unEarthingMe

I've decided that June should be a month of celebration.  There are so many things to celebrate; Father's Day, my husband's bday, portfolio evaluations marking the end of our "school year", the pool opening, one of my dearest friends finally getting to say goodbye to New Mexico and head back to where she belongs, same friend's group opening night at 1708 which more than doubled the gallery's record for attendance at over 4000 people, a celebration for my niece and nephew, my eldest daughter's first paycheck, my husband's new business taking off, oh & we get a new roof this week.  I'm sure there must be more because a few of these things have passed and I want to keep celebrating all month!  Now may be a good time for out of town guests (hint, hint).  Everything here is lush and green.  Our gardens are really producing.

Last night we attended the First Friday Artwalk in Richmond making this my second whirlwind overnight in a week.  I haven't been to one of these in forever.  The streets were teaming with people.  DJs blasted techno music out of enormous sound systems on the sidewalk, vendors of skateboards and African statuary lined the street and throngs of people moved from gallery to gallery many looking to see and be seen.  This event has really grown and while I was ecstatic to see many people I haven't seen in years (some since art school), my youngest had a hard time with the sensory overload (we were greeted with a raucous chorus of plastic harmonicas and kazoos as we entered the crowded gallery).   Teen girl thoroughly enjoyed herself as long as she got to hang with my sister or my friend but, I was too uncool to be within five feet of her.  

photo does not show daughter's chartreuse tights and white platform shoes

D.H. supports two sleepy girls

It was envigorating to be amongst so many creative people.  The night wound down at the new home of an acquaintance where some of us gathered as the galleries shut down.  He was living in an apartment when I last saw him and now he was the perfect host in his handsome home with a backyard welcoming enough to get everyone out into the hot humid night where we could view his abundant garden.  I covet his ample studio space in a freestanding building a few yards from his back door.  My sister ended up with a houseful between miss New Mexico, my mother and my family.  For breakfast, she cooked up yummy, cheesy, garlicy scrambled eggs with fresh basil while my sweetie ran up to the local coffee shop to get everyone muffins and scones.  What a weekend and we're only half done.

We're back home and sweaty (though not as sweaty as we were in Richmond).  As soon as my husband finishes installing some window-units, we're off to the pool for the first time this season.  So, let the revelry continue!
you know you've been out west too long when you've got your cowboy boots with your sundress. 
snuggling up by the campfire 
shot of my productive garden