Flaming Eyeballs

Yeah, we picked a great spot. It was just a tad too close to the giant firework display at Ann Morrison park.
It was incredible for about 5 minutes while the show was blasting off directly above us. Then the ash started to rain down. A burning eyeball, two emptied waterbottles and one soaked face later, I watched the rest of the show through the lid to the tupperware which housed our pre-show snacks. Genius.
Then we cruised home on our bikes in the dark, the smell of sulfur and the heat of the day still in the air.

Anyhow, I still managed to get a swelling in my chest and all that- about being American. And I give thanks for this land from sea to shining sea.

Especially our little spot here in Idaho. And now, some photos from my iPhone to shed some light on our summer so far.

(featuring: me with plates of delicious food. growing things. backyard projects. riding bikes. cold water activities. stripes. celebrations. double dates. and more food.) 

^^an hour before "the incident"^^

^^eating more pizza. dr's orders! best day ever.^^

^^this man amazes me with his skills^^

^^welcome to our dance party/ romantic restaurant. i'm in love with it.^^

^^look out, world! i grew A strawberry.^^

^^this one's for you mom- our rose garden done did bloomed^^

^^fish tacos with honey lime sauce.^^

^^happy birthday america!^^

^the teenagers^^

^^rib festival double date^^

 

^^cucumber mint water^^

^^floating the Boise river on a 105* day^^

^^obedience school practice at sunset with the pooch^^

^^the community garden is finally paying dividends!^^

^^i sure do love this guy^^

 

^^riding to the park, outsmarting the fireworks traffic^^

^^what the blazes to wear to dog class when its 100+?^^

^^early 4th breakfast ^^

^^we spent our 4th here at Lucky Peak Reservoir with friends. its an ok substitute for a real beach i guess. :)^^

Colorado: Summer Initiations

A swim at the community pool, followed by a ride on Bryan's motorcycle with the hot, dry air whipping through my hair.

Family road trips, ice cream on the front lawn, and climbing a favorite tree with a juicy popsicle in hand. Heart-pounding games of soccer with surprisingly athletic kids, and fetch with an excitable companion.
The eating of delicious greasy food, the making of intense marshmallow shooters, the crafting of friendship bracelets, the getting of yet more face-freckles.
The crunch of gravel under car tires at the drive-in movies, the slap of a baseball in a mitt, the bounce of backflips on the trampoline, the giggles of 5 girls sharing a dressing room at the thrift store.
Bare feet slapping the hot pavement, muddy water balloon fights, and twilight visits to the city park for carnival rides.
These are the summer initiations. These are the rituals of the season. These are the magic.

I'm so glad I was able to witness the pure joy and life in my nieces and nephews, and I am so proud of the bright, curious, strong individuals they are growing into. Thank you thank you thank you.

Unfortunately for Colorado, the taste of ash in your mouth and a wheeze in your lungs is also a familiar summer feeling. It was heartbreaking to see all the wildfire damage from my tiny plane window, and the cloud of grey smoke blown in by the wind each evening was a reminder of nearby tragedies. Praying for families who've lost their homes, and those still in areas of danger.