Breath of Fresh Air

Happy birthday to Finn Harrington, 9

Yesterday the air quality in Santa Cruz was good. We saw clouds, blue sky and could take a deep breath without coughing. 

It is a marvelous feeling to be able to walk outside and feel fresh air. I was reminded of how much for granted we take such simple things. 

The city of Santa Cruz has been spared fire damage, yet close by, friends have lost their homes and some still pray that the CZU Lightning Complex fire will not reach their property.

The fire is now 17% contained, and continues to blaze in steep and hidden areas unaccessible to firefighters. The greater community has expressed gratitude for their tough, stalwart efforts.

Fire Protection Services have held twice-a-day press conferences every day at six o'clock in the morning and evening. These reports have been candid, clear and informative.

Neary 80,000 acres have burned, with 330 structures reported destroyed, including 313 in Santa Cruz County.

A strong southwesterly wind cooled off the Santa Cruz coast yesterday bringing moist fog with it, a welcome addition to our precarious situation -- a nice breather for Santa Cruz.

Last week we were able to celebrate our grandson Finn's ninth birthday with a family Zoom meeting, connecting three locations in California and one on the island of Kauai. We have not had physical contact with our children and grandchildren for months. 

We look forward to the days when our lives return to something close to normal. We grieve for those who have lost their homes.

It is truly incredible how our communities have adjusted to these circumstances. The human spirit remains strong.