Imagination

When I was young, one of my favorite things to do on a hot summer day was to lay on the grass and look up at the sky. I could easily spend an afternoon soaking up the sun and lettting my imagination run wild as I watched the clouds take on different shapes. My imagination took me on many adventures.

I haven't consciously participated in that activity for many, many years. But, the other day I was taken back when I saw this scene above, staring me in the face. I found my imagination taking over! At first sight, it looked like a top of a ship's deck and I imagined the ship being tossed to and fro in the waves on the sea. Or.. could it be a bridge over a large lake with the mountains in the background? What about ship masts? It surely didn't look like what I was really looking at!

What was I really looking at? The top of the Olympic Skating Rink building in Kearns, Utah. Home to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Saturday, August 17, 2013, I was at the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center to cheer my youngest daughter on in her first triathlon... really called "TriathaMom!" My pride and joy was filled to the brim that day. And, I even got to use my imagination in a way I hadn't since childhood! Good day, I'd say!

Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think of if you only try!

 Dr. Suess

Butt Crack

Who doesn't love the ZOO! Our state's zoo in Utah is called Hogle Zoo. In April, during Spring Break, I went to the zoo with my oldest daughter and her two children. The weather was perfect! A light jacket kept the morning chill away. The animals were out enjoying the cool Spring weather. When we got to the rhino's, I took this shot. I didn't think much of it until I got home and put it on the computer. 

"Interesting!" Two rhino butt shots. "But wait a minute.... what's that above them?" A great BIG BUTT CRACK shot! Even though it's a rock, it could have passed for another rhino butt... just much bigger! The shape, color, and texture is oddly similar to the rhino. Broad, wrinkly, bubbly, dimply. What was Hogle Zoo thinking!

You can find humor in the most unlikely places!

Writing prompt #3: Open you picture folders, close your eyes and pick a random photo to share and write about.

Beating the Heat!

As if it weren't hot enough in the low 100's, try 122 degrees! That's what we went to from northern Utah to Las Vegas Nevada last weekend. My warrior's Change of Command, June 30, 2013, just happened to fall on the hottest day of the year. 

How did we beat the heat? 

• Air conditioner
• IV fluids... yep, that's right! I became very sick on the 500 mile trip down, and spent the first 8 hours in the hospital getting re-hydrated. I layed in bed, soaking up the good stuff. What a way to start a trip!
• Stayed indoors
• Drank lots of water
• Kept drapes closed in hotel room. A trick to make us think it was cooler than it really was! 
• Watched a resident swan and gold fish swim in clear, cool, water. Another trick to make us think we were beating the heat!

The temperature may have been soarin' hot in Las Vegas, but something much hotter was in my forecast today... my soldier!  And I didn't need a glass of water to cool me off! I totally enjoyed the heat!

Nellis Air Force Base (Hanger) - After final inspection of his troops and last remarks, my warrior graciously accepted awards for a job well done.  He then passed the flag, relinquishing his command to the in-coming commander. A reception was held in his honor and, as part of the Change of Command Ceremony, a dozen red roses were presented to me, the commander's wife. 

 It was a bittersweet day, it being his last day as Brigade Commander. So proud of him!

Writing prompt #4: Share your best way to beat the summer heat.