Last night (and again this morning) I could see the pink haze spilling across the eastern horizon.

I live about 150 miles away but the intensity of the fire is spilling upward (in elevation) to our carved out valley. We have a ring of smoke surrounded this town.

36,000 acres in less than 36 hours. 36,000 acres.

I haven’t even the words to describe how this is making me feel.

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So, with this very dry weather, people are suffering, too. Dry skin is becoming a norm. Everyone I know is getting bloody noses on a daily occurrence. Even humidifiers are not helping. I’ve even resorted to caking my nostrils with vaseline before I go to bed. I know…sounds weird but it actually helps with moisture. These days, though, nothing is helping. I still get bloody noses.

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Sierra Leone has a problem. Ok…the country has many problems but NPR educated me on a very serious problem today. Young women who were taken prisoner by opposing forces are now not being allowed to return home.

Why you may ask (you did, right???). Well, these young women were victims of violent sexual assaults. They are now tainted. They are unclean.

Unclean.

Their families want nothing to do with them. Men are shunning them. They are not allowed in schools. They cannot worship.

They have become the unclean.

Victims twice over.

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I want to thank all of my readers for really insightful comments on my postings. You all make me think on a daily basis and I love the feedback.

Thank you.