smoky town, a charming child, a glorious tattoo

The smoke is coming from the Bolt Creek Fire near Skykomish and the Chilliwack Area fire in the North Cascades. Wind coming from the east and the northeast is moving wildfire smoke further into western Washington.

From the front door this morning. Yesterday was very dense with smoke, the air quality in the red zone of "Very unhealthy" but not quite " you are dead ". 

Hours spent with Flora were the best of any. I took  kitchen measuring devices and a large plastic snow globe, purchased at the dollar store, double tight lidded- I filled  it with ballerinas,  Sparkly balls, fake fruit, and glass tear-drop beads (for sound effect). Both were received well. especially the kitchen measuring cups and spoons.  A Tolo baby that was Erik's, fitted perfectly into the largest cup.

 
 

The girl can dance,  wish that I had my camera on when she did her moves, amazingly coordinated- arms out just right, hands rotating beautifully , like an accomplished belly dancer's.  Her control and balance is astonishing - I just sat on the sofa , stunned. "Oh My GOD, baby girl!" 

Then she read fourteen books in five minutes - on to the next big idea-

The wooden rack  thing is a climber. She climbs to the top- wants to go farther, can not quite make it over the top to climb down the other side but will do, probably in the next ten minutes. 

Next week I will watch her for a couple of days - then the little  family are  going to Arizona to see the 93 year old grandparents, who have their dyed in the wool Old Country ideas,  it is like shifting heavy wet cement- they are likely to be mean to our little unmarried, illegitimate tattooed family, unnecessary and hurtful - comes from a place of fear and inability to change, pretty much what that generation is all about.  Anyway, Emily loves her grandparents, wants to see them before it is too late, never mind the  side eyed judgement. Flora Jane will ease  all nonsense.  If that does not do the job , well then, bloody hopeless!

This is Em's new tattoo. Skin still flaking- tattoo settling.

OUCH! 

When Gitana died  , her group , her tribe, all got the same tat in the same area , "Gypsy".

 As time goes on  political correctness alters names, the term "Gypsy" became another "N" word. Thus the reason for the new tattoo, to cover GYPSY, and to honor Gitana in spite of the name cover up. Gitana died from the poppy,  unintentional, tragically young, we miss her, our spirited, talented, beautiful one!

We all start out  well, so much promise/ optimism. Life is hard- slaps you silly and then spits you out a shriveled, broke down, hard ridden  keffel - BUT before it takes you altogether, a gift is bestowed upon thee!  And there is light! So bright , even cataracts can not diminish it's clarity!