7. In my last missive, I wrote about the hazardous air conditions predicted from the over 850,000 fireworks shot at the capital. If you weren't following it - the predictions were correct. DC's air pollution was rated as one of most dangerous cities in the world post-fireworks. That's saying something. And if you thought, I bet this is going to be really bad for a lot of the dogs out there, you are right about that too. Vets reported a massive surge in shaking, hiding/cowering, and anxious pets.

Finally, a very short story ----

The fireworks conversation reminded me of another fireworks experience that Krissy and I had several years ago. We were staying in downtown Chicago for a restorative justice conference that overlapped with the Fourth of July, and we were staying in a hotel room that was really high up - something like the 44th floor. We got to see fireworks happening all around the Chicago area, and it looked like pretty flashes of light happening pretty close to the horizon line. We went to bed thinking, " That's cool!

A few hours later, we were woken up by a big thunderstorm. Lightning flashed bright and ferocious around us. The whole sky would light up, the buildings around us flashing a multitude of colors in between the cracking of the thunder.

We stared at it, in awe of Mother Nature's sheer power. The thunderbeings are paying attention, Krissy said, referring to some of the beings in her tradition.

We reflected that, in comparison, the earlier fireworks display now seemed puny.

It was as if Mother Nature was saying, you wanna see fireworks? I'll show you, little humans, how this is really done.

Of course, Mother Nature won.

Really, it's best not to even try to compete with Her.

She always wins.

In her own time, in her own way.

And she does not play favorites.

Alrighty, you beautiful humans - have a good week and stay cool!