it is for real.

i am beginning to feel like summer is actually here. it is about time. 

validating reasons for this onset of acknowledgement of the summer solstice are:

1. running. it has been fantastic to walk outside at 9 PM, dusk is barely setting in and the temperature is perfect. no more frozen lungs and burning throats. and it is a lot easier for me to convince myself to get off my butt and grab the miles. in fact-- it is one of the best parts of my day.

2. work is hard. the summer sales season is going full throttle and it is embarrassing how well i know the security industry. but i am grateful for my job, that it does come fairly easy to me, and that i am given responsibilities that keep me busy and challenged everyday. 

3. there is just so much to do when it is beautiful outside! hiking, running, picnic'ing, reading, bike rides, swimming, tennis, fishing, bonfires, gardening, and our flag football team starts next week. gary was back for part of the week and we made the most of the visit. check out the giant snow cave we hiked down into!

there was a giant glacier of snow that had not melted yet, at the foot of the falls. it was at least 20 ft. deep.  the falls created a giant tunnel that ran all the way down the side of the mountain. it was quite the adventure and really one of the coolest places that i have gone exploring.

4. books. with no school right now, i have plenty of time to read just what i want to read and i have been plowing through them. i did finish the count of monte cristo and i loved it. it is definitely on my top 15 now.   summertime or not, there is just never enough time to read all the literary wonders of the world. but i do my best.

5. baseball. basketball is over. and i am always sad about that. especially this year, because i had such a heart wrenching season with jazz. but this does mean that baseball is in full swing and lovely as ever. win or lose, i will be faithful to the cardinals. and wimbledon starts on monday AND i have a new tennis buddy, yesss.

6. tan lines. i am really good at slathering on my spf, but the lines still happen.

it was so great to have him back even for just a few days. 

the other night we also went and saw

this movie has received shockingly high ratings and it was very well done. it was the story of the martin willie handcart company. there were definitely some emotional parts. when we were walking out of the film, andrew just said "well...that was not funny at all. but it sure does make a man think". his statement made me laugh, but it was true. i dedicate so much of my spiritual study to deeper doctrine and biblical topics and sometimes i forget how many wonderful lessons there are to be learned from the generations just before my own. 

7. city days. this week is strawberry days! next week is the manti temple pageant, then i will be in nyc/dc and then back in time for the david gray concert, pioneer day, another half marathon, and a bagillion other fun, local activities.

ah summer, i welcome you with bronzed, open arms!