I went to bed early last night, so here I am at 5 am chatting with you, wide awake and drinking coffee. It looks like it will be another beautiful day.
Swallowtail among the hyacinthine (late) lilacs
Yesterday as I was just finished grooming Echo, I heard what I thought was a motorcycle on the driveway next to us, or maybe a low flying plane or helicopter. Then I heard it again.
After letting Echo back into a kennel, I looked out (and up) to see a helicopter overhead carrying a water bucket! Oh no! By this time, it was the fourth, and the water was being dumped not far above us on the mountainside.
I couldn't see smoke. I grabbed Mica and we went in the car to the bottom of our driveway, still counting 'copters overhead: seven, eight … one after the other. Then three forestry trucks and an ambulance went up the neighbouring road at high speed. By this time I was texting Gary who was working in Valemount.
Obviously, Forestry was working to put out a hot spot, but everyone in the Valley is on alert these days. Eventually, our neighbours' son in law spotted us and stopped to explain.
There had been a smouldering patch of ground, alright, with smoke visible from town miles away, but not from below the mountainside. It was reported then taken care of immediately. Because of the extent of the wildfire a month ago, there would not have been much "fuel" to feed a fire and have it get out of control, but nobody wanted to take that chance.
Mica and I were back home, not worrying too much 
when the region's fire chief phoned to apologize that he hadn't phoned earlier. We talked of the forest fire of a month ago, how it unnerved everyone and maybe aged us. It also made everyone we know grateful to be alive and for the competence of others.
It's sobering to acknowledge those who have lost homes or lives to other fires, or war or anything.
While I groomed Echo yesterday, I was feeling quite low, missing everyone who I don't get to see often enough. Even those people and pets who are long dead. I was melancholic and even posted this in Facebook.
Late in the afternoon, Susan phoned from California to check on me. It was a great visit and cheered me.
I'm not sure if I haven't any dog grooming for today, or if I forgot to write something down. Perhaps it's a day I can get some weeding done in the flower beds. Maybe I can just rest … nah.
Hope your days is restful or productive or whatever you need it to be.
Love, Ann
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