August Happenings, 2017

It is the midway point of this wonderful month of August.  This also happens to be the hottest month of the year, every year, here in our desert southwest.  The streets light up as the sun meets the horizon and the few people who are still brave enough (or forced) to stay in town, take a trembling step outside in the three-digit weather despite the moon gracing the sky.  Us Yumans like to say that “we are used to it” but inside our sunburnt mind, we desperately wish that it would be just a little bit cooler than last year.

However, there has been a few things happening for me and my husband this month so far.  Here is the roundup:

1. Red Malaysian Guava

Perhaps the most exciting thing of the month is that we finally got fruit from our year-old guava tree!  It was planted in the summer of last year and was babied for its first summer in the “wilderness” of our backyard.  This year, we did not shade it nor treat it any differently, and it seems to have liked us enough to give us gifts.  Although there were only 3 fruits total, these rosy, delicious guavas were worth every bite.  I happened to have a regular guava from a store that I could compare it with and the most distinct factor was the scent.  Home grown guavas had a strong, sweet scent you can smell from a just a few inches away from your nose while the store bought one lacked that quality.  I was in love with the color, the taste, and the entire experience.  Instead of picking them from the tree, its branches seemed to have swung the fruits off when ripened and I found them strewn on the ground, surprisingly untouched by any critter. Consider planting this one if you live in a warm, even tropical, climate!

2. New Plant Life

I am one step closer to living the plant life. In my “20 Facts About Me” post on Instagram, unsurprisingly to most, I revealed my obsession with indoor plants and some of you guys shared my sentiments. Well, let’s just say, that was the exact excuse I needed to venture out into Lowe’s to add another one to the list.  This month, instead of one, two came home.  You will not find me as one to complain! Zamifolia was the first one to come and she won both of us over with her tropical vibe and deep, green foliage. Then my eyes rested on the Modern Tribe cactus… and it was hard to step away without touching him.  Yes, they have feminine and masculine pronouns.  Yes, I will name them as I have the rest of them.  No, I do not consider any of that strange.

3. Spider Man

This movie night was special for two reasons.  First, it was part of a double date with two of our friends who had moved away and now found their way back into the (warm) arms of Yuma.  Second, the diversity!  There were people of different colors and different backgrounds scattered through this one. I even spotted random hijabis being normal, that’s a far shot from the radicalized to almost-radicalized image we often see on the media.  It was refreshing, enjoyable, and joyful.  As far as the movie itself goes, I did not find it to be anything special.  It was a good time with friends and we were entertained.  Interestingly, the step towards diversity also included a step towards hyper sexuality.  From Spiderman’s Aunt to other characters of both genders, the jokes and comments were more sexual than I remember them to be from before.  In contrast to the depicted diversity, this was an unwelcome surprise and I hope this will not be the norm from now on.

4. Family Visit

Just this past weekend, we had a visit from my sister-in-law who recently moved to the nearby bustling city of San Diego, California.  This was her first visit and, as any one would be, she was amazed with the sun. It was bright, it was hot, and it was unnecessary. Yes, we all feel this way. It is the normal Yuman Initiation Ceremony and she passed it with flying colors.  We enjoyed going out to eat more than usual, spending some down time catching up with stories, and livening our home with another happy guest.  Munchy, our affectionate tabby cat, warmed her dog-loving heart and I am convinced that in her following trip, we would have another converted-to-a-cat-lover in the family.

With these things happening while it is still mid-month, I am excited to see what the remaining days of August bring.  These gratitude posts are bringing more positivity in my life, and I hope they are inspiring you to see joy in little things too.

-S