How I Spent My Summer Vacation – The Badlands

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

We are back to school officially and I am LOVING it. Now if I just had about 4 or 5 more hours in every day or if sleep were more optional than it is for me life would be pretty ideal. As it is, I make notes and compose posts that never see the screen because yeah…. sleep. Food. Sports.

Since I am this far behind I figured I could just roll all those unpublished summer posts into the ubiquitous back-to-school essay theme this week. The Badlands trip was incredible. Temperature and timing came together to make for a perfect visit that started out nicely enough and got better by the hour.

perspective in paperback

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

I was going to share geography books and I will. However you will humor me, please, because I just finished another book that will be right up near the top of my list of books-I-pray-my-daughters-and-close-friends-read.

I just finished.

Sigh.

I had to save those last 20pages for alone time because it was pretty certain to be a big emotional event. It was. I locked myself in the guest bath until composed enough to reenter society. Whew.

The book? Oh yes. That would help. It was Mrs. Mike, a semi-biographical novel about a young Irish-American woman who leaves Boston for a Canadian outpost around 1900. It's a thrifted paperback copy we've had forever and it didn't give me so much as a hint as to how compelling it would end up being all those years it sat on my shelves. It read like a quick romance, initially, which meant you arrived at the gut-socking parts completely unprepared for the thinking and mourning and thinking some more that you would do.

To me, there are significant similarities to Strangers and Sojourners by Michael O'Brien. If you've read one and not the other I am telling you now you should. Pain, strength, and beauty are all illustrated in such a way that it makes you feel braver, more grateful, and less concerned with petty things. You realize, "When little things perspectiare so important, it's because there aren't any big ones."

Sometimes a novel can make you think more deeply about faith and family than a theology volume can. This was one of those for me. I pray the perspective embeds deeply in my heart.

While in my head I am still vicariously wandering through northern forests and gliding around crystal lakes tonight I'm pulling out pictures of one of the most idyllic places we passed through this summer. Part of Black Hills National Park. Breathtaking.

coming and going

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

That's my husband coming down street.

This is me saying, "Hey," sort of wistfully in passing. When my Gram was flustered she would say she didn't know if she was coming or going. We've got that goin' on all over right now with football practices and kids' jobs and college. After some strategy-by-text (ie: I am off work in five minutes. Where are you and which direction am I heading?) we divided up the late afternoon/early evening runs today.

Do I love this? No. Do I think kids need to run around this much? No, again. But it is what we have collectively decided was right for this particular season. We are all healthy and the sun is shining and this is NOT a bad way to suffer – as I remind myself when I pass my husband on the road.

We will all end up at the same place by day's end after all. Life is good.

Summer in Salt Lake City

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

A walking tour of Salt Lake City is what some of us decided on for Saturday. We haven't explored downtown much since we moved back and not by foot much at all. It's been on the list of things to get to. The forecast was 90s for highs so we headed out late afternoon to avoid the worst of the heat. (Yes it's a "dry heat" but hey, that's hot)

The tour commenced in the car whilst the driver (aka me) wandered around downtown looking for a place to park. This took a long time. Imagine a long, long time of me making discouraging comments about my ability to locate such a spot, the other drivers, and the unfortunate placement of detour signs. I am so not the person for that job. I can't spot the spots until I am right up past them. Easily overstimulated. Poor sense of direction. Just not my strong suit all around. So the parking part was not fun.

The walking with the camera part was more fun. It always is. : ) We started from west Temple Square.

Checking directions and where to find the Apple Store and dinner.

We spent some time shopping at City Creek which is about as lovely as it gets. Feels way more like a European market town than an outdoor mall. BUT it has West Elm and Anthropologie. Win, win. I found two books we are going to talk about more this week at Anthropologie of all places. I am a little obsessed with them. More to follow.

Walking towards the Salt Palace.

The Capitol Theater is being reno'd and the sidewalk opposite was as well unfortunately. Such a fabulous facade even if I can only share a peek of it. It was just cotton candy colored wonderfulness. Like a vintage carousel on a wall.

Oldest and youngest sons : )

We stopped for dinner and then walked back to the van. It was absolutely ideal weather by then. Balmy without a hint of breeze. That meant the reflecting pool at Temple Square was able to do its job nicely. After waiting for it to settle again after a certain 10yo tossed a pebble in. ; D

There is never enough time when you see your adult kids. This is the pain of this stage of life as opposed to the sheer exhaustion of the early years of parenting. It's what causes old moms to say all those annoying things about cherish the moment and these days are over too fast and blahblahblah. We know it's annoying. We can't stop ourselves. The words tumble out of our mouths even while our inner younger mom selves remember exactly how exasperating those comments were. But for real, y'all. You become greedy with these moments that once seemed to defy all laws of time passage.

These were my moments this weekend. They are over now but they were wonderful.

outside of time

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“ To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.”

– Clara Ortega

This picture popped up when I was uploading and spoke to me immediately. It wasn't the best of the lot, technically. It's grainy and the children are wild haired and breathless and held still for about the two seconds it took to snap this. And yet in those seconds it caught that deep peace and devotion between them. That absolute adoration.

I needed that today. We tend to evaluate our progress from one increment in time to another. Sometimes we have pretty good reason to feel like the whole thing is going awry. What we are building here, though, is bigger than our days - the good and the bad ones.

Grateful for this reminder.

last night

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

So this was last night….

That's the peanut gallery watching….

…. the sister filming this…

Colin and his fiancee, Julie.

Spiritual Preparation of the Teacher – Montessori

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

While rereading one of my favorite old books (here) I found this gem that went into my commonplace/quote book (housed in 99 cent composition books):

"He must rid his heart of pride and anger. He must learn how to humble himself and be clothed with charity. These are the virtues he must acquire and this inner preparation will give him the balance and poise which he will need…We insist on the fact that a teacher must prepare himself interiorly by systematically studying himself so that he can tear out his most deeply rooted defects, those in fact which impede his relations with children." - Maria Montessori The Secret of Childhood

everyday miracles

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human”

Tim Hansel, You Gotta Keep Dancing

yee-haw!

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

One of the highlights of the summer was daughter date with Alannah to the rodeo. As you approach the fairgrounds your heart beats a little bit faster. Boots and hats at every turn. Flags flying and music playing. Everything that's good about Americana was there in abundance.

We went on military appreciation night and they did not disappoint. Mounted flag bearers from all branches of the military rode in. Skydivers brought in the various branch flags.

And Old Glory.

By the time we got to the riderless horse I had to put my sunglasses back on. After 30 yrs with the USAF and now several more as an Army mom, I am a puddle by the time the anthems are over. It's just a lot for a heart.

We were treated to an incredible show with a fabulous emcee and clown duo. And even better music selection.

And those faces. : )

We left the park after dark, totally pumped up. It was one of those nights that renews your faith in your fellow man.

Scotch Eggs

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Scotch eggs have been a favorite since we had them in England though we have not made them up since we moved back. We rectified that with this paleo adaptation which was every bit as good. I will tell you my cheater version though. I used Jimmy Dean natural breakfast sausage in place of making my own. Easy peasy.

I'm hungry now. And it's Friday. I need to plan these posts better. ; D

Starry Sky Journal

Reflections from Starry Sky Ranch

Author Archives: Kim Halloran-Fry