Our strange summer weather continues. A storm brought heavy rainfall this evening, followed by an amazing double rainbow that spanned the valley. The light was almost eerie and the photos in no way do it justice. The rainbow had moments of vivid brilliance and then disappeared as the sunlight faded and clouds covered the sky.
Unexpected news this afternoon that music legend Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50 after going in to cardiac arrest. His conflicting legacy makes me feel sad. I LOVED Michael Jackson - I remember listening to Off The Wall and being blown away by his talent. It wasn't the vapid disco melodies that caught my ear but his vocal prowess. Then came Thriller and thus began the King of Pop! My sisters can attest to my obsession. My basement bedroom walls had been our canvas of graffiti on drywall - it was soon covered floor to ceiling with Michael posters and magazine pages. Eventually, even the ceiling was papered. I had the pictures, pins, jacket, albums, etc. I remember watching him perform Billie Jean on a televised tribute to Berry Gordy and doing the moonwalk for the first time. I was at Kim Uriarti's house and couldn't believe what I had just seen. 
Sadly, his musical, performing and business brilliance were overshadowed in later years by his difficulties; legal, financial and self-image issues. My children have no concept of Michael Jackson as anything other than a punchline. During his child molestation trial, Maddie said his mug shot was freaky and I remember telling her what an extraordinary talent he had been and what an amazing performer he was. I can't help but feel he was a child who never got to be a child who became a man who didn't know how to be a man. He was iconic, he was odd, he was reclusive. It's heartbreaking to know that he will be remembered as much for his tabloid tales as he will for changing the face of music. Artistically, he rocked my world. May he rest in peace.
Happy Father's Day! Ed enjoyed a relaxing day at home. He was treated to a nice brunch and then watched golf. 
We went to visit my dad in the early evening. Megan and Cody just found out they are having a baby girl so it was fun to see them and hear about the ultrasound.
Little Mister was so funny - he was jabbering away at me like he knew exactly what he was telling me. I love the expression on his face.
Ed and Livi
Ed and Harry
Ed and Maddie
Me with my Dad who still pulls me on to his knee!
Cute dad Trent with Natalie and Keira
I love my dad for the man he is and example that he always set. I was blessed with a father who loved the mother of his children. He is the kindest and most giving person I have ever known. 
My beloved husband and father of my children. He works every day to set a fine example for our children to aspire to.
Kristi and Dave Sewell invited some of the old gang over for lunch yesterday. Eric Taylor, master of the grill and smoker, has been harangued by me for months to make brisket so he prepared his 24 hour smoked brisket and specialty Yum sauce for the event. Brooke was in town from Seattle with her family so it was a relaxing afternoon of visiting with friends and eating some truly fabulous food.
L-R: Eric, Kristi, Me, Dave
Me, Kristi, Brooke, Aleisha
Maddie was thrilled to find a perfect pair of cherries, complete with leaf attached.
Eric models his Yum sauce for me. Ed had to work but sent me with explicit instructions to come home with brisket for him. That was his Father's Day gift request!
This is the house next to Dave and Kristi's. I don't know what it is about it but I have always loved it. It has great curb appeal and a stunning backyard. It looks like my ideal family home that I envisioned when I was very young. 
It was time for the annual Girl's Weekend and this year we all met up in Dallas, TX. It's always a treat to see my on-line friends and to explore a new destination. We all stayed at Paula's house and had a wonderful time.
We spent Friday, June 12 in downtown Dallas. We braved the 100 degree temperature and 95% humidity as we did a walking tour of the Kennedy memorial sites. It was oddly emotional to see locations that I have seen in photographs and grainy film since I was young. I could feel the hair on my arms stand up when I saw the painted X in the road to mark the location of the first and second shot hitting President Kennedy. 
Having fun with Deana while waiting for dinner.
The past couple of months have been unusually wet and cool. We have had rain off and on all week but this afternoon, a band of showers came over the Oquirrh Mountains and pounded Herriman. It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon that suddenly turned dark as the sound of thunder crashed loudly. Harrison was playing out front with the neighbor boys as the skies opened and torrential rain began to fall. Within seconds, hail was pounding the rooftop and windows. The neighbor across the street called to tell me the boys had run in to her house to get out of the rain but Harrison was nervous because "My mom told me to play outside!" He is so good about minding his mama! Olivia and I were home to enjoy the spectacular scene created by Mother Nature. June 9 and it looks like there is snow on the rooftops and lawns.
Hail piled up along the edge of the garage door
Looking over at the neighbor's yard
The back patio under a couple of inches of water
The deck covered with hail
The back corner - the spillover was coming so quickly from both directions, water was surging up about a foot high where the two streets meet. Thank heaven for good drainage systems.
Hail on my roof
Hail along the front walkway
Water puddling in my front flower beds - the geraniums in the pot are now completely bare ... all of the blossoms were blown away. 
Officer West and Olivia after she received her certificate.
I worked from home today so I could attend the ceremony.
Olivia, Officer West and Brighton.
