The Beach

I really love the beach - and I really love coastlines.

For the past few years I have made my way to some beach, some where. Even if it was for just a few hours or for a few days.

It's nice to talk about going to far away, white sandy beaches edged with palm trees and hammocks - but that's a far cry from reality right now. Probably for a good while.

This year - I'll continue to keep it local.

Southern California. Late summer.

:)

Sometime all you can do is put on your Toms, some yellow eyeshadow, a few strokes of mascara, a hint of blush, and walk the city streets for hours listening to your tunes.

I love waking to rain. But I was happy that today I woke up to sun. But I do love waking to rain, especially on the weekend.

The large honeysuckle out by the garage is in blossom and it smells delightful. Coming and going I always detour to the honeysuckle to take in the scent.

I'm thinking of couches.

It's times like the World Cup and soon to be Tour that I wish I had a TV.

And I am very sad about this oil spill. =(

I love city parks. A lot. Liberty Park is currently my favorite Utah city park and I make it here quite regularly to walk, sit, chat, read, rollerblade, think, laugh, listen and observe. Right now I'm watching them clean up the oil spill from the large grassy hill. I love this large grassy hill.
A lot of people do.

If there was one motivating reason to become an LA, it would be so that I could design wonderful city parks and equally wonderful city plazas.

They are such a necessity in life.

Days of 1983

A Summertime Essay

by

Lorien Alise Hall

*****

June was always my favorite summer month as a boy. When the last bell rang, and the last math assignment was turned in, my soul felt as if it would burst with the anticipation of summer. The anticipation of freedom.

June meant green. I loved green. Spring blossoms had come and gone, and the leaves were now in full form, filling the streets and parks with canopies; canopies to rest under - canopies to rest in.

June meant getting around town on my bike, two or three friends in tow. I was always in the lead. Occasionally we would stop by Jeffrey's house for a tall glass of iced tea and a wonder bread sandwich of peanut butter and marshmallow cream. Those were the days.

Mama's cookin' was always better in June, fresh and light. The vegetables were almost sweet and every once in a while we had the luck of eating fried chicken. It was Mama's cookin' that brought me home each evening.

If Mama's cookin' was sweet, then Pop's barbecuing was swell. I loved June evenings out on the back patio. Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, pork and beans, and cool lemonade.

Lemonade was my June nectar. Mama always made it from scratch and she new how to make it just as I liked it. Not too sweet and not too sour.

If I wasn't out gallivanting around in the late afternoons, one would find me on our front porch. Me, my tall glass of lemonade, and my thoughts. Mama always thought it strange that I would only drink my lemonade out of a clear glass. Lemonade just tasted better than way.

At night I would fall asleep to the sounds of crickets chirping in the distance. It was simple music that always put a soft smile on my face as I closed my eyes and hoped for filling dreams. Sometimes I would be allowed to sleep out on the deck, or if I was real lucky, out on the back lawn. It was then that all thoughts seemed to disappear as I gazed up at the chandelier of stars above me. The universe was so incomprehensible, and yet I felt at home in it. The stars always seemed so close.

The sound of a mower on a Saturday morning, dragonflies in the late afternoon, and the warbling of birds all day long are all June to me. I loved to feel the coolness of the grass beneath my feet - it breathed life into my being. I preferred running around barefoot in the summer. Pop always said it was my own doin' whenever I stubbed a toe and came in complainin'. He said that's what shoes are for.

Every week, when the Saturday chores were done and the yard and garden looked like a picture, Pop always took us kids down the road for a shake. The shakes always tasted better when I was with Pop.

June meant getting older. Although I surely didn't feel any older. June 11, a fine day for a birthday, and I always thought it so fortunate as to have my birthday in the same month that happened to be my favorite. I never did have a favorite type of birthday cake, there were too many to chose from. But whatever Mama baked was delicious, and I always got a second piece.

June was always my favorite summer month as a boy. When the last bell rang, and the last math assignment was turned in, my soul felt as if it would burst with the anticipation of summer....

the anticipation of freedom...

Looking for a Recommendation

It's raining outside.  Rain in June is a treat.  And after a long day of work and catching up on my books (ahem, Lyn - are you not so proud?) all I long to do is sit somewhere really comfortable with my windows open and read a book.  A light book.  A really light book.  Maybe one that makes me laugh.

I need a recommendation.  Kara?  I know you have a great, long list somewhere - you even gave one to me a while back.  And Allysha...you're talking about books often enough!  Kim - I already know what you are going to suggest....

All I have readily available are books that are not meant for relaxing.  It seems all I have these days are books you STUDY - not read...and even though I could delve into the intricacies of Japanese gardens, understand the theories and practices of architecture, understand my artistic self better by seeing what a doctor has to say about it, or brushing up on my Portuguese by way of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth....my brain says PLEASE NO!!!  STOP WORKING PLEEEEAAAASSSEEEEE...

So - I sit here and wish I had a light read.  Sigh -

Suggestions? 

June 24th...

...who's excited??

Transformation

Open doors and windows surround.  The cool, early evening air passes comfortably through spaces lit by low lamps.  Outside the ghost of rain is present.  The air is good to breath in and soon droplets begin to fall.


Earthy incense rises and mingles with the misty atmosphere.

And in a whisper, I return to Koyasan.

June

I love June. 

June is one of the very best months in Utah.  Definitely my favorite summer month.

June is full of Joy.

***

I live on L street.  I could live here for a very long time.  Like June, I love L street.  Even adore L street. 

I look forward to the day when I can afford some real furniture to design my space with.

***

Experiencing a meal is important to me.  I seek to have meals that are important so that it becomes a part of the day that means something when the sun has set and it's time to sleep. 

Most of the time - it's the company and conversation that makes the meal important.  I love a well designed plate of food - but add someone sitting next to me and the flavors I taste are deeper and fuller.

***

This past week I was introduced to a local project that, if done right (and I mean dead-on-nail-it), could create a fire.  Metaphorical, of course.

***

I am quite passionate about my work.  I love what I do.  I am extremely grateful that I am able to work with people, nature and design to sustain my life.

***

I am a dreamer.  I day dream a lot.  But doesn't everybody?

***

I do better one-on-one, rather than large groups.

I like small groups as well.  But when it gets big - I stay off to the side all quiet like.  I don't mean to, but I seem to always end up on the edge in silent observance.  But when the circle is small - I am very loyal and interested and quite talkative.

***

I like glitter and shimmer and fireworks.

***

I believe that dreams are livable.

I plan on continuing to live mine...

*** 

I think that the second half of Helaman chapter 5 in the Book of Mormon is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever read.

***

I love people - and I love to love people.  Sometimes I get distracted by items, objects - and mostly by my own thoughts...but I try to not let these things take me away from what I love most.  Showing people that you care for them - and are concerned and interested in them and their lives.  Always something I am trying to become better at.

***

I appreciate the opportunities we have each day to become.

***

I seek to live life maskless.

Authenticity.

***

Being Home

I am trying to be home.  Trying to be back here, while trying not to come back to many of the things I left behind.

I haven't had the physical or emotional energy to unpack yet.  My suitcase is sitting on the floor in the front room open - and the smell of Japan has clung to my clothes like I am clinging to the memories of the past three weeks.  Like lovers - not wanting to be separated - refusing the fact that they are.

I have been eating most of my meals with chopsticks.  Salads are so much more pleasantly eaten that way.  Such a fan.

Well - time to unpack, clean, sing and get happy.