Are you there blog? It's me, Summer.

It's been awhile. There seems to be cobwebs in your hair.
I promise I will come run in and spiff you all up real soon.
I've just got some things to take care of, and you make it very difficult to tend to
when there is no internet connection.

But I still feel our connection.

Be home soon.

August

I haven't been feeling very bloggy lately. My life has been consumed with my new job and various trips out of town. I have not sat still much. Today I realized it was August 25th and it occured to me that August was out the door before I even noticed she was here.

I hiked another 14er on Tuesday. It was alive with wildflowers. Mountains don't let you miss what's going on around you. Maybe that's why I love them so much.

ordinariness

Show me a perfect day

and I'll show you a sky brewing with rain.

Show me your tear stained pillow

and I'll show you skin, wrinkled with laughter.

Show me a road

and I'll show you a mountain to climb.

Nothing stands out without contrast.

In the middle, we have beautiful

ordinariness.

--Summer Richards, August 20, 2008

Ssshhh, I'm mouse hunting.

I'm not sure what I saw really. I was sitting here on the couch when I swore I saw something in the kitchen dart across the room then turn around and dart away. I'm not positive, but there was something. I guessing a mouse. Now I'm sitting here with my feet up on the coach, dog's outside, music is off. Come on out mouse. I need to know if you're here.

You should know, I hate mice. Do not, can not, will not, ever tolerate them. And I am not a mean animal hating person. I don't even kill spiders. But no mouse is welcome here. Where there's one, there's many. I think they're dirty and I want them to stay outside.

If this mouse comes out, then my day just took on a new mission.

What the Folk?

Nothing represents the best parts of summer for me more than a good outdoor summer festival. 2008 Folks Fest proved, again, to be ever so fabulous.







If you can name the person in the top right picture with me then you will officially be cooler than I already think you are!

Morgan you're killing me...

The Olympics are arguably one of my favorite things to watch on television. All that blood, sweat and tears that goes into making it to this point make me feel so much, I don't know, pride I guess. I feel proud when I watch those athletes out there, working their tails off to get to this goal, seeing the emotional and physical hurdles they must jump through. I often get a little choked up, and you know, I'm not a big "cry-er" per se. But I feel it here.

That said, these videos bring me over the edge. Please click on these links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU3jfbb172E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V22PebTiik

(Some friends and I were recently trying to name our favorite Olympic athlete. Joan Benoit, the 1984 Olympic marathoner from Maine is my personal fave.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MjZq2GHVg

Who is your favorite Olympian/Olympic moment?

a bouquet for your day

Who says that pretty flowers have to end up in a trash can?
We have blogs!

It's 830am and I am off to bed. Enjoy your day everyone...I'll be sleeping!

for dad

Walk with me today.

I'm remembering your voice, goofy grin.

Life seems to be about build ups

and let downs,

a heart full of love,

and always goodbyes.

My feet are blistered and calloused now and

I'm remembering many walks together.

I miss you,

but I seem to be healing.

--Summer Richards, 8/9/08

City livin!

Living in the city certainly comes with its ups and downs. There has been a rash of burglaries on our block recently. I even witnessed one last month. Homeless men often go through our dumpsters and there is often fresh graffiti somewhere in the alley.

That said, I am just loving this neighborhood. We have such wonderful neighbors. They are friendly, helpful and they have made us feel so welcome. Tonight many of our neighbors gathered in the alley to have a neighborhood cleanup. We picked up debris, chopped down tenacious weeds and spraypainted over the graffiti tags. It was a great opportunity to get to meet each other and it felt so nice to be forming community with our neighbors.

Craft night!

I absolutely adore craft night. I almost have to force Mike to play, but when he does, he kicks butt!

This is Mike's craft. As you can see, he continues on with the Great Tile Project.


This one is mine. (on canvas)

sleepless

I have switched my schedule to nights. Now my sleep/wake cycles are completely reversed. My body hasn't figured this out yet. Though I've got a dark sheet over my bedroom window, a/c, and earplugs, apparently I do not have the capability of sleeping more than 4 hours. This is day 3 of 4 hours sleep or less. I'm guessing this is probably going to catch up with me.


I'm apparently trying to assuage this inability by watching nonstop episodes of The Office on Netflix.

Today we are off to go camping. "Camping" this weekend means parking at a camping site and sleeping on the perfectly placed futon in my truck, complete with egg crate foam pad, down comforter, and pillows. Here's to hoping for some Zzzz's!