from my neck of the woods in southwest B.C. Haha that's funny about finding Canada on the map as it is the second largest country in the world, Russia being the largest and at war to gobble up even more land.
DeleteLovely photos of Canada. You are part of our Commonwealth of nations We will stick together. No worries !
ReplyDeleteIgnorance and unkindness are their own sort of pandemic. Climate change IS a political issue and Muskrat's ambitions aside, we aren't going to get another planet to live on anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images and powerful observations as the world teeters in attempts to achieve some balance
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images...I loved the photos but I felt the pain in the post. I feel humanity is headed towards a rather unfortunate path! Hope that things change for the better some day!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. Your words are a stark reminder of how the world has lost its way.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is deeply moving ... and thank you for including the TED TALK, I just finished it. I am still unable to wrap my head around the LA devastation ... all I can do from where I live is send donations to the organizations who are doing so much to help. Which I have done.
ReplyDeleteAmen to your poem but I highly doubt their capable of getting off their high high horses and actually practicing what they preach.
ReplyDeleteAs beautiful as your photographs are, your writing gets to the heart and gut.
ReplyDelete