Item #1: An odd thing
Monday about Noon our Valley had a massive infusion of smoke brought from the north by wind gusting to near 50 mph. The Cold Springs/ Pearl Hill Fire started 100 miles to the NNE of us, on the Colville Reservation. Photos and maps are now posted on the web.
The thick smoke is allowing orange light to pass so everything outside has had a strange glow, now more dull as the session continues into late afternoon. How can I make fun of the LA smog when our air is so nasty?
An historical perspective: A fire in 1950, in northern Alberta and British Columbia, called The Chinchaga fire, or Wisp fire , produced a dark atmosphere over the land to the eastern USA and to Europe. I was six and remember coming out onto the front steps of our church (1st communion or something, Sunday Sept. 24th ??) where we first noticed the dark sky and a feeble red sun. The smoke was high in the atmosphere so there was no smell, and we had no prior notion of the fire. Read about the “Great Smoke Pall” at the above link.
Cousin Ethel kept a clipping from a Pittsburgh newspaper in her daughter’s (Pat) baby book, so she told me some years ago.
Item #2: Mostly gone, and lucky
From our driveway on Friday afternoon, the ridge top (~5,000 feet elevation) is a little hazy at 8 miles away. Other parts of Washington have more smoke. California and Oregon have multiple fires.
The reason for massive fires is partly attributable to Smokey Bear. Smokey and the slogan “Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires”- – began in 1944.
Studies now suggest that 84% of wild fires are ignited by something that humans are involved in. The Western States now have massive amounts of grass, brush, and trees.
There is no good way of getting rid of most of it.
Item #3: Baby Oaks 
Last fall I noticed the Oak trees near the hospital not only had amazing red/orange colors, but they were also “masting.” ( the production of many seeds by a plant every two or more years in regional synchrony with other plants of the same species)
I gathered a dozen acorns. Six have grown; two of the largest are on the left in the photo.
Will they continue to grow here? Likely not. I need to find out what sort they are, and then maybe I can provide something they need.
Item #4: Electricity
On the last day of each month an airplane flies over our area and our electric meter says hello. A gadget on the plane records the numbers, and we soon get a bill. 
Our house is all-electric so the seasonal change in use is interesting. The bar chart on the bill starts and ends with August. We manage to keep the summer use down by opening the house at night. The elevation of 2,240 feet (much higher to the north and west) with clear sky can produce quick and significant cooling.
We pay a facility charge of $22.50. The electrons cost at a rate of $0.0950/kWh. On the bill: 628 X .0950 =$59.66
December is often cold for the entire month. Late January tends to warm some.
Item #5: The new carport
We have had construction things and “curing onions” in the carport. This week I finished cutting the roots and tops from all the onions and consolidated into half the number of boxes.
This was incentive to move other stuff out or to the side. Note the 60 pound bags of concrete mix on the lower left. I’ve not gotten the gravel in yet, and I’m still landscaping nearby.
Still, Jessica fits comfortably there; and is no longer spending her nights under the stars.
And that, for this week, is the not so nasty news.
John