I have never been anywhere more beautiful than the Utah desert. Just thinking of those red rocks brings me such a sense of peace. 

I am not sure where Shaggylocks is. Truth be told, I'm worried about him. We were supposed to finish discussing Tinkers this past week, and we didn't, so the first thing I want to make sure of is to know if anyone knows: is he okay? (The same goes for Persephone 13: she has disappeared. Is she okay? Did I miss something when I was in the hospital?)

Okay. People have indicated that we want to keep our book club going, even if it is small. I have elected myself grand master funk of the next book discussion (and I'm always looking for volunteers to do it after this, so don't be shy). As such, I've chosen for us a book that I love. That I've read at least three times. And that I'll be teaching again in the fall, so this will be good for me to discuss it with you all before discussing it with my students. 

The book is Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams. It has been out for years, so it's available in paperback, in used bookstores, online, audiobook, in libraries--you name it--it shouldn't be difficult to find. 

In order to give folks people time to get hold of copies and to be prepared to discuss it, I'm setting our next book discussion date for WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5. Please read to page 140, the end of the chapter entitled "Magpies." 

What is Refuge about? Well, many things. And I don't really want to spoil it. But let's say there's plenty of things to discuss: religion, nature, family, how disease affects a family, gender, and what it means to belong to a piec of land. 

I hope that you will treasure this book as much as I do. 

I can't find any of my photos of the Utah desert. I think they are all at my ex-husband's house. But here are a few that I've stolen from the web. 

And if you're interested, here's an interview with TTW from 2005.

Happy Reading. 

Oh, and Freaky has promised some kind of special cake.