Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Wednesday’s Wanderings #12.
Good morning everyone! It’s another cool, cloudy morning and smoke has moved in a little stronger smelling than yesterday. As I mentioned before, we had some rain Monday with thunderstorms and that reduced our forest fires from 115 to 95. But, 70 new fires were sparked by lightning so we now have 165 forest fires burning at present. The two largest are 299,000 acres and 337,000 acres in size, with many others between 100,000 and 250,000 acres in size. Of the 165 fires, 125 of them are not under control, 11 are being held, and 29 are under control. Even with some showers and cooler weather this week, that’s still a bad situation, and it looks like warmer weather will return on the weekend. What we need is a general, widespread all day rain to stop these fires.
My gulls are not coming much anymore. Sir Charles was here this morning, and Ricky. Ricky is my ring-billed gull friend, and quite tame too. He was here in the spring, then disappeared during nesting season, now he’s back again. The others are the much bigger Herring gull. The chipmunks have been busy this morning, all but Chester have been around. Actually, Chester hasn’t been around for a while now. I hope nothing happened to him. Slim has been here too, but he hasn’t met up with any of the chipmunks. I think the chipmunks have been watching carefully so they don’t meet him.
One of the chipmunks is really chipping his warning call, must be some kind of danger out there. I can’t see anything, but maybe he just met up with Slim. Well, it’s official now, Steve and Muffin just might be doing some wandering of their own very soon. Steve’s landlord is selling her house, which includes this apartment, and that undoubtedly means Steve and Muffin will have to move out. From what Steve has learned through previous adventures like this, the new owners will want the apartment for a family member or friend, therefore Steve and Muffin will be out on the street. We have a 0 occupancy rate here, been that way for 3 years now, that simply means there are no apartments for rent, at any price.
You know a lot about Muffin, but not much about Steve. Steve is disabled, though he is still able to walk around as you know. Steve doesn’t drive or ride a bike, due to his health. Steve is on disability pension, which limits the amount he can pay for rent. So it’s going to be a rough time for Steve and Muffin. And not many places allow pets these days. This will also affect Steve’s ability to get photos to share in the future. Fortunately he has a lot that you haven’t seen yet, so that will help for quite a while. But some changes to the blog will have to be made as well, probably just not posting so often, which might not be a bad thing.
That won’t start for a while anyway. Steve is hoping the new owners will let him and Muffin stay. Steve has put his name in for a senior’s apartment, but that’s a 3 or 4 year wait, which doesn’t help right now. No matter what, feeding birds will likely be a thing of the past too, which also limits pictures. But, these things happen, it was just unexpected since Steve’s landlord never gave a hint that this was coming. But it’s still a beautiful day, the sun is shining now, though hidden by smoke. Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
The fires are getting under control right 🧐🤔when it is going to end, 😮 even the summer seems to end, not the fire 🙄. Hope it ends to zero soon. Pitunia and creeping flower both are simply amazing, pitunia color is simply vibrant..❤️ Have a lovely morning Steve 😍
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No, not under control,🔥😟 it will be a long time.🔥😕 Some are so big now it could be months before they are out🔥🔥😬 unless we get a lot of rain. Yes, the color of those petunias is fantastic! 🌞📷Have a good night Simon!😁🌙😴
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Have a Good Night Uncle Steve❤️😍🤗
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God stay with you in the fires dangers. I understand the forestry department has been slow keeping the underbrush cleared to prevent kindlings. Hope you are in the clear.
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Well, Steve, I hope you can stay there or at least be able to find an unexpected gem of a place ! …I love the flowers , especially the colours ! There has been a real decrease in our bird population and squirrels…perhaps the rain will bring them by…sleep well ! ☕️☕️🙂😻😴☕️☕️🐿🥜
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I like the colors of these flowers too, very beautiful indeed. Thanks so much, enjoy your afternoon!😀😺🌞☕☕
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Eventually the news came and it’s not the news we expected. From what I understand you have no protection. And the fact of giving you such important, indeed essential, news at the last moment is an infamy. I’m really sorry. I really hope you can find a solution. Can you count on a friend or relative to help you out? To find a place and to move?
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It’s a crazy time here right now. Since there are so few places to rent, maybe one per year will come up, and so many people looking for a place, that landlord’s can basically do what they want. My present landlord was good in that she never raised my rent in the 5 years I have been here because she knew my financial situation. But a new landlord could double my rent because that would bring it in line with the current rental value. It’s not legal to jump it that much, but landlords do it because no tenant will complain since they need a place to live. I couldn’t afford such a raise in rent however. I wish she had let me know sooner though, she knew 3 years ago that she would be doing this. I have no relatives close by, but I do have a friend here to help move. All my other friends have moved away from this area. But I just don’t want to make a long distance move, there are problems with that too. The thought I might have to give up Muffin is real hard though. Thanks so much Rossana! Have a wonderful Thursday!😀😺🌞
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I understand. So sad situation 😿😟
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Thank you so much for your kindness!🙂😻
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My pleasure, Steve, but I’d rather be helpful.
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Thank you so much Rossana, really, your kindness is very helpful, it’s always an encouragement having a friend that cares. I hope you have a beautiful weekend!😀😺😻🌞
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Thanks for your nice words. Have a great weekend 😊😸
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😀😺🌞
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The thing about the fires is becoming chronic because every year they have been happening. Apparently they will take a long time to turn them off. The flowers are the best and all because your photos are well done. The thing about your stay in the place, if it is a great concern for you. Hopefully you can reach a favorable solution for you. Times are difficult economically but sometimes things work out when we don’t think about it. Anyway you have to be patient to see how to turn the matter around. I wish you the best for you and your friends. A big hug and my unconditional support.
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Thank you so very much for your kind words of encouragement and support Manuel. It is very much appreciated! Yes, things will work out sooner or later and hopefully with good results too. I hope you have a most wonderful day!😀😺🌞
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I’m sorry to hear about your housing situation; I hope you find a good place soon…
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Yes, not easy in this town. And there are 2 people already interested in buying the house, and it’s not even up for sale yet!
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the housing market is crazy here as well…
good luck…
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Yes, it seems to be bad all over. Thanks Jim!
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Praying for you both, God is able. I have seen the update since this post post, but I am still praying.
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Thank you Beverly. Things can happen sometimes to undo something, like raising the rent too high.
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You’re welcome Steve. He orders our steps, He is in control. I was in California 28 years with no thought of moving back to Colorado. All my vacations were spent here to spend time with my mother and care for her. He shut every door there so I moved back here to help care for my mother. Within a year, her health declined even more, drastically. She was gone in less than three years. I thank God for ordering my steps to be with her to the very end. That was three years ago and I have no thought of moving back to California. He is in control, He knows, He is in control of today and tomorrow. Praying for you both. He put Muffin in your life.
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