Literary-Minded

I really like to read. This isn't a new thing or a unique thing or even a particularly interesting thing. But whenever anyone asks me what I like to do, this is what I tell them. Recently, it came to my attention that I had no idea where my library card was. I looked through wallets and drawers and backpacks and couldn't find it anywhere. Typically, I indulge myself with purchasing the books I read and seldom visit the library. However, due to a recent spate of books that left me disappointed and bitter at the invested money (not to mention the rising cost of living) I rethought my stance on borrowed books and found myself at the library being issued a new card. And what a wonderful thing it is! TO think, I just read a book I've been dreaming of reading, enjoyed it immensely, and all for the low low price of free! I figure if I fall in love with a book, I can add it to my personal library. But for all those I read and don't care to own, I'm out nothing. (I know, I know...there are many of you who are thinking, duh! but each reading experience feels very personal and the books on my shelves are like friends to me.)

The library system in my county is fantastic. I can check out from one and return to another. If the title I want is only at another library, they'll ferry it over to my local library so I don't have to go out of my way. Along with searching the entire catalogue, I can renew and reserve online. And when I check out books, I get a nice printout - a receipt if you will. Gone are the days of having to sit at the kitchen table and write out a list longhand so Mom knows what titles are missing when they come due.

Of course, all the advancements don't make up for the feeling I used to get walking into the old, brick library of my childhood. The smells of the musty books and the coziness of the basement children's section..the sound the rubber stamp would make as the date was printed on the checkout slip...the sheer anticipation of deciding which to read first...and the weight of the exciting new adventures in my arms as I walked up the stairs and out to wait for my ride home.

Joie de vivre

I find this both lovely and mezmerizing. The music is by Nouvelle Vague and the clip is from a 60s-era French movie called Bande a Part. Enjoy!

Really??

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

I love the colors of Summertime meals.

Jump Around

Kevin and Charisse made a Northwest visit a couple weeks ago to attend a family reunion with Charisse's family. Luckily for us, they were close enough to make a trip down to Portland for a couple days. The Bean kids just couldn't get enough! Kevin and Charisse always show such an interest in them that it's easy to see why the kids enjoy them so much. Kevin was a good sport and spent some time on the trampoline. I'd like to draw your attention to the picture in the bottom right-hand corner. Can you find Tanner?

(click to make larger)

Called to Serve

I went to Springfield this past weekend to listen to my parents and Jaylyn speak in church. They report to the Church and Family History Department in Salt Lake City on August 1. Here are some pictures from the day, which also happened to be Keaton's birthday. It was a beautiful day for taking pictures outside. Click on the collage to make it larger. I'm trying something new!

Garden Fresh

No salmonella for me this summer. Look at my tomatoes! They're coming along nicely and should provide me with plenty to share. You may be wondering why I have so many plants. Well, I live on the second floor and on windy days, the tree branches snagged the top of the tomato cages and swept them off the railing. So some plants became two and I bought a couple replacements for the ones I didn't think would make it. Surprise! They are apparently much more resilient than I realized. And now you're probably wondering why my tomato plants were up on the railing. Well, due to the aforementioned trees, the direct sun they crave is somewhat limited. So as you can see now, they're all set up - very happily, I might add - at the bottom of the stairs. Safe from trees and shade. Too bad you're all not closer...I guess the people at work will benefit the most. I can't wait until I'm out of an apartment and can develop a real garden! Next year, I think I'm going to see if I can get a plot in one of the community gardens we have around the city here. In fact, it's probably not too early to see if I can get on a waiting list. It's really a great program and I'm sure will provide me with many friend-making opportunities.

Day of Independence

When I was a child, the Fourth of July held a certain appeal that, as an adult, I can't quite articulate. There was something about the combination of a warm summer day and barbecues and water balloons and the sheer anticipation of getting to stay up late. Not to mention the explosives! On Friday, Brett and I went to a park/greenbelt in west Portland that puts on a very impressive fireworks show. Just sitting there looking at the crowd I thought about how fantastically excited I would've been if I was a kid there. As it was, I myself was very excited about the show. I love fireworks. Love them! We had a great time. When I was young - 6? 7? - my parents manned the high school band fireworks booth in our small town and every Fourth, I'm reminded of dismantling the booth and driving the truck home under the threat of catching a rogue spark as the celebrations had already begun. Well, I didn't do so much of the dismantling or driving, but I was an active observer. I'm sure the threat wasn't as imminent as it felt when I was little, but it sure was thrilling to my young self!
This doesn’t quite illustrate it, but the crowd was quite large. A good time was had by all!

The Itch

It seems I've got much to blog about right now, but haven't the time to sit down and do it. In the meantime, this fasincating - and disturbing - article about the urge to itch might capture your interest. I heard about it on a radio program recently after it was published in The New Yorker.

See if you can get through the article without scratching! It's long, but very interesting.

Save Ferris

I swear the man in the car behind me on the way to work this morning was the dad from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I kept looking around to see if Ferris would roll across my hood before vaulting over the nearby fence in an attempt to beat his family home, all the while being his annoyingly charming self. Then, I considered the contrast of reality and fiction and continued on to work knowing nothing that exciting was going to happen to me today. But a girl can dream.