The wind is said to be different today; not as smoky downtown, but still a faint smell of smoke in the air, and a haze over the entire Los Angeles basin. And this morning there were tiny white bits of ash sprinkled on my car.

People set some of these fires on purpose. Every time the Santa Ana winds come, it seems like someone decides to "play". But people have died, this time round. I wonder how often firebugs are caught.

contents of the purple tricycle are copyright 2003 carrie lynn king unless otherwise noted.