Sydney Dust Storms

I've been following various stories on the Sydney Dust Storms lately.

My favorite came from Flickr itself.

I can't seem to get these images out of my head. If someone were smart, they would grab a camera and film a movie. Or just capture the images, and then write the film. It is amazingly other-worldly. I sometimes forget that God has a sense of humor, and oftentimes when we think we are the most creative creatures on the planet, He reminds us where we came from.

This is my favorite--it reminds me of the Doctor Who where they moved the hospital to the moon. It doesn't seem real.

It is at times like this that I am incredibly grateful to be so blessed. There is a plan and we are just a small part of it, but the opportunity to take part is wondrous.

Beautiful Movement

Last night as B and I walked across a wet lonely sidewalk to the car, I couldn't help but be grateful for music and dance. Even this morning, as I ambled across the rain-drenched parking lot, I thought, I could leap across this much prettier. . . Great dance makes you want to join in.

B & her lovely boss received an invitation to watch the dress rehearsal of the Carolina Ballet's newest performance. At the last minute (and I mean very last), Miss Judy had to bow out (stupid sinus infection/cold/please-don't-be-swine-flu), and I was the lucky beneficiary.

What we saw was gorgeous. The first piece was okay, but I felt no emotional connection to the piece at all. The second piece was beautifully done, and they just got better from there. The stand out was by far the final act. A full mini-ballet set to newly commissioned music that used the paintings of Picasso as their inspiration. Gorgeous! Now just to go see the exhibit at the Nasher when Amanda comes. . .

Upon the anticipation of a visit

My dear, sweet, lovely cousin A is coming Thursday night. When we set up her visit over a month ago, I had no idea that the excitement of a visit would be come so exquisitely painful--can't she get here yet???? I want our Friday facials! And to see Ash at the fair (Deep Fried HoHos, really?)! And to have our shrimp boil! Why does time fly 99% of the time, and then suddenly move at a pace where even slugs are exclaiming, "Sheesh! Speed it up already?"

So, in honor of her visit (and because even my excitement that it is a Glee! night is not helping take the edge off), a list of my favorite A and I moments (in no particular order):

• Singing along together to really twangy country music in the car on the way to Grandma's.
• Watching Jupiter's Darling, Ivanhoe, A Town Like Alice, Summer Magic, or It Started With Eve, among others.
• Reading books while sitting in trees or out loud while road tripping.
• North Beach
• Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup - post surgery
• OVID!!!! with Duckwitz
• Retold Fairy Tales
• Las Vegas (with bull riders & cowboy bars)
• Dancing!
• Los Hermanos & Good Chinese Food
• Sighing over boys
• Chocolate-covered strawberries
• Ordering Flowers
• Squeaky Cheese!
• "Always take backup!"
• Playing with hair
• Trying to decide who is Sense and who is Sensibility.
• "Grandma, sometimes the Lord says, 'No.' "
• Princess Dresses & Crazy Birthdays
• Knowing that if anything is wrong, I can pick up the phone. Even if it is 4 in the morning.

I love you, Mand. We cannot wait for you to come!

Gleefully Yours. . .

I know it isn't the most family-friendly, nor the most uplifting, but I LOVE the music. . . All of it. If that is wrong, I don't want to be right. . . Yep, I'm a

Also, Kristen Chenoweth, I love you. Just in case you weren't sure.

Otterpops

BYU taught me a lot of things, not the least of which is my love for otterpops. Funny enough, I have never found them east of the Mississippi. Until now. Thank you Rite Aid!