With You

so good to be with my sweet college friend Kim Bonine this weekend in Arcata, CA 

Trinidad State Beach 

windy Friday afternoon :) 

stunning views in Trinidad 

paintings that Eric (Kim's husband) did of Trinidad Bay

Saturday evening run through Arcata Community Forest 

amazing tree growing out of giant nurse log near Kim and Eric's house 

fun times with Kim's friend Stacy on Saturday 

with Eric working on some house projects (putting together one of Kim's old soccer trophies) 

Kim and Fisher (who will be a junior in high school in the fall) 

Kim and Piper (who will be a sophomore in college in the fall at Western) 

little notes I left on Kim's desk 💕

 

A River Runs Through it

So grateful for the photos Uncle Dan and Aunt T shared below, giving us a glimpse of the Montana magic Taylor experienced this weekend—time with family (and Moose!), cooling off in the river, and his first taste of fly fishing.

As Norman Maclean wrote in A River Runs Through It, “Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”

Cazden, Taylor, and Colter

  

Moose (who does not know he's a bit big to be a lap dog) 

Taylor arriving on Friday night 

And he's off!

 

Taylor took off this morning to drive to Wyoming for his NOLS course (via Montana this weekend where he will get some cousin time) 

mascot pulled out of a bin this morning for the car ride and EMT course 

this blessing never gets old....

Silent Reading Party

Tamara, Jason, Sikose, and I went to Hotel Sorrento to a Silent Reading party last night and it was such a fun and unique experience! 

 In-Person Reading Party — Silent Reading Party

"The Silent Reading Party makes for a romantic date, a fun solo activity in the city, or a group outing with friends that makes you feel like you've been transported back in time. Bring whatever you feel like reading and read it — silently, to yourself — while Paul Matthew Moore performs live on piano in the Fireside Room, just inside the lobby of historic Hotel Sorrento. While you read and listen to live music, the Sorrento's servers will bring you food and drinks."

my book of choice for the evening 

https://youtu.be/JhhWHq-gBfA

Talapus and Ollalie Lakes

Taylor and I headed on the trails today to run to Talapus and Ollalie Lakes, and it was such a treat to spend some time together before he leaves on Friday to go to his EMT training in Wyoming. 

Talapus Lake 

up Pratt Lake Trail looking down at Ollalie Lake 

best trail magic- peanut butter cookie from Met Market! 

(along with the adapted prayer that we read looking over the lake) 

Midday Prayer
We break from the doings of our day 
And make space to notice you. 
You are always with us 
In surprising guises. 
Jesus of the flesh, we meet you in 
Worker and friend, 
Stranger and pilgrim, 
The needy and the needed, 
The questioner and the questioned
and the Met Market Peanut Butter Cookie. 
So when we meet you, 
May we deepen life, deepen justice 
And deepen joy. 
And when you meet us, help us approach our activities 
With presence and power, 
With love and humility, 
With courage and dignity. 
Amen. 
-Padraig O’Tuama 

On the way home, we had stopped at the Mercer Island Auto Spa to get the car ready for Taylor's trip, where the self-wash bays cost just $3 for four minutes. The moment the timer started, it became a race against the clock. Taylor and I laughed our way through four frantic minutes, trying to get the car as sparkly as possible before time ran out. So. much. fun.