Day 120: Falafel Pita

Today was a coworkers' last day at work, so we went out for a going-away lunch. We went to a Mediterranean local chain. I had this tasty falafel pita. It wasn't quite as good as the falafel pita I cad in Cairo, but it still hit the spot.

Day 119: Froyo

It was a warm day, and I spent my morning putting together shelving units at work. So, a frozen yogurt treat this afternoon was exactly what I needed. Tasty, cooling and satisfying. Yum.

Day 118: Contacts

I finally made it to the optometrist today and got a new supply of contacts. Unfortunately, I have to go back in so that they can dilate my eyes. It's  standard for new patients at this place, but they recommend that you don't do it if you have to go back to work immediately -particularly if you'll be working at a computer. So, back to the optometrist I'll go.

Day 117: Cloudy Day

The low-lying clouds were beautiful as I drove home from work this evening. Of course, I often find the sky to be beautiful. I enjoy my drive along forested roads every day.

Day 116: Low Clouds

After yesterday's cold weather, the mountains are again covered in snow. These clouds hovered over the peaks all day, but lifted just enough to reveal the snow-dusted forest.

Day 115: Beef Stroganoff

It may be the end of April, but it felt like winter today. It was chilly and rainy, and as I made this stroganoff, the rain turned to a wet snow. It wasn't cold enough to stick, but it was certainly cold enough to make me enjoy this comforting cold-weather dinner.

Day 114: Rainy Day

Drip, drip, drop little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all around. Drip, drip, drop little April shower, what can compare with your beautiful sound? Drip, drip, drop when the sky is cloudy, your pretty music will brighten the day. ~ Larry Morey and Frank Churchill, Bambi

Today was a rainy day. We ended up with close to a quarter of an inch, which is much needed. It was also errand day, which was less than fun in the rain. It did present a wonderful opportunity to think about Bambi and the wonderful song about April showers.

It was a cold rain, but as the temperature hovered right around 40 degrees all day, we didn't see any snow.

Day 113: Sticker

Perhaps it's time to take this off of my car. Yes, my Baylor parking sticker is still on my windshield.  It does me no good, and even if I were back in Waco, this sticker is long expired. I guess I just can't let go of it. I guess I'll remove it ... soon ... or someday.

Also, my car needs a wash. Obviously. 

Day 112: Lap Dog

If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer. ~  Alfred North Whitehead

Yes, another dog picture. Partially because I'm huge fan of this dog, and partially because the day was  almost over and I hadn't yet snapped a pic. This was at small group, and I am happy to say that I am Ginger's favourite person in the group. She won't even get close to some people, but she jumped right in my lap. As this dog is about the size of German Shepherd, she can't really be considered a lap-dog. But don't tell her that.

Day 111: Dandelion

Wondrous truths, and manifold as wondrous, God hath written in those stars above; But not less in the bright flowerets under us stands the revelation of his love. Bright and Glorious is that revelation, written all over this great world of ours; Making evident our own creation, in these stars of earth, these golden flowers. ~  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Yes, more dandelions. These ones are right next to my parking space at my apartment. It's just so bright and happy.  They also make me want to buy some flowers of my own for our little patio.

Day 110: Ticket

Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. ~  Ibn Battuta

Today I booked a plane ticket. A plane ticket to one of my favourite places on earth - England! Later this year I'll make my way to the UK with some of family and I couldn't be more excited. I just wish my trip wasn't so far off!

Day 109: Lone Rock Beach

The lake and mountains have become my landscape, my real world. ~  Georges Simenon

This was the view from my tent when I woke up this morning. I spent the weekend camping on Lake Powell. This portion of the lake is in Utah, which means I've now officially been to Utah. It was a fun  weekend full of beautiful vistas and getting stuck in the sand.

And lamenting over the fact that the depths of Lake Powell (550 feet at some points) contain archeological treasures buried under the onslaught of water from the Glen Canyon Dam. Glen Canyon is sometimes referred to as "The place no one knew," because it was largely unknown until it the dam was built. In fact, the site was chosen after activists argued that the original site (now Dinosaur National Monument) was an important monument that needed to be saved. And indeed it was, at the expense of what is now the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Day 108: Antelope Canyon

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in ever fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Antelope Canyon. It's a place I've dreamed of visiting for quite some time now. The most expensive photograph ever was taken in Antelope Canyon (it sold for 6.5 million in 2014). The sweeping sandstone walls of this slot canyon are stunning. The walls are some 50 feet high, and in some places the opening at the top is only one or two feet across. I visited Lower Antelope Canyon, rather than the more famous and more frequented Upper Antelope Canyon. Lower is actually below ground, and is V-shaped (the floor is narrower than the top opening) whereas Upper is above ground and A-shaped (the opening is narrower than the ground).

This is truly an awe-inspiring place.

Day 107: Gates of Heaven

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven. ~  John Lubbock

Today I drove up north to Page with a coworker and we camped on a beach at Lake Powell. A couple of us drove up early, because some people had to work late.

And this was worth it. This photo doesn't do the sunset justice, as is often the case with photographs. The sunset was absolutely incredible, and ranks very highly on the list of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. Cap this off with s'mores over a campfire and I had a good evening.

Day 106: Shrink Wrap

Shrink wrap is a pain. It seems like it always sticks to itself, and never to the things I want it to stick to. Luckily, in this case, that is exactly what I need it to do. This is one of the materials that I need for packing pots. It replaces tape to secure bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard around the vessel. Because it sticks to itself, it holds the wrapping in place. However, because there is not actually any adhesive, we don't have to worry about it somehow sticking to the objects.

Shrink wrap is good for something!

Day 105: Dispensary

Marijuana, when  mixed with hay, causes death to the horses that eat it. ~ New York Times, 1934

I pass this building a lot - on my way to the grocery store, on my to church, on my way to friends' house. The parking lot is almost always full.

Medical marijuana is legal in Arizona, though recreational use is not. When I started looking for a roommate here, I had to look up "420 friendly" as I had never heard the term before. As a result I was able to rule out quite a few potential roommates once I discovered that this means they are marijuana-friendly. No, thanks.

Day 104: Weed

If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn. ~  Andrew Mason

I think it's kind of sad that dandelions are considered weeds. This bright shot of yellow is so cheerful. Several dandelions have popped up around the museum and, despite their weed status, they make me happy.

Day 103: Flowers

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.  ~  John Ruskin

The trees all around Flagstaff are blooming. I planned to photograph some of the flowers on the trees outside my apartment, but this plan failed. With high wind advisories, the blossoms were lifted from the branches and scattered upon the ground. Unfortunately, most of the blossoms here at my apartment that are at eye level (admittedly, not all that high for me) are gone. So, no lovely macro shots of the flowers as I had planned.

Day 102: Lava Tubes

If you've never jumped from one couch to another to avoid the lava, you've never had a childhood.  ~ Unknown

Today we went out to Lava River Cave, or the lava tubes. This cave was formed by flowing lava from one of the eruptions of the many volcanoes surrounding Flagstaff. We crawled down through a small opening, and then hiked almost a mile to the end of the cave. It was a neat experience. In some places, the cave ceiling is thirty feet high, but in others it is only two feet. The cave is a relatively constant temperature all year - 30-40 degrees, so there were quite a few icy spots as well.

Of course, after hiking a mile underground, any hint of sunlight is gone. It's a little surreal to turn off all of the flashlights and headlamps at the end of the cave. The darkness is so absolute, and even after several minutes it was impossible to see even my hand in front of my face.

This was definitely a hike worth taking!

Day 101: Digestives

Nine times out of ten, you probably aren't having a full-on nervous breakdown - you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit. ~  Caitlin Moran

I had originally titled this post "Bikkies," but was unsure exactly how to spell it. I typed it in online and discover that bikkie is both a slang term for biscuits and for ecstasy pills. Lest anyone get the wrong idea, I simply changed the title

That being said, I love World Market. I often treat myself with food, and this time around I grabbed a roll of chocolate covered McVitie's digestive biscuits and coconut curry pretzel pearls. Both are delicious, but it was the digestives that made my tea time today particularly enjoyable.

Day 100: Lizard

Today I did some light hiking with a friend and we spotted this guy sunning himself on a rock. I had a difficult time getting my camera to focus on the lizard rather than the rock.

Day 99: Hair Cut

I finally bit the bullet today and got my hair cut. I haven't cut it since ... gasp .. May! It's possible I had a few split ends. Of course, I will never be able to style it quite like the stylist did. It's always hard for me to get my hair cut, but it's nice to have fresh spring/summer style.

Day 98: Ginger

I always love cuddling with this girl at small group. I've mentioned it before, but it's always nice to get my dog fix. Still, I want one of my own!

Day 97: Doe, A Deer

As an animal lover, I get excited every time that I see wildlife. Yes, I see deer several time a week. And yes, I get excited each time. Today I was able to pull over and snap a pic. Of course, as soon as I pulled in next to them they began retreating back into the woods.

Day 96: Couch

Our living room now looks like this. We have a place to sit! It has a hole in the front, as a cat used the couch as a scratching post. But it was free, and delivered for me, so I'm happy to have it.

Day 95: The Bible

As I got ready for bed, this show came on and I checked in through the Viggle ap. This whole Jesus-played-by-a-really-attractive-actor-with-an-attractive-accent thing is interesting.

I missed being at home today to celebrate Easter Sunday with family, but worshiped here in Flag. No egg hunts for me, but I did make sure to buy a Cadbury Creme Egg.

Day 94: Slate Mountain

Today was an absolutely beautiful day and I went on a hike with some friends. We again headed up 180, this time to Slate Mountain. It was a five mile round-trip hike, but I surprised myself by not having any issues hiking up. The elevation is 8,200 feet, which means it's a thousand-foot climb from the trailhead to the summit. At the summit we were rewarded with fantastic views of the San Francisco Peaks, the surrounding forest and even the Grand Canyon in the distance.

Day 93: Teddy

My roommate brought her Mom's dog back with her for the week. Of course, she asked first and I said sure. A dog in the apartment for a week? You bet. Hopefully I'm getting a little dog fix.

Day 92: Peeps Diorama

Today the museum collections department held it second annual Peeps diorama contest. My entry was a recreation of Disneyland, complete with princesses, Cinderella's castle, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain railroad and the teacup ride. It's been a lot of fun putting this together over the past couple of weeks.

Day 91: Photoshop

This is one of my favourite things to do in Photoshop - erase blemishes in a photo through the healing  brush tool. Right now, I'm getting rid of creases in the photo backdrop at work.