Rain

Right now it's raining where I am. You probably don't realize what a big deal that is, but we've been dry almost all summer. Wildfires have devoured more than a thousand homes in Texas this summer—tragic. Some fires have been close enough that I could see smoke clouds.

It's been a tough summer in Texas, but the rain has made a theatrical entrance this evening! And I love it. I've always enjoyed thunderstorms. Lightning fascinates me. Thunder awes me. Huge buckets of raindrops leave our lawn looking like a floodplain. I like to go on our back porch in my shorts and t-shirt, sit on the handmade Adirondack chairs, and watch the rain—how it gains momentum, then lightens up, then gets harder, sometimes almost imperceptibly, and other times very perceptibly. The temperature is just right. There is lightning in the distance (wait for it . . .) and then thunder—loud thunder. It's beautiful, like nature's fireworks. Sometimes it's hard to believe that all that water was just hovering in the air before it came down. How is that even possible?

I took this photo. I really like it, but what do you think?

Anderson Cooper Giggling

A friend showed this to me a few days ago. This is a fantastic video if you need a laugh.

Water Lilies

Well, I just moved into a new house, and it happens to be right next to a small pond. It's filled with water lilies, frogs, and lily pads. I've also seen butterflies and dragonflies galore over there. Cardinals and blue jays also abound, as do small green lizards. I even once saw a small snake. It's fun to just sit over there and enjoy the beauty. But I really love those water lilies, so I wanted to share them with you. (FYI, I found out that they close up at night. Also, after you cut them, they don't really open wide again.)

 All of them were deep purple except this one. For some reason, it's fuchsia.

These frogs made weird sounds when they would jump.

Here's that snake I was telling you about.

And these are my favorite photos.

You should click on this next one; it's cool to look at up close.

Real Simple Story

I subscribed to Real Simple magazine a few months ago. I love this magazine! It includes great fashion ideas, random facts, tips, stories, and recipes. (Not to mention great photos and illustrations.) In the latest issue, I found this story, which I think has a great point. Laughter goes a long way!

The First Time My Daughter Played a Practical Joke on Me

In retrospect, I should have seen it coming. After all, I was the runner-up for Most Mischievous in my senior-class poll. To feel right in the world as an adolescent, I needed to rebel—and I did so by tying a soccer player's boxers to his car antenna, safety-pinning people's sleeves together during assembly, and making up elaborate scavenger hunts that required stealth and trickery. So I ought to have expected to get punked by my five-year-old daughter. But I didn't. An embarrassing rookie mistake.

In the kitchen one day, while my back was turned, Phoebe put a glob of mayonnaise in my glass of milk. When I drank it, the mayo hit my tongue like something horribly curdled. I rushed to the sink, spitting and gagging. When I gathered myself, I turned to Phoebe. "I put mayo in your milk!" she exclaimed, wide-eyed, obviously afraid she was about to get in trouble.

I just looked at her. "Wait—you did this because you thought it would be funny?"

She nodded.

"That's my girl!" I said, laughing. Phoebe seemed delighted.

How could I be angry? A prankster who procreates is going to get what's coming to her. In my case, I've gotten my comeuppance repeatedly: Phoebe, now 16, has three younger siblings who are known to dollop lotion on light switches and tape up faucets that later spray you in the face.

So often our culture expects us to show our love for one another through exchanging greeting cards and stuffed bears holding Mylar balloons. But as Phoebe and my other children remind me constantly, a prank—and the hysterical laughter that it inspires—can bond a family just as much. A beautifully wrapped box of fake dog poop sometimes says "I love you" in the most memorable way. And as it shows up again and again—on the bath mat, the Persian rug, the front stoop (um, thanks, Phoebe!)—it proves that funny is a gift that keeps on giving.

Julianna Baggott

Leona Lewis | Happy

This is my new favorite music video. I don't want to ruin it by talking about it. Just watch.

An Affair to Remember

I was a weird kid, and I loved old movies, especially ones with Cary Grant. This one happens to be my favorite. Why? Because of the emotion it stirs in me. There is one part of the movie where an old woman, the male lead's grandmother, plays the piano. It's not that intricate of a tune, but it's truly beautiful. The characters and their devotion to each other is also enchanting. It's witty and charming in a way only movies from around 1957 can be. And the end is so good! If you ever have two hours to spare, you don't mind old movies, and you like chick flicks, watch this pioneering chick flick. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

And to quote the movie:

"No more tears."
"That's what beauty does to me."

Andy Grammer | Keep Your Head Up

I like to think of this as my theme song right about now. Yeah, some things aren't going so well, but you know what? Happiness is a journey, not a destination. You can still be happy during hard times.

Enjoy it! It's a pretty fun song. :-)