Marooned, Part 1: the Elements

My week at Lake Powell was unusual. It was spent mostly at dockside at the Antelope Marina. (Technical difficulties with the boat.) There was however some joy-riding in the run-abouts and the annual try to get up on the wake board which I nearly did this year!!!! (Which included the annual bruises and drink-half-the-lake contest by myself.) Sigh. I did however take enough pictures to fill two separate entries. The first is of a mixture of elements, the second will be a study of Antelope canyon -- both ends. It was an unexpected wonder of wonders to visit.---And I hope that intrigues you enough to take another look when I get the second set up. Enjoy. And remember, the pictures are clickable for a better look.

This is the view from the back of the boat, it was in constant change under sunlight and clouds.

Just before sunset.

Close-up of the three hills across the channel.

The sky was a constant source of interest and concern. Monsoons came every afternoon, along with high-winds.

The mornings were crisp and calm...placid enough to capture the sky on the water.

Here, the sky prepares to tie-off and leap ashore.

The afternoon storm opens into a fiery sunset against the silhouetted desert hills.

Sunset Praise

Last streams of sunlight fading
Singing the evening hymn
Stars join in the chorus
Hills echo the grand amen

Laura
July 2011

June at last, but it's nearly July

I have only a few photos to offer this month. Both the weather and work have conspired to keep me indoors, but I did manage a few walks and a special trip to the Zoo. In July I hope to come home with some prizes for your perusal of Lake Powell. But for now here is what I gleaned from June:

Of Course I didn't take this one, but I am trying to find a new blog-intro photo.

This little fellow looked so wistful. He was irresistible.

Curt and Lani shared their Stay-cation with us and we accompanied them to the Zoo and were treated to feeding the Giraffes. Their tongues are black, long, prehensile, but not too slobbery and they are very gentle and a little shy. Delightful.

I'm certain you can guess what skin this is. One of my favorite childhood books was the 'Saggy-Baggy Elephant'.

Curtis and the tiger sharing a moment.

Sweet William and I having a rock while his folks ride the train. I love babies!

Oquirrh Lake when the sun finally came out

A very pink sunset over Twinpeaks. I adore pink sky. I am told I would enjoy the 'pink light over Paris' in the morning. Someday I intend to find out.

Bud to Bloom

It felt as though all the flowers and trees would stay tightly budded forever. As though nature (and I) were holding our breath waiting for winter to cease, without regard to the calendar. Things started to bloom despite the coldness and then I had to exhale and took in a deep breath of warm, sweet Springtime. There truly has been precious little sun (or) moon this spring, but I found a little to share with you.

These are the buds on my 'Twisted Lilac Redbud'. We planted it last June. I have been waiting an entire year for it to bloom. Please, Please bloom little tree.


Then I noted early one cold May evening, she began to open the edges of her blooms under the light of a distant moon.

And the next day she burst into bloom. Thank you little tree, you were worth the wait.

The Saturday before Mother's Day we accompanied friends to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point. It was warm and sunny and the company was delightful and the tulips were amazing. The buds above are lilacs. They bloomed this last week. I'll add a picture if I find a friendly lilac bush.

This picture now graces my computer background. Click on it to get a close-up. I love all the color striations in it. They look like brush-strokes.

Baking Outside the Box Video

Hi All,
I thought you might enjoy seeing the project I've been working on. It's my dessert cookbook now dubbed "Baking Outside the Box". I had a meeting with a publisher recently who was intrigued and asked if I could do a little info-video and start a blog for it. And of course what does one say but, "Yes! I'd love to do that!" My darling daughter, Angel, expertly filmed and edited the video for me. The Lady on camera has quite a bit to learn about standing in front of the lens. (I am much more comfortable behind it.) But one does what is needed to move a creative project toward a contract! (Blogger clips the side of the video so click on 'Meeting Baking Outside the box' on the little video to view in full width.) The May pictures will be up later this month.

April Foolish

I don't know why I always expect it to suddenly be warm and sunny in April here in the Rockies. Perhaps it's all those years of living in the desert. St. George is amazing in April. Gorgeous. Warm and showy. South Jordan can be amazing in April, but is more subtle than the southland and has to be examined closely. Last Sunday it snowed again. It was shocking because it had been a lovely 72 degrees on Saturday. I awoke to a world that looked like January again. Sigh. By late afternoon the storm began to clear and my lens and I (eye) found some rarities to share with you. I've chosen 'Ordinary Miracles' as the music this month. I love the lyrics and I have found myself humming it all week. May the wonders that April offers, in her mercurial way, embrace you.

After a long day of snow, the clouds to the east

cleared off leaving powdered-sugar mountains

and a frost-blue sky.

The little buds on the trees still possesed a sprinkling of ice crystals.

In the west the sun hazily peaked through the retreating storm.

A dance of fire and ice.

The sun grows more billiant as it burns the clouds away.

And the golden orb lazily clears the sky as she bends toward her nightly sleep.

End of Winter's Tale

Taking a brief road-trip I found myself traveling through an allegory for some experiences we have in life.

The day was bright blue as we traveled the snow-covered earth. The sun shone down brightly and it wasn't long before...

We stopped to look at the view on the road, trying to discern what it was that lay ahead.

It was quite beautiful and mysterious, even exciting.

...like a 'Sea of Light' ahead on the road.

As we dropped into the valley the fog rolled over us

and it somehow seemed less exciting but instead, dreary and uncertain.

It quickly covered the pleasure of the bright blue day.

It became so thick that my camera couldn't focus on any one point and eventually was so dense that all I could see was the road in front of the nose of our car.

I checked our gps and felt that even though I couldn't see any familiar landmarks that the road would lead us to where we were going.
And that despite the sudden strangeness of the journey it would, with caution, come out all right.

Eventually the fog lifted to reveal a storm's edge that had passed us by. We had been quite fortunate not to have been caught in the storm's path, despite the fog.

And at journey's end, something lovely and a reward unexpected during my fearful travel:

A silver-white fantasy pressing the once again bright blue sky.

Although the journey is sometimes difficult and uncertain, that which lies ahead can be beautiful, even though it is unimaginable and unexpected.

May the dawning Spring bring you joy.

Reflections for a New Year

January with its freezing temperatures makes me want to hibernate, curled up with a book in front of the fireplace. The turn of the year is a down-quilt I use for warm reflection while poised on the threshold of a new time and the world slumbers in ice-white. I love the New Year because the world suddenly seems filled with possibilities and there is something about a nice, clean-slate calendar that demands time to consider not just declarations of improvement, but the possibilities of whatever new wonders the year may hold. –A little time to spin dreams into golden, hopeful desires. So instead of creating resolutions to feel massively guilty about in a few months, I’ve decided instead to simply be RESOLUTE. I’m working on 3 specific tasks already and I must complete them properly so my life will move forward as I desire it to. They are not impossible, but they are demanding and worthwhile. Then after completion, (which I believe will be shortly) perhaps some of my new year’s ponderings about the future will be given wings to fly and a nest on my ‘to-do’ list.

I've chosen a few photos this month that are from quiet, blissful moments. --Something that is all too often at a premium in life. Wishing each of you a peaceful, joyous New Year.

The snow crop this year, has been amazing and plentiful.

SHHH! Don't let my camera know that I've been spending time with my paintbrushes! It was heavenly. Must, must do more... :)

Included at Tracy's request. --A Monday morning just before all the craziness of the week begins.

Sometimes there are entire worlds in icicles.

And finally, a quiet moment for my story dragon. I envy his time to read.