July refreshed my soul.  I enjoyed two of my favorite things, hiking and music throughout the month.  I had many grand plans of cleaning out things like drawers, closets, and my garage.  Sadly, not much got accomplished as far as that goes.  We had too much fun!  Take a look.

Photo Review:

Above: Eden and I did our first alpine trip together.  Early Winter’s South Spire route.  We had a blast!  Below:  Before we began we ran into a Nannie and her three kids.  Then, when we were hiking down the mountain we got to see a group of Nannies and kids.  Mimi and Grandpa had some new kittens when we visited.  Jack the Cat Kali… A hike into Cutthroat Lake:  (next three pics)

Cutthroat Lake

Goat Peak Lookout hike where we got to see helicopter supply drop offs, calling in a fire and spectacular views.  Below:  My adventurous parents.  Well, my dad anyways.  My Mom was a courageous conqueror.  2+ miles straight up with a rest about 2/3rds the way up of 7 steps of flat terrain before maneuvering uphill again. Eden found a friend along the trail.

Hollywood Bowl! I went to three concerts.  Then the OC Fair for the Band Perry.   Harry Connick Jr. with Aunt Michelle visiting from Ohio —  Then….Not Pictured:  Circus Musica…Below The Band Perry with Eden Quotes Worth Chewing On:

“Living did not mean one joy piled upon another.  It was merely the hope for less pain, hope played like a playing card upon another hope, a wish for kindness and mercies to emerge like kings and queens in an unexpected twist in the game.  One could hold the cards oneself or not: they would land the same way, regardless.” (p. 146) by Lorrie Moore in The Best American Short Stores 2013 Edited by Elizabeth Strout

“But our notebooks give us away, for however dutifully we record what we see around us, the common denominator of all we see is always, transparently, shamelessly, the implacable “I.”” (p. 136) — Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays

“News can make a person a little crazy also. News like, “We regret to inform you that you have failed your sanity hearing.” — Judy Ruiz, Oranges and Sweet Sister Boy

Songs on Repeat Mode:

I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad

Flawless by Mercy Me

Break Up in a Small Town by Sam Hunt, really the entire album has been listened to over and over, Montevallo

Hell Of A Night by Dustin Lynch

Love and War by The RockAteers

I’m So Sorry by Imagine Dragons

Shine Your Light On Us by Robbie Seay Band

Books on My Nightstand:

Naked by David Sedaris

Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays by Joan Didion

The Bill from My Father by Bernad Cooper

Thirst by Mary Oliver

An Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton

May your soul find refreshment.

Until Next Month,

Kimber