More arbitrary thoughts.

I recently read these two books, one right after the other: Women, Food and God and Eat Pray Love. Although they may sound the same, they were completely different - the first a psychologic take on why women overeat or are addicted to food, the second a memoir of a woman searching for.....something.

I don't know if it's the funk I'm in right now or just me in general (likely a little of both) but both books were so good to me. I keep thinking about them on a daily basis - trying to apply some of the strategies I learned in the first...thinking about my own life experiences that resonated all too well with the 'searching' soul of the second. Anyway, I love good reads like that. I appreciate that people take the time to write and share their life experiences. I learn a lot from them.

My friend, Mansi, is a great writer and is one that shares her experiences regularly through her blog. She has a unique perspective (as we all do) that she isn't afraid to contribute to the world. Sometimes I completely disagree with her - other times I feel like she's writing my thoughts. Either way, I am so glad she's willing to share. And I'm so glad that there's people out there that write about their life and that aren't afraid to just be who they are, 100%.

BTW, the movie is good but the read is far better (as is usually the case). I highly recommend picking up the book in addition to the film. My only problem now is that the wanderlust is pervading my brain! It's times like this that I'm ready to pack up and go on an adventure! And if you know me, you know it's highly possible. Luckily (or not), we just bought this house so we probably should stay put for a while. And I do love the new pad. So I guess that's the adventure for now and I can't complain one bit.

A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (a random and dramatic thought post)

I think life is really really hard. Anyone who thinks it isn't is diving into a shallow pool. It's true, sometimes it doesn't seem so hard. Like when you're in a big innertube catching a fast flowing stream of water into a large yellow funnel that sends you vertical before spitting you out into a heated pool. Or when you're watching Wipeout. Or when you're welcoming a new baby in the world (unless you're the mother of course).

(Welcome Ezra! We love you already!)

Yes, there are many great things about life. And it's a good thing - or we'd be in serious trouble! Sometimes though, life is not always a fun waterslide. It gets complicated. And heavy. It makes a person wonder....and ponder....life in all its visceral glory.

In case it isn't apparent, I'm a huge fan of Emily Dickinson poetry. Many of my blog titles are lines from her poems, as is the 'name' of the blog. Yes, she was a very depressed soul. Yes, she was a recluse and an old maid. But what a mind. Maybe life was a little too hard for her...maybe not, who knows. When life gets real hard for me, I tend to go to 3 sources: God (prayer), scriptures, and Emily. The great thing about all 3 is that I come out the other end not so hopeless. None of them take the hardness away but at least they do some cloudbusting (or commiserating). And I'm glad for that.

Seattle Round-Up #1

See the following few posts.

Round 2 on it's way.

Pike's Place - YAYAYAYAYA

July 2, 2010

Best clam chowder in seattle, copper pig, fresh doughnuts, funny yellow men and salmon =

Pikes' Place/Downtown Seattle

Have a Coke and A Smile

July 6, 2010

Here we are hiking to a falls somewhere in the Olympic Mtns. It was supposed to be a big spectacular falls but it was just a little one. Oh well. The company/walk was fun.

More photo theft a la MelanSco - good thing someone's camera was working... :) Click for larger viewing...

All over the map....

My posting process is reflective of my thought process, so the dates are somewhat sporadic. Sorry.

Back to July 5: The Northwestern-most Point of the US!

We had a mission, and the mission was to get to this point. It took a few hours and lots of twisty roads but we finally made it - and as you can see, it was well worth it:

Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary!

June 28, 2010: I already posted about the Leavenworth trip - it was Tosh's birthday that day and Troy and Melanie's anniversary as well. What I neglected to mention was the breakfast joint we stopped at on the way up (think pancakes the size of your head), the fun picnic at the par, and the after-party where Tosh received his long-awaited spice cake and iphone.

Backflips across America

July 5, 2010: Tosh doing a backflip on some beach near the northwestern-most point of the contiguous United States (more to follow about this). I think that land in the distance is Vancouver. We stopped here to frolic a little and found this uprooted tree. Uprooted from what? Couldn't tell ya. It made for great pics though (collage credit to Melanie again - thanks sister!):

Catching up is hard to do.....

Well, our vacation came and went -- just like that. It seems like years ago but it was only a month. So lest I forget two of the best weeks of the year, I will take this one post at a time and relive the memories...

June 26, 2010: Tosh and his brother Troy ran the half marathon in Seattle. They've both been training for months and although Tosh wasn't completely happy with his time, I was so proud of both of them because they KILLED it. They were way ahead of the pack. Seriously, we were walking back to our cars when the majority of the 20,000 runners were only making it to the halfway point. It was awesome and inspiring. Well, inspiring enough to get me to order a new pair of runners (which have yet to make use of themselves).

My camera is crap so I stole this photo montage from Melanie (thanks, Mel!)