Due to the combination of exceptional drought and high winds from Tropical Storm Lee, wildfires are raging in central Texas near Austin. Since Bill and I now live amidst concrete and hi-rises in downtown Austin, we have not been directly affected. We have several friends who have been evacuated from outlying neighborhoods but thankfully their homes have been spared.

Our downtown apartment faces south and west, with a partial northern view if you lean out over the balcony. Yesterday we could see smoke from the Steiner Ranch fire to the west and from a smaller fire up north. Clouds of smoke from the large Bastrop fire can seen from downtown, although not from our apartment.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected by these wildfires as well as firefighters and other emergency workers. And we continue to pray for rain.