This is the view which greeted me this morning. The mountains are on fire again. It went from 20 acres to 200 acres yesterday afternoon, from 200 acres to 2,000 acres overnight, and from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres this morning.
UPDATE: It went from 4,000 to 18,000 acres in less than one day, it is now the largest wildland fire in the United States, and we have been subjected to mandatory evacuation. Two Buddhist installations are threatened: a Thai Buddhist wat and a Vietnamese Buddhist retreat center. Nevertheless, the Tibetan Buddhist tent and rabbits are just fine.
Somebody sent this to me and it is one of my favorite photographs. You can't see clearly, but underneath the house at lower left there are a pair of ruby slippers peeking out.
"When our illusory bodies are threatened with danger and destruction because of obstacles of the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind;
"Without any doubt or question, I supplicate you, Orgyen, together with the four goddesses of the elements;
"Thus, there is no doubt that the elements will be self-pacified.
"I supplicate Orgyen Padmasambhava. Grant blessings for the spontaneous accomplishment of our wishes!
"OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM."
