Dear Vi,
A few people have written to ask if Mr. C and I are in any danger from the wildfires wreaking havoc in British Columbia, so I thought perhaps a blog post on the subject was in order.
122 fires are burning, with several communities evacuated, including entire towns. Here’s a map of what’s burning as of 5am this morning:
I’ve marked the area we live in with a green star. To give you an idea of distance, it takes us about an hour to drive to Kamloops.
As of this morning, 40,000 people have been evacuated in the province. Our town is one of the evacuation centers, and people are even being sent as far away as Vancouver. Because really, where do you put 40,000 people?
We had an incredibly wet spring, including flooding and mudslides. All that rain made the grasses grow. And then it got hot hot hot and all those lush grasses dried out and turned into fuel. They say this is only the beginning of what is predicted to be a Very Bad Fire Season.
Our visibility is about one mile in smoke, which is an improvement, actually. Two days ago we couldn’t even see to the bottom of our street, let alone across the lake. And yesterday, it was snowing ash.
Here’s the view from my deck this afternoon: 
And here’s what it usually looks like:
Cough cough hack.
As of right now, we’re not in any danger here in the Shuswap, but keep your fingers crossed nobody throws a burning cigarette out the window.
My deepest appreciation to the firefighters, some who are coming from as far away as Australia.
And to all the emergency organizations who are managing the refugee centers.
And to all the volunteers who are lending their hands and their hearts to those fleeing their homes, including those who are taking in displaced livestock and pets.
And to small businesses like Katja’s Quilt Shoppe in Kamloops, who is organizing social activity days for evacuees and locals to get together and work on sewing projects as a way of helping the time pass. Quilters looking after quilters. Awesome.
No, these socks are for Kelly’s cousin, Gabrielle. She and I made a trade…I will knit her a pair of socks in exchange for these two silver rings:
I am always knitting something, and she no longer wears the rings, so it seemed a fair bargain at the time. But between you and me, I think I’m getting the better part of the deal.
How’s that for a match made in heaven? I wish I could remember the name of the stone…
Last but not least, one more turn to your left and you are now facing north. This is the window over the couch in the living room. 
I hope you enjoyed the little tour! If you want to see more, just click on the “Related Posts” links below.
You can MOVE in a shift dress. 
The best and most important thing I can say about The Tunic Bible is that this pattern fit me with no alterations. None. Zero. Zip. This is the dress straight off the pattern. 
I know! That never ever happens. Not to me, anyway.
