Day 21: Saturday Sky

The sky has been gray all week, but Wednesday, just as the sun started to set, the clouds shifted and the sun came through just enough to light up Mount Olympus.

Hope your weekend is full of pre-holiday joy.

 

Day 14: Saturday Sky

The snow came and went, the weekend temperature has been promised to warm, but it's smart to keep your coat close (not that it's been warm enough to leave it behind) because snow will be returning come Monday.

Day 7: Saturday Sky 1

It's been cold, gray, trying to rain or snow--the weather can't make up its mind, but yesterday afternoon the skies started to clear as the sun was setting. A clear night means a temperature drop, but as long as the sun is shining, I'm alright with the cold. 

Five Things About My Weekend

1. Friday counts as part of the weekend (in my estimation) and the rain and thunderstorms that day were impressive and exciting. My view, as I returned from lunch, was of a huge black cloud full of lightning and thunder. I tried numerous times to capture the lighting, but it evaded my camera lens. 

2. Saturday, just as I was driving away from the library, and heading to dinner with a friend, the tiniest part-arc of a rainbow appear at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can see I was stopped at a red light and not snapping pictures whilst operating my car. This little bit of rainbow delighted me and I, for once, I was happy to stop at the light. 

3. I have no picture to share for number three, but the the churros I had for dessert, following a delicious taco dinner, were wonderful. I ate them before I remembered to take a picture, but the crunchy outside and soft warm center (dusted with sugar and cinnamon, dipped in whipped cream and/or chocolate) created a mouth full of joy. 

Do not worry, I am not dead or ill as the next photo might suggest.

4. I had a bit of a disaster while trying to fill one of my fountain pens. I wanted the last drop of ink from the bottle and ended up squirting it all over my hands, my face, and my shirt. I am a novice fountain pen owner (my pens belonged to Smith's mother) and I am trying to get the hang of filling cartridges and converters. I am grateful the ink washed out of everything except my fingernails (which will be clear of blue soon enough). 

5. Sunday dawned clear and cool, with beautiful blue skies and entertaining clouds. Smith had the day off (yay!) and after breakfast, we took a walk, taking time for a little photo shoot (which you'll see later in the week). Because we had most of the day together, we were able to take advantage of the beautiful day and spend time on the patio, grilling dinner and making the most of our day. 

How did your weekend go? Did you have a lovely one whether rained on or no? 

Weekend Viewing

I had a room with a view this weekend at the Rocky Mountain Knitter's Retreat. We took over Alta Lodge and had a great time knitting, talking, laughing, eating, drinking and then doing it all again. I had a fabulous massage on Saturday that calmed down many of my back problems. 

From the dinning room we could see a sliver of a view of the sunset and the valley below. Leaving all the news, the running about, and the day to day of life down in the valley was quite a treat. I hardly looked at my phone and took very few pictures. It was just a fabulously relaxing weekend. 

Before I left the canyon on Sunday I drove up the road to look down on the city of Alta and it's scenic beauty. The colors of the aspens were as bright and golden as can be and the sky gave all it could to the weekend, too. 

Last night I watched the moon come up near total eclipse and kept watching until the shadow passed and the moon was whole again. Being able to watch this stunning phenomenon was a wonderful cap to my weekend.  Today I have the day off and I'm going to run my usual errands, But will also take a few minutes to relax and keep the calm beauty of the weekend within my heart. 

Only Two Days

Many of us bemoan the oh-so-short weekends that leave those of workin' a job only two days to play.  But, my weekend was kicked off in great style, as I had dinner with a friend, even ate churros for dessert, and then watched as the setting sun did its best to amaze us. 

My Saturday was filled with a family reunion, time Uncle Cliff, my mom's brother, and a visit with my sisters.  We played Bingo, the traditional game of our family reunion. My grandpa worked for the Rio Grande and when they closed down Union Hall he was the recipient of their Bingo cards. Last year I didn't come close to winning a single game, but this year I won four times. I guess things even out over time. 

It was fun to catch up with my sisters for an afternoon. Leeann lives about 40 minutes away, but we're always running in different directions and rarely take time to meet. Melanie lives in Arizona, but promises we'll see each other more often as her daughter now lives in SLC. 

I'll let you in on a family secret. Last year I told you about my father's side of the family and my Great-great-great-great grandfather who was a polygamist. This year I found out my great-grandfather on my mother's side (her step-father) was also a polygamist. He even went to jail for not divorcing his 2nd wife. Polygamy is no laughing matter, but I got a kick out of this picture. 

The weekend also included time in the garden, time with Smith, time at the farmers market with Cheryl, a little time to knit, and not enough time to do a dozen other things I'd like to fit in.

So tell me, how did your weekend go? 

Pocket Poetry

By the stream I dream in calm delight, and watch as in a glass,
How the clouds like crowds of snowy-hued and white-robed
maidens pass, 
And the water into ripples breaks and sparkles as it spreads,
Like a host of armored knights with silver helmets on their heads.
And I deem the stream an emblem fit of human life may go,
For I find a mind may sparkle much and yet but shallows show,
And a soul may glow with myriad lights and wondrous mysteries,
When it only lies a dormant thing and mirrors what it sees.

By the Stream - Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1872 - 1906

Thank you to Kym for sharing poets.org's project. I knew April was poetry month and I've read a fair share of poetry in celebration, but on this last day of April I thought I 'd share a poem with you.  (As a side note, the Poetry Foundation app is a great way to read poetry when on the go.)

Love Long Weekends

T'was the weekend of skies.

Golden skies, blue skies, sometimes a few clouds. The temperatures stay in the fifties, both high and low. Birds started their mating behaviors and sang songs of love and joy. It is heartbreakingly wrong, but it is hard to do anything but enjoy the warm weather and the sun.

T'was the weekend of mail. Postcards came from far away places, but the one postcard that brought surprise and delight was from Beverly. She has an on-going Postcard Project, one for every day of the year, and I am the lucky recipient of a card. It thrills me to no end that her great-grandmother's lapels have an Alabama Chanin look. Beverly has a new moniker for those of us who dabble in AC stitching...Chaninistas! 

T'was the weekend of of silly love notes. Smith collected all the sticky notes we've left for each other over the last year and set them inside a frame. Happy Valentine's Day to me! 

 Truthfully, I didn''t do as much crafting as I'd hoped, but plans are being made and ideas evolving. I do have one more day to do as I wish. We'll see what I can cook up. 

Saturday Sky

Last Sunday, as I left Red Butte Garden, I snapped this photo of the valley below. Red Butte Garden sits high upon the northeast bench, above the University of Utah, and looks out over the Salt Lake Valley and the Oquirrh mountains. You can see the blue of the sky, the contrails of planes, and a slight bit of inversion settling into the valley below.

This week temperatures were far above normal, and while it's disconcerting, we find it difficult to complain about blue skies and 60 degree days. Today the temperature has dropped, the blue sky faded away, and a storm is slated for the afternoon. Sadly, the bulk of the rain and snow will head north of us, with nothing more on the near horizon. In desperation, we THINK SNOW!

In a Nutshell

Monday morning the mountain was shrouded by mystic clouds, while the suns light shone, adding a touch of color. The highlight of my day was an evening spent alone listening to the children's Nativity pageant in A Prayer for Owen Meany and laughing out loud 

Tuesday's dawn was lighter and brighter and my day in the office was much less challenging. Tuesday is our SnB night and I was able to laugh, chat, and knit with friends, including Susan and Cheryl.

Wednesday a small storm moved through, but dropped only enough rain to wet the ground and add a couple of inches to the highest peaks. Wednesday was also the day I'd learned my father was in the hospital. Over the week his condition has improved and he is feeling stronger. Thank you so much for your kind comments and prayers.

Thursday dawned to gray skies, but by lunch time the sun was out and it was warm enough (near 60) to eat lunch in the park. That evening I took  Susan's hat class, which was held at my favorite tea shop, Tea Zaanti. 

Friday was the first day of the week without a cloud in the sky. The sun felt good the few times I walked out of my office, but by the time I got home the sun had set. My evening was spent with Owen Meany and John Wheelwright. This is a book high on my recommended reading list, just in case you want to know.

So that's my week, and my mountain view, in review. Perhaps, I'll come back later this week with a year in review, just as Vicki does every year. Happy Satuday!