July 22

It feels like it should still be June with all of the weddings going on! The bride in today's wedding was Anna's (the youngest of us siblings) constant companion growing up and was at our house so often she was considered my mother's fourth daughter. She married the best friend of Anna's husband in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. I'm grateful that I was there to witness their vows to each other and also that even with all of those daughters, Mom Still Loves Me Best.

July 21

I'm grateful I found myself downtown shopping for a wedding gift this afternoon. I stumbled into an 80% off the lowest marked price sale and couldn't pass this beauty up. This brilliant hand-painted Italian green glass bowl makes a perfect backdrop for the first cherry tomatoes from the garden, don't you agree? And it was only $5.

July 20

This evening I'm grateful that Hart's home-brewed stout turned out so marvelously and that our neighbor, Brandon, was there to prod him along during the whole brewing, cleaning and kegging process. It's good stuff!

July 19

In my Inbox the other day was an email from my dad, offering to watch Luke and Ruth if Hart and I would go see "An Inconvenient Truth". How could I say no to someone offering up a mid-week Date Night?

The movie is something everyone needs to see. Al Gore has taken a slideshow he's been giving since the 1960s, city by city, and presented it to the world all at once. There is no doubt that we are facing a crisis, but it's not terrorism. We've done it to ourselves.

However, it's reversible. We can fix this problem. We don't have to wait until the water is boiling in the pot we're sitting.

I'm grateful for my dad's invitation to watch the kids. It's a good movie. Find a babysitter and see it!

July 18

Tonight, a few clouds moved in from the west, bringing with them an ever-so-slightly cooler breeze. I'm grateful for that tiny bit of relief. It (and the liberal application of mosquito spray) made sitting out in the backyard at twilight much more comfortable.

July 17

Today I'm grateful for anything and everything that gives us relief from the 100°F weather.

Fans, A/C, swamp coolers, ice cubes, nakedness... you name it, I'm grateful for it. I'd be even more grateful if the weatherman would find some cooler weather.

July 16

I'm grateful for summer afternoon parties hosted by somebody other than myself. Baby Aidan turns 1 year old on Monday, and his wonderful mother, Anna, planned a great backyard BBQ in celebration. We ate yummy food, drank Sunday beers (remember, this is Utah!) and watched this adorable kiddle play it up in the pool with his friends. Thanks, Anna and Mike!