July Blog….
July Blog….
I’m doing one of my favorite things in the world–sitting outside on my deck with my coffee in the early morning, while the kids and most of the rest of the street are still asleep. It’s been a crazy tropical summer here in Des Moines, but the weather broke yesterday to low temps and low humidity.
I don’t feel totally alone out here on the deck though. The giant pumpkins we planted are about to grow straight into the house. We planted seeds right below the deck and the monster vines crawl their way up my clematis arbor and assault the deck; chaise lounge be damned. I love them. I hand over my deck to them each summer in recognition of their elephantine genetics. Let’s hear it for indeterminate growth.
I love green. That’s the problem. I’m Irish. Everyone knows an Irish mom paints everything green. These will be the giant variety pumpkins, if they make it. We’ve made it past the dreaded Squash Vine Borer threat and now it’s just even moisture, even moisture, even moisture … right up to Halloween. We’re walkin’ a tenuous tightrope now. We could be disappointed on any given morning and find them wilted and gone. That’s the part I don’t like. When that happens, it’s a scratch of the head and an autopsy of the soil. We think we’ve got these beasts figured out, but you can never get too cocky. I’ll keep ya posted.
July found me back in Utah. I was lucky to be chosen as a finalist in the 14th Annual Susanne Millsaps Songwriting Showcase at the Snowbird Mountain Music Festival. I won Second Place! What a great festival and what great people; I had a blast. The talent was astounding and I was honored to be included. If you ever have a chance to attend this festival, don’t hesitate. I took the gondola up to the top of the mountain with Steve Seskin, RJ Cowdry and Rebecca Eaton. Amazing. Rebecca lives and skis there so she gave us a guided tour of the top. Seriously, can you doubt the hand of some other worldly force when you’re up on those mountains? I ain’t sayin’ I know what it is…but it’s not of this world. I can’t wait to take my kids to the top of that mountain next year. I think we’ll take the trail and walk down. Really, there are no word to describe how beautiful it was up there. It brought tears to my eyes to see it. (I know, I’m suppose to be the writer, I should have the words…). Suffice it to say that Snowbird, Utah is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I’ve ever been. Mountains, huge blue skies, vistas that speak to the hand of God, clean air, friendly people and appreciative audiences. All a girl singer could ask for. I stayed at The Cliff, part of the Snowbird Resorts. Beautiful rooms and great restaurants. If you go, try to stay there.
Thank you, Snowbird Mountain Music Festival! Let’s meet up again next summer for another go ‘round, shall we?
