Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I Had Forgotten

Becoming one with nature in Los Angeles is difficult. You can fight the traffic all the way to Griffith Park and go hiking. You can drive up and down the Pacific Coast Highway, find a treasured spot to parallel park and walk along the beach. In both of these instances, you will enjoy nature along with 7.5 million other people who are breathing the same mixture of pollutants, nitrogen, and oxygen as you are. If you really want to rise above the pollution and the population, you must drive for at least 2 hours into the mountains. (This estimated time does not account for traffic).

I had forgotten how easy it is to enjoy fresh air and glorious views in Utah. This weekend I took a scenic drive into Provo canyon. We crossed over the nearly overflowing Provo River and passed a couple crowded parks. We pulled into Big Springs Park to find this view.
The higher peaks are still snow capped providing Utahans with that pesky fear of flooding and me with a beautiful vista.
The relatively abundant moisture makes the plant life unusually lush.
Although, we picnicked far from the water, the rapids provided the soundtrack for our evening.
I think I could tolerate these views on a long term basis.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Happy Early Birthday to Me!

I learned a few things on my mission. I learned that ALL Dutch people love windmills and Delft blue pottery. I am, of course, not exaggerating. I also learned to love tea. As a result I love teapots. My friend/mission companion/maid-of-honor/former roommate found this for me.

It is actually a clever salt and pepper shaker. Isn't it adorable?
It utterly and completely fulfills my need to surround myself in Dutchness.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Do I Work Too Much?

On Saturday, I was walking back to work from my lunch break and standing at the corner of a very busy street waiting to cross. I knew it was going to be a minute so I moved into the shade. A moment later, two boys and their mother approached carrying McDonald's food. The boys were typically developing young children and as such were kicking each other.

Trying to escape, his older brother, the smaller one moved closer to me. He was probably five, but seemed very small on that very busy street corner. He had a round face, round glasses, and his hair was cut to look like a bowl. He stared up at me in almost amazement. This was our conversation.

Boy: Do I know you?
Me: Do you go to the library? I work there.
Boy: I go to the library all the time!
Me: Well, then you know me.
Boy: Mom, look! There's the lady that lives at the library?