The July 4th weekend was a busy one for both Ron and I. Ron has been volunteering for a project involving redirecting and containing dispersed camping along a forest service road (numbered FR237) close to Kachina Village. The Coconino National Forest is the indispensable government arm, Friends of 237 the volunteer arm, and various law enforcement agencies provide compliance muscle if needed. July 4th was the second of the major summer holidays for which Ron volunteered. It was meet, greet, and educate, and he did that the entire weekend. So far, there's been an impressive amount of cooperation amongst campers, many who have camped in the same area for years and appreciate what's being done.
I took advantage of the daily quiet to....clean house. A Big Clean.
The house needed it, and looked great when it was done. I have a
love-hate relationship with housecleaning....'nuf said.
I enjoyed hiking with several different partners throughout the month. All the trails are glorious, reflecting the wet spring and a normal monsoon season.
Gypsy recently acquired a backpack, so she can feel a bit of responsibility on our hikes. She carries about 16 oz of water, her drinking cup, some treats and a leash. Note that Gypsy doesn't feel any need for responsibility-she's a pretty care-free spirit. I, on the other hand, feel the need for her to have responsibility, and she's good-natured about complying with my need.
Although I've always enjoyed seeing dogs with packs and have often commented to the owner, now I'm on the receiving end. Almost without exception, people we meet say something about the pack and as a corollary, how cute Gypsy is. It makes for friendly hikes!
These two ladies, Alice and Sue, are from the Tai Chi club.
We enjoyed this view:
Another hike revealed this look at the San Francisco Peaks:
Yes, right here is heaven on earth!
One of the Tai Chi instructors who attended the Denver workshop stayed around to lead workshops in Flagstaff and Scottsdale, so I went to the Flagstaff session one Saturday. They say attending workshops can get to be a habit....there's another one scheduled in Scottsdale the first weekend in October...hmmm!
A full slate of running, biking, Pilates, and violin lessons & practice filled in any gaps that occurred.
This month started out on a somber note. Brother Mark and his wife Cindy lost her mother in early June. Her memorial service was in Tucson on August 1, and I attended. It was a wonderful gathering of her family and friends, and a tribute to a long life well-lived.
Goodbye, Dorothy.
Theatrikos provided us with an outstanding and hilarious version of "The Full Monty" this month.
The original movie was neither a comedy nor a musical. When Broadway took it on, it became both. Given the au-naturel theme and the up-close-and-personal venue, the locals did a great job of keeping it light. Since the characters were dealing with their own discomfort with exposing their bodies, it lessened my own discomfort with their exposed bodies. Did they go for the Full Monty??? I'll never tell!
I missed three of the Summer Running Series events in a row, but was finally home for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Half-Marathon and 5K, the fifth of the six. Megan had Amelia with her, so we walked the 5K. The other two in the picture are friends of Megan's.
Like Gypsy with her backpack, Amelia in Megan's backpack was a spotlight. Many people commented, all with delight.
The following weekend was the annual Climb to Conquer Cancer up Snowbowl Road. I walked as part of the Tai Chi club team.
It was a beautiful day and is always a pleasurable event.
More hiking, more great scenery.
I learned a hard lesson when friend Lea, a friend of hers and I did a two-car hike one Sunday. I parked my car first, then we drove to the other trailhead, hiked, and ended up back at my car. About 20 minutes away from my car, I realized I'd left my car keys...in Lea's car. I had a spike of hope when I remembered I keep spares in my wallet. Except last time I had an oil change, I didn't get my spare back.....Lea and her friend did some fancy figuring and footwork, and were able to get themselves back to her car. Gypsy and I waited at my car, where I experimented with my new toy, a selfie stick. Still getting the arm in there.
Note to self for next time: DO I HAVE MY KEYS?????
The following weekend was the final event of the Summer Running Series, Gaspin' in the Aspen 15K and 5K. Megan had other commitments for this one, so I went alone for the 5K. The race is held at 8,000' altitude and the Gaspin' part is true, even for those of us who live and run here.
One weekend each year the Flagstaff Artists' Coalition organizes a spectacular event called Open Studios. Local artists invite the community into their studio, which is usually their home. Art is displayed and can be purchased, and artists will share the making of their art as well. Flagstaff is home to many highly talented artists, and Ron and I enjoyed visiting a handful.
The first week of September is the 2nd Annual 2-Woman Music Camp with friend Sally in Kanab, UT. In preparation, I've been getting flute back under my fingers and embouchure, and piano back under my fingers, for several months. I had an idea for a project for this year's Camp, which was to play and record piano accompaniment to flute music. Sally and I could then play together as flute duets to the recording. First I investigated the possibility of recording on a digital piano through music software. HAHAHAHAHAHAH! Yeah, not so much. Even "for beginners" music software was WAAAAAAY over my head. Instead, I used a very small digital voice recorder and a microphone and recorded my acoustic piano. I did have to figure out what time of day there wouldn't be a 13-parakeet accompaniment in the background. That was about 9:00 at night, when we had the house dark and quiet for bed. With a single lamp by the piano and over the course of several nights, I recorded eight pieces right here in Alice's Home Studio.
With all the black-on-black, I know you can't see the recording devices very well, so here's a close-up:
Yep, very high tech. The recorder and microphone dangling from the ceiling fan blade over the piano. Hey, it worked for my purposes, and gave a decent enough result. The recorder came with a truly beginner software program that allowed me to upload the recordings to my computer, then create a CD. Which I'll take to camp for Sally and I to play flute duets with. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
"Summertime is always the best of what might be"
