Blue skies, no smoke and the rain is gone.

I walked today along the south end of Penticton, along beautiful Skaha Lake. The lake was calm, and the skies were silent, absent was the sights and sounds of helicopters water bombing Christie Mountain.

Peace reigned, and I was grateful for the small rain storm last night that put the final kabosh on the smouldering remains of the fire.

Welcome to “Life and Random Thinking” today on August 31, 2020. – David

Africa (the cat above) and I are glad you are visiting. 🙂

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As I walked along the beach walk

I was thinking about how so many families on the west side of the valley have lived with their minds on edge.

Hundreds of families given evacuation alerts, and an unknown amount actually packing up special items and living with friends for the duration.

Friends of mine who live on the valley’s westside, report the helicopters flying over their home, the vibrating air every six minutes as the copters flew overhead back on forth to protect their homes and families.

They said the copters flew a mere”chip shot with 5 iron” over their home!

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day - Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

We sometimes have heavy rain here,

the kind of storm where the rain bounces back up.  Those storms are kind of my favourite, although intimidating, they tend to be shorter in length, and I know rainbows (sometimes more than one) are not far ahead.

Those heavy short-in-length storms are also easier to wait out, if caught out in one, I can even enjoy it under the canopy of a nice evergreen and the air smells so fresh. 

I think I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day - Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

The hardest storms to endure are the ones that are unpredictable in length. Even though I know a storm will eventually pass, and the sun will shine again without a doubt, I wish I could control the storm.

Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies

- Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

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I read the blog of a 20 year old young woman today,

and she has had a tough journey healthwise since a young age. It was inspiring to read how she managed through it all, and now is sharing her journey.

I imagine that her storm felt like it would never end some days. Today for her the rain storms still come but she knows that the sun is still there, above the clouds.

At a young age, the pain seemed endless but now she knows the clouds will pass. She can ” look straight ahead and see the BLUE skies”.

Click here to visit her post called “Kiara is Growing”.

I am grateful she shared her story and visited my blog (so I found her) because it is a reminder for me, change is the only constant, and we can’t predict the weather, but we know it will change.

Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window. – Peter Drucker

About dfolstad58

I live in the South Okanagan. BC. I enjoy reading, exercise, toastmasters. spending time with my son, my daughter, & her husband , and my patient wife. I try to respond personally to every comment on my blog, and in this way I hope to get to know my readers a little bit and and am able to thank readers for their encouragement on what they liked and suggestions on what they would like to see me try in order to improve.
This entry was posted in health, Just being creative, music related, okanagan related and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

27 Responses to Blue skies, no smoke and the rain is gone.

  1. Jane Fritz says:

    Such a nice post, David. So much to think about. Very glad the fires are out. Phew. Very effective juxtaposition of the lyrics to ‘I can see clearly now’ … and awesome sunflowers!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • dfolstad58 says:

      Thanks Jane, phew iis how I feel. 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the post, if I didn’t control myself my post could all sunflower photos! The birds are loving the seeds and still have new flowers blooming. –

      Liked by 1 person

  2. gifted50 says:

    Look at those images, gorgeous! Happy to hear you have got sunshine in your life.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Joni says:

    Great pictures and great song choice! Glad to hear the fire threat is over.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I recognized that first photo right away! (And the others, too.) I My M has reported the same. It was very stressful and worrying. Yes, people have to sometimes go through some very crap things.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. James McEwan says:

    Great pictures. Glad the fire is out, smoke penetrated clothes and hair is awful. Is that a vine growing is it rows of apple?

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sandra J says:

    Your cat looks so comfy. Mine does that, but only when it is cold out. Wonderful photos Dave. Have a great week and a beautiful month of September, the leaves are starting to turn color here.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Lynn says:

    Good to hear you are safe & that things appear to be a little calmer at the moment. Such a beautiful post David.💕

    Liked by 1 person

  8. chattykerry says:

    The sky is so blue! Africa is so cute…

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Been a long time since I have heard that song and now I will be singing it for a bit. You live in an absolutely breathtaking area what a joy to see.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. So glad to hear that the fire is out. The sky looks so clear!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. One thing I always watch for is the colour of the light! When the air has forest fire smoke the light changes to a slight copperish colour! That means the sunsets are more intense!
    Pros and cons I guess.

    Like

  12. lghiggins says:

    I love that song and it is perfect as we look to the future during the crazy times of 2020.

    Like

  13. I adore sunflowers!! I love those pictures! ♥♥

    Like

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