The Man Who Rode The Thunder

Of all the seasons, I like spring the least. The weather is so moody that I can't really get into a groove. To me it's like winter and summer are at war with each other and I'm sick of the hissy fit. But, that being said, I do love living in Utah with the 4 seasons in all their glory, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else... I love the snow, I love the change, I love the rebirth that comes when the seasons come and go.

Max was telling us while we were out to dinner at tacanos the other night (I love tacanos) about how a restaurant noticed that the productivity of their employees was low, so they conducted a little test. They turned the lights on a little brighter during their shift, and amazingly enough everyone started working better and more efficiently. After a while the productivity went down again so they dimmed the lights back, once again productivity shot up. Isn't that interesting?

I do feel a rebirth with the season change, and that my own productivity shoots way up. I actually just feel so inspired lately. Lawns are being mowed, the tennis courts are being used, and the roads are being biked. It's like winter is being scraped away so the summer can come out, and the Earth is radiating with newness and inspiring warmth.

The past little while I've been reading two beautifully written blogs, and I love the inspo that comes from them. I can tell by their writings and the things they choose to post that they are virtuous good woman, and I want to be more like them:

c jane enjoy it

happy life 

The latter one also has a tumblr that I follow, and adore. I pasted it on my google reader, and the pictures and quotes she posts every day are clean and happy. They make me look forward to having a clean and happy home of my own some day. Love the images, love the quotes, they make me want to be a better woman.

here's her tumblr: PUSH THIS FOR GOOD FEMININE SUNSHINE GOODNESS

I've also been reading the book, The Man Who Rode the Thunder. I LOVE IT! It's a true story about Lt. Col. William Rankin, written by William Rankin, and his life as an aviator in the marines in the 40's and 50's. He is the only man who has ever parachuted through a thunder storm from a F-8 fighter jet and lived to tell the tale. I love his work ethic and his outlook on life. Here is an excerpt from the book I really enjoyed:

"In the past, I had always reconciled myself to un-exciting duty because I knew that by doing my very best sooner or later the duty I wanted most would come along.  But as a logistics officer I discovered something more.  I discovered that when dull, routine, colorless chores depress us, it is most often we, ourselves, who are at fault.  For we allow that which is petty or dull to conquer and suppress that which is unsuppressible -- the human spirit.  There is nothing on earth above which the human mind cannot rise; there are no dark corners of life that we cannot brighten, even a bit, for ourselves, if only we allow the human spirit to ignite a little flame now and then -- to create a little perspective, a little humility, a little sense of humor, a sense of the pride of accomplishment, even when there are no medals to be handed out, and we must feel that pride only in our hearts."

Ce adeverat! What glorious truth! This book is full of them, and they make me so happy. It makes me want to stretch and reach for better things in my life. I love when people celebrate the good things like integrity and hard work. If the blogs I mentioned above make me want to be a better woman, it's because I want to find a man like the one in this book. I can't get enough of goodness lately, and I just want to fill my life with it.

Laura gave me a journal for my birthday, and lately I have been putting it to good use. It's a journal called "things to make and do" by Nikki McClure. It has blank pages categorized with sections to keep track of your ideas and inspiration... pages with headings: PLAN, WISH, DREAM, BUILD, EXPLORE, LEARN, MAKE, GROW, GIVE, FIND. It has been accompanying me to work these days, and sits on my nite-stand at night.. ready to jot down the thoughts and ideas I have which seem abundant these days.  (check out the journal here)

Another reason I feel inspired is a colon cleanse I am on right now. I haven't had solid food since Sunday, and I feel great. I just have been drinking apple juice and herb supplements. I feel so good. I have been anticipating not having any energy because I am not eating, but yesterday I felt great so I went home at lunch to switch my bug for my bike. Then later I played tennis. When I start eating again (saturday) I plan on just filling myself with GOOD HEALTHY food. I don't want to eat crappy any more, or drink soda (so much). I read a quote the other day that said fast food is the pornography of eating. What a weird thought.

I also follow this blog called Albanian Cooks, and this Greek Salad looks wonderful:

Yet another blog I follow, sycamore street press, written by a eva who used to be my relief society president in a byu ward years ago (I doubt she remembers me), who I thought was cool. She does letterpress printing and it's beautiful (I'm loving letterpress art so much right now). A while back she posted about this couscous meal, it looks so good, and IS so good, I made it for sunday dinner. I can't wait to start eating good wholesome foods, and then eat them all summer long.... sunshine and healthy eating... bike riding... it's going to be a good summer...

Laura and I might plant a garden (maybe just a salsa garden) this Saturday. I can't think of anything funner. 

So there you have it. Can you tell I'm obsessed with blogs? Really I just love the internet and how it's a window to sharing beautiful ideas and thoughts with other people. It's good to know there are good virtuous things going on out there, and that others enjoy them too.

Sorry this was so long.