I was joking yesterday that Vancouver now has two seasons ... rain and smoke. It seems to me that the neither the Canadian nor the American government is doing what needs to be done to fight these fires. We definitely need more water bombers and on the ground firefighters. Instead many political leaders play propaganda games and/or take fires abroad with warfare. Our own past Liberal Premier sold off our water bombers. Nero is fiddling while Rome burns.

On the bright side, I endeavoured to grow a small garden on my balcony this year. I got started a little late and so my cucumber plants are just blooming now and in profusion. There are probably about a hundred or so bees and some predatory wasp after the aphids that visit them everyday. I know that the strongest chemical they get is some water with a few drops of peppermint oil to discourage the aphids. I will harvest a few cucumbers but mainly the good will be felt by the pollinators. This makes me feel good.

I also planted some kohlrabi and turnips which grow rather well in containers. I walk just about everywhere and a little less food now will have to travel to get to me, an acre so less of habitat won't be taken from the wild to grow my food. Small things. Not to mention ... I don't think I have to tell you this ... but gardening is good for the soul.

I agree we need to support the innovators who offer a better way because right now ... those like say Elon Musk ... are being targeted by biased media outlets and oil and gas shills. So the only thing we can really be assured of are the personal choices we make on how we live.

Good news. There is rain in the forecast ... bring it on.