I was looking at the morning news and that 40,000 people have been evacuated because of a chemical leak in California. And I got to thinking about how that could happen here and anywhere.

There are so few places that aren’t in danger anymore that it’s like being surrounded with ticking timebombs. The local businesses with hazardous chemicals. All the local gas stations. The trains that cris cross our towns, cities and countryside loaded with huge amounts of hazardous chemicals. Oh, and the trucks next to you on the highway.

Think of being evacuated and not knowing what will happen, when you might if ever be able to return to your home. Or if your home is left?

The large-scale disaster is hard to comprehend. A chemical plant, of which there are many, could have an accident. Some have and those have been deadly. But all these chemical releases, I bet no one really knows the damage that could have been done. It’s probably too hard to track how much is released and where it goes and in what quantities. Where does it settle or get absorbed?

Given the scale of the chemical industry, it’s kind of amazing there haven’t been worse incidents. I hope today’s situation resolves itself the best way possible but neither option looks good.

I’ve always loved the sound of the train passing about a mile down the road. I just hope they all stay on track.

Random Thoughts of the Day

• I should be either depressed or mad or both at the 40-degree temps and rain in late May on a holiday weekend. But I’m not for some reason and I can’t figure out why.
• Given the wet weather I guess I should work with watercolor paints today.
• I’m pretty sure we can’t go through another 2 1/2 years of this madness.
• I’m going to have to resist the urge to nap today.