Cool Summer Day

We are back from our trip to the desert where I walked the dunes and climbed the rocks of an old creek bed, getting red sand in my shoes. Every day was hot and sunny and we wore shorts and got sun burns. It was awesome. But now we are home and the weather is in the low 70s and very cool at night. In a way, it is easier on my constitution, considering that I love being outdoors so much. That said I sure would like another dose of bright sun and heat to remind me that the seasons have truly changed here. Our vacation was really relaxing and good for me though. I slept wonderfully at my mother in-law's because she spares no expense on pillows. I was able to arrange them so I could finally rest my injured shoulder. I also took melatonin and slept with a soothing dry canyon breeze blowing through our window at night. It was everything the doctor ordered and more. In the evenings we went out with friends and family and even had a barbeque one night, complete with bonfire and toasted marshmallows near a rushing creek.

Now, we are home and I am working, which probably isn't as bad as it seems. I have dogs booked for tonight and another one next week. I do have to be at the office tonight and tomorrow, but so far it's been pretty relaxed. I might even have time to read more of Stephen King's "Under the Dome" later, which is my current summer read. I've also been brewing some of my own ideas which have been on hold due to all that school mayhem. It's hard to get started writing fiction sometimes, even when I do have more time available. I find that I have bad habits of getting caught up in e-mail and Facebook or Internet surfing and time gets away. On vacation, I deliberately avoided checking e-mail or other sites and found my creativity slowly bobbing to the surface again. I think it's just a matter of remembering to keep the way clear when I'm home. I have one friend who is a writer and he refuses to get Facebook. I don't know that I'd go that far, but I see his point.

I'm excited about seeing "Toy Story 3" in 3-D in a couple weeks. I have to watch the first two before we go, but they are short and there should be time in the evenings. I also want to do some local hikes with Doug. I think we'll start with a long urban walk this week with one of the dogs and work our way up to the tougher stuff as the summer progresses.