Tag Archives: Air Quality

Happy Monday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I will be heading out to my volunteer job at PAWS Cat City within the next forty minutes. I love being able to volunteer my time with helping PAWS. I enjoy doing whatever is needed for me to do including the deep cleaning. I do have to say the best part of volunteering at PAWS Cat City is when the cats get adopted to their furrever home.

Speaking of cats, my cat Billie, loves doing mindfulness and meditation practices with me. Every time I do a mindfulness exercise on The Calm App, Billie gets in my lap as I do the exercise. It appears that the he does the practice with me. I love the fact that my cat, Billie, does the mindfulness practice with me through The Calm App. Doing a mindfulness and/or meditation practice helps me a great deal and is one of the best ways for me to start my day.

On a not so good not is that the air quality here in Seattle is considered hazardous. It is considered hazardous due to the wild fires around Washington as well as the rest of the west coast. Seattle isn’t the only place with hazardous air quality. California and Oregon are dealing with worse air quality that Washington is.

I do not have much more to say. I do want to thank you all for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Monday. I also hope everyone has an awesome work week ahead of you. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses (or coffee). What I mean is don’t forget to take the time to just breathe. Peace Out, World!!!

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Middle of the Night Ramblings from Work

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! It is the middle of the night in my corner of the world. In fact, I am currently at work. I work an overnight shift for twelve plus hours every Saturday night. I am not a big fan of night shifts nor am I fan of having a twelve plus hour work shift. Even though I am not a fan of a couple of things regarding my job, I am glad that I have a job. Many people are out of work due to the pandemic which is why I am grateful for my job.

As many people are aware of if they live in the United States, is that the West Coast of the United States is having some really bad wild fires. Due to the fires California, Oregon and Washington all have very hazardous air quality. As someone who was born in California and spent the first sixteen years of their life there, I remember horrific air quality. Nothing like it is now. I currently reside in Seattle and have never seen Seattle’s air quality this bad. Hell, I never seen California’s air quality as bad as it is there right now. Something that the mayor of Seattle is shut down all the parks and beaches from Friday till Sunday due to the air quality. I understand why she did it but I think people realize how bad the air is by just looking out their windows. But then again people lack common sense, now a days.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do, however want to thank you all for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Sunday a head of them. Peace Out, World!!!

Not So Random Post About Serious Topics

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! Nineteen years ago today, America experienced a terrorist attack the world would never forget. The terrorist attack didn’t just affect the United State but the entire world as many people from around the world worked in the Twin Towers in New York. Nineteen years ago was not just a challenging time for the world but it was uncertain time as well.

Uncertain times just like now with Covid-19. Sadly, the difference between 9/11 and Covid-19 is it appears that the world isn’t working together or maybe I should say America isn’t working with the rest of the world to stop Covid-19. This makes me sad and I wish there was something to make America be on the same page as the rest of the world when it comes to Covid-19.

Speaking of Covid-19, I have realized that the media is talking more about September being suicide awareness month than in previous years. I think the reason why it is being brought up nearly everyday in September thus far is because of people being more isolated due to Covid-19. The isolation that Covid-19 has brought has even “normal” people showing signs of anxiety and depression which makes people more aware of how challenging it is for people who do have a mental health challenge. As grateful as I am as that media is bringing attention to suicide awareness and mental health challenges due to Covid-19, I wish the media would discuss import topics like suicide and mental health more on the regular basis then maybe the stigma wouldn’t be so prevalent.

Now on to a totally different topic. The topic of how bad the air quality is here in Seattle. The air quality is horrific due to the wild fires across Washington and the west coast. The wild fire smoke is so bad in Seattle that you can smell the smoke in the air and it appears that the fires are closer than they really are. The west coast of the United States is pretty much dealing with major wild fires in an already uncertain time which doesn’t make it any easier. The air quality in Seattle is probably the worst I have experienced in the last 25 years of living in the Seattle area. Only time I have experienced it worse than it is now is when I grew up in Southern California. California’s air quality was bad when I grew up. Sometimes from all the cars. Sometimes due to fires. Sometimes both. Oh how I wish the air quality was better in Seattle at the moment.

I think I am done talking about all the sad things in the world or at least for today. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great day ahead of them. I also hope everyone has a great weekend ahead of them. Please take care of yourselves and try to stay healthy. Peace Out, World!!!

Noon Time Randomness

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I just woke up from a late morning nap and is now twelve noon. I decided to take a nap after reading the news paper and a good cry over my grandma. I still miss my grandma and I don’t think that will ever go away.

I also had a good cry over what was in the newspaper this morning. Actually it has been all over the news on television as well. The good cry I had was about how there is a cat killer in Washington’s capital city of Olympia. Sadly, eleven cats have been killed in Olympia. Olympia is about sixty miles southwest of Seattle. As a cat owner this angers me. What kind of sick individual kills harmless animals especially cute cuddly cats that love with all their heart.

Now onto a totally different subject, the weather. Seattle weather is much more cooler. But unfortunately the cooler weather isn’t helping the air quality of the region due to the wild fires. The poor air quality is effecting my asthma greatly.

I don’t have much to say in the post either. Sorry for such short post as of lately. Thank you so much for reading my blog. It is much appreciated. Peace Out, World!!!

Feeling Blah & Other Randomness

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!! Right now I am feeling a little blah which is a sign of my depression acting up a little bit. So, I went over my grandpa’s place and had dinner which was quite helpful for me. We had breakfast for dinner which was yummy. We had biscuits and gravy for dinner.

Now that I am home, I am spending time with Lil Gertie, my cat, who seems to be extra cuddly at the moment. She is also purring up a storm. Poor little thing has coughed up two fur balls in the last two days. So I am going to take her to the vet if it happens again.

My asthma has been acting up quite a bit lately due to the wildfires around the state. Yes, Seattle is getting plenty of the smoke from the wild fires. It sucks for folks like me who have breathing problems such as asthma. The air quality right now sucks shit for Seattle. Hell, it would even suck shit for Los Angeles. As much as I don’t want it to rain because I am not a big fan of rain, I want it to rain so it can help with the wild fires and clean the air to have better air quality.

I don’t have much to say as I am tired and hopefully will be able to sleep tonight. Sleep didn’t come very well to many people in my building last night but thankfully the problem person is getting the help that they desperately need.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and Sunday due to my volunteer jobs so at least I have something to keep me busy as I start getting excited about the peer conference I am attending next week.

I should get going. I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of their Friday. I also hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for reading. It is much appreciated from my end. Peace Out, World!!!

I Haven’t Been Back To Sleep & Feeling Like Shit

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is three thirty in the morning and still haven’t been back to sleep since my five hour nap. Not having enough sleep affects my mental health. When my mental health is affected, shit can hit the fan quite quickly. It is not my mental health that I am worried about right now. It is my physical health that is worrying me. I have a major migraine that won’t go away plus my asthma is acting up.

Due to lack of sleep and multiple health conditions acting up, I am thinking I might have a friend or family member take me to the hospital to get checked out. Or maybe I should wait and call my doctors office later in the morning to see if I can see her sooner than next Thursday (August 30th).  I’ve also been vomiting like it it going out of style. I am taking Pepto Bismal for the nausea but it is not working for the stupid vomiting.

At least my cat is by my side. Lil Gertie is trying her best to keep me calm. In fact she is doing a good job at it. I should get going an cuddle more with my cat and see if someone can take me to the hospital. If nobody can take me to the hospital then I will have to wait to my doctor’s office opens later in the morning.  Now it’s time to cuddle with my cat, Lil Gertie. Peace Out, World!!!

No Sleep For Me

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is seven o’clock in my corner of the world and was unable to sleep last night. I took my Ambien as prescribed and still didn’t fall asleep. Yes, I remember blogging through the Ambien fog.

I was finally almost asleep when I had a severe asthma attack that led me to go to the Emergency Room.  At first the doctor though I was having an anxiety attack but thankfully my oxygen levels proved the doctor wrong. I love it when the doctors are proven wrong. My asthma attack was due to the poor air quality Seattle is having due to all the wild fires around the state.

When I got home from the hospital, I tried to get back to sleep. Unfortunately, I was unable to get to sleep Partly out of fear of having another asthma and partly because my cat wanted to play. So I gave up on sleep and gave into my cat and played with her. On the plus side at least I can take a nap later on in the day.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. It is so very much appreciated from my end. Peace Out, World!!!

Sleepless In Seattle Due to an Asthma Attack

Posted on by Gertie

Right now, I don’t want to wish anyone a good fucking morning as I am sitting in a hospital bed dealing with an asthma attack. I have been dealing with asthma as long as I can remember and this is the worst attack that I have had in several years. I blame it on the poor air quality due to all the smoke the wild fires are burning.

The thing that pisses me off the most is the doctor thought I was faking it to make it look more like an anxiety attack to get some strong anti-anxiety meds but boy was he wrong when the nurse looked over me and stated that it’s a real case of asthma. The doctor was not too happy with the nurse but the nurse saved my life by doing her actual job when doctor really didn’t do anything at all.

As I sit here at my laptop, I am receiving some breathing treatments. They appear to be working as it seems like I am breathing better. The nurse should be back shortly to see how things are going for me.

Hopefully, I won’t be here too much longer. I hope your Tuesday starts off better than my Tuesday has. I can’t wait to get back home to my cat, Lil Gertie. I am sure she (my cat) is wondering where the hell I am.

Thank you for reading my sickly post. I will be better in no time. Have a great Tuesday and thank you for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Smokey In Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! It sure has been smokey here in Seattle due to the wild fires across Washington (State). It is so bad that they are putting out smog alerts even though its smoke causing the poor air quality. All the smokey air is due to the wild fires.

The smoke has been so bad that it is affecting my health. Specifically, it is affecting my breathing. More or less my asthma has been acting up quite a bit due to the poor air quality.

The poor air quality won’t stop me from going swimming at my grandpa’s house. I am looking forward to swimming as well a spending time with my grandpa. I try to spend as much time with my grandpa as possible as he isn’t getting any younger.

I should get going as my grandpa will be here soon to pick me up. Thank you for reading me ramble on about meaningless shit. I appreciate all of you. Have a good rest of you Monday. Peace Out, World!!!

Poor Air Quality + Therapy = Challenging Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today, hasn’t been the easiest of days for me but overall its been a good day. I have two main reasons why it hasn’t been the easiest of days and plan telling you about it in this post.

Let’s start with what is hitting close to home for a lot of folks here in the Seattle area; the air quality. Or maybe I should say poor air quality. The air quality is the worst I’ve personally experienced here in Seattle. I’ve had personally experienced worse air quality due to the fact I spent the majority of my childhood in Southern California however today was bad even for California standards. The poor air quality is due to the wild fires from across the state.

The wild fire smoke is so bad here in Seattle that many across the city have experienced their first time seeing it “rain ash” instead of actual water. It is an eerie experience seeing “rain ash” here in Seattle. I’ve experienced it before when I when I grew up in California but never here in Seattle. The picture below is suppose to be looking south at Downtown Seattle but you can’t see it because of all the smoke and ash in the air. On a clear day you would be able to see Downtown Seattle. I wish I had a picture to show a comparison however I don’t. So, I guess you’re going to have to take my word on that you can see Downtown Seattle from this vantage point. No, its not the usual “Seattle Gloom.” Yes, it is all ash and smoke from the wild fires from the wild fires.

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As difficult as it was for me with my breathing due to asthma because of the poor air quality, therapy was just as difficult for me. See, at my request from my last session my therapist and I discussed today about the Self-Soothing skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The Self-Soothe skill is not an easy skill for me. In fact its one of two skills that aren’t second nature to me yet in regards to DBT skills. In fact its the skill I find the most difficult to do at the moment. Actually, its the skill I have found most difficult for me to do throughout my experience with DBT.

While my (relatively) new therapist and I discussed the self-soothing skill, it brought up a lot of other shit. Shit I don’t necessarily want to discuss on my blog or even am ready to discuss on it but shit that was difficult to talk to my therapist about. While discussing all the shit, my therapist decided to give me homework. My homework is to come up with five to ten affirmations. She let me set the number of affirmations I could write and I chose five to ten because I sort of wanted to challenge myself. Little did I know that this was going be an on going assignment. My therapist informed me that there is a second part to this assignment however I won’t get the second part of the assignment till our next session in two weeks. In all honesty, I’m not a big fan of homework as part of therapy but I have found it quite helpful to me. Therapy homework has helped me with my recovery which is why I attempt to not complain about it much.

I have found throughout the years that many of the “assignments” that I have received from therapist its to help me. Most of the assignments have ultimately helped me. I’ve had a handful that haven’t helped but that’s because I wasn’t exactly in the right space to have them assigned to me at that time. I do have to say that this assignment of having to write five to ten affirmations will help me. I might even share them with you when I am done with them. It won’t be easy for me to do but am looking forward to doing the assignment.

I’m looking at the time and realize that I’m a little hungry and am needing to eat. I also looked at how much I have written thus far and realize it might be getting a bit long for some of you. So, this is the point of my blog post to tell you, thank you for reading. I am truly grateful that you read my blog. Peace Out!!!