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!