We are officially in the heart of summer in Phoenix. The weather is so incredibly warm, it is unbelievable to me anything can thrive outside. And yet, the sunflowers reach for the sky. The tallest one in the garden must be 10 feet. They are glorious, with their bright, happy blooms arching over the wall. I can see them from the kitchen sink and they make me smile every time I catch a golden glimpse.
The summer heat brings back childhood memories of riding my bike to the nearby library and curling around a stack of new books, sitting as close to one of the air conditioning vents as possible to be chilled before throwing my backpack over my shoulder and heading home. Some things never change; I’ve been curled up reading more than usual lately, enjoying books Zarah generously sent. “Blue Like Jazz” is an interesting take on Christianity. “Unaccustomed Earth” is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. The latest issue of “Ready Made” is wonderful, with an entire section on scrap sewing and Japanese zakka. I’m also enjoying “Left to Tell” (although it gave me nightmares last night) and have “Candide” waiting next.
My resolution of reading 60 books this year is going to be a stretch; I’ve been lazy about blogging what I’ve been enjoying, but there is always a stack on my nightstand. Also, I’ve been out to see a bunch of great movies lately. “The Proposal” is such fun; I’ve always been a Sandra Bullock fan. “The Hangover” is the funniest and foulest movie I’ve ever seen — hilarious in a shocking and perverse way. And “Away We Go” is simply sweet and makes me love Maya Rudolph.
Plus, the movie theaters are ice cold this time of year. And you can always sneak in a few minutes early with a good book.
~K