St George summer heat can be a challenge. Day after day of 100+ degrees and little to no shade can wear on the psyche and be hard on the physique: personally, I have more trouble exercising in the summer down here than I do in the winter, simply because I know I have to be out in the relentless sun. One fleck of gold that I have neglected to mention in the latest posts are the two days of clouds and rain that we have gotten - much needed respite for me. Yesterday was also my day to swim for exercise. I took great pleasure in dropping into the water and feeling a chill run all over my skin. My mile in the water had me feeling better and refreshed, moreso that I have felt in many days.

The internet in my home also was having trouble yesterday morning so I took the rare opportunity to leave my office and work from elsewhere. I spent four or five hours at my in-laws and it was refreshing to be part of the hustle and bustle around that house. It was their 32nd anniversary and it was fun to watch them get themselves ready for a day of climbing and travel together.

Lastly, we got the chance to take our two oldest girls to watch When You Wish, a musical montage of Disney favorites. Tuacahn theater here in St George is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater. Our seats were pretty high up in the bowl, and off to one side, but we got lucky - they were right underneath the fans that blow down onto the audience! As a result, while others down close I'm sure were sweating, we enjoyed the show from a bit farther up and with a light breeze on us all the time. It was a great show and lots of fun to see my two oldest girls get excited at their favorite songs and princesses.

The ride home and subsequent tuckings in reminded me of the fun times I would have with my mom when I was young - as a high school teacher, she would make great efforts to gather student tickets to operas, plays, symphonies, and when there was an extra, she would take me along. I have fond memories of those evenings and feel my life is greatly enriched by having the opportunity to be exposed to all that culture. My favorite times were driving home with my mom, often long past my bedtime, discussing what we liked about the performance. I never minded having to get up for school the next morning; I was always able to carry those good feelings through with me to the next day.