Tuesday, July 29, 2014

that summer morning

While the little one was finishing summer's bible school I found myself perusing through the tiny little tourist hamlet that lies at the edge of the hill country.  After drop-off I hopped into the car and headed down River Road.  It was a quiet morning and the weekend tourists had not yet arrived.  The handful of weekday tourists were still asleep and finally, for once this summer I found silence within the town.
Cactus Flower at the summit of Prayer Mountain
I drove out to Prayer Mountain, a steep dome-shaped hill on the northwest side, and climbed it for my morning exercise.  Climbing steps, not actually cliffs and walls, but steps.  Prayer Mountain has a total of 220 stone steps, chiseled and made from man.  They are not perfect, some more steep than others, some needing a wider gate, needing the attention to avoid a busted knee.  And finally, once you reach the top, you can see throughout the valley-neighborhoods, the outlining of rivers and creeks,  the surprising green of the summer, haze and smoke from a few fires.  It is a lovely reward once you make the summit.  And so I took in the 360 view and headed back down, only to make a few more trips up until I was drenched by summer's humidity and my legs grew shaky and weak.
Blackfoot Daisy
I love losing myself in a drive.  No map, no GPS, just an innate sense of direction that I cherish.  I believe it is one of my valued natural skills.  I came upon a swimming hole and watched the water and families along the banks; brave and bold cliff jumping youths pressuring one another to jump from higher points, families dabbling their tiny tot's toes in the cool spring water and a group of older women soaking in their own fountain of youth perhaps.  Every milestone seemed to have congregated in that one spot that late summer morning.  And then the sun came out with a wild vengeance.
Gorgeous green waters of the swimming hole
Hungry and hot, I decided to go to my favorite little coffee shop on the square.  I found myself a corner, drank a caramel frappe, scarfed a breakfast taco, and took in some reading.  I was still thankful the tourists were still at bay and I could enjoy the slow paced town just a little bit more.  The day brought peace.  It was sublime.
Oh to be wild and free!
As the little one was climbing into the car the sky began to darken and the clouds grew heavy.  The air became unseasonably cool and it was then I knew that I had to take advantage of the break in the heat.  I drove to one of our favorite parks and watched him make quick friends.  They played soccer-volleyball, a made-up game that reminded me of how my husband used to use his soccer skills while playing sand volleyball in college.  The air chilled and in one swift moment it felt like autumn.  It was a most unusual summer moment to behold and it energized my spirit.  As I sat on a rock watching the improvisation of this newfangled game come into play it began to rain.  It was then I knew that that day, that summer morning would be my favorite this season.  May you find yours...
The stairs of Prayer Mountain

30/52


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

28/52

You finally made it to the other side.  I love your concentration in the photo.  You were so proud of yourself!  Not to mention, those monkey bars are somewhat difficult than others.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

summer orange iced tea

It felt like summer yesterday.  Not because of the heat, because the heat is always here in the hill country.  But yesterday the daylight seemed to linger longer, extending the day into extra hours. It was then, during summer's evening light, my husband and I decided to be the king and queen of the grill.  Chicken, flank steak, pecan wood, smoke and fire, it was all delicious and we were so very hot. 

As I walked into the house I poured myself a glass of orange iced tea.  The sun was settling into our kitchen window and the tea pitcher became a sun catcher, glowing in honey colored hue.  I really don't mean to speak poetically about iced tea but in that moment summer seemed perfect and the tea was even more splendid than the setting sun.

Monday, July 7, 2014

27/52

A day in the sprinkler turned into a fun time in the mud.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

jottings from a mountain cabin on a rainy morning


The river rushes
The rain taps
I open the door to the scent of pine and dewdrops
The cleansing breathe of thin air
The ponderosa's needles glimmering like diamonds in the sun. Nature's chandelier
I am thankful. Thankful for what nature has brought in its dawn.
For being wrapped in the rising sun's arms and dancing under jeweled dewdrops
A crystalline mountain morning rising with the sun.
The beginning of a beautiful day
And I am there.