You probably recognize the picture as the spines on a saguaro cactus. These particular spine clusters are found on the saguaro in the front of our house.

I like "pattern pictures" and seem to take a lot of them. I think I may start getting enlargements of some of them printed for framing and displaying in my "office" (read spare bedroom) here at home.

We've been enjoying some delicious moments of monsoon type rain the last few days and some increased humidity. Of course, we don't get Iowa-type humidity of 99 or 100 percent like I've seen on recent Iowa City weather reports. Percentages in the 40s and 50s are typical for summer monsoon days here in the desert -- maybe sometimes in heavy rain conditions getting up to the 60s and 70s. But then it dries out again when the storm passes and then builds up for the next afternoon's showers.

My grass, as Whitney and her kids can attest, turned out nicely. It seems to be growing way too fast, however, which might be the result of the fertilizer I used when I planted. I've had to mow it every second or third day. I believe I will cut back on the sprinkling schedule to see if I can slow it down a bit. But it's thick and green and a joy to walk and play on. The local wildlife seem also to like it -- rabbits, quail families, other birds and our ever-present desert chipmunks.

I've just finished an audio series of Hugh Nibley talks entitled "Time Vindicates the Prophets." It is available through the BYU bookstore. I highly recommend it. I have been listening on my iPod as I travel for my work and also as I ride my bicycle. It is a series of talks given by Nibley in the late 50s (I think) that were broadcast on Sunday evenings on KSL radio. There are, perhaps, 20 or so talks, each about 15 minutes long. He touches on various aspects of religious and philosophical history as it relates to the early Christian church, later evolutions of the church influenced by philosophy and how those developments compare with the restored gospel and latter-day prophets. They are worth the time to listen. Nibley is amazing in the depth and breadth of his knowledge of early history and philosophy.

We so enjoyed having Whitney, Ethan, Jackson and especially Sophie here with us for a week. We hope they had fun and found the trip worth the time and effort. Mom can never get enough of her grandkids of course and is now planning a trip to Iowa to visit Erin. That will complete her trifecta of visiting Rachel earlier this year, having Whitney here in Thatcher this past week and then going to Iowa to visit the three Tingey grandkids. She's a great Nana, don't you all think?

I've been enjoying getting back into the biking habit. I made a few changes to my bike this season which has made it quite a bit more comfortable for me. I've suffered from various kinds of neck and wrist pain the past and the slightly different riding position I now have is helping to minimize that.

This is a beautiful time of year here in the Gila Valley. The lush green cotton fields, the white billowy summer clouds in the blue sky and the afternoon thunderstorms dancing around Mt. Graham compensate for the warmer (hotter) days and evenings. Mornings are still cool, however.

Keep yourselves safe and well.

Love,

Dad