Los Angeles is on fire. At least 122,000 acres of it is up in flames. Having lived in Los Angeles this long, it isn't wilderness --- trees and shrubs -- that come to mind when I picture the city in my mind. I think of cement. Miles and miles of pavement. It wasn't until I started living on the fringes of Los Angeles -- the very tippy tip top of the county -- that I realized that there are a lot of open spaces and greenery around L.A. The mountain areas can't be tamed, and they prove that every fire season. The acrid air of the city is choked with smoke and ash. And it's hot. Damn hot.
I'm working the late shift today. I'm not really cut out for it. I don't know what to do with morning free-time, and I'm ready to go home mentally at my regular quitting time, but instead I'll be here for six more hours. Yikes! This morning, I spent my free time playing fetch with Roxy. She loves fetch. And there is nothing more entertaining than watching her. She runs, and falls and trips, and flies through the air with the greatest of ease. She slams on the breaks, and tips ass-over-teakettle in the most amazing summersaults you've ever seen. Her efforts are all in order to get that little spongy ball and bring it back to you as fast as possible. She struts like a coyote on the way back -- bringing you her 'kill.' She's very proud. Roxy has a little black line of fur that runs under her chin from ear-to-ear. The Handsomest Man Alive says it's the chin strap that keeps her ears on. It does look like it. It reminds me of the string on a birthday hat. Or a bathing cap. I looked all over the internet for a photo of a vintage bathing cap with a chin strap. There were but a few. I think that's because those of us who wore them made sure not to get caught in Kodak Moment. It's not a good look. I doubt even Heidi Klum could pull it off.
Back in the days of yore I had a date with a guy who I wanted to introduce to the game of hockey. While he was watching his first NHL game ever -- a fight broke out. It was a doozy. The guys dropped their gloves and pushed off their helmets in order to knock each other's blocks off. Woo hoo! I love hockey fights! He remarked that if he was a hockey player and a fight broke out -- he'd be tightening up his chin strap and making sure his gloves were securely fastened in order to prevent inury. I don't think there was a third date...
