Early One Morn'

As I realize I've gotten up way too early for this year's Climb the Mountain to Conquer Cancer event, maybe I should put up a post.

There's something to be said for artisanal crafts. Knitting, tatting, quiltmaking, crochet... good skills like these are quickly waning in today's society. I'm a knitter and crochet (er?), and will soon be learning how to quilt, but why do I hang on to these old-fashioned trades? When I'm knitting, I need to focus on that project. I can't process watching TV or listening to NPR while knitting - I'm forced to replay a simpler mode of life. There's nothing more calming than sitting quietly, soft ball of alpaca yarn in my lap, listening to music or the sound of friends laughing, and creating something beautiful at the same time.

Last night, Rachel, Steve, Bryan, and I all went out to Monsoon and then Barnes and Nobles for coffee. One hot topic was wedding planning, and it seems like Bryan and I have our work cut out for us. We aren't that interested in a very traditional wedding, but still, maybe knowing the date and where the wedding will take place a little in advance are good ideas.

One sore spot. The GRE. That's all I'm saying.

Summer Reading

One thing I know I'll miss about summer is being able to read books for pleasure. Two that I'd recommend are Life of Pi by Yan Martel and The Story of B by Daniel Quinn, the author of Ishmael. Life of Pi is about how a young boy from India develops his spirituality and also his survival instinct (I can't say much more or I'll give away the plot). I'm in the process of reading The Story of B, and it is very interesting so far, as I expected since it's subtitle is An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit. There is great philosophical discussion in this book, and I keep remembering one line in particular:

" If the world is saved, it will be saved by people with changed minds,

people with a new vision. It will not be saved by people with old minds

and new programs. it will not be saved by people with the old vision

but a new program."

One reason for all this book reading is that Flagstaff is in the midst of monsoon season. Every day brings inches of rain, all with spectacular displays of lightning and explosions of thunder. This means clear mornings that smell fresh and dewy, and cozy afternoons indoors playing games and reading books. The monsoon season is predicted to last two weeks into September, so maybe this means the drought is disappearing little by little.

Calm before the storm

Meanwhile, Bryan and I are babysitting a friend's wonderful, tiny, almost all white kitten. His name is Coconut, and he has been a joy to have in the apartment. Coco pounces on anything and everything, moving or not moving. After keeping us up the first night with his antics, we tired him out with play before going to bed last night, and things were much more peaceful. Until he woke me up at 6:30 am todayby scampering all over the bed, ha ha. Sleeping now, he seems so peaceful, and I can't wait until Bryan and I have a place big enough to be fair to keep our own animals.

Coconut

Cat Days of Summer

Who ever coined the term "dog days of summer" anyway? With one month left of summer, Bryan and I are keeping busy with work and play. While we both agree there may be more entertainment options in Prescott, Flagstaff beats all for keeping things simple.

Flagstaff reminds us that we don't have to always see the latest movie at the theatres, or even dine at a different restaurant every Friday night (three cheers for El Capitan). Flagstaff lets us walk to a slower and more peaceful pace of life. Nothing beats staying up all night under the glittering sea of stars with friends at a star-party, or any other "s" party for that matter.

And if anything is better than living in Flagstaff, it's living in a studio apartment in Flagstaff. Having all the material possessions one could ever want denies us true happiness, because nothing challenges creativity and being at peace with one's lifestyle like not posessing everything. How's that for a tounge twister?

As summer comes to a close a new school year is fast approaching. Students are moving back to Flagstaff, and I'm excited for a change of pace. The cooler weather means more knitting, and hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of knitting projects soon. I will soon be buying my blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to finish up my final year as an exercise science major. Prochnow movies will be playing at NAU again, and we will be having the annual Jaws night at the pool in September. Ahh... life in the pines.