Aug 3, 2010

Haze and Giveaways


Summer in my Valley is also know as "fire season."  We had plenty of rain this Spring, which was great for the lakes and water table, but also allowed the brush on the roadsides and hills to grow quite tall.  Lush green grass is pretty.  Tall, dry grass in July is dangerous.

Due to careless smokers that toss their cigarette butts, or Summer lightening, or birds creating nests on telephone poles (that subequently drop sticks or debris on the lines and cause a spark,) we usually have at least one fire close to town, and several in the hills around the Valley. 

This little fire pictured, was not far from my friend's ranch - but was put out very quickly by fast-responding fire fighters and bombers.  The fire currently burning through grassland South-West of here is not being attacked as agressively as there are no homes in the area.  Still, the haze covering the Valley these last few days has been intense and you can now distinctly smell the smoke in the air.


The other thing that happens during a fire, is people get really pissy.  The haze makes it less desireable for tourists to sit on the beach all day, so they wander the stores and the towns looking lost.  Locals who have a hard time with respiratory issues are forced to stay indoors, and the smoke even causes headaches and allergies in some people.

Instead of buying into the mass-grumbling now occuring locally, I am enjoying the slightly cooler weather the cloud cover (okay - haze) has brought, and now seriously thinking of pulling out some harvest decorations.

I'm also in the mood for another giveaway!

So - here is my Lazy, Hazy Days Giveaway:

Up for grabs is The Celestial Tarot set.  While you're watching the stars this month (and there are plenty of meteors to be seen) why not consult the stars too, with this deck illustrated with astrological signs and symbolism.


Also up for grabs is a set of Runes by Ted Andrews.  Unlike tradional viking runes, this set is carved with animal symbols and comes with a book explaining what each totem means and how to use the set for divination. 


All you have to do, is be a follower of my blog, and leave a comment on this post.  I will draw the names of the winners on Friday the 13th of August.  I don't buy into the superstition of this day - it's always been very a fortunate day for me.  And now it will be for two more people!  Good luck!

37 comments:

brandi said...

~the wildfires are crazy...we have been having our share of them too...one is real close to where we camp and we have our fingers crossed that it does not spread...so devasting...on the news it was saying how the smoke has come down and that is why we are experiencing haze and gray days...so we feel your pain...sending blessings upon your land and those fighting the fires...as for the giveaway...you are always so generous and thoughtful in your ways...much l♥ve and light upon you always~

mxtodis123 said...

I don't buy into that superstition either. Please be careful. Gosh, I know how severe some of these fires can get. Both of those decks are simply gorgeous.
Mary

Anonymous said...

we have the same issues with fire up here . I remember one yr. in BC a fire was started by a firefighters carelessness with a ciggerette ! what an abuse of what was once sacred tobacco !
I would love to enter ☺
Thanks so much

Chris in the Emerald City said...

We don't have too many forest fires here, but occasionally a controlled burn. The haze does put a damper on things.

Lovely tarot deck! I am in need of one, so please sign me up! The first set I bought was the original Aleister Crowley set, and it was totally wrong for me!

Be good(ish),
Chris...............
http://abadgerandaoneeyedtoad.blogspot.com/

ONe PiNK FiSH said...

13 has always been my husband's lucky number. After all, I am his lucky number 13.

Anyways, I think the fires are so unneccessary. I just wish people would wise up and take care of the problem at the source.

Thanks for the giveaway.

one pink fish @ yahoo dot com

Heather S-G said...

Fire so feral and close to home is a scary thing! I'm eagerly awaiting cooler days...ahhhh. ;)

Eliza said...

Hope the fires stay away from your home. Love that Tarot deck and the Runes.

mermaid gallery said...

Fires here in the Kootenays are causing smokey skies too but nothing too close ...you must be in the Okanagan....I'm loving these hot days...we get so few of them. It felt like fall this morning......

A Green Spell said...

Fires here too - scary! Keep safe!

Excited about your giveaway. I love Ted Andrews.

Anonymous said...

Forest fires always make me sad because I think of the animal homes that are destroyed and not to mention the beautiful landscape.

innocence and magic said...

Please enter me into your giveaway. I'm a follower and love your blog.
Blessings, Amy

Diana Cohen said...

The deck looks so lovely. Would love to win!

Mother Moon said...

goodness... both look so wonderful yet I have to admit the animal runes do have my eye.... sorry to hear about your fires... it is such a sad thing when they are started in such senseless manners...

Jen said...

I'm glad that the smoke is not getting to you.
A wonderful giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

Unknown said...

We have a lot of fires around here where we are as well. That smoke can be something else! It really ticks me off that the creeps that set them usually get away with it.

Thanks again for the lovely giveaway!

Jules

Willow said...

We haven't had wildfires *knocks on wood* for a few years here on Long Island. I do remember, about 10-15 years ago, when the pine barrens went ablaze. Please be careful.

I'm also totally in for the giveaway!

Sara said...

Seems like quite a few of us are ready to bring out the harvest decorations. :)

I would love to be entered in for this giveaway. Thanks!

xx

TheBlakkDuchess said...

Bring on the harvest decorations!!! =D
Glad to hear that you've been able to not succumb to the negativity. ^-^ Hoping you & the town stay safe from fires this season.

And of course I would love to be entered into your giveaway! I'll be looking forward to the 13th even more than I usually do. =D

Hope you have a lovely evening.

xoxo

Nydia said...

I'm sorry for the fires! Here the same thing happen, but the reason is another: paper balloons people set to the sky, that eventually fall in the dry moutainsides and cause awful fires. It's hear-breaking.

But, back to the light note on your post, the giveaway! I'll be greedy enough once again and try my luck, can I? I loved both goodies, but these runes... Awesome!

Kisses and love from us.

The Artful Gypsy aka Wendy the Very Good Witch said...

I'm already a follower, but count me in. We get plenty of forest fires here in FL too. They've been doing more controlled burns lately in an effort to protect the areas. One year they were really bad and last almost all summer. Every time you went outside, the air was thick and smelled of smoke and ash rained down on our cars...ugh! Knock on wood, we haven't had any really bad ones lately. And I've always thought 13 was a fun and lucky number. But it is fun to draw artwork from the superstitious point of view! :o)

Kathy said...

I grew up with Smokey the Bear and the "Only YOU can prevent forest fires" commercials. I hope you and your neighbors stay safe.

The Tarot looks lovely and of late I've been getting advice to look into Ted Andrew's books so the runes are very intriguing.

Silas Dark (previously Sloan Abernathy) said...

Hey there! This is Silas Dark, I went by Sloan Abernathy, previously.

I totally understand the whole, tall, dry grass thing. We get it all the time down here in Texas!


~Silas Dark

VintageSage said...

We have been lucky and not had any fires yet! I hear California has been getting fires too. Hey Jen I was wondering how you include lavender in your sage smudge?? I'd love to know. I have enough sage to make probably one smudge stick and I would love to add the lavender. I still have a few twigs left on my branches. Lol! The giveaway looks great!! You are such a giver. :)) What a wonderful trait.

Can't wait to see your Fall decor!

Lots of hugs from me and the kitties

Funny I just noticed I wasn't a follower...so I am now! I have you on my blogroll and that's usually what I look at.

The Traveler said...

Down in this part of California we're just waiting for the fires to start. So far nothing, but it's just a matter of time.
It's so nice of you to host a giveaway even though you're surrounded by fire, lol.

greekwitch said...

Unfortunately here in Greece many stupid people start deliberately fires so then the forests will get transformed into villas!

Bogaman said...

Ok, I'll bite. Have always wondered about Tarot. Not superstitious about the 13th, but do have a few superstitions I've picked up over the years. I think it's part of the "human condition". X.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

oh wow...these are great!

Rue said...

Michelle - left you a comment on your VS blog - under your Lavender post!

TheBlakkDuchess said...

Lolz... Yes, lightning can indeed put a damper on the dancing, but I made sure I was safely inside when it made it's appearance. ^-^

Birgit said...

Hi Rue,

I hope the fires won't come your way -- stay safe!

Thanks for the chance to win one of those goodies. So beautiful. :) And -- yeah for 13! :)

Hugs,
Birgit

mamalouie said...

Hey Sweet Jen...You are a multi-talented young lady...Am enjoying all your escapades...And yes, I would like to enter the drawing...Blessed Be Dear Louise

Morgaine Pendragon said...

Cool giveaways. Count me in.

Lichenwood said...

hello
thanks for always offering such great giveaways and thanks always for your wonderful words!!

Meg said...

I have never used runes, but I'd love to try and my trusty old Tarot deck (I've had it since 1977) is getting rawther worn. Love your blog!

windchild said...

Wow! That looks like the most amazingly beautiful tarot set! With astrological symbolism, I might actually be able to understand it!

Judy said...

Hope I'm not too late... did you see the persieds this morning?

Rue said...

Nope - not too late Judy! I did see some meteors, but I think I saw more satelights than anything. How many of those things are up there?