Beneath the Wraps

          A vessel, by definition, is either a ship or large boat or a hallow container usually associated with holding liquid.           I remember going to a young women’s camp as a leader.   We had an activity in which we were asked to hold onto the iron rod on our way to the tree of life.   Only in the case of our camp situation the iron rod had been represented by a rope.           As we were making our way from one area to another, we were faced with temptations.   I can remember being enticed by chocolate chip cookies.   Huge ones.   And I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.   But I wasn’t about to let go.   I rationalized that the main ingredient may have been salt.   A chocolate chip salt lick.   Yum.           I was going through the motions of ha...

                We ended up NOT going to McMinnville.   Air quality has shifted.   Yesterday we were at a Very Unhealthy and McMinnville was moderate.   Now we're at Moderate and McMinnville as at an Unhealthy level worse than Roseburg - which seemed more breathable the last time I was there.   And forget Eugene.   As there is no direct line from Myrtle Creek to McMinnville, we'd have to take I5 and through Eugene - which may have been worse off than South Umpqua all along.                 This morning I read that I84 was/is closed due to the smoke ( here ).   That's crazy.   We are stuck . . . fires north of us (Washington and Canada) fires east of us (Idaho) fires south of us (California) fires to our West (Oregon) Schools have closed or are on delay due to the smoke.   Jenna had school.   That floors me.   I...