This is the entire carrot harvest, representing what could be grown in half of a raised bed. They are crisp and sweet!
Smoke!
Our forest’s are burning, in the northern hemisphere of North America.
Today the world is a yellow haze, as the smoke from forest fires in distant northwestern Ontario drifts into southern Ontario. The air quality is very poor. The temperature is high. The humidity is high. There are air quality warnings.
Our air quality is relatively high, compared to other areas in Ontario, such as Toronto, Thunder Bay.
The loss of plant and wildlife in the burning areas is unimaginable to me, I dare not think of it for long.
We decided against a morning walk this morning, and instead decided to walk the aisles at the grocery store, where the air quality is better. Of course we ended up purchasing items, chicken was on sale, and the rest was produce.
Attila and I have retreated into the house, which is shut tight against the smoke. We have an air filter/cleaning system that improves the quality of the air circulating in the house.
Worldly
Weather
24°C°F
Date: 1:00 PM EDT Wednesday 15 July 2026
Condition: Cloudy
Pressure: 101.3 kPa
Tendency: Rising
Temperature: 23.7°C
Dew point: 17.3°C
Humidity: 76%
Wind: NW 8 km/h
Humidex: 30
Visibility: 19 km
YELLOW WARNING – AIR QUALITY
YELLOW WARNING – HEAT
Quote
Varying perspectives on traditions, teaching, and parenting. I wonder if there is a fairly recent deterioration of respect for experience, and loyalty.
“Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.”
Sir Winston Churchill
1874 – 1965
“We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.”
Whoopi Goldberg
1955 –
“Your parents, they give you your life, but then they try to give you their life.”
Chuck Palahniuk
1962 –
Invisible Monsters, 1999
We had an air quality warning. Then they said smoke from Canada and Minnesota would make air quality worse. It’s 95 F., no breeze at all and the sky gray-white.
Sandy, I think it is much worse where you are than it is here!! Our temperature only rose to 75F, the weather people say it is due to the smoke blocking the sun, but the humidity made it feel much hotter than that.
I hope the wildfires are soon contained, that the northern regions of North America get enough rain to dampen the fires, and even put them out.
If we could get some of the water in Texas to the fires in Ontario, that would solve two problems at once. What a shame the world doesn’t work that way.
That Chuck Palahniuk quote just made my day. Thank you for that!
Wendy, it would solve two problems simultaneously, too bad the world doesn’t work that way!
I am glad you enjoyed the quote! I read them differently every time I go through them.
I have 6 or 8 pans of squares to bake for a family memorial on the 25th. It’s hot these days, too hot, and we have no air conditioning, though I am paying for it as soon as Farmbeau makes up his damn mind what he wants. I’ve been urging him to make a decision for about five years already and am getting really irritated with this foot-dragging because for the summer weeks when the nights don’t cool down or we can’t open the windows because of wildfire smoke, it’s a misery in this house. GRRRR. It’s only going to get worse, I said all along, and I’ve been right so far.
Kate, I am so grateful that we have the air source heat pump!!! I love the heat pump, it heats and it cools. Ours is tied into our forced air system, but there are models called mini splits that are installed on the walls. My cousin had them installed, I believe they love them. They don’t use a lot of electricity. I love the type of heat they provide, very even, as is the cooling function. There are models now that will heat until the temperature goes below -29, so supplemental heat is a good idea just case. We added an air cleaner to our system and it does an amazing job as well.
I sure don’t miss the days without air conditioning! At the country house we didn’t have air conditioning, so I cooked on the little screened in porch, called it my “summer kitchen”. I have a Nesco roaster that will bake, it plugs into a normal outlet and I put is outside on the covered porch when the weather is hot. It is an extra “oven” as well, for the odd time I need that.
Sad to say you are right in your assertion that is is only going to get worse! I hope you get a cooling system soon, heat waves and smoke, those things can wear you down!
Those carrots look good! I remember some 20 years ago when I had a garden and was growing carrots, beans, and a few other things.
The smoke has been quite bad here. We had a reading of 241 or Very Unhealthy at the townhall. Thankfully, the temp stayed around 22C/72F. But since the AC wouldn’t be coming on we had to let the house fan run much of the day, to keep the air circulating through the filter.
Thanks Teri, they are very tasty carrots! I am not the gardener here, Attila is. I do a bit of weeding and sometimes plant the raised beds, but he does everything else. I participate, but not physically. I would really miss Attila’s garden!
That is very poor air quality! Great idea to turn the fan on for the furnace to circulate air through the filter. Our filter system runs 24/7, the an is always on, I suppose it will wear out and need to be replaced at some point/. It is worth it for us.
Totally agree that wearing filters and all out is worth it.
We went grocery shopping today and the air quality is 624!! We had the car fan on recirculate and of course the stores are air conditioned but when we got back our clothes still smelled like smoke. And that was just from walking between the store and the car.
Teri, that is intense smoke!! I have never experienced wildfire smoke that intense. Stay safe!