hootenannie

BOOK I just finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.  I can’t tell you what this book did to my heart.  I can tell you that wherever life takes me next, I’m going on a major backpacking trip first.  If you know me at all, you’ve already heard me talk about it. SONG Say what you…

I have this new friend named Stephen, and we recently became Facebook friends. This was the happiest part of my yesterday:

1)      I’m back from New York.  “Newsies” was the definite, absolute highlight of the weekend.  I smiled basically the entire time – that is, when I wasn’t tearing up (and then just letting the tears spill over) during “Santa Fe.”  If it’s even possible, I think I’m getting MORE EMOTIONAL with time.  Suitors to the…

I am a notoriously horrible suitcase packer.  If suitcase packing were a school, I would be the dunce. I always pack too little or too much, and never the right quantities of anything.  I’ll pack running shoes, but no socks.  A light shirt, but a black bra.  No heels for dinners out, or no flats…

So many things were old hat: the quick note of my parking row, the toiletries in Ziplocs, the train to concourse C, the weight of my book-laden purse. After all, this was my third trip in so many weeks; I am no stranger to Southwest Airlines and Denver International Airport. But as I boarded the…

I have three favorite Mirandas. One is Seattle Miranda (who is actually now New York Miranda): sassy and styling, mother to two of the sweetest little boys, knows how to drive a stick shift and run in high heels and out-talk just about anyone.  Her wit and wisdom are astounding, and her belief in me…

On September 18th, we lost my grandma to pancreatic cancer.  She was diagnosed back in July, and even though we knew that death was coming, it still felt very sudden. This past Saturday, we laid her to rest in Richland, WA, and then celebrated her life during a 2-hour service at the church she had…

No, I’m serious. I’m warning you. Stop now, or forever hold your peace. We caught the mouse. And the screaming that ensued as Hannah and I disposed of it was the most obnoxious display of sissiness ever known to man. R.I.P. little buddy. But THAT’S NOT ALL. We caught a second mouse.  It looked exactly…

These days, when asked about my love life (thanks, everyone!), my response has been, “I’m not focusing on finding the right person – I’m just trying to be the right person.” Good one, eh? Here’s the only trouble with that statement, romantically focused or not: who gets to define what the “right” person looks like? …

On Saturday, I climbed my 31st 14er, and my toughest one to date, Longs Peak. Believe me when I tell you that two days later, my entire body hurts.  Not just my quads, y’all – my entire body.  I’m talking about the fronts of my ankles, and the tops of my shoulders, and that fat…