Little Cottonwood October Love

Tonight I had a moment with the earth. A moment where I felt like I could hear what life is all about if I just listened carefully with my heart. I love little surprises like that. I like to think of them as gifts from God. Small glimpses where life feels full of possibilities and the simplest things make my soul rise up and smile. I never know when one of those moments will surprise me and perhaps that is why I love them so much.

Little Cottonwood Canyon was a regal place tonight. The fall colors are simply brilliant right now. I think I nearly drove off the road just trying to take it all in at one point. Did I mention I love this time of year? After roughing my hands up on some granite I had some time to take in the atmosphere of my canyon nook while my friend climbed and I belayed, below, in the dark. To the right was the silhouette of a large stone cliff, gleaming softly in response to the moon. There's something about granite that is simply majestic. Something that makes me feel small and big all at the same time, and really happy. Off to the side was a single, bright star leading the first path across the night sky. The air was cool but surprisingly pleasant with a hint of movement that was somehow satisfying. Off to the left the canyon walls converged to reveal a triangular slice of the shimmering Salt Lake Valley as people turned on their lights and began their evening routines. If only they knew what they were missing as I sat spying on the twinkling lights of their city. If I didn't have to work tomorrow I'd probably still be there. Leaning against my favorite rocks, smiling at the crickets, sharing gratitude with God for the abundant life I live.

To Derrick Lee on his Birth Week:

December 28, 2004  Happy Birthday/Week! I hope you're having a fabulous day and that you're totally indulging yourself in your own thing even if you have things you are supposed to do. It's your birthday. It's your day to think of you. Sorry to report that no package made it to my house today. Who knows. Maybe it will come on January 3rd or something. That would suck. I had yours sent to my house in Provo. You can't get it until I see it first. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! That is all. I'm going to call you in a bit. I am thinking of you quite a bit today for some reason. Be good. Derrick lee Grayson

To Derrick Lee on his Birthweek:

Derrick was the first person to introduce me to a celebratory birthweek. He called me every day of the last week in December just to drag out my birthday and make me feel special. Ironically enough, 6 years ago on October 9^th 2004 I was climbing, eating a “scrumptulescent” dinner, and watching a movie with Derrick Lee Grayson. I also had absolutely no clue that it was his birthday. He told me the next day. I was so mad at him for spending money on me on his special day. Especially when we were both starving students and totally broke. He just looked at me and said “What? It was a good day. I did everything I wanted to.” That was his style. And it was a fun day.

Several weeks later the movie “The Grudge” came out. We went to see it and rather than getting all scared Derrick would laugh at all the scary parts which made me laugh too. I'm sure that everyone around us thought we were totally annoying. I told my little brother he and his girlfriend should see it cause it wasn't that scary. Afterwards he came back and said “That movie scared the crap outta me!” I thought about it a minute and said “Oh, sorry. I guess I did watch it with Derrick.” Everything was a different experience with him.

November 23, 2004  What up kid? I didn't really get up until like 11:30 today. I'm very well rested and ready to go. That is all. I hope you're having a fab day! I'm on the way to get my hair did. I'm kind of excited about that one. I'll talk to you later. Derrick Lee Grayson

Because of Derrick I was able to experience new things, things that I'm pretty sure I never would have chosen if he hadn't come into my life. He helped me to overcome some of my biggest fears. I can even thank him for the ability to have embarrassing conversations without turning red (or as red) in the face.

Recently I started thinking about all of the good people I have in my life because of him and people I am continuing to meet as a byproduct of our friendship and time spent together. There are at least 45 people spanning the globe that I now treasure and love. People that I have laughed and cried with, shared utility bills and cupboard space with. People I have bonded with as we traveled long hours together and talked deeply about life. People that have supported me and recognized the good in me when I haven't been able to see it in myself. Many of the good things in my life today are a direct result of my friendship with Derrick. I have an abundant life because someone was willing to see the good in me and be my friend. In many ways he changed my life and I will never be the same again. I am so very grateful for that.

November 29, 2004  What's up girl, I hope you're having a scrumptulescent day today. I haven't been on a computer in like a week, so I had tons of stuff to go through on my email. I have to do some serious catching up on school work. I hate school. So last night was fun. I just emailed my sister telling her about all of the jokes we made concerning "Fannie Packs" and "Wainkers". I hope she likes it. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have to do some tutoring tonight until like 8 or so. I totally want to come to Thanksgiving dinner though. If I can come late I will, but if that's unacceptable, I would understand. I'm sure I'll talk to you about it soon. Be good kid. Try not to sell any garments. Derrick Lee Grayson

Derrick looked up to many of you. Once he taught Sunday school and I remember how touching it was when he got a little choked up talking about his mom and how she was his hero.

He loved people and people loved him right back. I think he would be so happy to see all of you

Gathered together

Enjoying each other's company

Basking in the gift of life

Enjoying simple things and good wholesome fun

Just the way it should be

If he could be here to celebrate with all of us for just one day perhaps he would leave the party saying something like this:

December 25, 2004

...I guess I'll go now. I hope you continue to have a great day and a great holiday. I look forward to seeing you again and being with you. Be good. Don't eat any laxatives.
Derrick Lee Grayson

Happy 30^th Birthday Derrick

We miss you!

Catching Up

I have been a bit of a slacker with posting my "September Favorites." Part of the problem was that my computer crashed and oddly enough it may take 30 days to create a habit but it certainly only takes one or two to destroy it. So here I am trying to catch up. I think some of these shots are worth the wait though...

Why I love September Reason #5:

The weather is perfect for biking in the mountains. That would be a picture of us driving down the mountain with our lovely two wheeled companions hitching a ride on the back.

Why I love September Reason#6:

Things that look drab from a distance are actually quite interesting and beautiful up close. I found these lovely "weeds" on the side of the road and I couldn't get enough of their shape and color.

My roommate and I were talking about how sometimes the weeds in Utah are kind of like people. We think we know someone, perhaps we even pass judgement on them as someone who will never amount to much or whatever. Then you get to know them and realize just how extraordinary they are, how brilliant their spirit shines when someone believes in them and loves them for who they are. I love things like that because I have a lot of "drab from a distance" qualities. I always enjoy the moment when that surprising discovery presents itself whether it's someone I come to know better or someone that discovers something likeable about me.

Why I love September Reason #7:

Fall Leaves. As I mentioned in a previous post. I am a fanatic about the fall leaves. I can't get enough of them! Look at that blazing color!

Why I love September Reason #8:

Dahlias. I see this marvelous sight every morning on my jogging route. I never get tired of rounding the corner and coming upon these cheerful, bright, packed in color flowers.

Preserving color & remembering

I have always been a fanatic about the fall leaves. In high school, I drew them constantly. There's something about their intricate shapes, blazing bright color, and delicate symmetry that begs me to inspect them, to keep collecting them, and tuck them away.

9 years ago I was working up in Provo Canyon's Aspen Grove doing a retreat with 6th graders. I was the camp cook and so I was free to roam the canyon between meals. I would wake up at 5:30 in the morning and hike down the trail under a brilliant dusting of stars. Sirius, my favorite, was always bright in the morning Autumn Sky. After flipping what seemed to be billions of pancakes I would head out for a run up to Stewart Falls and hustle back to start cooking lunch. It was the perfect job for me.

I can still remember the day of the attacks on the twin towers. Who doesn't remember where they were and what they were doing? We deliberated for some time whether to go forward with the retreat and after discussing it for a while we decided to proceed with it after all. The mood was solemn. After lunch that afternoon, I found a spot of sunshine under a tree. The air was golden; compliments of this time of year and I remember the quiet. Everything seemed to be so still. There I sat writing a letter to a friend who was serving in the Navy. Afterwards I hiked around and gathered some leaves. Something to remember the day by. And I laminated them so I would preserve and remember the color of that day.

Once Upon a Time...

When I was still in school, I used to dream about the days when I could come home and read whatever I wanted. I just knew I'd relish the moment I could delve into The Arabian Nights without having to think too much about plot and characters and symbols, etc. Imagine reading for pure pleasure! That is what I thought and now it is my reality.

One thing I especially love about this time of year is that I can curl up on my bed and read with the window open. Inviting in all that cool air wrapped up in the quiet murmur of crickets is so calming. Soft light and the night time hum are two of my favorite parts of the evening. It is soothing to the soul. Now that the air has cooled I can sleep with my window open all night long. There is something refreshing about breathing cool, crisp, quiet, fall air. I always sleep a little better when there is a little bite to the temperature outside.

Last night I read for a little while and then when I got tired I turned off all the lights and just sat there listening. Eventually I curled my feet over the edge of the bed and peered out the window, down into the reeds, my eyes curling along the banks of the skinny little stream that cuts across our backyard. I took a deep breath and imagined how I remember September smelling. I remember the air being fresh, with a little bit of earthiness mixed in. I remember the smell of campfires, old leaves, and the first few rainstorms of fall washing the summer dust back into the ground. It was kind of a nice contemplative moment. Although I am still trying to regain my sense of smell I still have my memory and my imagination and I still enjoy the memory.

Why I love September reaon #3: Tonight my window will be open all night long
Why I love September reason #4: Even though I can't smell right now I remember how much I love the smell of fall creeping in on the end of Summer.

Garden Tomatoes

I love how dinner can be nearly effortless around this time of year. Today, after a full day of moving at the office, I came home tired and hungry. The last thing I wanted to do was spend more time on my feet hovering over the stove. Thanks to my roomie and her marvelous garden I didn't have to. I walked ten feet out into our backyard postage-stamp-of-garden and plucked two voluptuous tomatoes off the vine. Can I tell you how much I love tomato sandwiches? I LOVE Tomato Sandwiches! Garden tomatoes are just so tasty. After I took a couple of minutes to fry up some squash I went outside and enjoyed this lovely view while munching on my dinner:


Why I love September reason #2:
I love all the fresh garden foods that are in season.

Celebrating September

September is deliciously golden...

kind of like walking into the backyard garden and munching on fresh grilled summer squash dusted with your favorite herbs...
or noticing the bright yellow sunflowers popping up out of a dark green field...
or remembering a good relationship in those happy moments before the other person discovered your flaws, or came to know them and loved you anyway.

Yes, everything about September I love (if you couldn't tell). There is something different about the air that makes me feel all giddy and happy inside. The sad thing is that it often comes and goes before I can fully enjoy it. So this year I am basking in September one day at a time so I will notice and remember all my favorite things about this time of year before it's gone.

Today is September 1st. Two days ago I spent 20 minutes in the middle of the night stealing wildflowers from the side of the road to cheer up our home. It wasn't on anyone's property mind you but I still felt a little guilty for picking them. Every time I saw headlights coming I dashed into the bushes and giggled out loud to myself. I kind of felt like a teenager that was out breaking curfew or something. Anyway, I checked the next day just to be sure and you couldn't even tell that I had hoarded a bunch of those vibrant yellow flowers for myself. Thank you mother nature for that lovely bouquet of happiness!



Why I love September #1
Because I love seeing these hardy yellow flowers soaking up the last bits of sunshine