AZ Pipeline Fire: 98% contained, at 26, 532 acres.
The Pipeline Fire, burning six miles north of Flagstaff, that had been upgraded to the # 1 fire resource priority in the nation on its second day, is nearly 100% contained as of June 25th. Also, the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has concluded work on the Pipeline fire.
Look up,
for the hour draws near.
There is hope in the skies,
beyond what is imagined,
by the fear in our hearts.
There is a lasting generation
of humanity that will survive
the death and decay of the earth,
before the arrival of its revival.
The truth will transcend science,
and reason outlast the media’s
implicit portrayal of doomsday,
on the brink of tomorrow.
I shall not seek Hollywood’s
fantastic predictions on the screen;
nor, fear the earth-changes,
while my faith is intact.
I will do my part to hasten
the renewal of the earth;
and prevent the suffocation of sea turtles,
by not accepting plastic bags at the store.
My conscience clean, I will rest in quietude
every night in expectation of a dawn,
that will succeed man’s best efforts
to create harmony within the biosphere,
as G-d enacts a rescue plan.
Tu b’Shevat: a mini Guide
“It is a good custom for the faithful to eat many fruits on this day and to celebrate them with words of praise.” – from Pri Etz Hadar ch. 1, sefaria.org
Baruch atah H’Shem Elokeinu melech haOlam borei pri haEtz
(Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, who creates the fruit of the tree).
Baruch atah H’Shem Elokeinu melech haOlam shehechiyanu, v’kiemanu, v’higianu lazman hazeh
(Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to this season).
The concept of enacting a tikkun (rectification) through the conscious eating of a variety of fruits on this day is exemplified within the teachings found in the Pri Etz Hadar – Tree of the Goodly Fruit – that serves as a type of manual for Tu b’Shevat. To eat with intention (kavannah), means to acknowledge the spiritual significance of the day, as well as the symbolism from different types of fruits. Especially important are the seven species from Israel mentioned in Torah:
“A land of wheat and barley, and [grape] vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey. – Deuteronomy 8:8, JPS 1917 Tanach
Also included as traditional favorites for Tu b’Shevat are the following:
carob chips, dried apples, dried pears, raisins, grapes, and wine, if having a Tu b’Shevat fruit seder.
The Tree of Life 