It’s been a fabulous month. Last night, Kevin Eubanks (Channel Five weather man) said it’s the coolest Utah August in ten years. There’s nothing like cool weather–instead of the usual Utah summer fare. It’s made my month.

A sample of August's cool weather.

A sample of August’s cool weather.

(Wish I had a photo, but I don’t. If I can get one later, I will.) The month started with Kerry frantically getting ready for a week at Camp Maple Dell. Amend that, I was the frantic one. Even though I wasn’t going anywhere, the furor still got to me. It was a relief to finally say goodbye for five days. Well, almost five days. With the help of Pam Zepeda and Matt Misbach AND Heather Bullough’s cupcakes, I planned and participated in a Scout Camp visit on Kerry’s birthday. He seemed so much to appreciate it and he was very happily surprised.

I got a bonus from that visit too–a story idea. This story will take some time and research to write, but I think it will be a really fun one.

I haven’t done much writing, yet I’ve done some. I’ve mostly been planning out stories and still having lots and lots of ideas. I love those crazy wake-up-from-a-dream ideas that turn into stories. Such plans I have!

Some of my work and a book I sometimes use to prompt my writing.

Some of my work and a book I sometimes use to prompt my writing.

I wrote a letter to Angela–Sister Angela Bateman–on her mission. It always makes me feel good to send a letter off to her. Such a simple act, yet so rewarding.

I’ve spent a good deal of time sewing dresses, and learning about it, for an organization called Dress a Girl Around the World. Of all the sewing projects I’ve worked on, this one is my favorite. I can’t say why. I also can’t express the pleasure I’ve felt in providing pretty, new clothing for those who may never have any other than this dress I’ve made.

My first two dresses.

My first two dresses.

My second two dresses.

My second two dresses.

Additionally, I’ve worked on my Angel Outfitters assignment as well as cutting out liners for Days For Girls. I’m planning to hand my cut-out Teeny Tears diapers to a lady who will sew them. I’ve turned scarves and blankets and my Teapot Dome quilt over to a homeless shelter. I was also excited to discover that I have enough leftover teapot fabric and quilt backing fabric to make two more dresses. What fun to come.

Watch out September, I’m on fire!

Teapot Dome quilt

Teapot Dome quilt

Some of the liners I cut out for Days For Girls. I now have callouses on the fronts of my fingers.

Some of the liners I cut out for Days For Girls. I now have callouses on the fronts of my fingers.

Willow and Stream

Willow and Stream

I didn’t plan to be an artist this summer. I planned to write.
Got to love how plans change themselves.

Funny thing is, I keep thinking about writing. My stories keep playing in my head, but I don’t seem interested in putting them on paper.

I’m actually not much into anything right now, but art’s the thing I do the most. Can’t consider reading and watching movies as “doing” things. They’re more like stuff that happens to you, that you submit to. Lots of submitting going on these days.

Does it make sense to say there’s too much sunshine? It’s too hot outside?

I’m in a blue funk. Wandering around at the bottom of a hole in my life. Not especially unhappy. Definitely unmotivated. Feels like pretending sometimes. Around others, I pretend to be the person I usually am. And I guess that’s all right for now. I expect to be back some day.

There's a couch in there somewhere.

There’s a couch in there somewhere.

So, I’m messing around with a lot of stuff right now–crocheting (which is a staple in my life), sewing, reading, writing a little, drawing, painting, studying. Maybe not feeling a lot of enthusiasm, but I expect it’ll come back . . .

Come fall.

Needed a cheerfuller post than yesterday’s. The title may sound ominous, but it only means that I’m trying to wring the truth out of myself. Susan Wooldrige called it opening the window, but I wanted to be more original and July-ish.

So, this is sort of a poem. Read More →