I need to vent a little, about 2020. First we (our country) started with hearing "possible pandemic" natterings at the begining. Then, in early March, we (hubs and I) went on a two-day visit to son and family which turned out a bit contentious (nothing new there). We get home and there is a note in our door from B-I-L making some wild accusations about hubs... again, nothing new but had to be dealt with mostly thru attorneys.
A week later my precious Sox, kittyboy, began acting odd for a few days (not eating, not grooming), and it was time for rabies shot anyways, so off to the vet. Well, turns out he had a large mass in his chest, probable lymphoma but they didn't know, off to another vet and testing, pretty much same thing. Best option after much vet consultation and heartbreaking soul search agreed to be to ease him out of his discomfort, which was devastating to us. That was the day before our whole county went on SIP lockdown.
We've been dealing with the lockdown pretty well, except exercise opportunities decreased, also dealing with B-I-L problems and threats as they arose (he barks a lot but has never actually bitten) and trying to get over the passing of our precious family member Kittyboy.
Now for the last day and a half, we're on evacuation warning from wildfire, friends have already been evacuated. We're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best since the fire departments are staging right across the highway from us, between us an the fires, but it's still stressful. LOL, I haven't thought of smoking, but we're choking on smoke anyways, plus ash 
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On the bright side, we're still in our home (for now), for one thing. A couple of weeks ago I had a follow up on my lung cancer which showed no changes, some resolution of an area that was of concern in February, so all is good there. Another bright side, as mentioned above, I haven't even thought of smoking. My children and grandchildren and loved ones are in good health, again a plus. I guess I could count family members individually to come up with more bright twinkles 
. B-I-L has backed off (for now) so that's good too.
So far, 2020 has been difficult, seems like one big dark cloud until I pull out the pluses 
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Thank you so much for your kind words, John Jeanmarc19561 They brightened my day! I'm piece by piece getting things together just in case, I'm very lucky to have the advance warning and not "you have 5 (10, 15) minutes to get out" that others have heard. I'm still hoping for the best.
Smoking is not and won't be an option. I live by SNOT (Smoking Not Option Today) as well as NOPE!
We're still under "warning", mostly because there is a "red flag alert" from the Weather service indicating possible dry lightening tonite/tomorrow. Thousands of people have been evacuated, and now there are reports of looting while the sheriffs do their best to protect the areas (there are so many evacuees and evacuated areas, it is difficult to comprehend).
What is wrong with people?
The worst I heard, which brought me to tears of sorrow and range, was on the news that said one of the fire-fighters, one of our real heroes who are working tirelessly and short-handedly, had his wallet stolen and his account(s) cleaned out while he was busy saving lives and property. I don't know if he dropped the wallet, or left it in a fire vehicle (I doubt any civilian got close enough to pick-pocket)... whatever, it doesn't matter.
Again, what is wrong with people?
So darned sad. Makes no sense. My heart aches just thinking about it 
I am so sorry for all that you are going through, any ONE of those things, the loss of your precious fur baby, your BIL, & those HORRIBLE fires! Then to hear that a firefighter’s wallet was cleaned out...my face was definitely watering itself as l read this. I AM glad to hear that your lung cancer is under control. I am so sorry that all of this is happening & i will keep you & your neighbors in my thoughts & prayers 
Ellen
Glad to do it.
We're still under evacuation warning, but that seems to be "overabundance of caution" right now, according to updates. We are also breathing easier, figuratively and in reality (much less if any smoke around my home)
