Summer: Burns, BBQ's, Rehearsals, and Sunsets

Summer is my season - well, in Washington, anyway. I used to be in love with fall, but fall here is dreary, constantly rainy, and cold. The majority of the trees here are coniferous, and so the spectacle of brightly colored leaves is lacking. We're going to visit CA in the fall specifically because I miss that season. Think 75-80 degrees of sunshine in the day, 50-60 at night, plus a cool breeze off of the river. Orange, yellow, crimson, and deep purple leaves fill the trees that line the sidewalks, and then slowly dance down into the gutters and streets. It is lovely.

I remember the last time I sat by the rail road tracks down town near the Antioch marina as the scent of the delta blew around me and mingled with half-decomposed leaves and algae.

My first fall in Washington was quite a disappointment, and my first summer here was likewise. Two summers ago it was muggy, overcast, and rarely sunny at all. I started to wonder if this state had any seasons at all besides "overcast." I think I wore a light sweater nearly every day, granted, this is partly because the office I worked in pumped the AC like it was 90 outside. Last summer wasn't much better, but this year is shaping up to be much more enjoyable. Already I've seen more days over 70 degrees than under, and this makes me feel pretty good about living here (although today it is overcast, it's the first in a few weeks, so I think it is okay for now).

I cannot wait for rehearsals to start, but the first one isn't until July 19th. The 19th! That's far too long to wait, and so long, in fact, that I'll probably be memorized before the first rehearsal (well, hopefully). My script should arrive today in the mail, with commentary, and I am thrilled to read the version we'll be performing. This version was just published in May 09, and is only available via B&N online (or Amazon, I suppose). I'm excited! I haven't read too much Ben Jonson, and I haven't ever performed anything by him. This play, The Magnetick Lady is supposed to be similar to Italy's Commedia dell'arte, which often utilizes stock characters, masks, and sometimes clowns in the text. Fun!

We went to Wisconsin this weekend, and that was an experience (gnarly sun burn included). I have never been to the Midwest before, and I've never been on a real farm either. I'll update on this more later when I download the pics from my camera. I experienced a spectacular sunset in the Minneapolis airport on the way home - glorious.

This weekend has central Oregon in store for us (near a volcano!), and I've taken Friday and Monday off of work so we can enjoy some family-fun-time again, hehe. It's pseudo camping (in a cabin, I think), but I'll take what I can get. I still want to take our tent out to this camp site I found in the Snoqualmie Pass. It's at the Lake Easton State Park, and is super cheap. I miss camping. Hopefully we'll get to go soon! Anyone want to come?!