tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284179122024-03-14T02:36:42.450-06:00 5th-Wheel WanderingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-9298416561612396162022-06-15T13:53:00.003-06:002022-06-15T13:53:38.825-06:00New blog<p> This blog is no longer updated. Please visit our new blog, <i>Our New Choice.blogspot.com</i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-45634890102454770872022-05-21T13:38:00.003-06:002022-05-21T13:38:41.324-06:00Our New Blog<p> Please check out my new blog: <i>ournewchoice.blogspot.com</i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-67896127781381400142022-05-01T15:29:00.001-06:002022-05-02T07:11:51.905-06:00The Next Chapter<p> One of the first places we went after going to our summer home in Lone Tree, Colorado, was to Castle Rock where Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home was celebrating the opening of their new facility. </p><p>There's a lot of back story here. In 1938 John's parents bought a funeral home in Castle Rock, naming it Andrews Funeral Home. In 1975 we bought the funeral home, owning and managing it until 1984. We raised our two boys there until we sold it in to the Caldwells. Last August we were invited by JR to tour the building before they tore it down. John's sister Cindy and our son Eric and wife Liz joined us that day.</p><p>Now that the new building is complete, we were glad to visit. This is the main chapel area. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdjPiHZJB0aFYaoXxEti1MALlA6L8jTCoV1biHz9bPohWHfF-g85Fu-Nxy8lB5iSiqZZ8uFE7FrdR8gA3JVIZoEr8F4P8PybzCe1csrz35JrdfaIZghvdxV11JdIb48mAuKudlbqFiBETOpRLLpWzr2aUOcz2bmw2XF4Z2rPqIn2uuNdkVNs/s4032/IMG_0675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdjPiHZJB0aFYaoXxEti1MALlA6L8jTCoV1biHz9bPohWHfF-g85Fu-Nxy8lB5iSiqZZ8uFE7FrdR8gA3JVIZoEr8F4P8PybzCe1csrz35JrdfaIZghvdxV11JdIb48mAuKudlbqFiBETOpRLLpWzr2aUOcz2bmw2XF4Z2rPqIn2uuNdkVNs/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Chris is the new manager and he cut the ribbon for the celebration, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfniQLSLoaMKm6zRwO1eC9ZpBBo9qd4m9kU8ODkKzzQH-jEtD5Q9qePfr3sYTPv2ds4qOgp8Lg9h9BkpleQyNxIbmoiMLSxGMmegLcmoDU87cVQqHu_9CLuYWF1mLh38RhoHKhmbHcE_1QXYqZyrGkCBZsycZzB3I340AgjAtpdlahS79Xsk/s4032/IMG_0696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfniQLSLoaMKm6zRwO1eC9ZpBBo9qd4m9kU8ODkKzzQH-jEtD5Q9qePfr3sYTPv2ds4qOgp8Lg9h9BkpleQyNxIbmoiMLSxGMmegLcmoDU87cVQqHu_9CLuYWF1mLh38RhoHKhmbHcE_1QXYqZyrGkCBZsycZzB3I340AgjAtpdlahS79Xsk/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>He talked a little about the history of the building and the business.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL6952lrG18JOKNV39LSXbTALWd7wMBMVQS1ejSplaKxE0AgX7fWQL1exm2oG5aNV7g3Issu3lIE8c3F3RVW7SgBZcnNSqBPHNjTz30w5XCMHhbnJVwl7dB8dS9a7j3WOdJe1dBo0aH5BC2lCYjiTVBIo8-2FQrxBi_kAVwGOGb4T4H-H5Ho/s4032/IMG_0698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL6952lrG18JOKNV39LSXbTALWd7wMBMVQS1ejSplaKxE0AgX7fWQL1exm2oG5aNV7g3Issu3lIE8c3F3RVW7SgBZcnNSqBPHNjTz30w5XCMHhbnJVwl7dB8dS9a7j3WOdJe1dBo0aH5BC2lCYjiTVBIo8-2FQrxBi_kAVwGOGb4T4H-H5Ho/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here is the front and side of the building.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu404Q1AjZU6-B8tz0MUE7bhid4tScd0qED3URKPluXq4RaBXA3frlwujy5jyk35ap13HxEoWcnVTosToZa-OdCPqsQdNL8HRcXR8ytpAEH-Ok6L3RatDDU0q7x_9mx2mN3oZ-ksmmEjChasuTevAu3ygRIioolu0pdUO1unKvATIUJVlp_w/s4032/IMG_4079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu404Q1AjZU6-B8tz0MUE7bhid4tScd0qED3URKPluXq4RaBXA3frlwujy5jyk35ap13HxEoWcnVTosToZa-OdCPqsQdNL8HRcXR8ytpAEH-Ok6L3RatDDU0q7x_9mx2mN3oZ-ksmmEjChasuTevAu3ygRIioolu0pdUO1unKvATIUJVlp_w/s320/IMG_4079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We live in an apartment at Camden Lincoln Station during the summer. It is in Lone Tree, a community located about a mile from the home we lived in here and that has been rented out 13 years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s2lrOLmg11M6c2n2uGGddsiFKSyAcejcenOQMEViI-hBsd8UeEi_lKyxTDBCxz9fzPnpqiMQIMR4zCbXz9rv2NUbuJX0D-Z521GKVAb2-0Bw5_rC_VaCfYP3A0RIwVbhg6hJ2DIQmraT-IT7aV9jHCrJFFqPcLO1d_ImZntrUHALeQPlIKQ/s4032/IMG_0007.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s2lrOLmg11M6c2n2uGGddsiFKSyAcejcenOQMEViI-hBsd8UeEi_lKyxTDBCxz9fzPnpqiMQIMR4zCbXz9rv2NUbuJX0D-Z521GKVAb2-0Bw5_rC_VaCfYP3A0RIwVbhg6hJ2DIQmraT-IT7aV9jHCrJFFqPcLO1d_ImZntrUHALeQPlIKQ/s320/IMG_0007.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div>There is an exercise room here, like we have and use in Superstition Views, our winter home in Gold Canyon, AZ.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8rWn0_t71ekn3JRhxarjFIySiOZuCC-MXrZA2Gj0ckfMitLqjb6gJjNpIOV14BgjSaatptnVIcpq940XmXGA4xCWt4orJMZb4m05ngWEQNZKqthozMXyaYuxjqTKV0rxtKUVu-Oq0iZ2WEDW69T6ljr9BpJOo34fHsd9kFJWmxbuPmqMcCw/s4032/IMG_4089.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8rWn0_t71ekn3JRhxarjFIySiOZuCC-MXrZA2Gj0ckfMitLqjb6gJjNpIOV14BgjSaatptnVIcpq940XmXGA4xCWt4orJMZb4m05ngWEQNZKqthozMXyaYuxjqTKV0rxtKUVu-Oq0iZ2WEDW69T6ljr9BpJOo34fHsd9kFJWmxbuPmqMcCw/s320/IMG_4089.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the pool.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4Dyjuo190w-Fnb1EYK9nrcJsMppGHQZld26IR6MznGqLMj0l8w3Ao63uaAURsTwfKsKSzgFF35dy3sX0HQiSf10a8WLWWi73I2zAESPD4zEv7KNtFt824vqmp1cjvd2e8JRquCq-SdFaxKn7lu-afgD6R5VyPlEfBBSxbiCZTFej7Y9SEig/s4032/IMG_4091.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4Dyjuo190w-Fnb1EYK9nrcJsMppGHQZld26IR6MznGqLMj0l8w3Ao63uaAURsTwfKsKSzgFF35dy3sX0HQiSf10a8WLWWi73I2zAESPD4zEv7KNtFt824vqmp1cjvd2e8JRquCq-SdFaxKn7lu-afgD6R5VyPlEfBBSxbiCZTFej7Y9SEig/s320/IMG_4091.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And one of the courtyards.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fwNpvqnpgxYv9d3zD0MYCHpQHdwPgze36Kx4fzf1M3v9oui7AYfNl1ZC8Ooh89KarAiGd2X7YpLCBvX9625N4K4-si0r7tyj8dPZYZHbIyVOklXtgkgowffn3g6Cj-8A-7ZjDRcTQa8lJSB6VhHxCj-ebGhUkLZFe7m1_qdwE1flSWG8TLE/s4032/IMG_4096.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fwNpvqnpgxYv9d3zD0MYCHpQHdwPgze36Kx4fzf1M3v9oui7AYfNl1ZC8Ooh89KarAiGd2X7YpLCBvX9625N4K4-si0r7tyj8dPZYZHbIyVOklXtgkgowffn3g6Cj-8A-7ZjDRcTQa8lJSB6VhHxCj-ebGhUkLZFe7m1_qdwE1flSWG8TLE/s320/IMG_4096.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This small patio offers space to sit outside and a place for John to do his carving.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbr6HCADOgcxhElhXC6okjKdu5H22r5MRtjgVSOrqAICXxJIjxJSCcq_rHdX_inUc_mSdkCkp6NVjnyfOlKkTu_aDiQq6dSdq9_DDVS_AfMxs9z5DiaINtJ8_R0plUja3IJe-ad4aYWQI1hTxPhtWycafTOxSRM3v75bgqSktJtNNFpWkY8/s4032/IMG_4098.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbr6HCADOgcxhElhXC6okjKdu5H22r5MRtjgVSOrqAICXxJIjxJSCcq_rHdX_inUc_mSdkCkp6NVjnyfOlKkTu_aDiQq6dSdq9_DDVS_AfMxs9z5DiaINtJ8_R0plUja3IJe-ad4aYWQI1hTxPhtWycafTOxSRM3v75bgqSktJtNNFpWkY8/s320/IMG_4098.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice the sign John made for out entry way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMi-KT1ydRpjgPql5UvzWDnP5XVAHgpUddx84E_TaeyEp8PaY-IxwrjzPYPqsvbYZaKgpXFr9IFqTax9WN2bPoZItJzEwmVI0hsDb56uXIe_M05aEPeBJdAQ-RTQhhlUF2YiU68SGLYYjqTqUTmWiAvWvK_coQUBMk23uB9Ac_yINKcsAELM/s4032/IMG_4101.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMi-KT1ydRpjgPql5UvzWDnP5XVAHgpUddx84E_TaeyEp8PaY-IxwrjzPYPqsvbYZaKgpXFr9IFqTax9WN2bPoZItJzEwmVI0hsDb56uXIe_M05aEPeBJdAQ-RTQhhlUF2YiU68SGLYYjqTqUTmWiAvWvK_coQUBMk23uB9Ac_yINKcsAELM/s320/IMG_4101.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p>The apartment is only slightly smaller than our Arizona home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJfYBZcsek-dK92LrQM3OslRkRICuzToVOKgKfrOpzfSE2IFZPdePyQ22uJht4g5NDhz4xistcXRbu8ObsQqGR89LkGefFfhYWzuLrSqiGIP1FxbkHKgJ7ilc4WcKt6Gu2TMIK1vUPUnTEjuD9hrWIYvk3fKmjYDk248jJ7eLX81Ndih18Vs/s4032/IMG_0003.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJfYBZcsek-dK92LrQM3OslRkRICuzToVOKgKfrOpzfSE2IFZPdePyQ22uJht4g5NDhz4xistcXRbu8ObsQqGR89LkGefFfhYWzuLrSqiGIP1FxbkHKgJ7ilc4WcKt6Gu2TMIK1vUPUnTEjuD9hrWIYvk3fKmjYDk248jJ7eLX81Ndih18Vs/s320/IMG_0003.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDSkw5FmXBd_5U9iQaCjHSzNVLqa2b2HeqJuityaXH0llZp8aah5RqSuwpn8QqRFKX-s5zWbyMK1Ks3cs7xPVQYZ7rwcmTniCmbIhs9gHkRWhZTFtIP2JycHU42X77N_o9GMqVlXyzyjPURnBCfZi0eNi7UfBtLMXQdsL8-AoSwPmBXoOWCk/s4032/IMG_0002.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDSkw5FmXBd_5U9iQaCjHSzNVLqa2b2HeqJuityaXH0llZp8aah5RqSuwpn8QqRFKX-s5zWbyMK1Ks3cs7xPVQYZ7rwcmTniCmbIhs9gHkRWhZTFtIP2JycHU42X77N_o9GMqVlXyzyjPURnBCfZi0eNi7UfBtLMXQdsL8-AoSwPmBXoOWCk/s320/IMG_0002.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmmz3u1LKCL1K_covYoNEOy-m6hTfpmFrSf6Ie6I-oE6KwKfwZgBxyAd7V-FV65CBJJkSUUw29IOqOSp9x7MfogOlqmMWmFOX_1sE1t63_EW8XvkBZJnkuODQ0JXdBUSJ-y6RNN6bCBZdidXiX7we8dGolFwcH27hFE5jifON9v8ZfxWUDC8/s4032/IMG_0001.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmmz3u1LKCL1K_covYoNEOy-m6hTfpmFrSf6Ie6I-oE6KwKfwZgBxyAd7V-FV65CBJJkSUUw29IOqOSp9x7MfogOlqmMWmFOX_1sE1t63_EW8XvkBZJnkuODQ0JXdBUSJ-y6RNN6bCBZdidXiX7we8dGolFwcH27hFE5jifON9v8ZfxWUDC8/s320/IMG_0001.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And we have our own washer and dryer.</p><p>Colorado is especially beautiful at this time of year. There is still snow on the higher mountain ranges but we don't have to worry about it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3ySala5ww51Fm1KFF-bLy6AYSivmJIs8KIjEoXnsZ4a18U3bAYsz7bd9oiCsDtfpyoueEla94mM9SXgDYKPpAIR4lt0YPCeBbGff79kqXmrWHKtTo5PuCLj2AZ8jLsxKuKjc8U0nzKmdigKnj3oOgmjaK7H2I3ErbQQDnyHpXYDucQbE7xg/s4032/IMG_0046.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3ySala5ww51Fm1KFF-bLy6AYSivmJIs8KIjEoXnsZ4a18U3bAYsz7bd9oiCsDtfpyoueEla94mM9SXgDYKPpAIR4lt0YPCeBbGff79kqXmrWHKtTo5PuCLj2AZ8jLsxKuKjc8U0nzKmdigKnj3oOgmjaK7H2I3ErbQQDnyHpXYDucQbE7xg/s320/IMG_0046.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The apple and crabapple and plum trees are blooming. Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVKLd4DPi5qoNchXF4Lv6eg58K7XY13BgkRAl7aZXo7sLNZ32oDwSidgd-ogM0LD333Xsw0bZmJn1qw20coxpN9XMUgV8IV8U0-dCD51G461o-f-m_1Q6pjegjLWtZHYX8TTQRDQxYmrNCo4cmzHIxI4pOlIM3aNDeCOa99B5gLdnE-z5E8I/s4032/IMG_4087.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVKLd4DPi5qoNchXF4Lv6eg58K7XY13BgkRAl7aZXo7sLNZ32oDwSidgd-ogM0LD333Xsw0bZmJn1qw20coxpN9XMUgV8IV8U0-dCD51G461o-f-m_1Q6pjegjLWtZHYX8TTQRDQxYmrNCo4cmzHIxI4pOlIM3aNDeCOa99B5gLdnE-z5E8I/s320/IMG_4087.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkatzdmSxay4eVEGEQTuURDGlfAQw_TZzROArr4cAWAJ2ILEFtE3tINQqYX1qr3Rt1IrgFbPM5xWjeNTiJdX7nktzUp2Ld985r3_2Um_qW8Peu2p3vHDIFNyie52ZP6usBwFm943xH1w-jQA2XumxHSpZbDWf7VkF42Q_ELhHhce78vhw-574/s4032/IMG_0005.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkatzdmSxay4eVEGEQTuURDGlfAQw_TZzROArr4cAWAJ2ILEFtE3tINQqYX1qr3Rt1IrgFbPM5xWjeNTiJdX7nktzUp2Ld985r3_2Um_qW8Peu2p3vHDIFNyie52ZP6usBwFm943xH1w-jQA2XumxHSpZbDWf7VkF42Q_ELhHhce78vhw-574/s320/IMG_0005.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvByE0Hhx7an3dHI7HPR-y3YnNx4FNc6kl7W6JIAzdcoFprDVtTsr5_xpgEoOCLVnF1bBabpsU4iF9jESCoEHUzBQ0gOCdU5dBjmgzXf6smZtSiUbUiE8CNNIS2FVMAMAlLys79_JKS6WPSKwcwVl-jplcA6oYnoo5Wflv7Hjxra2RE75rZx0/s4032/IMG_4086.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvByE0Hhx7an3dHI7HPR-y3YnNx4FNc6kl7W6JIAzdcoFprDVtTsr5_xpgEoOCLVnF1bBabpsU4iF9jESCoEHUzBQ0gOCdU5dBjmgzXf6smZtSiUbUiE8CNNIS2FVMAMAlLys79_JKS6WPSKwcwVl-jplcA6oYnoo5Wflv7Hjxra2RE75rZx0/s320/IMG_4086.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Yesterday, we attended our grandson John's swim meet.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqiubTZxG0XmXG_FcK39JBd2mD_KO0NG4tkJCa9sIWs-i1oLrfKaqCTgNFEK3epqwBvl1s5D-YPkGOD7bSI9Gc8KP3Dkl8lwhAtEsZPR3AP2o1HBemu6gZps79YmyCuq3RVc3rvQEJPB2_lVTxDwww5jBO81qxc6ym-_hF60AfKFTaZshZ1Q/s4032/IMG_0036.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqiubTZxG0XmXG_FcK39JBd2mD_KO0NG4tkJCa9sIWs-i1oLrfKaqCTgNFEK3epqwBvl1s5D-YPkGOD7bSI9Gc8KP3Dkl8lwhAtEsZPR3AP2o1HBemu6gZps79YmyCuq3RVc3rvQEJPB2_lVTxDwww5jBO81qxc6ym-_hF60AfKFTaZshZ1Q/s320/IMG_0036.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPYbVHPYgvHgj8GI-ZnX9g6RAXUhWd-UZ121x54mJLkeXdTvvw_ZdCwqhfpTbg-urxGUOsEsLVb9m-CXKKuG6pB-Lmr_sMqWx6WFq-HB-AGIRH1r9CjPtg2-eMI2xl2Ro2K8WOCR00Sd_AAVy1mAlh6xzvgZaTKUWi2_7HT1DFXa371j724A/s4032/IMG_0033.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPYbVHPYgvHgj8GI-ZnX9g6RAXUhWd-UZ121x54mJLkeXdTvvw_ZdCwqhfpTbg-urxGUOsEsLVb9m-CXKKuG6pB-Lmr_sMqWx6WFq-HB-AGIRH1r9CjPtg2-eMI2xl2Ro2K8WOCR00Sd_AAVy1mAlh6xzvgZaTKUWi2_7HT1DFXa371j724A/s320/IMG_0033.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div>And were able to spend time with our daughter-in-law Liz and son Eric. (Eric was taking pictures of John when I took this photo.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OBgwgH2oOmuTrPUuSqDmn8tCD4Kn13YuoiRh_pzrKmOeYj2EM9ijSyL7_GJEXV5UD473MBMocUQrVP586CRINHWhamtXnNTIEZabJcyXVby7fClVgKWnNBFbu2iILNaY0h789nAtwVJuTKWa8OuVsPNb-JPofHmQzJwRT2rOuTmZklUeDdM/s4032/IMG_0030.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OBgwgH2oOmuTrPUuSqDmn8tCD4Kn13YuoiRh_pzrKmOeYj2EM9ijSyL7_GJEXV5UD473MBMocUQrVP586CRINHWhamtXnNTIEZabJcyXVby7fClVgKWnNBFbu2iILNaY0h789nAtwVJuTKWa8OuVsPNb-JPofHmQzJwRT2rOuTmZklUeDdM/s320/IMG_0030.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We plan to spend six months here so I will be sharing much more about our summer home.</p><p><b>Please be patient! I can’t seem to get the new blog to work.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-32943839632781119422022-04-30T15:34:00.010-06:002022-05-02T14:25:54.758-06:00Turning the Page<p> We went on our first trip in an RV in 1988. We borrowed John's sister Cindy's popup tent trailer to take our son Eric to a Christian youth gathering--DC88-in Washington, D.C. That was it for a couple of years, but we had enjoyed it so much that, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we bought a Coleman popup tent trailer for ourselves. <span> </span></p><p><span><span> We used that trailer for getaways on our days off and for traveling during our month-long summer vacation. One year we went to the Northwest and up into British Columbia. Then, in 1996 we bought a 1996 Komfort 5th-wheel trailer. Since then, we have owned two Montana 5thwheels and a Mobile Suites 5th wheel. Downsizing in 2016, we bought an Airstream travel trailer. </span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Fast forward to this year--we are aging and decided it was time to stop RVing. The parking area next to our winter home in Arizona no longer has a trailer parked there.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdw4WT5z0f8uNJuDhOTSylHOObKw3fMzw9EEaDgBRcnV7Iux9tx2E9owYATHMdQV2WNyJD4E19mwcksqNSTXR5bSabp1AidfHPfOBWyaXhux3xmTcchPJJEoJUfZ4Gq_U2QdVFlwNxmH3xZaY5IxfVYHYg6KapqHWcOH6IYGOy9bnS76Sy0A/s4032/IMG_0668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdw4WT5z0f8uNJuDhOTSylHOObKw3fMzw9EEaDgBRcnV7Iux9tx2E9owYATHMdQV2WNyJD4E19mwcksqNSTXR5bSabp1AidfHPfOBWyaXhux3xmTcchPJJEoJUfZ4Gq_U2QdVFlwNxmH3xZaY5IxfVYHYg6KapqHWcOH6IYGOy9bnS76Sy0A/s320/IMG_0668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><span>On April 18, it pulled out of our driveway without us! </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZXiRcClzAyQy3V3g4a0YEkZhm1Y1tlyefKZuOXZGlm4mgXi-rZndf4_ONEUqvg4-vRQ7-wjn6er-i51kShmqx1_f3MHlx-voU49C5Dkt9LR-sR3XAL08pL3fHXp8P9AGGfBclUw2VsuLXg16NHj_svUQNOJkxIKutUFvSMMAe701OWAdxCI/s4032/IMG_0667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZXiRcClzAyQy3V3g4a0YEkZhm1Y1tlyefKZuOXZGlm4mgXi-rZndf4_ONEUqvg4-vRQ7-wjn6er-i51kShmqx1_f3MHlx-voU49C5Dkt9LR-sR3XAL08pL3fHXp8P9AGGfBclUw2VsuLXg16NHj_svUQNOJkxIKutUFvSMMAe701OWAdxCI/s320/IMG_0667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span>We have so many wonderful memories of traveling in our trailers. Over those years, we have slept overnight in our trailer in all 49 of the continental United States. This year, we both turn 79. We have been there, done that. And decided it was time to change our lifestyle. To turn the page. </span></p><p><span>I began blogging about our life in 2006. In 2009, we moved out of our home in Centennial, Colorado, and began living in our trailer full-time. We have traveled; we have volunteered in national parks in Utah and Arkansas; we have volunteered in state parks in Utah and Colorado and in a private RV park in Montana. Then, in 2014, we bought a casita in Gold Canyon, Arizona, where we lived half the year, traveling the rest of the time. We haven't owned a 5th wheel trailer since 2016. The title "5thWheelWanderings" longer relevant.</span></p><p><span>Each year I have published my blog posts in a book. Look at the stack of books I have published!</span></p><p><span> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZshjOIZPyBYKwfooRwUkySXw0gCx_eOYMBxWTuiPBF-7OO0bv8qKk14CA8XXHLRjZiQSvNSbeFq4BvhgBqAq51Iyqf0t779X451hpOq9M3lPoWqLELPpvfvrCVn33CIPEgS9kpsZ3o_BcWBpPYjU1X1ljkHGWqXt1Tz2En2QQ0KvJRUeizPI/s4032/IMG_3965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZshjOIZPyBYKwfooRwUkySXw0gCx_eOYMBxWTuiPBF-7OO0bv8qKk14CA8XXHLRjZiQSvNSbeFq4BvhgBqAq51Iyqf0t779X451hpOq9M3lPoWqLELPpvfvrCVn33CIPEgS9kpsZ3o_BcWBpPYjU1X1ljkHGWqXt1Tz2En2QQ0KvJRUeizPI/s320/IMG_3965.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><span>I began blogging about our life in 2006. In 2009, we moved out of our home in Centennial, Colorado, and began living in our trailer full-time. We have traveled; we have volunteered in national parks in Utah and Arkansas; we have volunteered in state parks in Utah. Texas and Colorado and in a private RV park in Montana; we have volunteered for US Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Fish and Wildlife. Then, in 2014, we bought a casita in Gold Canyon, Arizona, where we lived half the year, traveling the rest of the time. We haven't owned a 5th wheel trailer since 2016. The title "5thWheelWanderings" longer relevant.</span><p></p><p>It is time for a new blog. From now on, you can read about our life at: changingourfocus.b<i>logspot.com</i>.</p><p>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-26193712621135720022022-04-07T14:41:00.001-06:002022-04-07T14:41:26.435-06:00Filling our time in the Arizona spring<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is spring in the Arizona desert and the Gold Canyon temps are in the high 80s to low 90s. That means it is time for snowbirds to begin flying north. We'll be doing that soon, but not yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The warm weather has brought out these bright red flowers on the ocotillo plants in our resort. These plants bloom when the temperatures heat up in March and, if there is rain, they bloom again in response to the moisture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUtHMi0qBkkwjsikQZEJA9TY2DzM5t1d3q1KhZWSfXcLMaN83QMcrx5xuombg_AjhkrxjyA8Wsb7UPUnra0mTxr5okS8lucCSSLUOgKAQbcx5vkwYxkSkpItzceGzKUdIH5J0inGAlUsICzMmTZe0-IIm4d4azHA4PrdKU5WMbE_RQlUMATY/s4032/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUtHMi0qBkkwjsikQZEJA9TY2DzM5t1d3q1KhZWSfXcLMaN83QMcrx5xuombg_AjhkrxjyA8Wsb7UPUnra0mTxr5okS8lucCSSLUOgKAQbcx5vkwYxkSkpItzceGzKUdIH5J0inGAlUsICzMmTZe0-IIm4d4azHA4PrdKU5WMbE_RQlUMATY/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The prickly pear cactus also blooms in the spring. This plant has bright red and yellow flowers. Others have pink flowers.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2TONryjDR4aa8CoPRb4yYP9Iusu74E_IBXyE8s6rNGELHJd8LtRw5maFcljN5XYwzLNqcirkRDOgxhddsIbmXS1Qd7PkEyXZmvaVj9DoIag1Mi1HhCc1da7xGXTiivb5pj2Jwg5txmeRgnKYii9BJp-L71nriS57YaCrrU8DA7P7O3RdGLc/s4032/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2TONryjDR4aa8CoPRb4yYP9Iusu74E_IBXyE8s6rNGELHJd8LtRw5maFcljN5XYwzLNqcirkRDOgxhddsIbmXS1Qd7PkEyXZmvaVj9DoIag1Mi1HhCc1da7xGXTiivb5pj2Jwg5txmeRgnKYii9BJp-L71nriS57YaCrrU8DA7P7O3RdGLc/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We met our friend Darlene Sibigtroth for lunch one day in late March. When we lived in Granby-Grand Lake, Colorado, she was my supervisor at Mountain Parks Bank. She and her late husband Gary were members of our church. Now she lives in Casa Grande, south of Gold Canyon. It was so good to catch up with her.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0OoeOS7N4wwY8LnRrbC45_Q9pp3YApkL5YREZFEjozM7Mb3oZRveJc3yZDXPAGw6NAt2AjZp7Pk3aODRkVlk6_Zz_f_P2PFv4DSLfI6Ew6DgECgru2yEZ5dd0hhgvkVnRy_wzja-8j4hp5Vq2R4_nuC3k1ZVkR9gsXqhTUZBfrxz2diQd3k/s4032/IMG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0OoeOS7N4wwY8LnRrbC45_Q9pp3YApkL5YREZFEjozM7Mb3oZRveJc3yZDXPAGw6NAt2AjZp7Pk3aODRkVlk6_Zz_f_P2PFv4DSLfI6Ew6DgECgru2yEZ5dd0hhgvkVnRy_wzja-8j4hp5Vq2R4_nuC3k1ZVkR9gsXqhTUZBfrxz2diQd3k/s320/IMG_4044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Darlene's daughters were people our son Eric knew in high school. John officiated at one daughter's wedding and today that couple is related to people we know at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Colorado. That is the church John served as rector before retirement and where we worship when living in our Lone Tree apartment. What a small world.<div><br /></div><div>John is beginning to look better, too, as we wait to head north. The dermatologist and plastic surgeon removed a basal cell cancer from near his left eye. We're so glad that cancer is gone!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1wU0KDn11Eac5HXdmNgc1MpMNJYD2VYuKPcU2Zq58XZLgkpibGXTOBdQ5N4wKaNvjZc-ym79nwruS6WOLqgaY1PG8qTfhBDflExOCC5jrX6A8eM35C-YzQrWTHj2Y8BMizwKE-j1AMAmhUU4sT6wjtEpnyzsrgsE8Q34VdQ1SH2YehIl9uw/s3088/IMG_4053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1wU0KDn11Eac5HXdmNgc1MpMNJYD2VYuKPcU2Zq58XZLgkpibGXTOBdQ5N4wKaNvjZc-ym79nwruS6WOLqgaY1PG8qTfhBDflExOCC5jrX6A8eM35C-YzQrWTHj2Y8BMizwKE-j1AMAmhUU4sT6wjtEpnyzsrgsE8Q34VdQ1SH2YehIl9uw/s320/IMG_4053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfwC_xB92TKGc4dT5XjLWlGU54Zjw_NuOyY8HUCL24PPMMiJIXw3e7kYoUwH4AKoL5XKf9Ea68xNAuP5LZY1te9iyGOyEe4ks5OpmfDp-zgO9T-Pupe3ufnRyXy0UCMhzWxmtjtF-Ad4BgkGqxlqp7BAxWvIUuISVqIDKwrNW8AeJdJW68jw/s3088/IMG_4056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfwC_xB92TKGc4dT5XjLWlGU54Zjw_NuOyY8HUCL24PPMMiJIXw3e7kYoUwH4AKoL5XKf9Ea68xNAuP5LZY1te9iyGOyEe4ks5OpmfDp-zgO9T-Pupe3ufnRyXy0UCMhzWxmtjtF-Ad4BgkGqxlqp7BAxWvIUuISVqIDKwrNW8AeJdJW68jw/s320/IMG_4056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In a week or two, we'll never know the surgery took place<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-49045669275150008592022-03-24T10:49:00.003-06:002022-03-24T10:49:50.656-06:00Family and Good Food<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've had a busy--and delicious and fun--few days. Our son Eric, seen here second from right, his wife Liz and son John--came to Arizona over their spring break. They spent time with us and checked out a couple of universities here in Arizona--ASU in Tempe and Grand Canyon University.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3oykGZu5k6uqWn34XvtixM821huJh90qBvKT7auSN6a5UcT4QP2mEsRnVaIc-B7B6qfaCXGCXU2hoqKo40uVrF4_-acnFAVjIyl0mmqqcSconBZR8fKJqR53aAUKwPjWnOzNmyf4q5eKpcVbYO9BrhHbgTsxNXraCiMzHE4zVRWEWfNgpj8/s4032/IMG_0588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3oykGZu5k6uqWn34XvtixM821huJh90qBvKT7auSN6a5UcT4QP2mEsRnVaIc-B7B6qfaCXGCXU2hoqKo40uVrF4_-acnFAVjIyl0mmqqcSconBZR8fKJqR53aAUKwPjWnOzNmyf4q5eKpcVbYO9BrhHbgTsxNXraCiMzHE4zVRWEWfNgpj8/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Our grandson John brought three friends along--Branson, Josiah and Estebahn. They have been friends for years and all of them are high school seniors. That means giving some thought to what they want to study in college and, more importantly, where.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyd3hWM-ZcN4ds2NMVThD_6dOFRhzZqDqefF62Ni_qqWLrMxWhW5JaSPg_OxeFJOOAK8VD34GaIFJHzpWK6j4muNHUQWEU377o-kxfGEukQascZCwY6yhKdDrWijQqp0TzReIOa-koeGynSETYVVoUr2PCugnDY47bfa4_8JYj3-w1W0VmWvE/s4032/IMG_0587.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyd3hWM-ZcN4ds2NMVThD_6dOFRhzZqDqefF62Ni_qqWLrMxWhW5JaSPg_OxeFJOOAK8VD34GaIFJHzpWK6j4muNHUQWEU377o-kxfGEukQascZCwY6yhKdDrWijQqp0TzReIOa-koeGynSETYVVoUr2PCugnDY47bfa4_8JYj3-w1W0VmWvE/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They spent two nights in an Airbnb rental house in San Tan Valley. We had lunch at the Cactus grill in our resort. Coming from Colorado, the warm weather and sun were big attractions here. I didn't realize boys like to lay out and tan in the sun.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYyu0buCz86q1KYSGxuDMEY14mKatTaH9XhXTaTVhY3FGrQWPUKdtF3U6O5JfPahhPmr_9e730CcguqWJuddMgAcFEZHKSh-tWpxzJm7dxWeE5SQYPA3XredVt9RWFFpl5SgF7GVtYATtU0gPKCTrhGqiam3LoK1MGZz9QrAZ_3YYAum6gu0/s4032/IMG_0585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYyu0buCz86q1KYSGxuDMEY14mKatTaH9XhXTaTVhY3FGrQWPUKdtF3U6O5JfPahhPmr_9e730CcguqWJuddMgAcFEZHKSh-tWpxzJm7dxWeE5SQYPA3XredVt9RWFFpl5SgF7GVtYATtU0gPKCTrhGqiam3LoK1MGZz9QrAZ_3YYAum6gu0/s320/IMG_0585.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our neighbors Bob and Jean lent us their golf cart. These four boys--all 16--enjoyed touring the resort on these wheels. Thanks, Bob and Jean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolSyUUeOoII92uUysspsvbgULYe7DdzM1qxwORkSkOOSQKH8lLQ-LdujqYxbaQsHimJhg5yQqHUNLo-yf9TvOkcbJvQqY7NlmRP6XfTbSrxuX_qSggAV0rWGrtrdzrANQpgIA37P5JLI9tnn3hWZZNSPDu-FtgafsrNeMyrLKlmDcKSgJkYs/s4032/IMG_0583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolSyUUeOoII92uUysspsvbgULYe7DdzM1qxwORkSkOOSQKH8lLQ-LdujqYxbaQsHimJhg5yQqHUNLo-yf9TvOkcbJvQqY7NlmRP6XfTbSrxuX_qSggAV0rWGrtrdzrANQpgIA37P5JLI9tnn3hWZZNSPDu-FtgafsrNeMyrLKlmDcKSgJkYs/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That day I served a chili dinner at our place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Monday, they moved to Tapatio Cliffs resort in Phoenix. We joined them for lunch.<div><br /></div><div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0YIqXAxtPwjfR1obljrDgjwCXmeiZgrKgBEqAB_1VjFmfiOY2ZIVptwtxMEZrNQKRnz1yCFO7AD61t3tVyxMwbei6jKH7W-wOxRL6yeMsgn2VbM0u33A6A-DTArMKQ9jt3V_AduGj4ktWiiwnzv4acDrLl0kUuZSN4QeEzGpQda-ajmGTDo/s4032/IMG_0598.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0YIqXAxtPwjfR1obljrDgjwCXmeiZgrKgBEqAB_1VjFmfiOY2ZIVptwtxMEZrNQKRnz1yCFO7AD61t3tVyxMwbei6jKH7W-wOxRL6yeMsgn2VbM0u33A6A-DTArMKQ9jt3V_AduGj4ktWiiwnzv4acDrLl0kUuZSN4QeEzGpQda-ajmGTDo/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIytJw6xctBSiXEBsjCuP5qS3a2LI8emZTaCEVYTzj5AowpqZGp6FFuCKUAL1bD363VIbRdSRLn2Y7gSDf_7bqbQiR1Itf3D0XbRiAOMVrKFR2r2RqHBe2tZSL5XhZRywmHZEQbOwEtPg5fMgQjVL9dluwL7ZpoxfnaWAJfDd20w32VSX1Ixk/s4032/IMG_0599.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIytJw6xctBSiXEBsjCuP5qS3a2LI8emZTaCEVYTzj5AowpqZGp6FFuCKUAL1bD363VIbRdSRLn2Y7gSDf_7bqbQiR1Itf3D0XbRiAOMVrKFR2r2RqHBe2tZSL5XhZRywmHZEQbOwEtPg5fMgQjVL9dluwL7ZpoxfnaWAJfDd20w32VSX1Ixk/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> Eric took a selfie in front of the falls in the resort. What a beautiful place!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsBsEYfD9MQkeKIgPM9oPGKqO2TNDK2hrbK6i1_nkenk5eZW2gtCT9tybK1WN4MsDHNtfC4CvxOWm3Ktr-2cbXe6KoDy5hkh-Vv3I6Q6JWslizUiVtcFn4nOxX7alQoYMA7jxRchBsIbqD3I9TwM0H68OBk0AVHuPfV-L7Ve1qa7M6yaFjw0/s1280/IMG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsBsEYfD9MQkeKIgPM9oPGKqO2TNDK2hrbK6i1_nkenk5eZW2gtCT9tybK1WN4MsDHNtfC4CvxOWm3Ktr-2cbXe6KoDy5hkh-Vv3I6Q6JWslizUiVtcFn4nOxX7alQoYMA7jxRchBsIbqD3I9TwM0H68OBk0AVHuPfV-L7Ve1qa7M6yaFjw0/s320/IMG_6437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTrd9n9KE_XsN1DcNR6ri-N_JKU6ePfVdmyDf-9ThiXgXegue5hvu9GrfmM4wW98cWdMWad1BPqD5xU9dJo_F9qOl_RYL5suiO2qJFLjDoFrJ6Pd23UnCNtihmrshs57NLTxCEHl-vYffzNo8FAsKz2QpsSD4ZAls73ZppqFFt2jTfiUP1Zg/s4032/IMG_0597.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTrd9n9KE_XsN1DcNR6ri-N_JKU6ePfVdmyDf-9ThiXgXegue5hvu9GrfmM4wW98cWdMWad1BPqD5xU9dJo_F9qOl_RYL5suiO2qJFLjDoFrJ6Pd23UnCNtihmrshs57NLTxCEHl-vYffzNo8FAsKz2QpsSD4ZAls73ZppqFFt2jTfiUP1Zg/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are now headed north, back toward their Colorado homes. We so enjoyed their visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-83493602129398992782022-03-18T14:23:00.003-06:002022-03-18T14:23:59.810-06:00Fun on the Lake<p>Tuesday we joined 28 of our neighbors for a boat ride on Canyon Lake. The lake was formed on the Salt River by the Mormon Flat Dam, completed in 1925.</p><p>In arid Arizona, people flock to water. This shows part of the marina on the lake.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZXAWihtbIO-VH4fmk-GSqKnxNVnxyj09zUbTgMcG0OpjlYAdcUCdGg9LhVHuP0UDVZhp7nK_A8H61ZnsLfSKJChJFuLI8CpdQiWBa0OiNoTO7JzuMkPOwQMnftGfrPnjpQ2fvwYVLFec5H9U2Q7hcezZxF8nvogSe_zZGZLYgk3cVu7K924/s4032/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZXAWihtbIO-VH4fmk-GSqKnxNVnxyj09zUbTgMcG0OpjlYAdcUCdGg9LhVHuP0UDVZhp7nK_A8H61ZnsLfSKJChJFuLI8CpdQiWBa0OiNoTO7JzuMkPOwQMnftGfrPnjpQ2fvwYVLFec5H9U2Q7hcezZxF8nvogSe_zZGZLYgk3cVu7K924/s320/IMG_0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our group had rented three of these pontoon boats for the trip.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZuygzNQbpW3ngTY0QJEJCKqip65oLomrxhabw_jHtJ58x6N_TTCterSReYNXmzlmya3sjnYwpMyDl2sLdCHWN4vmIwZ_LxksYoPEfQyRJjEuXNBLBIKgZ_7mgktyfRQTiBdiD2S5u1ypktBHZyYegI6yXqHEsTDDTuPOc9IEvGMwIALqhR8/s4032/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZuygzNQbpW3ngTY0QJEJCKqip65oLomrxhabw_jHtJ58x6N_TTCterSReYNXmzlmya3sjnYwpMyDl2sLdCHWN4vmIwZ_LxksYoPEfQyRJjEuXNBLBIKgZ_7mgktyfRQTiBdiD2S5u1ypktBHZyYegI6yXqHEsTDDTuPOc9IEvGMwIALqhR8/s320/IMG_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Lou was our driver most of the trip. The rest of us enjoyed the scenery and lots of time to talk.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3gZxueen9riOB4G__oEziS4RnjyC6CSs883Lt3g8x-1Pbq8OYRIuehiMTXQOBiO1_znnOeKL6WZq5RIFpzpVzI2YsTRmSbOyqXFz-27d3CKLtsqxTS4ZztyROuoWevYCBr2CRfRZaCwP_rHCSp9VFYq5lU51yLgdi8GLTCXVE7K6EoUrUnA/s4032/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3gZxueen9riOB4G__oEziS4RnjyC6CSs883Lt3g8x-1Pbq8OYRIuehiMTXQOBiO1_znnOeKL6WZq5RIFpzpVzI2YsTRmSbOyqXFz-27d3CKLtsqxTS4ZztyROuoWevYCBr2CRfRZaCwP_rHCSp9VFYq5lU51yLgdi8GLTCXVE7K6EoUrUnA/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>We saw some wildlife--several big horn sheep. Trust me, that is what that while figure is on the top of the rock. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3Fz7IojDPssR5Y9M3v_Itfs9i2lSfPIZsNE7tujWwi8UYroemChrLs6xVILc4idAwrrdiNLTCzVqXWEtGJqpDOtD36_W123maJWxEZpox48Jao8Jsaf06-eDxvmQmHgDWc3j4eexuKLKAYd5dS8j6LwaoxbJ1s7IJOLFUPIabZd7QmpkciQ/s1627/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1627" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3Fz7IojDPssR5Y9M3v_Itfs9i2lSfPIZsNE7tujWwi8UYroemChrLs6xVILc4idAwrrdiNLTCzVqXWEtGJqpDOtD36_W123maJWxEZpox48Jao8Jsaf06-eDxvmQmHgDWc3j4eexuKLKAYd5dS8j6LwaoxbJ1s7IJOLFUPIabZd7QmpkciQ/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>On our boat, we kept the canopy up so part of our group--including John and me--were sitting in the shade. Here you see another part of our crew with their canopy down.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl2cudG5hMP1brR0YfQgLxQodPqc-3v51EEVMgfcBqAmkKuH7UBnZZZ-c3ICTKN3mU5z4e9PWzQd6deGrt7MW2Yh-oNs_5Mzl0-cZptjGUqGB87b_yf9GjmD9Fqq73k8HQ09wxwV03EO5wy6yi6XAFKQS0BYPShxv0C_tFjcGWEBsambbpJA/s4032/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl2cudG5hMP1brR0YfQgLxQodPqc-3v51EEVMgfcBqAmkKuH7UBnZZZ-c3ICTKN3mU5z4e9PWzQd6deGrt7MW2Yh-oNs_5Mzl0-cZptjGUqGB87b_yf9GjmD9Fqq73k8HQ09wxwV03EO5wy6yi6XAFKQS0BYPShxv0C_tFjcGWEBsambbpJA/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>These folks are also part of our group. I got photos of only part of the group. I don't want to leave anyone out, so I won't start listing names. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUBr5VFczPDCjeZw8-xdLijpBA5GOrH5D8xQ9oQZ47Yxs_A4QSgyW9GjhGKSsU-y0RuX_gNQnxUUKy7eJOKi61AtcL_7EkbxGqIpLhva3v1HtZOEK6OQ0T4Q3LzO13tfzHYXJDyB3D1AHYqiQ-1hx9rVH0u1hcRVrblPH7xKZJnami6jdY7M/s4032/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUBr5VFczPDCjeZw8-xdLijpBA5GOrH5D8xQ9oQZ47Yxs_A4QSgyW9GjhGKSsU-y0RuX_gNQnxUUKy7eJOKi61AtcL_7EkbxGqIpLhva3v1HtZOEK6OQ0T4Q3LzO13tfzHYXJDyB3D1AHYqiQ-1hx9rVH0u1hcRVrblPH7xKZJnami6jdY7M/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We enjoyed the scenery surrounding the lake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVuFxPMNjhbsoLBb4q01mjb9KfVVd0qofP_x474wgMP-TKoSAkdCjahvg-qfSo-lVsZP8wabgCIOH0DeJxAEtL04o5ErMF-Aqbi5Q1COfpBZb0SYSdUFu-YEJIGHwbzkZeT2niv4SdpWlrvOqplL2Zd3I-vSm3C8zc91czOGD8rsq7aVPTz8/s4032/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVuFxPMNjhbsoLBb4q01mjb9KfVVd0qofP_x474wgMP-TKoSAkdCjahvg-qfSo-lVsZP8wabgCIOH0DeJxAEtL04o5ErMF-Aqbi5Q1COfpBZb0SYSdUFu-YEJIGHwbzkZeT2niv4SdpWlrvOqplL2Zd3I-vSm3C8zc91czOGD8rsq7aVPTz8/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfh3K1jqpP0hx_qzkB4zDC4BhycSwDXbvuHug6VkL9rkwvLVkHJDBsi8hEtEp0xZIbwbB5e03z_DGJhdyjOPTNTamHnszHsmOr7eT-7zheu9TblAaPOLPRN0KVu4RMCKWfpJAjX8oTSiGYXLWLc5czJQNu-jjx-OZ82Jku1CEfTZU_xeL8jg/s4032/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfh3K1jqpP0hx_qzkB4zDC4BhycSwDXbvuHug6VkL9rkwvLVkHJDBsi8hEtEp0xZIbwbB5e03z_DGJhdyjOPTNTamHnszHsmOr7eT-7zheu9TblAaPOLPRN0KVu4RMCKWfpJAjX8oTSiGYXLWLc5czJQNu-jjx-OZ82Jku1CEfTZU_xeL8jg/s320/IMG_0542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwMBZ1oh1QZuNsi2wA7C-upFCV9tppEzLfGNOxpAl-OqJ5WOCLQ02__ZCvhKLwBx7qkMMeXXKm1Nqs1hTcsOiKHX7zGtl4TbFeOnhmbH7YKILdNQme7Z9tJwNSAu1-0m4q9I999reoucky8MpTarrk2oiqFLw1RVmu07zBD-lmLvMouwGifU/s4032/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwMBZ1oh1QZuNsi2wA7C-upFCV9tppEzLfGNOxpAl-OqJ5WOCLQ02__ZCvhKLwBx7qkMMeXXKm1Nqs1hTcsOiKHX7zGtl4TbFeOnhmbH7YKILdNQme7Z9tJwNSAu1-0m4q9I999reoucky8MpTarrk2oiqFLw1RVmu07zBD-lmLvMouwGifU/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5xSqaAFpdrmYUKCMLKhwAk_xw7tMX4nB1qiUqMpZchBOObYkdu59FbiQuxldHJyC2ulG1T-Y8Jn3nLsT-exyxkoa5PhtOLpS0Lif5HHTKfkUE0q4SBayo8f5grXwUW-nFRvETQDf1yWXV4nxdDEcVVDDrxVhJ5h1y_SHwe9T26_u59YdIL4/s4032/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5xSqaAFpdrmYUKCMLKhwAk_xw7tMX4nB1qiUqMpZchBOObYkdu59FbiQuxldHJyC2ulG1T-Y8Jn3nLsT-exyxkoa5PhtOLpS0Lif5HHTKfkUE0q4SBayo8f5grXwUW-nFRvETQDf1yWXV4nxdDEcVVDDrxVhJ5h1y_SHwe9T26_u59YdIL4/s320/IMG_0562.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-36901571478966631472022-03-04T10:55:00.002-07:002022-03-18T14:24:29.931-06:00Crafting in Retirement<p><span style="text-align: center;">Before we retired, my creative endeavors were limited to sewing. And is that really creative when I follow patterns? The same is true for my cooking. I always follow a recipe.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">John had made a number of leaded glass windows for our home and for others.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, in 2003 we retired. Six years later, in 2006, we first spent an extended period of time in Arizona. Three winters we volunteered for several months at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge. We also discovered +55 Resorts. Since then, two of those resorts, Valle del Oro in Mesa and Superstition Views at Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon, have been our winter homes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have tried several crafts, taking classes in pottery and wood turning and other wood projects, as well as learning to make beaded jewelry. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">John also began making various items out of wood and he carves when we are traveling and at our apartment in Colorado. He makes small wooden boxes, using the scroll saw. He also uses the scroll saw to make plaques with sayings on them, as well as scenes. He turns pens. And he makes intarsia pieces. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over the years, I have posted blogs on many of these projects we have completed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All of this explains why we make it a point each February to attend the Mesa Woodcarvers show. It is inspiring to see all the beautiful items wood carvers make.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy all these skilled creations.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Isn't this mountain bluebird good? It looks like it might fly off at any minute.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnSeQgvwphVBVq1a2GY9MvM3TeicFCYvQY5at92o5LbNpSEOawEIPznT4taRsp589PB-5xiCrdQvSezGuFzYGum-ifKqYVnClDyzCpIezNfxB-c4pSTWCZrzK8RCYGRzD46y9UooYlRUd6WHcQwNi9HJGnXQKQAq0z7jaDUmcJfMS2ywm0ijg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnSeQgvwphVBVq1a2GY9MvM3TeicFCYvQY5at92o5LbNpSEOawEIPznT4taRsp589PB-5xiCrdQvSezGuFzYGum-ifKqYVnClDyzCpIezNfxB-c4pSTWCZrzK8RCYGRzD46y9UooYlRUd6WHcQwNi9HJGnXQKQAq0z7jaDUmcJfMS2ywm0ijg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This building--maybe a tea house--received one of the top awards. It can be stored in the box it is sitting on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2xkdxtHnp-z5K14l8eI5PKGT--4Jw9UiRPKl3m_lsPg7F_icPNDr3O6SST36wVvlwVYbKAY77ryzaTcGrCQ3HQgXAXKWjgtNuigdKpdRwi-f2jR61Tk__mdWQUl4QGYwz4yiwLinL1-1IExcpjJoiC0Qe8XNvLj-29tjAzTAcH9v4nvb1Afc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2xkdxtHnp-z5K14l8eI5PKGT--4Jw9UiRPKl3m_lsPg7F_icPNDr3O6SST36wVvlwVYbKAY77ryzaTcGrCQ3HQgXAXKWjgtNuigdKpdRwi-f2jR61Tk__mdWQUl4QGYwz4yiwLinL1-1IExcpjJoiC0Qe8XNvLj-29tjAzTAcH9v4nvb1Afc=s320" width="320" /></a></blockquote></div><div><br /></div>Look at this scene. I picture a mother in the World War I era, respoding to a phone call that someone had been killed.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv_YA-HUUopaACN-6mpEe_apCPxn6UNrr6vULtCHbaW5ERDNk1A2W23gLgR8q7fDShtkpCFAzO4h8IadfvroxMSOB2_IMlqSif67qw4BPlk3PmH7GKZbj5slvaUkNw4Xi3fi4e__Oq-8mdHsNMAzw8bnf50RicY56oH7erMZRbn5MdvOxq4fA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv_YA-HUUopaACN-6mpEe_apCPxn6UNrr6vULtCHbaW5ERDNk1A2W23gLgR8q7fDShtkpCFAzO4h8IadfvroxMSOB2_IMlqSif67qw4BPlk3PmH7GKZbj5slvaUkNw4Xi3fi4e__Oq-8mdHsNMAzw8bnf50RicY56oH7erMZRbn5MdvOxq4fA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This relief carving show numerous houses in and around a tree.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwpNzorx8nYXkIGDifKT5wrMfHScV3DD1Yg1uXtL5Zob0XyxOgKWLveW4HhjrU30zQDHmQKU0EgViV6Xr6YCZPVfbcddfLSiqweqNzua24Quo67GuziJERID7I5l60JsiA8fiIQOIJ1LfGgLk4SfpmPSBAu2MDpuWkhQx0f0wzDXJzXnI1eg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwpNzorx8nYXkIGDifKT5wrMfHScV3DD1Yg1uXtL5Zob0XyxOgKWLveW4HhjrU30zQDHmQKU0EgViV6Xr6YCZPVfbcddfLSiqweqNzua24Quo67GuziJERID7I5l60JsiA8fiIQOIJ1LfGgLk4SfpmPSBAu2MDpuWkhQx0f0wzDXJzXnI1eg=s320" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to really examine this piece--those guns really are wooden carvings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCO4pwKvvbqNeEOPdJtm7z1nFzGMMnN5w42HauwfODh5IqTdoRrq49-RFoSo61LaoN9YoMML2i6hDGq30EJyn4HCASa6gXyvQxFnSYsJVMVepCWguD_loPmc-VSID8X94X9mknwXNn5RZ2wINDy5ZrvwmaqmHTWXO5ryP_jSyJ0vImM8L2T8=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCO4pwKvvbqNeEOPdJtm7z1nFzGMMnN5w42HauwfODh5IqTdoRrq49-RFoSo61LaoN9YoMML2i6hDGq30EJyn4HCASa6gXyvQxFnSYsJVMVepCWguD_loPmc-VSID8X94X9mknwXNn5RZ2wINDy5ZrvwmaqmHTWXO5ryP_jSyJ0vImM8L2T8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This tree house carving is very detailed.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLNxVb2EAmgZlRT_6SKzGsgvW2ZLxzUgtG0b_hl29EtvRQnqK4zLC5bKN5RCbAeP_kdLgZZl2fdOej2e5j4tX-cPLE9oPxFqXj6X7MjGx-v5YB0Wird5ZOy6q5_tAeWcRGaq64XrISQlNiYMEt9rRJ6DzxG6k17V0HG-wLKU8lkBaoebwnJw4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLNxVb2EAmgZlRT_6SKzGsgvW2ZLxzUgtG0b_hl29EtvRQnqK4zLC5bKN5RCbAeP_kdLgZZl2fdOej2e5j4tX-cPLE9oPxFqXj6X7MjGx-v5YB0Wird5ZOy6q5_tAeWcRGaq64XrISQlNiYMEt9rRJ6DzxG6k17V0HG-wLKU8lkBaoebwnJw4=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Compare it to this rainbow trout--it really is as smooth as it looks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIRnW-JEdwsZTYJ1Yq6Pe4Y0pBYwHY-w687Abl-iNCDO6f3hxzOIAZgKbWnPEDBrYFVYg7AQrUstR7dLkrBMaAMhs_CTkHTEKtVX4LeJrSWWPAnXihgLCzhL0eq1KrQT3_L6QjDnHAfrMfv6RinPg6dZ9cGIsAg9Pj5U9glQuLJObNJWMdU9o=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIRnW-JEdwsZTYJ1Yq6Pe4Y0pBYwHY-w687Abl-iNCDO6f3hxzOIAZgKbWnPEDBrYFVYg7AQrUstR7dLkrBMaAMhs_CTkHTEKtVX4LeJrSWWPAnXihgLCzhL0eq1KrQT3_L6QjDnHAfrMfv6RinPg6dZ9cGIsAg9Pj5U9glQuLJObNJWMdU9o=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A beautiful intarsia piece of steer roping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8y96WAvxiUoyDE3enERw68oMO6Ek8ua8hLX0jD3cNSo0iHPT9eEeJ255YKgFIdizTlkKva0n5qQOoJFMulpOeNVkBAfs3GEC_89ezgyUm8qHVBoFHmPWVv0d7umYRX1v1ZDU26EWldwPDZAYiLao_Cm5oqyBZis_KYVInbMnU-XVFMbxkcUA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8y96WAvxiUoyDE3enERw68oMO6Ek8ua8hLX0jD3cNSo0iHPT9eEeJ255YKgFIdizTlkKva0n5qQOoJFMulpOeNVkBAfs3GEC_89ezgyUm8qHVBoFHmPWVv0d7umYRX1v1ZDU26EWldwPDZAYiLao_Cm5oqyBZis_KYVInbMnU-XVFMbxkcUA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Look at the texture of this bear's coat.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioApP7FJIa8nCQKvJUgaICzN9nV5VZNqf5INQfEJQdSYqsuKQGHyxRkQzXve54WbIUWdVSFGHfNXqt5DZk8cSBOFbQVRyVcoXSNXJIiIjfe6kqaD09bswXKeNekNRnjYij_TdLLtZ8ZBFIK25IHx-gxyZdBr8q_cWdhDQXyyu8I98P6yvrWbc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioApP7FJIa8nCQKvJUgaICzN9nV5VZNqf5INQfEJQdSYqsuKQGHyxRkQzXve54WbIUWdVSFGHfNXqt5DZk8cSBOFbQVRyVcoXSNXJIiIjfe6kqaD09bswXKeNekNRnjYij_TdLLtZ8ZBFIK25IHx-gxyZdBr8q_cWdhDQXyyu8I98P6yvrWbc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This bear cub is so cute. And the relief carving of cowboy boots is impressive.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNCFa3pi_HVaRAEjldcCw_-KdINgSMxrSYpaHan_fsyfIUCKVw-mxZQOQpRZa5snuSzCreCn5soqYEx1LgC6gWBFjvpIgjZr1krhNy7SHeuvjOxxmSdY7vu4OvMIi16eUbTtUlJOVfTDDKHxJ3DhIhEl07-TmlDjEf0NVZ9Fwy8TerfPouozg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNCFa3pi_HVaRAEjldcCw_-KdINgSMxrSYpaHan_fsyfIUCKVw-mxZQOQpRZa5snuSzCreCn5soqYEx1LgC6gWBFjvpIgjZr1krhNy7SHeuvjOxxmSdY7vu4OvMIi16eUbTtUlJOVfTDDKHxJ3DhIhEl07-TmlDjEf0NVZ9Fwy8TerfPouozg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I like this relief carving of geese near the barn.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY_1XVMXx7VPv0EF_AlOSMqokJjh66pcfPOmb2X94yKcx5zRQe-pBSOq1ANP9uanzTBY904u1LfL2SHPvQq9BAY2nifMLb2tpcUfzxzBxXXp8y58UmiJJKfVshvXkWWcEOxBSjd49YrQsBMX72_7hd9CxXSSPs-mBx0Q6FQCQO5hfi5BkOfWQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY_1XVMXx7VPv0EF_AlOSMqokJjh66pcfPOmb2X94yKcx5zRQe-pBSOq1ANP9uanzTBY904u1LfL2SHPvQq9BAY2nifMLb2tpcUfzxzBxXXp8y58UmiJJKfVshvXkWWcEOxBSjd49YrQsBMX72_7hd9CxXSSPs-mBx0Q6FQCQO5hfi5BkOfWQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I imagine this tree is carved out of one piece of wood. Think how much had to be carved away to allow the branch layers to look this way.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHlvFpWTXs4uQU8ZeCSYFsSX5eIT1SEEm7b_hzU1_jAV41sXEIskeOQuQ4YPoJQQj7VPnCJjVI0lYxiBMhrYkTAh-EywrT5U4ptd9bg5T1w5dbYPXfzRVZ185puXaZNPaJAYg70o7HEoQA5_flraiaMA5ts_VGshhwFwpiZsxGiCKBOXQWN-Y=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHlvFpWTXs4uQU8ZeCSYFsSX5eIT1SEEm7b_hzU1_jAV41sXEIskeOQuQ4YPoJQQj7VPnCJjVI0lYxiBMhrYkTAh-EywrT5U4ptd9bg5T1w5dbYPXfzRVZ185puXaZNPaJAYg70o7HEoQA5_flraiaMA5ts_VGshhwFwpiZsxGiCKBOXQWN-Y=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not a carver, but making such a detailed face in a relatively thin stick of wood is not easy.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuCOhT4VQHXM9TDJqfcMWJbU37UOjsIcyL-nOeappmeaACY234e7kMJWnDFG5jCdrZ-IyATpXCCF3-bj6cRBFX-f02o2igcXAd7dGZUsyK_RRPBFPG8qkFK8JanvVz6LL7HhGcEclKHvKN_qQdmkBGHLMoKqkKUHIVRLrWURVnZ9ZoMYZahOI=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuCOhT4VQHXM9TDJqfcMWJbU37UOjsIcyL-nOeappmeaACY234e7kMJWnDFG5jCdrZ-IyATpXCCF3-bj6cRBFX-f02o2igcXAd7dGZUsyK_RRPBFPG8qkFK8JanvVz6LL7HhGcEclKHvKN_qQdmkBGHLMoKqkKUHIVRLrWURVnZ9ZoMYZahOI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Not all carving is done in wood. These bears are carved in stone.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib6ugo-M0ezjgn-sS-zzFNAq0GcmaN8fuRJqNmK3e5xMlu53kfks0s8R3l9TzMy54IK2fMm9ze-YnvVDcN9fzNvBCMnkrerzwYNuGgPKP6HNYV2IPEA8Ap8NKLC44xQSLMQylQtN-JDpuMHmD6rEreAR2Muad4TDM8LisGBzIGng-ndJqq1BU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib6ugo-M0ezjgn-sS-zzFNAq0GcmaN8fuRJqNmK3e5xMlu53kfks0s8R3l9TzMy54IK2fMm9ze-YnvVDcN9fzNvBCMnkrerzwYNuGgPKP6HNYV2IPEA8Ap8NKLC44xQSLMQylQtN-JDpuMHmD6rEreAR2Muad4TDM8LisGBzIGng-ndJqq1BU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe this carving will help young children learn how to tie their shoes.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPAM8wDLn-Frskw6QMY2a0ouZP27aJTYkFIhJmi-LFJMxSD2rIj6Kp7gAnGFB3wtHoXUsh1Kf9aTnrUFwLTwT7nT2qYm7p0huyl2eR9KM5t_Sd5fCiUEVLcEiRHQwwAckGZ6vAxcy_nqulh2k_uCfe7QDyrGjdosBgySNtqTmZvqhHisb08e0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPAM8wDLn-Frskw6QMY2a0ouZP27aJTYkFIhJmi-LFJMxSD2rIj6Kp7gAnGFB3wtHoXUsh1Kf9aTnrUFwLTwT7nT2qYm7p0huyl2eR9KM5t_Sd5fCiUEVLcEiRHQwwAckGZ6vAxcy_nqulh2k_uCfe7QDyrGjdosBgySNtqTmZvqhHisb08e0=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-83853592272498784072022-02-06T13:04:00.007-07:002022-02-06T13:04:44.539-07:00The Great Confinement<p><br /></p><p>It all began two years ago—the first case of Covid 19 in the
United States was in January 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was scary:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>people in the nursing homes
in New York were dying regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
didn’t know how to deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our first response was to stay home and order groceries to
be delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did that a couple of
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we started going to the
Bashas across the street from our resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many products were in short supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One day we walked home with toilet paper in our bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We received comments—“you found toilet
paper!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were lock downs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t go anywhere. We did stay home but in Arizona shopping for food was
still allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That wasn’t true in other
parts of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some countries,
you could be arrested for being on the streets or sidewalks unless you were
shopping for food or seeking medical care.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The vaccines were developed, and mass vaccination sites set
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent hours on-line, first just
trying to connect to the overloaded website to sign up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did get in, the only time slots available
were 6 am or after 9 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We settled on 6
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant leaving our home about
5am, diving to the parking lot at the State Farm arena in Chandler, snaking
through the long line of cars to get in and then to get our shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We repeated this a month later except we made
our appointment during the first vaccination trip.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had entered the world of mask-wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One woman wrote on Facebook, “I never guessed
I would be wearing a mask and going to the teller in my bank and saying, “give
me my money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think any of us
had expected to live under these conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I adjusted to it by reminding myself, again and again, this was nowhere
as bad as living in Germany during World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have to hide in the basement
whenever we heard an airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just
had to social distance—keep 6 feet way from anyone not living in our
household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signs sprung up,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>marking the 6 ft intervals on the floor or
sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of those signs are still
in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were one-way signs in
grocery store aisle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thankfully, those
are gone.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we left Arizona in the spring to travel to Colorado, we
found<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RV parks where we called in when
arriving in their parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone,
wearing a mask, then came out of the office to check us in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling through small towns in Colorado, we
found the 6 ft signs in stores, but at least the stores were open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our granddaughter Kylie made masks for us and for some
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a short-term experiment
in entrepreneurship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think she
is planning that kind of business for her future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teaching school is where she is headed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a year, many schools were closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our son Eric and his wife Liz are school
teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once some schools were open
for in-person learning, they had to be prepared to teach in the classroom and
also online for students remaining at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For months, they could never be sure if they would be teaching students
in the classroom or looking at a camera and teaching online students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days, Eric as doing both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this was hard on the students and even
harder on the teachers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the 2021-22 academic year, the schools in Littleton were
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John, our grandson and the son of
Eric and Liz, doesn’t feel he learned as much with only virtual classes and he
missed his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This last fall was
better, they were in the classroom. Right now, things are iffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their daughter, Kylie, is attending the
University of Colorado at Boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
is planning to go to on-campus classes this semester.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been going on for long enough, many are choosing
not to follow the guidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we
saw a speaker on TV, talking with his mask on to a microphone (and perhaps a
live audience.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people standing
behind him were not wearing masks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Political leaders across the country have imposed mask mandates while being seen and photographed maskless in indoor gatherings. </span>On
Sundays, when we go to church, the members of the choir are wearing masks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since most, if not all, of them are over
age 55, I am willing to bet almost all of them, are vaccinated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We jumped at the chance to get vaccinated—2 shots of the
Pfizer vaccine last spring here in Arizona and a booster from Walgreens during
the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, that is not our
ticket to freedom, as we were promised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
stores and other locations have signs reading “masks required,” some say, “masks
required unless fully vaccinated.” And now, there are signs reading "the CDC recommends wearing masks when gathered indoors. Please be considerate of your neighbors and wear a mask."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now it appears our shots protect us from severe illness and
hospitalization and death, but not from getting Covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our son Eric has received all three shots,
but he still got sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt miserable
and ran a fever for several days. He just turned 50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are 78 and we certainly don’t want to get
sick like he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I really feel we
were deceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I know, this is a new
virus, the “experts” aren’t really expert yet, but we are still
vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Omicron is much less
serious, but it still causes illness and some hospitalizations.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">A Johns Hopkins study showed that mandated lockdowns in </span><a data-id="85" data-m="{"i":85,"p":82,"n":"partnerLink","y":24,"o":3}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/europe" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #126d91;">Europe</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> and the United States only reduced </span><a data-id="86" data-m="{"i":86,"p":82,"n":"partnerLink","y":24,"o":4}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3165877/us-sees-average-daily-deaths-omicron-top-delta-total" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #126d91;">coronavirus-related mortality</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> by 0.2 per cent on average,
compared to a Covid-19 policy based solely on government recommendations,
according to a review of science literature on the pandemic by three noted European and
American economists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are so many contradictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mask mandates are accompanied by an increasing number of medical people saying cloth masks do not protect you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that isn’t an incentive to ignore the mask
mandates and “strong recommendations” that we wear them, I don’t know what
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Since</span> January we have been asked to wear a mask while indoors at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The CDC, fountain of all “knowledge” about the pandemic, says that in
areas of high transmission, masks should be worn in all indoor gatherings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did I get vaccinated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know, I don’t want to go to the hospital or die if I get
covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for a year our president has
called this the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, that doesn’t appear to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just dying is the province of the unvaccinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I read about the death rate and how many of those in
hospitals and those dying are from covid or just with covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I live long enough to really know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I just had blood tests as part of my annual physical
exam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have covid anti-bodies from
my vaccinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that is really
good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our neighbors here in
Arizona was in intensive care and on oxygen for about a month with covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she still needed to be vaccinated because
a blood test showed she didn’t have any anti-bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is real?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have always been extremely compliant with rules and
laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I wear a mask when asked or
directed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, more and more, I ask
“Is all this really necessary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will we
find out in a few years that the mandates, the mask rules or “strong
suggestions”, the social distancing are really only effective in making us
“feel “safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in making our political
leaders feel they are “doing something”?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The good news is that our society is back open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can go to the store, go to church, go to
school and concerts and movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is more back to normal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(that is a ridiculous statement.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is either back to normal or it’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we aren’t really back to where we were in
December 2019 before all this began. But our society is not shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can live our lives, even if that means
wearing a mask while singing in church.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I feel betrayed. And angry. Realizing there is no one to
blame, I still feel that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll live
with it, follow the guidelines and try to stay healthy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I DON’T LIKE IT!!!@<o:p></o:p></p><span face=""Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 20px;"></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-58921556767391629722022-01-19T20:02:00.001-07:002022-01-20T07:36:23.350-07:00Writing, I've Been Writing<p>I have been writing for many years. In grade school I wrote for the McKinley Grade School paper. It was typed on special paper that could by dittoed for other students to read. In junior high I wrote for the Byers school paper during Miss Mapelli's English writing class. I wrote for the South High Confederate and in college, I was news editor for the Coloradoan. For obvious reasons, I was a journalism major. I never made my living writing for a newspaper, but I did write news releases for the CU News Service. My writing continued for the Colorado Episcopal Women, for the League of Women Voters and for church newsletters.</p><p>In 2006, long after these early writing responsibilities, John and I were retired and began volunteering and traveling. To keep our family up to date with where we were and what we were doing, I started this blog. I don't know if many of the family read the blog--I know 2 or 3 of them did. Some blog posts attracted 50 to 60 readers, today it is 30 or 40. </p><p>I no longer blog as frequently, but these blogs are, in effect, our scrapbooks. Each year I submit them to a company, Shared Book, that publishes them in hard-bound books. This week, we received the book of 2021 blogs. I feel pretty good when I look at how many books I have written!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVOf0LxssG0Tt_0QUP5p8IKjO0GcwSu3yy5AHL0UltnfDWYBpYbzNoGasfMhpXJF1WWxm2x8vOnIgmi8gWRY3rvxtIw455qbv91WfukjnwmQBPFn57BO1PqC0FQVE7TGmPGGBIfDliBSNY-oWWmH36FHe6kr9riUX3ID-01yBarVq1__ntuls=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVOf0LxssG0Tt_0QUP5p8IKjO0GcwSu3yy5AHL0UltnfDWYBpYbzNoGasfMhpXJF1WWxm2x8vOnIgmi8gWRY3rvxtIw455qbv91WfukjnwmQBPFn57BO1PqC0FQVE7TGmPGGBIfDliBSNY-oWWmH36FHe6kr9riUX3ID-01yBarVq1__ntuls=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNQ_7zREZKi8Gx6cGS9OZkCl3WWZll7GrxyEGFo__AvNUyjyqsniMS-wgATsHxkI-oen9eYMzeD8e9L2vUkyVm8n4BfADY4leazQuns_nelQxzPaWL6ZsuE90h1wNdVVXoTa591c2oZygtf3qNB_NJqesiQqegBsOysyptOzKXOUS5dv_1RQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNQ_7zREZKi8Gx6cGS9OZkCl3WWZll7GrxyEGFo__AvNUyjyqsniMS-wgATsHxkI-oen9eYMzeD8e9L2vUkyVm8n4BfADY4leazQuns_nelQxzPaWL6ZsuE90h1wNdVVXoTa591c2oZygtf3qNB_NJqesiQqegBsOysyptOzKXOUS5dv_1RQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here I am, appreciating how many books I have published. The book in the front of the pile with the picture of that cute little girl--me at about age 3--is the story of my life, <i>Not What I Planned, Even Better.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Like I said, my journalism professor would be very proud.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-55973971425850588902022-01-07T12:12:00.003-07:002022-01-07T12:12:53.778-07:00Leftovers<p>We all know what leftovers are. You prepare a meal, serve it and then gather up and store what isn't eaten. Annually, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I roast a turkey or turkey breast so we will have leftovers for turkey sandwiches. I do this even when we aren't having any guests for the holiday meal or are going somewhere else to celebrate. The leftovers are so important.</p><p>The same thing happens when John is making boxes, using the scroll saw. He starts by gluing together several layers of wood--in this case two layers of one wood, then two thinner layers of wood on the top and bottom. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkYMPnvGmS_2GyiU-9uDeZbLl25PUw04vwp7_Y-lgafHOAuj0CfGArXN_HfBjY-frZO0ori0j--U-llneOyLBzoXMy-yL0ZUCdDm9YbHkQ8i_tBrPOzs22phYIErT0P6HCaaHQnhaDYT-dXK8aBuUpsR53gIuUXqOaI8jaZlg_XtjqjjTsSiA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkYMPnvGmS_2GyiU-9uDeZbLl25PUw04vwp7_Y-lgafHOAuj0CfGArXN_HfBjY-frZO0ori0j--U-llneOyLBzoXMy-yL0ZUCdDm9YbHkQ8i_tBrPOzs22phYIErT0P6HCaaHQnhaDYT-dXK8aBuUpsR53gIuUXqOaI8jaZlg_XtjqjjTsSiA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, using the scroll saw, he cuts out the center of the box. This photo was taken after the bottom of the box had been attached.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBakarDAyai6qk-QCzFQMcAhTFLHok9mw3XPt8rAhV9W1y0Yw-_e4KPDezJvUkd0DcNku_7teOGd5TsGmeD0BiJKrTtlQRKvyupXshEKveWu6DBT6Pk43mvszElDCHKJbhuaCwjBaS8Th8vUu6xxgnk1yDTS8JbBmhHBQGuW_qX5DhjQTGGNM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBakarDAyai6qk-QCzFQMcAhTFLHok9mw3XPt8rAhV9W1y0Yw-_e4KPDezJvUkd0DcNku_7teOGd5TsGmeD0BiJKrTtlQRKvyupXshEKveWu6DBT6Pk43mvszElDCHKJbhuaCwjBaS8Th8vUu6xxgnk1yDTS8JbBmhHBQGuW_qX5DhjQTGGNM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>He then glues on a bottom layer and makes a lid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, he realized that the center wood he had removed could be used to make more boxes, just smaller ones. Here are the first two boxes the original block. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHQT1hJ1Ojdo8ZpNLfzwN2sEY-6njs8AC2tMCAS8YM8Fw8y52N5HF8bLLp4FqlS2GDj14Ou-BD-MWUycPzHxbSWyIU9DdorLnHE4ZH67MMTTA4NIWbD1Sl3vk23rcBpEnmuGkSfNXTrsZSzJrsdMM9AwBK8N2k2AyQXMiRuXGzGae3GTrYJk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHQT1hJ1Ojdo8ZpNLfzwN2sEY-6njs8AC2tMCAS8YM8Fw8y52N5HF8bLLp4FqlS2GDj14Ou-BD-MWUycPzHxbSWyIU9DdorLnHE4ZH67MMTTA4NIWbD1Sl3vk23rcBpEnmuGkSfNXTrsZSzJrsdMM9AwBK8N2k2AyQXMiRuXGzGae3GTrYJk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here are all six boxes, all made from the same block of wood!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQdovsX0XIt1mNk8oAavuJ7Gh3YH8_s2_4DXItJPXXtFCwyOtoDswvobxLph3zjJ77QOJ-38v0XAcyxjt2VChohXdlJ1pWP1bJyQ-IuLw9Cz2iJq50S_JwVRF6i3iFTYzX5c_vVRVD6sWHVQjCbS45mvhcXguDb5kN8KSzR2X48NLxZ5rCK6k=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQdovsX0XIt1mNk8oAavuJ7Gh3YH8_s2_4DXItJPXXtFCwyOtoDswvobxLph3zjJ77QOJ-38v0XAcyxjt2VChohXdlJ1pWP1bJyQ-IuLw9Cz2iJq50S_JwVRF6i3iFTYzX5c_vVRVD6sWHVQjCbS45mvhcXguDb5kN8KSzR2X48NLxZ5rCK6k=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>John hates to throw anything away. You should see all the scraps of wood we have in the shop. He even makes boxes to hold all the scraps from box-making! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-24973622640697819382022-01-01T08:09:00.001-07:002022-01-01T08:09:11.836-07:00A Much Better Year<p> The year 2021, while not back to what we would call "normal," was certainly more reasonable than 2020. The Covid 19 pandemic is still limiting our lives to a certain extent, but we have taken part in many of our normal events. We didn't travel too many miles, but we spent considerable time in both Arizona and Colorado and also enjoyed time in Texas and New Mexico.</p><p>The two events of the year that made the most impact on our lives were the death of John's brother Tim on May 6 and our decision to rent an apartment instead of spending the summers in our RV in Colorado. Three shots of the Covid vaccine--in February and March with a booster in September--helped us to feel safer and have kept us healthy, at least so far. It has been so good to see signs reading "masks not required for those fully vaccinated.</p><p>The beauty of God's creation was a recurring subject in my blogs, from time in the Arizona desert to changing colors of the fall leaves. We took stunning drives through the Colorado mountains and walked the streets and paths of El Paso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Denver and Breckenridge. </p><p>We enjoyed time with family and friends. Several times we met Arizona friends for lunch--more than my blog shows because I forgot to take photos on several occasions. Not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, I didn't write about those lunches, but we did appreciate that time.</p><p>John has been very busy in the workshop when we are in Arizona. He has made numerous boxes, including several for us and family members who also wear hearing aids. The boxes provide a space for the hearing aid charger and an attractive decoration in our homes. He has also turned pens on his lathe.</p><p>We set out for our summer travels on April 29, planning to travel around one of our favorite states--Texas. We only made it as far as El Paso when Tim died. We turned around and headed for Colorado. Tim's funeral in Canon City brought together many members of our family. </p><p>Following the funeral, we headed south, spending time at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton. We enjoyed being able to do target shooting there. We visited Pueblo and Limon before moving to St. Vrain State Park near Longmont for two weeks. That gave us access to friends and family living north of Denver. Next, we at set up the trailer in Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora. </p><p>In 2022 we will both turn 79 years old. We still feel (relatively) hale and hearty, but we know we must take our age into account as we plan the future. While in the Denver area, we began checking out apartments and rented a one-bedroom unit in Lone Tree, a community in Douglas County. John grew up in Douglas County and we owned the funeral home there for nine years. We were back home. The apartment is located only about a mile from the home we lived in for years, so the neighborhood is familiar. </p><p>We enjoyed shopping for furniture and everything we needed to live there for months at a time. We also made a quick trip with the trailer to Arizona, where the Airstream is stored when we are in the apartment.</p><p>Our apartment is right on the light rail line. We love trains and it is fun to ride them as we explore the city. In addition, we are just a few miles from our son Eric and his family. And we are able to worship at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, where John served as rector from 1991 to 1997. </p><p>A year ago, I ended the blog recap of 2020 writing "Good-bye and Good riddance." I don't feel that way about 2021 and I hope 2022 is even better--meaning more normal.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-52531251307705292342021-12-26T15:11:00.001-07:002021-12-26T15:11:54.607-07:00Desert. What Desert?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spend our winters in a desert--the Valley of the Sun, otherwise known as the Phoenix, Arizona, valley. During the monsoon or rainy period during the summer, this area received 4.2 inches of rain--the third most monsoon rain in the past three decades.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rain isn't done coming, however. Friday, Christmas Eve, it rained all day in our resort in the east part of the Phoenix area. Here are some pictures of what happened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a catchment basin. Since it rains so seldom, the rain isn't absorbed very easily. These areas are built in to help keep the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM9noYdSUx1uoAks1HCx5b15-4cI-3gDdX3J3RKLWxdHUyl0qwFi2FkVZUFX0qrBgC0CWmtd4BqFyl7s9bWrPM26kLLem5cz3dXFpzQ-Dhjj5ESvRlYO8SdDD05u0oTLXu7tGFDU_wXe-uS8oi_Z2BadZ3OsB5A0AdJdeZPWEHIo9m6J2AXcw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM9noYdSUx1uoAks1HCx5b15-4cI-3gDdX3J3RKLWxdHUyl0qwFi2FkVZUFX0qrBgC0CWmtd4BqFyl7s9bWrPM26kLLem5cz3dXFpzQ-Dhjj5ESvRlYO8SdDD05u0oTLXu7tGFDU_wXe-uS8oi_Z2BadZ3OsB5A0AdJdeZPWEHIo9m6J2AXcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Any ditch or wash quickly fills with a racing stream when it rains. When we drive around in Arizona we often see signs reading "don't enter if filled with water. It makes me wonder "why" until we experience a rainstorm like this. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAfGOr8C48_zfbBvJM8St9BgFkgfJKFlagUOkfnj8E29HW9nfQvqZA2j3-hPDuB_MJ1kW6sJUpCcXixuseky2eK21ps7Eny6ipw3RcFMenJKEU-9WBrA351DbD6pF8j5W9SpR-gxgnxiomTp6gmYbUvE61B8Yt8BdDcn1zIGpq9NGybW44pXA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAfGOr8C48_zfbBvJM8St9BgFkgfJKFlagUOkfnj8E29HW9nfQvqZA2j3-hPDuB_MJ1kW6sJUpCcXixuseky2eK21ps7Eny6ipw3RcFMenJKEU-9WBrA351DbD6pF8j5W9SpR-gxgnxiomTp6gmYbUvE61B8Yt8BdDcn1zIGpq9NGybW44pXA=s320" width="240" /></a></div>Normally, it is possible to cross this wash on a paved path. Not Friday.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TlClbPZMucjlMGMZfyOMm8MVTzAVKf-5iNwRZcb9hXD7iqNv8PbtPHY7rGqEZFz9HoGNtl9HyksKKoNl_-xPJB3yYF-MHI300vOdid01Eu9lXEXlP7-XOQ0UPatmmWaxbyzqehzlngTfFgjCoc17jeXq3BkkNpJdeyutZmaJvLOeFw878Os=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TlClbPZMucjlMGMZfyOMm8MVTzAVKf-5iNwRZcb9hXD7iqNv8PbtPHY7rGqEZFz9HoGNtl9HyksKKoNl_-xPJB3yYF-MHI300vOdid01Eu9lXEXlP7-XOQ0UPatmmWaxbyzqehzlngTfFgjCoc17jeXq3BkkNpJdeyutZmaJvLOeFw878Os=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Here we see small lakes in a low-lying area.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDQ2gNn8aKdvQv6jEeOLoMg6bDPZRGONJbsJ4qWxRbqiElxUqraD17LU0zntE5SS3l9yBOWZGPXLohC52k7p92-feRc85PPx40BotlkX_FvySf1yypdr6AKnFX03FbYqdIKIY5sEIunmee1BsVtF_QFITFp6rMqRDHgDGpiaCHazcJSdxYw4Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDQ2gNn8aKdvQv6jEeOLoMg6bDPZRGONJbsJ4qWxRbqiElxUqraD17LU0zntE5SS3l9yBOWZGPXLohC52k7p92-feRc85PPx40BotlkX_FvySf1yypdr6AKnFX03FbYqdIKIY5sEIunmee1BsVtF_QFITFp6rMqRDHgDGpiaCHazcJSdxYw4Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Today, almost all of the puddles have dried up and the larger rainfall lakes are rapidly shrinking. <p></p><p>We lived in Wisconsin for three years in the mid-1980s. One year "only" 8 inches of rain had fallen by mid-summer. That was what they call a drought. Homeowners were out shopping for hoses and sprinklers so they could water their lawns and keep the grass alive.</p><p>The United States we live in covers so many environments, from deserts to rain forests. Growing up in Colorado, lawns always have to be watered during warm weather months. And that is the only way that green grass can be maintained here in the Phoenix area. In Wisconsin, if it rains excessively, a windstorm could blow over trees with only very shallow root systems. In the drier areas, roots go very deep to find moisture.</p><p>We have been so blessed to be able to travel throughout our wonderful country and learn about areas so different from what we grew up in.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-152133673931079122021-12-20T11:32:00.000-07:002021-12-20T11:32:04.616-07:00Boxes, Boxes, Boxes Everywhere<p> When our children were young, I remember having boxes and wrapping paper everywhere after gifts were opened on Christmas day. Today, there aren't that many empty boxes and those we have are smaller than those that held children's toys. </p><p>However, we still have many boxes around our winter home. These are all made of wood. John has made most of them. This 8-sided box is one of 5 he has turned. Notice the small cord coming out of the left side of the box. This is where I store my hearing aids when I am not wearing them. The charger fits in the box--actually, the box was made to accommodate the charger. John also has rechargeable hearing aids, as do our son Eric and his wife Liz and John's sister Cindy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-kyxl_nxWsjTe1LNrQNLe3Juqao5xZcPVVwPsX69PerFZoM3MsGuzaDctthSPGIax3xgepYULjUyVe-6lvVBUf0neoilds-oqKbLu_wiGqKtDTP3FeHHoceOy6tpNJ2lFBPbsurgGRpztBwnpsg4anUQ3QajMjKhlx3rXjcM2uQ5JZO3kq24=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-kyxl_nxWsjTe1LNrQNLe3Juqao5xZcPVVwPsX69PerFZoM3MsGuzaDctthSPGIax3xgepYULjUyVe-6lvVBUf0neoilds-oqKbLu_wiGqKtDTP3FeHHoceOy6tpNJ2lFBPbsurgGRpztBwnpsg4anUQ3QajMjKhlx3rXjcM2uQ5JZO3kq24=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a gentleman's jewelry box. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwHbFIU3USW2C13Iqrha0AaZDVDXKO1tbPI-7pcIM91UsWzff51CYYHmlETs8pODn9Jy2nQaORzLe5AjbdRGJF10K4kOhm-MlZ11ycpEpMkuy38SFa-FulSJJGEqDs1GTYYuXHGcFzF0KvqrYFRsykAx_eIWZjrMQ8Ln2OOUxd8X5WBMl8F-A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwHbFIU3USW2C13Iqrha0AaZDVDXKO1tbPI-7pcIM91UsWzff51CYYHmlETs8pODn9Jy2nQaORzLe5AjbdRGJF10K4kOhm-MlZ11ycpEpMkuy38SFa-FulSJJGEqDs1GTYYuXHGcFzF0KvqrYFRsykAx_eIWZjrMQ8Ln2OOUxd8X5WBMl8F-A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here you can see the various crosses John stores in his box.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggxBPvX-wJR-ThtrwU5IQCAckLW6ya8DoPP5OJ59HZUad4KQkxLaZpSBh1O7ARCUjHzUIlP8dYR0dCn7FwIt_ZLTgJT3c4GH6OonBsNCH0z8x3MdrspNPJJFzWXNYpZKbfpU-o6fypovJVpca7XYbdLeBKaHJcDf2w7cHATjeq0NW24fqz6ps=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggxBPvX-wJR-ThtrwU5IQCAckLW6ya8DoPP5OJ59HZUad4KQkxLaZpSBh1O7ARCUjHzUIlP8dYR0dCn7FwIt_ZLTgJT3c4GH6OonBsNCH0z8x3MdrspNPJJFzWXNYpZKbfpU-o6fypovJVpca7XYbdLeBKaHJcDf2w7cHATjeq0NW24fqz6ps=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here are three more boxes he has made. The top one is my jewelry box. It has a different eagle than the one on John's box.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second box has turquoise inlay in the hearts on the lid. The bottom box has an inlaid cross.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMsIVNMSw0zl65-rG_etAmjjxgjLMNC8vBtUkcHN8fqQ7Uww1M-POsWLfsDFcpuQxgrUW6jvhccu4ScdJ7e3DTqM3o-x-QJJ9guNubxyTx_nCm8H1zVkq-yYwopch9q0nHO7K0dGRpK_f0MrDRj4YuLhLw9pOrb3L1BmkRVySZFQliEv2Xqc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMsIVNMSw0zl65-rG_etAmjjxgjLMNC8vBtUkcHN8fqQ7Uww1M-POsWLfsDFcpuQxgrUW6jvhccu4ScdJ7e3DTqM3o-x-QJJ9guNubxyTx_nCm8H1zVkq-yYwopch9q0nHO7K0dGRpK_f0MrDRj4YuLhLw9pOrb3L1BmkRVySZFQliEv2Xqc=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This box is marked with an L and R. It was made to store the hearing aids John had that aren't rechargeable. Our rechargable ones are color coded for right and left. The battery hearing aids aren't so the letter make it easy to know where they belong. The bottom box shows the interior of the box holding the charger.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisu-15gMq_i4Y-NT-XEYXPPwFdXoYr_8dF4F43qJC92-KSZc_92Ltw2wv2A46fLKQplDmyHI3lmEoKzn8dAiSy-B_gI6ScY3XkSyPVi-c23LItlBQ7HmujcmLmHWpO_FXiSGGRW4YWoOFhxeydqOlsCgxz2j5APHGYt-lKRePW06YANuBfzGg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisu-15gMq_i4Y-NT-XEYXPPwFdXoYr_8dF4F43qJC92-KSZc_92Ltw2wv2A46fLKQplDmyHI3lmEoKzn8dAiSy-B_gI6ScY3XkSyPVi-c23LItlBQ7HmujcmLmHWpO_FXiSGGRW4YWoOFhxeydqOlsCgxz2j5APHGYt-lKRePW06YANuBfzGg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>John isn't the only person making boxes. The two on the left I made, using the band saw. The triangle John made on the scroll saw. The separate piece on the top is used to cover 2 interior compartments while you retrieve the items in the third compartment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwkcyUUluS7iRNkmOdHK0ubueQAjShHToc_3k6mAB18yp6a15klyADCVxgp0JZ-7QNYNnQj72aWrPFPPWl6-YKDr4RP8AKxs-FXQx45Y0yThabsf1gCvwGhfFVtwamJTGghQ2OeSBWDB7sGvsIhq3VBnJ3_3bIr4cLXE-CtvlHtQjej0no4A0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwkcyUUluS7iRNkmOdHK0ubueQAjShHToc_3k6mAB18yp6a15klyADCVxgp0JZ-7QNYNnQj72aWrPFPPWl6-YKDr4RP8AKxs-FXQx45Y0yThabsf1gCvwGhfFVtwamJTGghQ2OeSBWDB7sGvsIhq3VBnJ3_3bIr4cLXE-CtvlHtQjej0no4A0=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>He made me one that is heart shaped. I use it to store my earrings. Believe me, that extra piece means I don't have to either dump out all the earrings to get what I want or use tweezers to pick out the small items.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPEyUMxDhKVHpsf6iNTPhu7LBnXAjfB1hqvojRiCgWTKIg07RAB4ErU19E5Wh2UjSwusK2s9RZTFMOia3iSPv7o6kul9k_20F8EKTZ5H07f0kaCzFa1hSlGSp8zEEk_eMJ8T5VNJkICFHqv2iDtMyHE4Z-PDd86sdPR97A-XUGrgeHZF8dIWE=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPEyUMxDhKVHpsf6iNTPhu7LBnXAjfB1hqvojRiCgWTKIg07RAB4ErU19E5Wh2UjSwusK2s9RZTFMOia3iSPv7o6kul9k_20F8EKTZ5H07f0kaCzFa1hSlGSp8zEEk_eMJ8T5VNJkICFHqv2iDtMyHE4Z-PDd86sdPR97A-XUGrgeHZF8dIWE=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the box and the special pieces that each cover two compartments of earrings so I can empty out the third compartment.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlQdh57t2T3EtdDjaK_Q83UgW4FG__qNMMtD32GXejYwk8rEhpDXV7z7G44sbcTxe6Slvz6yXLI03gt71oH6RSJJz1jKo5XvnPcXTXsX9u1gVuUTn46wfOHBZxm5hVWgY8HFqCRwk9asrxdGlNKn4Uvfcry3VixcSyVV8o1b5ASW_H7-7Ta38=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlQdh57t2T3EtdDjaK_Q83UgW4FG__qNMMtD32GXejYwk8rEhpDXV7z7G44sbcTxe6Slvz6yXLI03gt71oH6RSJJz1jKo5XvnPcXTXsX9u1gVuUTn46wfOHBZxm5hVWgY8HFqCRwk9asrxdGlNKn4Uvfcry3VixcSyVV8o1b5ASW_H7-7Ta38=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>This stunning box is made of padauk, a red colored wood, with turquoise inlay. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnc673Rbx4Y7wQq_07I_Y7u0fqNYM9Rp63pivIjziAJd8j4TmmBJfEKv3M9gs63dVEQlVbxRh17ClllOBYe-QnxhzZRVfDzBTf20eKs4j-TRLKA9HMkYRzTIUy5h6CAp_jGTOWzIo-eUzM3GM9p1h9cCECei1heDdQjKKNiQRQwsPqG9JOh8c=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnc673Rbx4Y7wQq_07I_Y7u0fqNYM9Rp63pivIjziAJd8j4TmmBJfEKv3M9gs63dVEQlVbxRh17ClllOBYe-QnxhzZRVfDzBTf20eKs4j-TRLKA9HMkYRzTIUy5h6CAp_jGTOWzIo-eUzM3GM9p1h9cCECei1heDdQjKKNiQRQwsPqG9JOh8c=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of my band saw boxes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6bOMqXROuR2UDNj0BCVXhqHswG-GBN56GAEYugueyIPijnPspmECaxutlYdvv2LM0jhSb7uGBQo_is_q91C5SLlxOiLwpDju-pUJ5fbdPG7DIkMQBnHwsYfX9vR1ulwC-dFUq8IJNCznBDZ3wqDEjmp0qwR0FxwzQFyCUUChLHrgz5fjJe4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6bOMqXROuR2UDNj0BCVXhqHswG-GBN56GAEYugueyIPijnPspmECaxutlYdvv2LM0jhSb7uGBQo_is_q91C5SLlxOiLwpDju-pUJ5fbdPG7DIkMQBnHwsYfX9vR1ulwC-dFUq8IJNCznBDZ3wqDEjmp0qwR0FxwzQFyCUUChLHrgz5fjJe4=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really like this star-shaped box. We have included it in our nativity set display for Christmas. (It is an awfully large star compared to the manger and stable in those sets, but it does (sort of) make sense.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjim32qnrrEjIgYYDcvCudLA_tJqRE5X_ub5BrfbWBGxnPoHcKlys-G8D7zBr7b9fzj7FwnjxycLpLjdIolxuAp2AdohUNLyJKfErFtyeSLemO8X1hzvv2yn-vXbGXnbK2cgOKHrACPotGKWX1J8zNM_gGxOMntlSr8CkwLeJ2izTrOC6KJQhg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjim32qnrrEjIgYYDcvCudLA_tJqRE5X_ub5BrfbWBGxnPoHcKlys-G8D7zBr7b9fzj7FwnjxycLpLjdIolxuAp2AdohUNLyJKfErFtyeSLemO8X1hzvv2yn-vXbGXnbK2cgOKHrACPotGKWX1J8zNM_gGxOMntlSr8CkwLeJ2izTrOC6KJQhg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are three more boxes John has made. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FWH-MQEyLLhPh6vAbRLsyyT5gq-3F_O804m7w06Nc558Zx76DT8grkm9332uHOy7WTSY5RvghpjSj4gG1A8C8gHlQ3E96Wc03OJfX3C-aCiLpJrW94csv-N0Xix2DXWC5IYSsS7XuC8PTO2K3bLnnm6nlnA-mLp3zVBvkPvzQWU8NXDd9N0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FWH-MQEyLLhPh6vAbRLsyyT5gq-3F_O804m7w06Nc558Zx76DT8grkm9332uHOy7WTSY5RvghpjSj4gG1A8C8gHlQ3E96Wc03OJfX3C-aCiLpJrW94csv-N0Xix2DXWC5IYSsS7XuC8PTO2K3bLnnm6nlnA-mLp3zVBvkPvzQWU8NXDd9N0=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-45629233443381321262021-11-29T14:17:00.002-07:002021-11-29T14:17:43.085-07:00Memories, Memories, Memories<p> It will soon be Christmas. The day after Thanksgiving is often the day the Christmas decorations come out of storage--especially for us and for many of our neighbors. Unwrapping these decorations brings back so many memories. A number of the tree decorations are ones that were in my home growing up.</p><p>This Santa is made of something similar to plastic. It had been on the tree when my mother was a child.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq51whet8ZXJwP5y4zjM3HO-gpDBJwomzfTdU_HVimRDX3sgYInpU04M2DqX5mvf47uq3u86oaDaiULltYPYSLia83aDH7Hu4fpBOIRtIX7qE8AgwQAgCRXTNApRjL_11qZhZ-lYzKJc9KkkxSN7LCTOM6aQYGZO-K7KTvrHa21oABP80LBW0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq51whet8ZXJwP5y4zjM3HO-gpDBJwomzfTdU_HVimRDX3sgYInpU04M2DqX5mvf47uq3u86oaDaiULltYPYSLia83aDH7Hu4fpBOIRtIX7qE8AgwQAgCRXTNApRjL_11qZhZ-lYzKJc9KkkxSN7LCTOM6aQYGZO-K7KTvrHa21oABP80LBW0=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These snowmen are copies of ones that decorated our house when I was a teen. After John and I married, my mom knit a set for me.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7cLkMN5X7dKza2FF-aahsUw24aqzxK2R7vZlDbj5cWcDh-555QSNc9jcYJAaSB5S2nbPfpLCHVJnp7RXXFAlhTYa4hxwvdvbBCtpD9XsZ5ZMr9pfhX98YR0yOhuFymvVEVYqMlaqhWiWbynuqxaMpuzOQw2fbQDyfj9wsR2SV1T7jWXysQxk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7cLkMN5X7dKza2FF-aahsUw24aqzxK2R7vZlDbj5cWcDh-555QSNc9jcYJAaSB5S2nbPfpLCHVJnp7RXXFAlhTYa4hxwvdvbBCtpD9XsZ5ZMr9pfhX98YR0yOhuFymvVEVYqMlaqhWiWbynuqxaMpuzOQw2fbQDyfj9wsR2SV1T7jWXysQxk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I think this tree was made in the 1930s or 40s. I remember it in our home when I was a child. At some point, I know my dad sprayed it with green paint to renew the color. It has also been rewired so we didn't have a fire.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVgWes1cbWJNw7ot8_7W5kwaoHBvL65J0dhlVGTQf3iJwMIY_HCq1fM8a_aerK0ckDanAwBUylpDWE92UpaGFH_gfE-GbeWbVMln_EUJhNomxdKzBxh2b_8_S1VORwKbHicm0FiVjOww_CF54eQZN0ltkysNYoSxxiYmG1Gnr2m4fGWMHu8c8=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVgWes1cbWJNw7ot8_7W5kwaoHBvL65J0dhlVGTQf3iJwMIY_HCq1fM8a_aerK0ckDanAwBUylpDWE92UpaGFH_gfE-GbeWbVMln_EUJhNomxdKzBxh2b_8_S1VORwKbHicm0FiVjOww_CF54eQZN0ltkysNYoSxxiYmG1Gnr2m4fGWMHu8c8=s320" width="240" /></a></p>This Santa came filled with candy canes, probably as a gift when I was very young.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCld2DQ3SIplvYpSJmGv5en3TSouFcnS8LpxBH2Pdwh8WQWZ3JzZ-ot9AryV8oRrUi_llNd1ZAxWQamHoKelIRzv38bS2I4ze3JNZgrwjOp40TZgMVe5JIekqyeoRK13IF8MXPro71VkFeAUqMwGiRWod0NHauiEY4cbnLW84pPJe_0MR33wU=s2068" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2068" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCld2DQ3SIplvYpSJmGv5en3TSouFcnS8LpxBH2Pdwh8WQWZ3JzZ-ot9AryV8oRrUi_llNd1ZAxWQamHoKelIRzv38bS2I4ze3JNZgrwjOp40TZgMVe5JIekqyeoRK13IF8MXPro71VkFeAUqMwGiRWod0NHauiEY4cbnLW84pPJe_0MR33wU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>More modern Santas also decorate our home. We bought this one because John loves trains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNSwE195vDHb34t-wn0rP4ShbUhgOslOvn1thL2Z31EeS-ACxPhTsvOcKFbbkrsxlZB2kSd7w4l71H1pkCh5rXUUlb_RuO4aWAa4N0jIBPhsgIUyiq8o9A1vNYnop-L_5mTdI1xUIyKVUDYFbqT-S5YpzkiTTz1WqUSyNk_Q5EZ1sj8mQbIqQ=s2762" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2583" data-original-width="2762" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNSwE195vDHb34t-wn0rP4ShbUhgOslOvn1thL2Z31EeS-ACxPhTsvOcKFbbkrsxlZB2kSd7w4l71H1pkCh5rXUUlb_RuO4aWAa4N0jIBPhsgIUyiq8o9A1vNYnop-L_5mTdI1xUIyKVUDYFbqT-S5YpzkiTTz1WqUSyNk_Q5EZ1sj8mQbIqQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When we lived in Granby in the Colorado mountains, we fell in love with skiing. This ornament celebrates that activity.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_LYVKzXKDHlBRpL5hHeq4riYhmBx3njYchtX0ZWWTlu1HRCaEJKRIgrRB-b9jyt6-VcSpHQRq3cS4cVCZKWKlIYGfVnlHYnjEV2J81CvNlxoinW2TXdocdePkleqRB_671MEjSSBD4wYrBzqw1KDRwGE84gg3OCHoUjyHm9pXP406-5erF8o=s2444" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="2113" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_LYVKzXKDHlBRpL5hHeq4riYhmBx3njYchtX0ZWWTlu1HRCaEJKRIgrRB-b9jyt6-VcSpHQRq3cS4cVCZKWKlIYGfVnlHYnjEV2J81CvNlxoinW2TXdocdePkleqRB_671MEjSSBD4wYrBzqw1KDRwGE84gg3OCHoUjyHm9pXP406-5erF8o=s320" width="277" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of our ornaments first graced the home of other people. We bought some of them in antique stores.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzwbsfA63w7MxLSEEev1tCm-yUiaIf4e2gaU_xUOLW5ANjdksoqTYUznGqRM0wwny7EtGGc5Xo7FEnbhX8k-mHa6uRtw0xKFeQHH7KR_7pWdd3bNvkpDNcF8Wr4aMkCjFfXaL7QdVRPDrmfGadyuD9V3eGspBUOEpNmM0p9JaU6_YH9XZos6s=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzwbsfA63w7MxLSEEev1tCm-yUiaIf4e2gaU_xUOLW5ANjdksoqTYUznGqRM0wwny7EtGGc5Xo7FEnbhX8k-mHa6uRtw0xKFeQHH7KR_7pWdd3bNvkpDNcF8Wr4aMkCjFfXaL7QdVRPDrmfGadyuD9V3eGspBUOEpNmM0p9JaU6_YH9XZos6s=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5F9X_O4zL6_5YFi62hS18Xh1TLQrAix_TLco0b1sok-rsJ5OqNts7wI3hJlNgtkX1nH8PhShgjWYwUtMXuan802iQ0bhrGDomRIIgZjVaWWDqur96bBtupIB8YEdd-quIOENggx__WIT-YAoa6kYc5k-bjPJzJdAS5tLr2w8uRmdoGP5dJM=s2955" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="2473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5F9X_O4zL6_5YFi62hS18Xh1TLQrAix_TLco0b1sok-rsJ5OqNts7wI3hJlNgtkX1nH8PhShgjWYwUtMXuan802iQ0bhrGDomRIIgZjVaWWDqur96bBtupIB8YEdd-quIOENggx__WIT-YAoa6kYc5k-bjPJzJdAS5tLr2w8uRmdoGP5dJM=s320" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p>Our numerous Santas are arranged on the coffee table. John carved the five figures in the center front. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizTggy5n1v7Ihfl6lCPpmKG7s_ySQnTVuACeTFdZ2Wyz7K3PCZIaIDfGHGPUot4ZvFW6-CAzImSsDSACQRsgpIewPnt9wjIWSe7isvZYEfJ9iR7rkq3SOzfpejliGGvV6WqxYmM35dDDPzKVVKrxvqCmdLMcqK7jzjjLp8JsQh8aCWhXcb_lE=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizTggy5n1v7Ihfl6lCPpmKG7s_ySQnTVuACeTFdZ2Wyz7K3PCZIaIDfGHGPUot4ZvFW6-CAzImSsDSACQRsgpIewPnt9wjIWSe7isvZYEfJ9iR7rkq3SOzfpejliGGvV6WqxYmM35dDDPzKVVKrxvqCmdLMcqK7jzjjLp8JsQh8aCWhXcb_lE=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We also have a number of nativity scenes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKs0C9TbfZVLe1JQBmx4Q84qznx3dD_shmcdrrDiuSOH_cQEhRQj5JHFFTMsX4DlolWQvyw9K_SC-o_2JvCM7SkWJUWlMRR7manNyAszJV3E6_kD-SMmmwSJmg1lSP9tI97RvmSaEsv_lUyQjRRfQBiMZA5N5XXX2Jb_HDvktH1FTxsZQfX5E=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKs0C9TbfZVLe1JQBmx4Q84qznx3dD_shmcdrrDiuSOH_cQEhRQj5JHFFTMsX4DlolWQvyw9K_SC-o_2JvCM7SkWJUWlMRR7manNyAszJV3E6_kD-SMmmwSJmg1lSP9tI97RvmSaEsv_lUyQjRRfQBiMZA5N5XXX2Jb_HDvktH1FTxsZQfX5E=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCOYFsP9o0O560rhVJH0H2WaUR3y_T4TsbOMhKumB1JYPo98HnXYFBIa6HrwN6zu8D8CPqGGr29gE0PEl8XfjLBp3G5ayTLaypMCWjCZBpKwI04fvv8H3KLyZ-dpQdVKArsNwPEpKvvk81N2kTtYkBup-cg_ScMbRflAngBP3UVFF3Yl7_AdM=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCOYFsP9o0O560rhVJH0H2WaUR3y_T4TsbOMhKumB1JYPo98HnXYFBIa6HrwN6zu8D8CPqGGr29gE0PEl8XfjLBp3G5ayTLaypMCWjCZBpKwI04fvv8H3KLyZ-dpQdVKArsNwPEpKvvk81N2kTtYkBup-cg_ScMbRflAngBP3UVFF3Yl7_AdM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZX-oughhIxtzYl_Z6na1HQpJXQcMYipwvxH45xLUvnk7WGJNs9M6BiqZUi4J0onVppae7KIW9niHgDe_-NiBPMmOqNvYVcJzw2RZ1dIXe0-v2keuI4QRERRWBeodtCS2W_gLPHD6HfAuPGjsns7sptbQ1T9FCYvcoV_pYs-49O_jodta3F9Y=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZX-oughhIxtzYl_Z6na1HQpJXQcMYipwvxH45xLUvnk7WGJNs9M6BiqZUi4J0onVppae7KIW9niHgDe_-NiBPMmOqNvYVcJzw2RZ1dIXe0-v2keuI4QRERRWBeodtCS2W_gLPHD6HfAuPGjsns7sptbQ1T9FCYvcoV_pYs-49O_jodta3F9Y=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I made this scene when I was working in the pottery studio.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5XH-34uHqAnOjC-ZJQi8yMtTDe2n6IMRyIo6DjAJjtlNXvx1LPuvckkXkmFr9vYBY18bRkcWeGLJs4Y5AXQK5zJEZ8zlYnanFe2makSKECraxbWHU-u82A-1SahYnLiJrFja0H9k0KUjmFI1Y5RuG_I2lUQyVENdbrblTxR7FPs6NuGIwilA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5XH-34uHqAnOjC-ZJQi8yMtTDe2n6IMRyIo6DjAJjtlNXvx1LPuvckkXkmFr9vYBY18bRkcWeGLJs4Y5AXQK5zJEZ8zlYnanFe2makSKECraxbWHU-u82A-1SahYnLiJrFja0H9k0KUjmFI1Y5RuG_I2lUQyVENdbrblTxR7FPs6NuGIwilA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This is a nativity puzzle. Both John and I made these in the wood shop at our resort.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0glcAeEiL1sqyv5fv36F8TqbFoSRQZqZch2sIXK4-iOP3SZUKpL9w_h0BWvlIvpgtxS7sNtFOH9uPygr2Z2Wf2uduxHJzJ9S7-aYkkeNMjSRph-1_6oiFzzrdfbyoRYsrvC0TKmCRa2y20OX4oEYYO25Oh-kiwjdrg033famEDyzEuWBjUbw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0glcAeEiL1sqyv5fv36F8TqbFoSRQZqZch2sIXK4-iOP3SZUKpL9w_h0BWvlIvpgtxS7sNtFOH9uPygr2Z2Wf2uduxHJzJ9S7-aYkkeNMjSRph-1_6oiFzzrdfbyoRYsrvC0TKmCRa2y20OX4oEYYO25Oh-kiwjdrg033famEDyzEuWBjUbw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We have had trees of various sizes and shapes over the years. We bought our first artificial tree in 1975 when we moved to Castle Rock the week before Christmas. I seem to remember the only decorations were bows made of heavy red yarn.</p><p>There were large trees for larger living rooms and a very small tree for Christmases spent in an RV. Since moving to our small home in Arizona, we have one just under 3 feet high. The ornaments are quite small.</p><p>This is the tree in our Arizona home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1LkhrRk9ZeeSGLVOHhvYfBbTN7Ei8yXAA_9SSHekYp3Yz1cvxT_lUUd_mR7oJ9rTxU2O1WctG76epYWUugMn-hzJgh7MnWypE10iqI9Yq0LNM5VqSLe3RoAS8qDlhuapNU25lqEX8bv043TM-F141C0gjn7yzj_jiTVYrZiR2PpQ0vB3K-aI=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1LkhrRk9ZeeSGLVOHhvYfBbTN7Ei8yXAA_9SSHekYp3Yz1cvxT_lUUd_mR7oJ9rTxU2O1WctG76epYWUugMn-hzJgh7MnWypE10iqI9Yq0LNM5VqSLe3RoAS8qDlhuapNU25lqEX8bv043TM-F141C0gjn7yzj_jiTVYrZiR2PpQ0vB3K-aI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We have lived in three states and numerous homes over the 56 years of our marriage. Christmas helps us think back on so many of our good times as a couple and a family.</p><p>One year when we were traveling a great amount of the time, we returned to find a broken pipe flooding our home in the Denver area. Many things stored in the basement, including the many books in the library there, were destroyed. Thankfully, some of the Christmas decorations were saved. And after we recovered emotionally, we enjoyed shopping for new ones.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-54222018325507991992021-11-14T14:18:00.004-07:002021-11-14T14:18:44.111-07:00Desert Plants<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday we walked in the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, located about 25 miles east of our resort. We hadn't been there for years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plant displays were grouped by what desert they are native to. We saw plants of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts that are near here as well as the Australian desert. We have never been to Australia and I don't think of it having deserts, but I guess the outback is one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Chihuahuan desert covers much of West Texas, the middle and lower Rio Grande Valley and the lower Pecos Valley in New Mexico.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Sonoran desert covers large parts of the southwestern United States, northwestern Mexico, and Baja California.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many of the plants we saw, we are familiar with because we have been spending our winters in Arizona since 2009. Unfortunately, didn't keep track of which gardens illustrated which desert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>This tree has a thick trunk, making me think it isn't native to the Sonoran desert. <div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqsNN8ePdS3Gwq-hM-rvvn39SUj9A7Pm0Ku6ipkdjDKnvbQE4quUwD6l0ZJ9o7yLrxzBj4Flu_oNHs5NmpjtkZmlK7Xdtm2jQ33w36JMJIqpZv9zZ2n2RlXY_x81NmoM2EAVu_pEmFarR8rA3ZhkwsoD8S6-8VSZn6zykX7ls-x8KGI8DFC04=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqsNN8ePdS3Gwq-hM-rvvn39SUj9A7Pm0Ku6ipkdjDKnvbQE4quUwD6l0ZJ9o7yLrxzBj4Flu_oNHs5NmpjtkZmlK7Xdtm2jQ33w36JMJIqpZv9zZ2n2RlXY_x81NmoM2EAVu_pEmFarR8rA3ZhkwsoD8S6-8VSZn6zykX7ls-x8KGI8DFC04=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Saguaro cactus are very familiar. I love them. There is even one growing in the front yard of our winter home. In this photo, you can also see prickly pear cactus.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiML8rTm46zs2fbmg-mu1THhf4LSDvbGeclfBodx1ySIGmyXyuSW5oaBPnnHmrkk6r58F3HUWrySnk9utOU1Z2G3jsumvt9ZHNprGvBMJhd_WXOUhtJQ05TvJwwIZOA0rXPywr9YBAO0JG6CXjVfGyOS6Nye5KDhPITzWGmjOweQYn6MrcVP8c=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiML8rTm46zs2fbmg-mu1THhf4LSDvbGeclfBodx1ySIGmyXyuSW5oaBPnnHmrkk6r58F3HUWrySnk9utOU1Z2G3jsumvt9ZHNprGvBMJhd_WXOUhtJQ05TvJwwIZOA0rXPywr9YBAO0JG6CXjVfGyOS6Nye5KDhPITzWGmjOweQYn6MrcVP8c=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL_S-1J6uoQuvtxSDwIGYZnsEPweKVOHg1C3mnJPu7tz4l8vTjWXe912CcHqULZPpqaWBF8ddZLDZIYYLpgjKlW5ed5ovgd36-4oKPvfdUZaHOxy7suhMrwKm9lBOcrgMnSnBQpZFeqd3ABDZAkztzMIgnYi5rdmTTuY0ulkVs9rDBoRmg5Xw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL_S-1J6uoQuvtxSDwIGYZnsEPweKVOHg1C3mnJPu7tz4l8vTjWXe912CcHqULZPpqaWBF8ddZLDZIYYLpgjKlW5ed5ovgd36-4oKPvfdUZaHOxy7suhMrwKm9lBOcrgMnSnBQpZFeqd3ABDZAkztzMIgnYi5rdmTTuY0ulkVs9rDBoRmg5Xw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were lots of golden barrel cactus.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxp835WB8WztKYFmPGgyME0FwzmSG2xUPt1QfUf1HYY1GykyoviVQc0hnO0bU1FbFCWE_8g5xmE2Ztnc4sNSmZbzKXqxpupC5jO1HiB90Iadiwf-3jMIcC45aTEbvUbDA22XINznindQD_9OJupj0IXOAf_bvOSGQrq9G8uafA9GFY7a2kOkI=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxp835WB8WztKYFmPGgyME0FwzmSG2xUPt1QfUf1HYY1GykyoviVQc0hnO0bU1FbFCWE_8g5xmE2Ztnc4sNSmZbzKXqxpupC5jO1HiB90Iadiwf-3jMIcC45aTEbvUbDA22XINznindQD_9OJupj0IXOAf_bvOSGQrq9G8uafA9GFY7a2kOkI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUMQHSUkAKM7tYaFiiwVcOzmpXkgbVHF-LGJ2ZBixZd3li_q9sdR35SsPQc_QyrO6HBIsu7xkgQO33Lzd6OrQnN7XKPfYCRF2efvy8mRpoFTpfptU908o3XztrW9rHxErpval69H2udX3q4Tud9_LD3b6Tj2PfTFup6CVIUX1m4O2Fm0Z_o24=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUMQHSUkAKM7tYaFiiwVcOzmpXkgbVHF-LGJ2ZBixZd3li_q9sdR35SsPQc_QyrO6HBIsu7xkgQO33Lzd6OrQnN7XKPfYCRF2efvy8mRpoFTpfptU908o3XztrW9rHxErpval69H2udX3q4Tud9_LD3b6Tj2PfTFup6CVIUX1m4O2Fm0Z_o24=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We learned the difference between yucca and aloe cactus. The yucca grow more like trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiPq8CelNT1RcD062WBDks4NusyWcCyroQKD4C3nc9Ls_ZTXUT9ZxiNJYPXztixyvaRFW6GPU_5KqDtlhoLuGlDkz1N7bluZ4MDJQcSquHIJMibc4z2Q5hObvu8gV0OZvFejZxZbqF5D78qEgtncrgiOVnWi8QLGbNMn5wtEVk0AQsudlGxVE=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiPq8CelNT1RcD062WBDks4NusyWcCyroQKD4C3nc9Ls_ZTXUT9ZxiNJYPXztixyvaRFW6GPU_5KqDtlhoLuGlDkz1N7bluZ4MDJQcSquHIJMibc4z2Q5hObvu8gV0OZvFejZxZbqF5D78qEgtncrgiOVnWi8QLGbNMn5wtEVk0AQsudlGxVE=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This rock is thickly covered with yellow lichen.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhocNs9DKIDhJHQfl5tKQqNbMiUI445yn4oj5odPct-IzDNCwc_S0SjJENvcd0yFk5NZKxlrbPeBfHy4BHKJteWl_cUfN2EKjNl7PdekbQW2bH5XzE0wOQLZfwHk3gJijWz-_4HKWCjJ3QwcuQ1_GGuf35UMj-_2h4dhHQLzatEwbiQB4rt3EU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhocNs9DKIDhJHQfl5tKQqNbMiUI445yn4oj5odPct-IzDNCwc_S0SjJENvcd0yFk5NZKxlrbPeBfHy4BHKJteWl_cUfN2EKjNl7PdekbQW2bH5XzE0wOQLZfwHk3gJijWz-_4HKWCjJ3QwcuQ1_GGuf35UMj-_2h4dhHQLzatEwbiQB4rt3EU=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Like I said, it has been several years since we were last at Boyce Thompson. We didn't remember these stands of large trees. They certainly are beautiful and provide a lot of shade.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg26rpcyErb43H3mfn94Xpi2lL8SkEo27hPAS9CKvXB6iZ0S1MTK-57aBYedXBp0WTuCMaWKKhTgmDfj8zT37-aOakMRmFyRxHHnGmrMxRbILcv6GZJq1MHJBf-FJFySOcvp_xlXJlmzxxR6-v8BS-uUNZeIG_EE_QX7Bzp53RvqBn6_0DAlOo=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg26rpcyErb43H3mfn94Xpi2lL8SkEo27hPAS9CKvXB6iZ0S1MTK-57aBYedXBp0WTuCMaWKKhTgmDfj8zT37-aOakMRmFyRxHHnGmrMxRbILcv6GZJq1MHJBf-FJFySOcvp_xlXJlmzxxR6-v8BS-uUNZeIG_EE_QX7Bzp53RvqBn6_0DAlOo=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div>Certainly an unusual cactus with an unusual name.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk8e-t-jaW6ZiLmnri6wnmGgvcsWYoTXOLVsw4z1uWNwfCmefdXa8y_ItTicTk248rgcVbr2cdfIeNFKEdEq5WQkYPScivq5u6Y-nV14CB6r6kWpmBZiKvTcRdzm5BdC_mVD8hmlFLeNthyETUNPvdkecH9WEhl6zKXuQn-BHzF12rfYhf5Ng=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk8e-t-jaW6ZiLmnri6wnmGgvcsWYoTXOLVsw4z1uWNwfCmefdXa8y_ItTicTk248rgcVbr2cdfIeNFKEdEq5WQkYPScivq5u6Y-nV14CB6r6kWpmBZiKvTcRdzm5BdC_mVD8hmlFLeNthyETUNPvdkecH9WEhl6zKXuQn-BHzF12rfYhf5Ng=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More of the large trees, with low desert shrubs in the foreground.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUMH6abp2I6Aka_d9yWGhw6uK9baVwNqeyUhZrlUlWMg5Iq2B5ZfAsRnoi3w2LNiCYMsd5a7UDjo2_87dVtJC2FPAgWxiy_aeigvBORkMab3dmfxtKe0QzVizO7Z1kZDs16e3IU0tBLJvHgUSuQMuxra0nZJA34jSA3aaB92_JOs_6g-KIHTM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUMH6abp2I6Aka_d9yWGhw6uK9baVwNqeyUhZrlUlWMg5Iq2B5ZfAsRnoi3w2LNiCYMsd5a7UDjo2_87dVtJC2FPAgWxiy_aeigvBORkMab3dmfxtKe0QzVizO7Z1kZDs16e3IU0tBLJvHgUSuQMuxra0nZJA34jSA3aaB92_JOs_6g-KIHTM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This display of Australian boomerangs was interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIW-co8Yx5mBaA4G3q4v1d1WKTouyptM5Xy313FlCxbLvko95bXB9sTr9yIveqJkU5GHNLHLsUHfFVB3y2v0SmcIWDY0d411u2kzM5imz_3Q0YgEEl2UxyYWaghJlax9nsCRfXz6ebMKYUv_lNYzWkg149pKzTvoztThpWYQcRTVOsDmEVW7s=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIW-co8Yx5mBaA4G3q4v1d1WKTouyptM5Xy313FlCxbLvko95bXB9sTr9yIveqJkU5GHNLHLsUHfFVB3y2v0SmcIWDY0d411u2kzM5imz_3Q0YgEEl2UxyYWaghJlax9nsCRfXz6ebMKYUv_lNYzWkg149pKzTvoztThpWYQcRTVOsDmEVW7s=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Perhaps this tree is native to Australia. I don't think I have ever seen one like it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz6EejQbdJ9T-iAqu4ZrUXzvL21wVpp8DTqVkWf9JauY0Dccm9T_hUWEz95MW4Nas4Y27REcXRvpqFHahYj75MMf9ll9A7rn-_cZDYMouuZ3rYWQMXE4lMnhe9Ao9ZBRqTwxGoyUITxaSUVXXRARMiyjrt-607f1osl-T3ScsRzZTY5lXH3A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz6EejQbdJ9T-iAqu4ZrUXzvL21wVpp8DTqVkWf9JauY0Dccm9T_hUWEz95MW4Nas4Y27REcXRvpqFHahYj75MMf9ll9A7rn-_cZDYMouuZ3rYWQMXE4lMnhe9Ao9ZBRqTwxGoyUITxaSUVXXRARMiyjrt-607f1osl-T3ScsRzZTY5lXH3A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Pretty sure these are Australian plants.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8sqjO5j1iNHAT4PI1fWM_gVEIIegmdeyDvB12gnUkkWUpY-3LP9EjSx1O7lgy56Cz4qLTKg0N22cRgfCnYXPO_coPuau7N45b_kuSdENTzSAjMUqXzqPdwCOa6Tpy9hQVdhze1sh8hYDPy6UeIojg5NqBgMmwoppwLSUAa6VznJm8TR6Zv7U=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8sqjO5j1iNHAT4PI1fWM_gVEIIegmdeyDvB12gnUkkWUpY-3LP9EjSx1O7lgy56Cz4qLTKg0N22cRgfCnYXPO_coPuau7N45b_kuSdENTzSAjMUqXzqPdwCOa6Tpy9hQVdhze1sh8hYDPy6UeIojg5NqBgMmwoppwLSUAa6VznJm8TR6Zv7U=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This cactus is neat. We see them often in our resort so I imagine they grow in the Sonoran desert.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3NbjTobzlb0c6QfmyNvQY7WDuJ06_iAz6pjgdyuTA4nlanoHacgx-W2kBNMSQpeZPSctob57L-osQEWNzTms_ecm_LwqIPyEDfkXKEL5QsQY5y4u0mYLyeTkKgWr9ObjeJGY2KqKeQYcA1DoXa7G6Q_tf1RMx5n-GnSH82TL-ZeNCZNePfac=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3NbjTobzlb0c6QfmyNvQY7WDuJ06_iAz6pjgdyuTA4nlanoHacgx-W2kBNMSQpeZPSctob57L-osQEWNzTms_ecm_LwqIPyEDfkXKEL5QsQY5y4u0mYLyeTkKgWr9ObjeJGY2KqKeQYcA1DoXa7G6Q_tf1RMx5n-GnSH82TL-ZeNCZNePfac=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is really unusual bark.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTM29uhxiuZb04uRXETq8kHMsgGVf722T9ik8_auxks49IUQ4fcI5IGkxQ4q_UbKfanmrmoVYej4ZL6A8HA5UyC-DFbdsGNGn1dF3i6P3sR8nz3j5ZTxOOsHQ9Ma3L6PsKUMOvSyfTt41eyiydcrrBo_t-oy6kdEyAoj39taJ6PIQWc2QevGc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTM29uhxiuZb04uRXETq8kHMsgGVf722T9ik8_auxks49IUQ4fcI5IGkxQ4q_UbKfanmrmoVYej4ZL6A8HA5UyC-DFbdsGNGn1dF3i6P3sR8nz3j5ZTxOOsHQ9Ma3L6PsKUMOvSyfTt41eyiydcrrBo_t-oy6kdEyAoj39taJ6PIQWc2QevGc=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A small ramada, providing shade for visitors.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpmKGTOwGqwYZ2TQ3sNZVPTE7RSkCEWJHL5UTQmmyEA1CvGSiqeoEbtzKlND-zoJwF9uie1c423p1HdS7mXkBa4TQA6kJiyqRQTgVwrnKRAtuLdI-p1NWRIxsD1HvHr9xP6tySDyJy3C06E00UzTgpNpa__zf8H4V5l7grxYLXzwtfXV-XSf0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpmKGTOwGqwYZ2TQ3sNZVPTE7RSkCEWJHL5UTQmmyEA1CvGSiqeoEbtzKlND-zoJwF9uie1c423p1HdS7mXkBa4TQA6kJiyqRQTgVwrnKRAtuLdI-p1NWRIxsD1HvHr9xP6tySDyJy3C06E00UzTgpNpa__zf8H4V5l7grxYLXzwtfXV-XSf0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>If you aren't in to living plants, this metal and glass prickly pear is pretty. The base is made of railroad spikes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivuwIRir6oZEv4yguPah-PR31htsfw_3GBIcwVwUov27HIAvaRCzhmbP0s5uUV6pmb-NFxNG364ndFphuPihoEp_wiIBCD8yyx-lr1xZ9QLiHvaRuijL1DvjlKzrwLt37mPPFJXUAfefCyourtQ3leaN7N_7xRLo8XxBvDYUFPneqEv_XfYb4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivuwIRir6oZEv4yguPah-PR31htsfw_3GBIcwVwUov27HIAvaRCzhmbP0s5uUV6pmb-NFxNG364ndFphuPihoEp_wiIBCD8yyx-lr1xZ9QLiHvaRuijL1DvjlKzrwLt37mPPFJXUAfefCyourtQ3leaN7N_7xRLo8XxBvDYUFPneqEv_XfYb4=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This attractive cactus garden highlights the entrance to the arboretum.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQv7FasCE8BFJOvk9BsYpDGI7ZBXXOjoLrdkETi3OBONZPCV-7r_jDApUahOtgzZgAUkvefhA1gtTqxAdEhfpmWqV3Alz4BS1glQWGDNsDA99adHtQai8sSOtBIUpnBJJlsrH6yD67-jXPfEPwZx1H7u8CSdfY53gDWWvVFtiL5KiNmb-MSZc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQv7FasCE8BFJOvk9BsYpDGI7ZBXXOjoLrdkETi3OBONZPCV-7r_jDApUahOtgzZgAUkvefhA1gtTqxAdEhfpmWqV3Alz4BS1glQWGDNsDA99adHtQai8sSOtBIUpnBJJlsrH6yD67-jXPfEPwZx1H7u8CSdfY53gDWWvVFtiL5KiNmb-MSZc=s320" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-34948679771707902222021-11-11T20:15:00.001-07:002021-11-11T20:15:38.425-07:00Thanks for Your Service<p>Today, our country gives thanks for those who, throughout the 245 years since the Revolutionary War, have volunteered and many have died, so we can live the great lives we have. We live in freedom in an amazing country. Our resort held a parade and lunch to mark this day and thank those who served. </p><p>I, and many of the others in this 55+ resort, were born during or soon after World War II. Some served in the Korean Conflict, many in the Viet Nam war. Since then, our son served during Desert Storm. They all helped keep us and our country safe. THANK YOU!</p><p>A parade in a senior resort includes lots of golf carts and bikes, as well as some folks walking. The flags of the US and Canada were carried by some young men--I imagine from a Boy Scout group.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjUnKJvSXx8ynJSRZFqs5QC1CByC3RhK0QFefMo0J6hz5_qVSGKCqv9KfZZOafauPT542Mc67EFYQ-OY4weapSRUz1AztgL1ZcRF-XXs1UHy139KL4ra_lROLjjC8Vc5O22-8d-5MTf6sohW13AYvxAiRInFIQR-h17uPu2Ta6RjFHvIR9NBQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjUnKJvSXx8ynJSRZFqs5QC1CByC3RhK0QFefMo0J6hz5_qVSGKCqv9KfZZOafauPT542Mc67EFYQ-OY4weapSRUz1AztgL1ZcRF-XXs1UHy139KL4ra_lROLjjC8Vc5O22-8d-5MTf6sohW13AYvxAiRInFIQR-h17uPu2Ta6RjFHvIR9NBQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div>Motorcycles</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-WM15R72KRfvo8LYAK27Yp4jN9YdZP6P0oT3u-7Linzj8kg2qTijgb9Eo7n9a1dWphMqLfu7gahFfrr-lC9PhPrUX1MZBRstQkm-WKTPDf_rWCo2ui4suyhM-O3NQVo13WHwng1TeHXfBM254KRxpDL2HR6yqjyiFoNEaNS2uXoMwZmfYW7A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-WM15R72KRfvo8LYAK27Yp4jN9YdZP6P0oT3u-7Linzj8kg2qTijgb9Eo7n9a1dWphMqLfu7gahFfrr-lC9PhPrUX1MZBRstQkm-WKTPDf_rWCo2ui4suyhM-O3NQVo13WHwng1TeHXfBM254KRxpDL2HR6yqjyiFoNEaNS2uXoMwZmfYW7A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4w6iE3UJ2yAGmuNsPzKCNRJATNYX1xGdqvxco8XFYeUA2-vd57IIcf6NRyZh7OhLkThk1HwcdoAReNEX5Du61Tr_2DvosefpfLMLx9AUNvNel5dy0bShDjb___dH_hUIbAjpf4OAYCt_aNHA-Mffgg_ukpNvRhPlERgGZ1H-dyRse7MEsuvc=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4w6iE3UJ2yAGmuNsPzKCNRJATNYX1xGdqvxco8XFYeUA2-vd57IIcf6NRyZh7OhLkThk1HwcdoAReNEX5Du61Tr_2DvosefpfLMLx9AUNvNel5dy0bShDjb___dH_hUIbAjpf4OAYCt_aNHA-Mffgg_ukpNvRhPlERgGZ1H-dyRse7MEsuvc=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Our resort managers and their LARGE white dog.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtyveTfP7i5uK6hvU1u3ZXXroBtz0Rg5NnCUPBm3Wr5QJZRyBpIY6zDu4B-ug72NBHngNEFZdcj0gnqFML8iEJhEcaYRhWwHIG6e0ynGtn8oMJlGOIXqLCQmT-fIKu4uTgt89whRIC742kksaPteThsUhMjtty58clrRTza_r9yMbNv6uaynw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtyveTfP7i5uK6hvU1u3ZXXroBtz0Rg5NnCUPBm3Wr5QJZRyBpIY6zDu4B-ug72NBHngNEFZdcj0gnqFML8iEJhEcaYRhWwHIG6e0ynGtn8oMJlGOIXqLCQmT-fIKu4uTgt89whRIC742kksaPteThsUhMjtty58clrRTza_r9yMbNv6uaynw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3gMWKkxej0-QuG1ZD2fXYYMHID8TxAw5cx6RRU96iTza2dUng1bH7o3CfLuAaevLFaR-ankEA8znqcWMiuCPGHtCXSMHMwwF27Ot4_rMaTTc8CmdjQzcaR-gtqaENGOr29LPXNKF7CtOKiTULIGFFKU60H7-hfPBRT8mlJ_NoomNKvnx46OQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3gMWKkxej0-QuG1ZD2fXYYMHID8TxAw5cx6RRU96iTza2dUng1bH7o3CfLuAaevLFaR-ankEA8znqcWMiuCPGHtCXSMHMwwF27Ot4_rMaTTc8CmdjQzcaR-gtqaENGOr29LPXNKF7CtOKiTULIGFFKU60H7-hfPBRT8mlJ_NoomNKvnx46OQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bikes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZoEL1HFzyvHEGm_U084_fYzL1LyJhWEi5NqUjNoTHBw2FSVbvVErcMrHTnhJfH3aFklO8zPCikde6uECVLnMxvVbdAeDMol4-9T03r3mOHg7BHLJM9vMx0ZxwOQpCc5WPD3NRVN_WEzfx7X3aJCzoDxt-Bno8wUuu-XUh0h_S2OCa-7_NdCo=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZoEL1HFzyvHEGm_U084_fYzL1LyJhWEi5NqUjNoTHBw2FSVbvVErcMrHTnhJfH3aFklO8zPCikde6uECVLnMxvVbdAeDMol4-9T03r3mOHg7BHLJM9vMx0ZxwOQpCc5WPD3NRVN_WEzfx7X3aJCzoDxt-Bno8wUuu-XUh0h_S2OCa-7_NdCo=s320" width="240" /></a></div>Several golf carts.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYdanZ-mexg3z3VVruH8moaFSQSwKjWI1QRegWt1VmAQyaXGWZUSk2BJGRyfg6PdWCQSERfM-VlxohrvACw6pVD_5_D0UtdsaElCcf85-fNkGR4JJyPFGbFyDIr3SFGiidjX9QQZRRJyUbPO0wtsw6ljzPldh_sxv85f3G2O4hyQYfuyjHdW4=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYdanZ-mexg3z3VVruH8moaFSQSwKjWI1QRegWt1VmAQyaXGWZUSk2BJGRyfg6PdWCQSERfM-VlxohrvACw6pVD_5_D0UtdsaElCcf85-fNkGR4JJyPFGbFyDIr3SFGiidjX9QQZRRJyUbPO0wtsw6ljzPldh_sxv85f3G2O4hyQYfuyjHdW4=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>Our older son, Doug, was a member of the US Marines for 23 years, serving in Panama, Somalia, Iraq and Kuwait, among other assignments. We are proud of his service and so grateful he came come safely.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-43125266407253848092021-10-16T15:35:00.001-06:002021-10-16T15:36:14.518-06:00Home for the Winter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've put some miles on the truck and are settling into our winter home in Gold Canyon, Arizona. It feels good to be here, our winter home since November 2014. The winter residents are slowly trickling in. So far, there are only 4 houses occupied on out street. By Thanksgiving, most of our neighbors will have arrived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoI0S9HOzKvhgBKQ2suGCb4bxvkemjmjRrb3vZuYbeqyr9KKbxTyQ-PQyC-dTw6FMbzUjuulPpgax1jK70zM648uqWIPadF7QUkr2e_vYbZWLCJK1L6XRxntpgv-jrhQRA26-5AbiEeCnEZ31yKJOjMDTpg_IZbN7V1O1-BkfLN9F5mTSliP8=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoI0S9HOzKvhgBKQ2suGCb4bxvkemjmjRrb3vZuYbeqyr9KKbxTyQ-PQyC-dTw6FMbzUjuulPpgax1jK70zM648uqWIPadF7QUkr2e_vYbZWLCJK1L6XRxntpgv-jrhQRA26-5AbiEeCnEZ31yKJOjMDTpg_IZbN7V1O1-BkfLN9F5mTSliP8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>We made a two-day trip from our Lone Tree apartment to here. We stopped in Albuquerque at the Days Inn on the east end of town. We walked across the street to the Owl Cafe for dinner. We wondered how many of our children and nieces and nephews, let alone our grandchildren, would even know what this device is. Remember the juke boxes found in many restaurants during our childhood? Today, they can only be found in retro diners. We didn't have the necessary coin to play a song. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVjRl-CqcgegP88C5dR_cwEG9R86kxhTMLRrf1tWn7YisidoF7mG3-fWZ6FGrxQvuc6bMf9807uuIKflfagj5BNfIVyDpdzvGYWp618Rl6ZDVs32av61KikWAIgtjrSGqP7JwzzFsQNGDt0DcG0gZUBKP7XUhKhUR9tvwlh1lnA3q0ufAzga4=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVjRl-CqcgegP88C5dR_cwEG9R86kxhTMLRrf1tWn7YisidoF7mG3-fWZ6FGrxQvuc6bMf9807uuIKflfagj5BNfIVyDpdzvGYWp618Rl6ZDVs32av61KikWAIgtjrSGqP7JwzzFsQNGDt0DcG0gZUBKP7XUhKhUR9tvwlh1lnA3q0ufAzga4=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> There was a drug store with a soda fountain on the route I walked to grand school. They had these on the counter. I only ate there once and don't know if I payed to listen to a song. The store was the place we stopped for a coke or ice cream cone after school.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I think this year will be more comfortable--and more normal--than last winter was. The pandemic is waning. We, and most of our neighbors, I imagine, have been vaccinated. Masks are only required in the gym and other indoor areas of our resort for those who have not been vaccinated. The same is true in the businesses we go into.</span></div><p></p><p>Arizona had mass vaccination sites early last spring. We received our first and second Pfizer shots in February and March. We got our booster shots shortly before returning here for the winter. It is refreshing--refreshingly normal--to see people's faces and their smiles! Three cheers for the scientists who developed these vaccines.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-62533533691897652832021-10-11T12:28:00.001-06:002021-10-11T12:28:00.316-06:00Changing Colors<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday, we went for a walk along the Platte River Trail. We were there a couple of weeks ago, but since then the temperatures have cooled and fall colors are showing up, especially in the cottonwood trees near the river. It was a beautiful walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioCkyF6MMOB9nl6ZZIjGHZcoJUNo2nPB2ysB2_Gjg9yVOkgDo7T5zTJer_kQhNY_t1eJkG6AWreDfUM2cD1gKjwLmrAS6arz3tNjBIpOXzEepFfjavbnQgJhr7FD9JepjARpGQrx4oVcqiuyTPn2O0vlpoCYYgDBVXVM1YXblS3IKhIlFmiVw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioCkyF6MMOB9nl6ZZIjGHZcoJUNo2nPB2ysB2_Gjg9yVOkgDo7T5zTJer_kQhNY_t1eJkG6AWreDfUM2cD1gKjwLmrAS6arz3tNjBIpOXzEepFfjavbnQgJhr7FD9JepjARpGQrx4oVcqiuyTPn2O0vlpoCYYgDBVXVM1YXblS3IKhIlFmiVw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2yshIUNOaBQNV0ajj6ITF7ODiRIR8kr9elBEcMGS2jODWHgJ0x84RbYEXUdMungJP1d5klET6dr6F0TROkzek9aHgeLGC5igqYLMaE4NrH6vxrHi3k428jUha5plYLNiY1dKQC7At6F14vniXH8W5BHVDZkue-oI4aiPXbWIE-ClIn0MRc6I=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2yshIUNOaBQNV0ajj6ITF7ODiRIR8kr9elBEcMGS2jODWHgJ0x84RbYEXUdMungJP1d5klET6dr6F0TROkzek9aHgeLGC5igqYLMaE4NrH6vxrHi3k428jUha5plYLNiY1dKQC7At6F14vniXH8W5BHVDZkue-oI4aiPXbWIE-ClIn0MRc6I=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>In a few places, we saw some red leaves. I believe they are sumac.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLKIARV_4LGsCDU31-hZ0gW84mv9d3qGdNsYB1LxIIJElqK91TcGO6tq9t9m17t-sLOc2yCKiawdJT505EGRmVFecMME2SKxdajg4Lyb5Jp-0LNDn6vsXEILZ0ZBVUscuAIUhYOb60l8IrVdzEhqyzEvwmaBEyspP-82wmCGhKmfsk4j98pSo=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLKIARV_4LGsCDU31-hZ0gW84mv9d3qGdNsYB1LxIIJElqK91TcGO6tq9t9m17t-sLOc2yCKiawdJT505EGRmVFecMME2SKxdajg4Lyb5Jp-0LNDn6vsXEILZ0ZBVUscuAIUhYOb60l8IrVdzEhqyzEvwmaBEyspP-82wmCGhKmfsk4j98pSo=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBU8IeeihhZ6UNDSvlZjLKYcZYbjbXtMWRphVkrkyDfRzLja5NFHoHlLXSp4wDRasaKIl4MedoGUuWT8ht22O4ceRsYS3Gua6ya7SJLTa_NCgr_rowQU2GJxmxe8BCOKfNVg1LCqCbdcyOduYEFnpzIVN9drF6--VYXBVDg61h2kNw4-4n9N8=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBU8IeeihhZ6UNDSvlZjLKYcZYbjbXtMWRphVkrkyDfRzLja5NFHoHlLXSp4wDRasaKIl4MedoGUuWT8ht22O4ceRsYS3Gua6ya7SJLTa_NCgr_rowQU2GJxmxe8BCOKfNVg1LCqCbdcyOduYEFnpzIVN9drF6--VYXBVDg61h2kNw4-4n9N8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ISSKtLQE-m1l2A1wWt4FSVsK9IqUahHqhXG0CKI8V6pg_4uBivtDrmcpoPUfc3BxaBAvaSwKIT8tuMpYCQ3utshqdvARf09KeIVSiHprPsRCSKa2Rr2YOs5FzQWPIc6V7GQ8ywLY8ezbXjk_auUbN2UoF6Rv09psBKzbwgpcHdrf8r6nOLQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ISSKtLQE-m1l2A1wWt4FSVsK9IqUahHqhXG0CKI8V6pg_4uBivtDrmcpoPUfc3BxaBAvaSwKIT8tuMpYCQ3utshqdvARf09KeIVSiHprPsRCSKa2Rr2YOs5FzQWPIc6V7GQ8ywLY8ezbXjk_auUbN2UoF6Rv09psBKzbwgpcHdrf8r6nOLQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkXsw5JOpp_qkHt5UKIzuud7Mi1mObX8-210bPKyH-QMyNinSiiQ9Q4ZvcDMi-3CN1jyl-HrZ_ctyv6K6QP_XLkzlwVYcE6RG3rjRpOrejtZrL_YRty7IXBvkhnRrL1ZbPly6dRPzkIUJ_479AEdcvHspUdQPZ3yw2ukclVc1l8yKwPAuIIbg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkXsw5JOpp_qkHt5UKIzuud7Mi1mObX8-210bPKyH-QMyNinSiiQ9Q4ZvcDMi-3CN1jyl-HrZ_ctyv6K6QP_XLkzlwVYcE6RG3rjRpOrejtZrL_YRty7IXBvkhnRrL1ZbPly6dRPzkIUJ_479AEdcvHspUdQPZ3yw2ukclVc1l8yKwPAuIIbg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6DPE4O4QMbUYjC2PQxNTEAapTfIXOnwj37TkiUrs9p-cXFNDdaWdpwaplJToAoxyibb47WcSAi8lCmbQnoVvU-PQwJbo_MFCpLxRD3hREagczOavbVJeBhYJJ9KaOinXZ8Y0iWzyHn_bdipjEHYZZOSLIQ2Rjpyxsn6l0IodqMX6fG270bz8=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6DPE4O4QMbUYjC2PQxNTEAapTfIXOnwj37TkiUrs9p-cXFNDdaWdpwaplJToAoxyibb47WcSAi8lCmbQnoVvU-PQwJbo_MFCpLxRD3hREagczOavbVJeBhYJJ9KaOinXZ8Y0iWzyHn_bdipjEHYZZOSLIQ2Rjpyxsn6l0IodqMX6fG270bz8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Saturday we were able to see a few high mountain peaks covered in snow. Sorry, no pictures. But this change means one thing for sure. Snow birds--count us among them--are headed south for the winter. We think we will be leaving Tuesday. <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-60641549053468585122021-10-09T12:28:00.000-06:002021-10-09T12:28:21.008-06:00One Pesky Little Fly<p> Who knew a fly could cause so much trouble. We are used to flies. We have both lived most of our lives in Colorado and flies are just part of the landscape. We have been spending our winters in Arizona since 2009. They are not usually much of a problem there. Just to be safe, we have a fly swatter in our house in Arizona and another in our Airstream Trailer, which is also parked in Arizona.</p><p>This year, we have rented an apartment in Lone Tree on the south end of Denver. And wouldn't you know it, we somehow let a fly into the apartment. A magazine just doesn't work to swat a fly. So, we went out to buy a fly swatter. We didn't find one at Walmart. King Soopers, same story. Safeway didn't have one either. Neither did Harbor Freight. Finally, we stopped at an Ace Hardware--Big Tool Box on Holly Street.</p><p>At last, we were able to buy a fly swatter. It cost lest than $3. About the same as I found one on Amazon. But have a $3 item shipped from Amazon seemed a little bit of overkill.</p><p>Now, where is that fly?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-32194644583398150202021-09-29T13:37:00.004-06:002021-09-29T13:38:38.702-06:00Fall Colors in the Colorado Mountains<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most years we head to Arizona in early September. Not this year, so yesterday we drove to the mountains to enjoy the fall colors of Colorado's aspen trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any hillside where there are aspens, we saw the golden leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They start turning from green to yellow and then sometimes to darker yellow and orange.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHiZpM8lGL2z2SuruSxU2g3VZijgyzcINqI3VFQYBVt-SV76_eYgm_WGmabFYgbZZfjFzdEQqZTXAyKK6JzEJ8KKA5ppXSbC84DGSls_xAXuI5HUnQTismxyABjSHG96HZ-GriH3M_FgBg4fcQAuQL-u75HXoy4GTmKAvSwHI-j5xe3k-xdIY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHiZpM8lGL2z2SuruSxU2g3VZijgyzcINqI3VFQYBVt-SV76_eYgm_WGmabFYgbZZfjFzdEQqZTXAyKK6JzEJ8KKA5ppXSbC84DGSls_xAXuI5HUnQTismxyABjSHG96HZ-GriH3M_FgBg4fcQAuQL-u75HXoy4GTmKAvSwHI-j5xe3k-xdIY=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our route took us over Kenosha Pass, elevation 9,997 ft. Obviously, we weren't the only people out to see the colors.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnDiEn9Ww-n2Z4wv4FZwZfsRU1oqM3ZzdjDegCPI6XPpPuErzaKayZi8PxTeRML6g685EXzmtMEandI9cJ-vGQLBHzs26SbgBIRsAlEeYpB0Ga9CvVpKpNn0akv2lsbPl7z466k36mkSq14BVfcVb7T8f08eT82IB4z4hpjmvHD3k7RaD8koA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnDiEn9Ww-n2Z4wv4FZwZfsRU1oqM3ZzdjDegCPI6XPpPuErzaKayZi8PxTeRML6g685EXzmtMEandI9cJ-vGQLBHzs26SbgBIRsAlEeYpB0Ga9CvVpKpNn0akv2lsbPl7z466k36mkSq14BVfcVb7T8f08eT82IB4z4hpjmvHD3k7RaD8koA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Some areas of the Colorado mountains have been decimated by the bark beetle, leaving large stands of dead conifer trees. But that obviously hasn't been a problem where we were traveling. There is a healthy mix of green conifers and aspen trees.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVCwqrNE99O2fi1UxpuSlrwdf-CXcDPTzHNx8KutsUj4plg-i8pu-XysMGSg5XfB2VthPMswSmdRz8BQgjqerPWp0Gsimb_WNbJmVw13QJNJGEhXxq10nF_gqihPlNk80XOBtg7gbEg6-yF_nBjBYCdPZecNdC3UDEbO5uoLGEhGzheQz6L24=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVCwqrNE99O2fi1UxpuSlrwdf-CXcDPTzHNx8KutsUj4plg-i8pu-XysMGSg5XfB2VthPMswSmdRz8BQgjqerPWp0Gsimb_WNbJmVw13QJNJGEhXxq10nF_gqihPlNk80XOBtg7gbEg6-yF_nBjBYCdPZecNdC3UDEbO5uoLGEhGzheQz6L24=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvnbmUNEi1y7sE1BW8oE936XLgg6SEavChcc2jQITznUnE3FllqRO37t7CBlxGM12R57sBcxRPH26gofTaMygoBUWaTdSlGHJgzNC7ZRZGD50XoOvUw8uSWOfUOPpo5IAV7W4KOmbHfh5YtmWVi2dPC7wll1v7nL-rldS9AbSfosTKALOZK5o=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvnbmUNEi1y7sE1BW8oE936XLgg6SEavChcc2jQITznUnE3FllqRO37t7CBlxGM12R57sBcxRPH26gofTaMygoBUWaTdSlGHJgzNC7ZRZGD50XoOvUw8uSWOfUOPpo5IAV7W4KOmbHfh5YtmWVi2dPC7wll1v7nL-rldS9AbSfosTKALOZK5o=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJIoZW88xaU7pV4mZ357Ib1kkHngc-ilU7PBOBDjdX-BrsO4rX8TPBayZhwJTOHhfva9J99b-0nHvK5gq5XDNujycDj6W1fft_ay3tdLY2pWvpFJ9CtQq069K1yO4gUI_dphUUpKD-6VM_7mpvqVGdoTGDy-4E8VVB8GSawNyShpRYngcBbRw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJIoZW88xaU7pV4mZ357Ib1kkHngc-ilU7PBOBDjdX-BrsO4rX8TPBayZhwJTOHhfva9J99b-0nHvK5gq5XDNujycDj6W1fft_ay3tdLY2pWvpFJ9CtQq069K1yO4gUI_dphUUpKD-6VM_7mpvqVGdoTGDy-4E8VVB8GSawNyShpRYngcBbRw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Even above timberline, the mountains are beautiful. We come from a beautiful state. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHyh7r23I-MvCQRaeDrTAA6CNCTHR0FzJaOvPf7EQGfoBBJaYlPH2wxO8JlC0mApNmjLLmVpTtNPt0xKIQgxg0c2mRWuPmZ8P8rJZABoMvBJ_wKVqYTIe6pgeJiAQE_KdZT9KfREGU9ac0xIDIwzSZUxv0rDUq6CTDl1ki46s-rnjqV_lFqE=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHyh7r23I-MvCQRaeDrTAA6CNCTHR0FzJaOvPf7EQGfoBBJaYlPH2wxO8JlC0mApNmjLLmVpTtNPt0xKIQgxg0c2mRWuPmZ8P8rJZABoMvBJ_wKVqYTIe6pgeJiAQE_KdZT9KfREGU9ac0xIDIwzSZUxv0rDUq6CTDl1ki46s-rnjqV_lFqE=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Just look at these hillsides.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx1ZqG0a6XmR7PCJnEWz6UH7EfG4shtkyj7uXR0cEs0TW9JL2u2Uhcj__YYf9dfPX0-xUbKyzbFmQIebNw6nf-QKufGTrNmTBImOoY708v2eoKn0fNBJSrpS0vvRmf3U9wbOBT-Jqy_Qo4mZKTCQHYosWPOCxdnwT3gnSgSYCCnocavHmEFA4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx1ZqG0a6XmR7PCJnEWz6UH7EfG4shtkyj7uXR0cEs0TW9JL2u2Uhcj__YYf9dfPX0-xUbKyzbFmQIebNw6nf-QKufGTrNmTBImOoY708v2eoKn0fNBJSrpS0vvRmf3U9wbOBT-Jqy_Qo4mZKTCQHYosWPOCxdnwT3gnSgSYCCnocavHmEFA4=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0xKKJcbr0QMHGhF0QrAIIJXRGX-DIFI--p9-z5_9ZbMYwll0nRKbz12F4SN7nPfVr08y4GkUlzd-7D_OxZoJJatOUg2poTKrudy5gjEZveIwHx-3ITyN6IYwNb1JpA0xxJVfr_3FnXIJGHYNeKR9iV3rPeJpjpqyIuOAuUPwICXMXFFDsk50=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0xKKJcbr0QMHGhF0QrAIIJXRGX-DIFI--p9-z5_9ZbMYwll0nRKbz12F4SN7nPfVr08y4GkUlzd-7D_OxZoJJatOUg2poTKrudy5gjEZveIwHx-3ITyN6IYwNb1JpA0xxJVfr_3FnXIJGHYNeKR9iV3rPeJpjpqyIuOAuUPwICXMXFFDsk50=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>When we got to Breckenridge, we decided to get some exercise. Flowers grow willingly in hanging baskets around the town.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizE-ExZLyIAfCu0kI6rYb5-3i8BBv65oXuhROCHVxKuGJmJZubpk6yreUYCayUbAPzCuTgJ1Rm0SEA-00IYpfdQJeBGFXun4GJiAu09Ude2MSB8Y3zAditYLUsqGEPszZd6lCW-tMkLVAf60GqwfX79wzHc9CTcXYZop7mUrR13PdiXRkRDQk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizE-ExZLyIAfCu0kI6rYb5-3i8BBv65oXuhROCHVxKuGJmJZubpk6yreUYCayUbAPzCuTgJ1Rm0SEA-00IYpfdQJeBGFXun4GJiAu09Ude2MSB8Y3zAditYLUsqGEPszZd6lCW-tMkLVAf60GqwfX79wzHc9CTcXYZop7mUrR13PdiXRkRDQk=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We crossed this picturesque creek.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz8Nn3lqnq1s7w8eKr-sin9BK885bEqSJwKcMp_rF-EG0ZqJWiFwbxvrAUfx6Mx7iv8o6yXfKbF-aLIXGS6cLInAHCjatq7vbCxQvx1UpGf7Vn9l_UYD84K12cpByqJVjybYqQVhWdQLSVvcjdwHBOCLelz-Y6pKACdqswzBUJOgXi4IXx8A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz8Nn3lqnq1s7w8eKr-sin9BK885bEqSJwKcMp_rF-EG0ZqJWiFwbxvrAUfx6Mx7iv8o6yXfKbF-aLIXGS6cLInAHCjatq7vbCxQvx1UpGf7Vn9l_UYD84K12cpByqJVjybYqQVhWdQLSVvcjdwHBOCLelz-Y6pKACdqswzBUJOgXi4IXx8A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>More flowers.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">e <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifyl57hAvKLJ9k9LERzmGqUZWQRgQi1j2FNEZJmcOmacLyFCYedxmj8-G4ocOGnlylRKXefy5hdVNRAIVoUhBZuW0aWpQUp_eKSHA-3_8TCc2RV3ra3_BWys0h7H7lggx-mFmnQsqgFls0Lut5jQSFipXTxPM8Z2nACU3RA5b8kmJpSzCYjfc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifyl57hAvKLJ9k9LERzmGqUZWQRgQi1j2FNEZJmcOmacLyFCYedxmj8-G4ocOGnlylRKXefy5hdVNRAIVoUhBZuW0aWpQUp_eKSHA-3_8TCc2RV3ra3_BWys0h7H7lggx-mFmnQsqgFls0Lut5jQSFipXTxPM8Z2nACU3RA5b8kmJpSzCYjfc=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6mLD_uioGptW4RbdRkWO9xzS5Nz0d1KfdvlguawnTFbKQDOr5me2uYCdAjXtUlgs9lbRKU7tBx2XSn_JGjhJ0xVM_5bd6FUGjQp3b9kwsQRRnoKHjYAV8p9vy-m50dDOgjsANIJBSy7Z5kCh-pEuvCpNZsJ2PiMj3gm4AlPsCDfsZ_e6k-Vg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6mLD_uioGptW4RbdRkWO9xzS5Nz0d1KfdvlguawnTFbKQDOr5me2uYCdAjXtUlgs9lbRKU7tBx2XSn_JGjhJ0xVM_5bd6FUGjQp3b9kwsQRRnoKHjYAV8p9vy-m50dDOgjsANIJBSy7Z5kCh-pEuvCpNZsJ2PiMj3gm4AlPsCDfsZ_e6k-Vg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwYRUF-dfgVcZNlJ50wfAUqcnRPxX-2YdZrD7TP3YQZ5p6WMbQN2AXeB3GRWznZei8pBU2QKBX3PxASOZGzIrpULpheiiacrFA4-O1zFbh6Ahqi03RsR5A6dsHNMVKCa9wtGFB3GetXhslk105dMFOSO8bnMVoW9n2tEPc1cKPCCcJErtAbtM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwYRUF-dfgVcZNlJ50wfAUqcnRPxX-2YdZrD7TP3YQZ5p6WMbQN2AXeB3GRWznZei8pBU2QKBX3PxASOZGzIrpULpheiiacrFA4-O1zFbh6Ahqi03RsR5A6dsHNMVKCa9wtGFB3GetXhslk105dMFOSO8bnMVoW9n2tEPc1cKPCCcJErtAbtM=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>These were in a flower box along the sidewalk, rather than in hanging baskets.</p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5XOIqwQppPuAB35WIvpdi9Wa5g39Z7-8oqZtZ4haLyCNwuw9XOsCMFm06eSca2A5NWW0TdgxziagCL7X7F4xar_j-XGUyPDIXANTm8DWRX1JqkPOtuLVvfCIBAW6Vl-EENrLWJtFuLxOiBiEhCCRkfhJElY9_U03PXIZkbHpg6UkPGdpDKug=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5XOIqwQppPuAB35WIvpdi9Wa5g39Z7-8oqZtZ4haLyCNwuw9XOsCMFm06eSca2A5NWW0TdgxziagCL7X7F4xar_j-XGUyPDIXANTm8DWRX1JqkPOtuLVvfCIBAW6Vl-EENrLWJtFuLxOiBiEhCCRkfhJElY9_U03PXIZkbHpg6UkPGdpDKug=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>You can sit and rest a while in this area along the main street.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOML71UQSqUnhM1YJSDN5T8SSCb9PaHc2hPh5MXA26nNLIJD9PltauHXo7N1PXJLAsC-kiEDJJjeCz48s1mUNytMWp2FHV9s12fGkNXkkoe_rbE8Kki-x158H8cvbbRLaNsIbmLdMl6ZOY0BnahNfwwEmpmhfXJh8aVPDkDQ9KDJDtRF7Zu04=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOML71UQSqUnhM1YJSDN5T8SSCb9PaHc2hPh5MXA26nNLIJD9PltauHXo7N1PXJLAsC-kiEDJJjeCz48s1mUNytMWp2FHV9s12fGkNXkkoe_rbE8Kki-x158H8cvbbRLaNsIbmLdMl6ZOY0BnahNfwwEmpmhfXJh8aVPDkDQ9KDJDtRF7Zu04=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Breckenridge has a rich mining history. Here is a statue of a miner.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipK4YDMTN_u6Yfbpq8WCSPNiX2kW42iVXfuxUasYFeNcDsf8vDNWmhLHahtXKfNCKwnDSs5YeV6Kl-90bHynPzfRRp7AI-wuTqKGrVrQSMyUK_LArI_D2rY_LWuRTZPLH6sod8L4O4wh5gUWIgthUtl7cP2LjbEC-_NdoT9P44cqlHTMYCO_I=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipK4YDMTN_u6Yfbpq8WCSPNiX2kW42iVXfuxUasYFeNcDsf8vDNWmhLHahtXKfNCKwnDSs5YeV6Kl-90bHynPzfRRp7AI-wuTqKGrVrQSMyUK_LArI_D2rY_LWuRTZPLH6sod8L4O4wh5gUWIgthUtl7cP2LjbEC-_NdoT9P44cqlHTMYCO_I=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>And another of a pair of donkeys carrying the miner's tools.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzF6n26LnCyTo1kx4fkzJSfXdMxz0HHb5r7guShs9q11s6Gu_ib-864Nrg9O8Pcw1HsK928nhvN8Sm-pxtwLvYYa1qs2ug9BCq_8epXaAVnb6PvynpmxpjHwRPg-YqjJWkz2Y0k5P2kMSBh3rtqixxoDHbdS8_mlbExs-LRCvNzgLyKsnp3ks=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzF6n26LnCyTo1kx4fkzJSfXdMxz0HHb5r7guShs9q11s6Gu_ib-864Nrg9O8Pcw1HsK928nhvN8Sm-pxtwLvYYa1qs2ug9BCq_8epXaAVnb6PvynpmxpjHwRPg-YqjJWkz2Y0k5P2kMSBh3rtqixxoDHbdS8_mlbExs-LRCvNzgLyKsnp3ks=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Any day now, Colorado can be blanketed with snow. Trail Ridge Pass road was partially closed overnight due to ice and snow. Thankfully, we made our tour before we had to worry about that.<br /> <p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-16126244525079706182021-09-27T15:17:00.000-06:002021-09-27T15:17:01.219-06:00Football Kalaeidoscope<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been so many years since we attended a high school football game--probably not since 1983 or 84 when our older son was on the team in Castle Rock. So last Thursday was an unusual experience. I came away thinking I had been looking through a kaleidoscope and the many shapes and colors I was seeing were like the bits of glass when you look into a kaleidoscope and turn the dial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our grandson John had been nominated for the junior class boy's spirit award. (This is the new way of naming popular student leaders. They used to be voted on for homecoming king and queen. Now it is the boy and girl elected to receive the spirit award at homecoming. The nominations come from the faculty and the students vote for those they want to receive the award.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here we are with John. He is both good looking and taller than either one of us. He also, obviously, is liked and respected by his classmates. The red ribbon shows he received the award for the junior class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZPs9vXZm0w/YU4xjVvETmI/AAAAAAAEliM/tKken6cm68kKxTIUfiutUoE82eR33nocwCPcBGAsYHg/s2329/IMG_0562.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="2329" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZPs9vXZm0w/YU4xjVvETmI/AAAAAAAEliM/tKken6cm68kKxTIUfiutUoE82eR33nocwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_0562.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here he is in the line of all those nominated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5fSod-HDOY/YU4xjQB5JtI/AAAAAAAEliM/VGy2HlSBuT4w-d4rc4iPCu1PfoPTHUy3ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3822.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5fSod-HDOY/YU4xjQB5JtI/AAAAAAAEliM/VGy2HlSBuT4w-d4rc4iPCu1PfoPTHUy3ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3822.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nominees walked between the rows of football players, band members, cheer leaders and flag girls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2fvBZtK0X4/YU4xjf3TMGI/AAAAAAAEliM/fN4a_xYSZ_Qqv6xZaQpN90Uffql7VRdFQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3819.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2fvBZtK0X4/YU4xjf3TMGI/AAAAAAAEliM/fN4a_xYSZ_Qqv6xZaQpN90Uffql7VRdFQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3819.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> After the awards were announced, the winners got together for a photo as the other nominees left the track.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYzqDqoc-2U/YU4yP-tldlI/AAAAAAAEliU/DY-TIh2ZEgcytQXmB4pqoZAqdeyfki-PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYzqDqoc-2U/YU4yP-tldlI/AAAAAAAEliU/DY-TIh2ZEgcytQXmB4pqoZAqdeyfki-PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We are so proud of John. And glad we are in Colorado right now and able to be there.</div><div>But, where do I get the idea of a kaleidoscope? Here are some photos of the many students participating in the events. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, there were the boys playing the game. And the cheerleaders on the sideline.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFyBRtMumbE/YU4yrV9X1QI/AAAAAAAElik/BsqX9F6Xhn0BSj_njYfFnKfyVCfeSVDkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFyBRtMumbE/YU4yrV9X1QI/AAAAAAAElik/BsqX9F6Xhn0BSj_njYfFnKfyVCfeSVDkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is someone directing the band--from a ladder.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVQP7wM7ars/YU4yrGxxL_I/AAAAAAAElic/2OEWJOUXahwX3pWa4T1bd-m3c8W-2ALwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVQP7wM7ars/YU4yrGxxL_I/AAAAAAAElic/2OEWJOUXahwX3pWa4T1bd-m3c8W-2ALwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were pompom girls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9kz0ulrW5g/YU4yrF7E-MI/AAAAAAAElig/Fr3boZql-YAzISshrbAam6E95wHSBvKwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9kz0ulrW5g/YU4yrF7E-MI/AAAAAAAElig/Fr3boZql-YAzISshrbAam6E95wHSBvKwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The flag team.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nq5KtoHNorQ/YU4ysL6BERI/AAAAAAAElio/GL1h-rXwFNkEBCsjAEmc6Orp-vhPITHEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nq5KtoHNorQ/YU4ysL6BERI/AAAAAAAElio/GL1h-rXwFNkEBCsjAEmc6Orp-vhPITHEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I think these are the cheerleaders using pompoms.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cngk6K2F5Ds/YU4ys2aVTdI/AAAAAAAEliw/GU1thWiaS8UaQYqbZhAAGmFE4yFmK90HACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cngk6K2F5Ds/YU4ys2aVTdI/AAAAAAAEliw/GU1thWiaS8UaQYqbZhAAGmFE4yFmK90HACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>More young people doing something.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoECVkDDLjE/YU4ys10tI8I/AAAAAAAElis/tppJmQKmsrsU510amuNj_VdKc5hafB59gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoECVkDDLjE/YU4ys10tI8I/AAAAAAAElis/tppJmQKmsrsU510amuNj_VdKc5hafB59gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These young women are very good gymnasts.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6NP0NHgoio/YU4ytGSwOyI/AAAAAAAEli0/mVhuhhi5EIoV0rpwt1NknUbPpwIbQXbBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B031.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6NP0NHgoio/YU4ytGSwOyI/AAAAAAAEli0/mVhuhhi5EIoV0rpwt1NknUbPpwIbQXbBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After this part of the half-time activities, the students left the field.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0h6AyLVP84/YU4y8uE8ZuI/AAAAAAAEli8/EsWKofn8DZ81UWz26Y5om2ntK_QKvmpTACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9884.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0h6AyLVP84/YU4y8uE8ZuI/AAAAAAAEli8/EsWKofn8DZ81UWz26Y5om2ntK_QKvmpTACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the marching band.</div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKVKj_ZgveA/YU4yt-kHaVI/AAAAAAAEli4/Z_ffX5N9hAkfvstiSr9UY1ABOdpvtE9ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKVKj_ZgveA/YU4yt-kHaVI/AAAAAAAEli4/Z_ffX5N9hAkfvstiSr9UY1ABOdpvtE9ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Heritage%2BHomecoming%2B035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Obviously, many more students are involved with the whole football experience than just the players. It is a whole school actiity.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-64542025923377359832021-09-17T14:41:00.006-06:002021-09-17T14:41:56.325-06:00Where Have We Been Walking?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Walking has been a major part of our regular exercise for years and years. I walked and John ran in Boulder when we were first married. We walked in Castle Rock during the years we owned and operated the funeral home. In fact, during the end of that time, when we were deciding whether or not to sell the funeral home so John could attend seminary, we walked daily on a gravel road east of town called the CCC Camp road. (It had provided access to a CCC camp in Douglas County following the Great Depression.) While we lived in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where John attended seminary, I walked daily, even on the coldest and snowiest days of the Wisconsin winters. John ran during his lunch hour at the seminary with two other students.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We walked--rain, snow cold or sun--during our years in Granby. We walked daily from our various homes in the Denver area before retirement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>During our years of RVing, we walked in circles in RV parks, along the roads leading to the parks and in every destination we explored in our travels. Our granddaughter Kylie started running during her early school years and I was inspired to begin running. That ended several years ago, but our walking continued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Now we are in an apartment in Lone Tree in the Denver area. We have been walking on the streets around the apartment house and also looking for other places to walk. We have taken the light rail to nearby Park Meadows Mall and walked there. Earlier this week and once a couple of weeks ago. we walked in the nearby Bluffs Regional Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>This week, we went somewhere new. We drove to Aspen Grove Shopping Center and walked to the nearby Carson Nature Center and picked up the Platte River Trail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>These beautiful flowers are in the Aspen Grove parking lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMQEufbH5PM/YUTzSXGJmkI/AAAAAAAElZ0/VnDrHbMvIpgN2HLyb3sftDNfvAIvIrzowCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMQEufbH5PM/YUTzSXGJmkI/AAAAAAAElZ0/VnDrHbMvIpgN2HLyb3sftDNfvAIvIrzowCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span> </span>This is the area along the Platte River--dried grass and lush trees.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmSm_mKiFVQ/YUTzSYO6lFI/AAAAAAAElZ0/Eyu3MlXymekOAEK2hGrIm8vzDGUb9r9qgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmSm_mKiFVQ/YUTzSYO6lFI/AAAAAAAElZ0/Eyu3MlXymekOAEK2hGrIm8vzDGUb9r9qgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span> </span>Finally the trail came close enough to the river that we could see it.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Drq64kNJLDw/YUTzSV-UOSI/AAAAAAAElZ0/i5Nav_U1vK00mA8WuoKmhkMOi_3DXRjQQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Drq64kNJLDw/YUTzSV-UOSI/AAAAAAAElZ0/i5Nav_U1vK00mA8WuoKmhkMOi_3DXRjQQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span> </span>We spotted a snowy egret sitting on a rock in the river.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loRhCd52Vhs/YUTzSQ0zs2I/AAAAAAAElZ0/avgAHiZoS8UNi1F5CqB_pxKhbk1xTSnIwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loRhCd52Vhs/YUTzSQ0zs2I/AAAAAAAElZ0/avgAHiZoS8UNi1F5CqB_pxKhbk1xTSnIwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3810.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span> </span>We first saw roundabouts when we first traveled to Europe. They are becoming more prevalent on our roads in this country, too. But a roundabout for bikes and pedestrians? That was something new for us. We made sure to walk correctly when we came to them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbxQPSioT6k/YUTzSXlNE9I/AAAAAAAElZ0/ARXZpR0SDw03YRUeEfpYP2jCeAnNOTvrgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbxQPSioT6k/YUTzSXlNE9I/AAAAAAAElZ0/ARXZpR0SDw03YRUeEfpYP2jCeAnNOTvrgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9848.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span> </span>This attractive sculpture is located at the entrance of the Carson Nature Center.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgGc-lwPZB4/YUTzSQHuLaI/AAAAAAAElZ0/iHR-tTU6RkwVmVYXXRGrWkhXcJIii5HRwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgGc-lwPZB4/YUTzSQHuLaI/AAAAAAAElZ0/iHR-tTU6RkwVmVYXXRGrWkhXcJIii5HRwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9849.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><span> </span>Today, we drove to the Lone Tree Recreation Center, part of the South Suburban Recreation District. Using our Silver Sneakers memberships, we set up accounts at the rec center. We can now sign in at any South Suburban facility with our membership number. We can use the facilities for free but may have to pay for classes we attend. Today we walked on the indoor track. I miss being outdoors since the weather here is beautiful now. But the track surface is cork and much softer and easier on our feet and knees.</p><p><span> Before retirement, we used the Goodson Recreation Center near our house to do weight training and to walk when the weather was too hot or too cold. Goodson is also part of South Suburban.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWSz8W-j47g/YUTzaoycnqI/AAAAAAAElZ4/Ar_5okqtMgoMe1JA38mLSTsDDryrDOBmwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWSz8W-j47g/YUTzaoycnqI/AAAAAAAElZ4/Ar_5okqtMgoMe1JA38mLSTsDDryrDOBmwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our apartment house has a fitness room where we can weight train. I don't know whether or not we will use the weights at the Lone Tree Center.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-40558916313157954982021-09-06T14:03:00.003-06:002021-09-06T14:03:42.568-06:00Fitting In: Too Many, Too Few<p><span> </span>Fitting in--where? with who (or is it whom)?</p><p><span> Saturday, we took the light rail to downtown Denver to check out Taste to Colorado. The festival originated in it's current form in 1985. We remember attending at some point before 2009 when we moved out of our house and began traveling all year. </span></p><p><span><span> This visit, we realized we didn't fit in with the crowd that attends such festivals. We have lived too many years and we have too few (read 0) tattoos. In other words, almost everyone was under the age of 40 and most had numerous tattoos. A far cry from the people we see regularly in Arizona in our 55+ resort, or in most RV parks around the country. Our generation is obviously out of step with modern culture.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> The festival features both music and food.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nd50QG4D-tY/YTZsKYCQ-JI/AAAAAAAElJQ/ADzD2sQFXWQK5u7CmhV7tNAvV5pYVynYACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nd50QG4D-tY/YTZsKYCQ-JI/AAAAAAAElJQ/ADzD2sQFXWQK5u7CmhV7tNAvV5pYVynYACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9791.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q73Avk43i8/YTZsKYRywbI/AAAAAAAElJQ/MjYsjcE1WDkm0OKw_VwHnWbp4fN0B_cZgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q73Avk43i8/YTZsKYRywbI/AAAAAAAElJQ/MjYsjcE1WDkm0OKw_VwHnWbp4fN0B_cZgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9795.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfVG7Ua0HUM/YTZsKYePM5I/AAAAAAAElJQ/ehbeHlnbIF85ITtou81BtwuiM6SLPZFnQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfVG7Ua0HUM/YTZsKYePM5I/AAAAAAAElJQ/ehbeHlnbIF85ITtou81BtwuiM6SLPZFnQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykqfgj0WPpg/YTZsKXRfaoI/AAAAAAAElJQ/Ko1o_of2PgU82Il9XUQusDK1O3s7E-63QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykqfgj0WPpg/YTZsKXRfaoI/AAAAAAAElJQ/Ko1o_of2PgU82Il9XUQusDK1O3s7E-63QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span>There were numerous food trucks. This is called The Party Truck. I don't think they served food but each compartment offers a TV screen and different music.</span></span><p></p><p><span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAVfsLQmsmA/YTZsgFs83PI/AAAAAAAElJY/HwfHwhtDedcxhPs0j-47ZjAAgiSnufeJACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAVfsLQmsmA/YTZsgFs83PI/AAAAAAAElJY/HwfHwhtDedcxhPs0j-47ZjAAgiSnufeJACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9796.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuTw-OaHcI/YTZsgF5Z7tI/AAAAAAAElJY/XKjztB6FO-cyAlyNx7lQwreCSjYrCOxvwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuTw-OaHcI/YTZsgF5Z7tI/AAAAAAAElJY/XKjztB6FO-cyAlyNx7lQwreCSjYrCOxvwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Many of the restaurants offered outdoor seating.</span><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CU0E3SDPedc/YTZtDJLtk-I/AAAAAAAElJg/FpPNfJQn64ISnQdOxBs7FL0lNSPQLeLBACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CU0E3SDPedc/YTZtDJLtk-I/AAAAAAAElJg/FpPNfJQn64ISnQdOxBs7FL0lNSPQLeLBACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>This water park offered fun for children.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcqJjlf7ZHo/YTZtUxmy_zI/AAAAAAAElJo/Aa9b70dbMGgJLKaiNqX0MLhn3ODs9qz-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcqJjlf7ZHo/YTZtUxmy_zI/AAAAAAAElJo/Aa9b70dbMGgJLKaiNqX0MLhn3ODs9qz-wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Some of the entertainment went beyond music.</span></div><div><span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggW0Pfljmc8/YTZtU0ujPxI/AAAAAAAElJo/AisTsZEmWMQcDlWKZUQs9etKbGIaklCwACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggW0Pfljmc8/YTZtU0ujPxI/AAAAAAAElJo/AisTsZEmWMQcDlWKZUQs9etKbGIaklCwACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9812.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw murals on buildings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9FkYYC9qHg/YTZtwLkOayI/AAAAAAAElJw/8A34-Rd-6fweF9GFrb9KoATMjqPYlPpQQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9FkYYC9qHg/YTZtwLkOayI/AAAAAAAElJw/8A34-Rd-6fweF9GFrb9KoATMjqPYlPpQQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUvomvSnVt4/YTZtwBclaQI/AAAAAAAElJw/ROu5YGopEcILPDB14syilh19Da2Ix7W5ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUvomvSnVt4/YTZtwBclaQI/AAAAAAAElJw/ROu5YGopEcILPDB14syilh19Da2Ix7W5ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9807.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The Daniels and Fisher building is 325 feet high and when it was built in 1910, it was the tallest building between the Mississippi River and California. John's senior class sneak included visiting the tower and going to the top. My class didn't have a senior sneak. That would have been tough to arrange--there were 308 of us in the class. John's class had 54 students.<br /><span><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laemXj8iFV4/YTZuSPxqllI/AAAAAAAElJ4/vk-Vfn7GU3Ua3GbWn5a2oMm7idSOB6qyACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laemXj8iFV4/YTZuSPxqllI/AAAAAAAElJ4/vk-Vfn7GU3Ua3GbWn5a2oMm7idSOB6qyACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrWMZK89TFs/YTZuSIhv1XI/AAAAAAAElJ4/EZGLkBe83LAJgx8stkNTvIpyX3lfYJYcgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrWMZK89TFs/YTZuSIhv1XI/AAAAAAAElJ4/EZGLkBe83LAJgx8stkNTvIpyX3lfYJYcgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9808.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span> </span>We didn't take any photos of the tattoo-covered young women and men. That would have been rude. But trust me, there were lots of them.<br /><p></p><p><span><span><span> </span></span></span>Waiting for the light rail to return to our apartment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t2DYU0HFu8/YTZyPP7NbAI/AAAAAAAElKg/Y3TjtJprMO4CD4MpwfhntTfKtfZnzdx5ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t2DYU0HFu8/YTZyPP7NbAI/AAAAAAAElKg/Y3TjtJprMO4CD4MpwfhntTfKtfZnzdx5ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9818.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> </span>Our return trip on the light rail took us by the buildings that once housed Gates Rubber Company. My dad spent most of his working life there as a cost accountant. The company offered summer jobs to the children of employees--a form of financial or scholarship assistance. I worked there two summers. I rode to work with my dad and he always included me in the morning coffee gathering in the cafeteria before work began.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpLGuHSlifY/YTZweYZsidI/AAAAAAAElKA/iE9e2laO3aAg9ya96ymqgLW6BD0JwwxCQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpLGuHSlifY/YTZweYZsidI/AAAAAAAElKA/iE9e2laO3aAg9ya96ymqgLW6BD0JwwxCQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9822.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><span><span> </span>Downtown Denver includes several cow sculptures. I get cows in Colorado--a major cattle ranching economy. </span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywHD6YwvwjQ/YTZw3J090BI/AAAAAAAElKI/uUMm56P-gbgobzqgsij3mnIbDXz4kR0cACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywHD6YwvwjQ/YTZw3J090BI/AAAAAAAElKI/uUMm56P-gbgobzqgsij3mnIbDXz4kR0cACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9798.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoHosa_56Cc/YTZw3OXipAI/AAAAAAAElKI/cKv4YussQYMDZYvdUbOfJyZTQ_ZXRN7ggCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoHosa_56Cc/YTZw3OXipAI/AAAAAAAElKI/cKv4YussQYMDZYvdUbOfJyZTQ_ZXRN7ggCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span>As we travel around the country, we see many different conversions of Airstream trailers. This one was one of the food service vehicles at the festival. Our Airstream is still for travel. Some day, perhaps someone else will convert it for some other use.</span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFNQrIVSaS4/YTZxHNrSDJI/AAAAAAAElKQ/do_yZ78LomIQKfIF5B764M2k2cluSn5MQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFNQrIVSaS4/YTZxHNrSDJI/AAAAAAAElKQ/do_yZ78LomIQKfIF5B764M2k2cluSn5MQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9799.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no6sLsM4v8o/YTZxHP_JfcI/AAAAAAAElKQ/V5TC42owqpsC-Ttgtw1pGXqR1dePb8YgwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no6sLsM4v8o/YTZxHP_JfcI/AAAAAAAElKQ/V5TC42owqpsC-Ttgtw1pGXqR1dePb8YgwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> We did enjoy our walk up and down 16th Street. And we split a sandwich from the Corner Bakery. This is the cool tile floor in the bakery.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzyLwcfU614/YTZx50jIc9I/AAAAAAAElKY/b8i9UqCxQcsH_PWmkit-MI5Ol_2ll_EKwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzyLwcfU614/YTZx50jIc9I/AAAAAAAElKY/b8i9UqCxQcsH_PWmkit-MI5Ol_2ll_EKwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9801.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28417912.post-42479928803803435742021-09-02T14:57:00.003-06:002021-09-04T07:32:38.198-06:00Hiking the Bluffs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Saturday we drove to The Bluffs Regional Park, not far from our apartment. We had a good hike/walk on the trails in the park. The parking lot was packed when we arrived. We quickly decided we should either arrive really early if we wanted to walk on a weekend or choose to go on a weekday. We are in an area full of apartment houses for younger (than us) people who probably work Monday through Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B579EcAQMj0/YSvXyMNWtCI/AAAAAAAEkmo/0NGbPB_gX8UvX432zuKH4qEOEPjZTAcIgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9759.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B579EcAQMj0/YSvXyMNWtCI/AAAAAAAEkmo/0NGbPB_gX8UvX432zuKH4qEOEPjZTAcIgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We had open views of the grasslands in Douglas County.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KBM0cWjYT8/YSvXyPpRRnI/AAAAAAAEkmo/dRevrqymR04K2vWgvzlQjCa3ulwmJhQdwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KBM0cWjYT8/YSvXyPpRRnI/AAAAAAAEkmo/dRevrqymR04K2vWgvzlQjCa3ulwmJhQdwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We looked toward the mountains to the west. Colorado's skies are filled with smoke from California's wildfires. If you look closely, you can see an outline of the higher areas.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcmfUhKV4As/YSvXyOgmPGI/AAAAAAAEkmo/Bzd6J3xbuB4912EPU8iCaNEAclnVFfWnwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9763.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcmfUhKV4As/YSvXyOgmPGI/AAAAAAAEkmo/Bzd6J3xbuB4912EPU8iCaNEAclnVFfWnwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Looking east and north, we saw metro Denver. Houses as far as our eyes could see. That is what makes the park and it's trails so attractive. There is actually open space.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8sJqKgKA/YSvXyAESwpI/AAAAAAAEkmo/-SfK7YkotfU_Ae7YGX2mISuPTM0rMIRIwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8sJqKgKA/YSvXyAESwpI/AAAAAAAEkmo/-SfK7YkotfU_Ae7YGX2mISuPTM0rMIRIwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking down to the base of the bluffs, the houses are more spread out. At least in this direction.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yG9Ut0Y8_Q/YSvXyPfFoLI/AAAAAAAEkmo/VXMfdv4e8RUscPUsXpwa-LO3qE0kJB8-gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9769.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yG9Ut0Y8_Q/YSvXyPfFoLI/AAAAAAAEkmo/VXMfdv4e8RUscPUsXpwa-LO3qE0kJB8-gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But this direction, it is more densely developed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQnQIM4wYy4/YSvXyL3NPvI/AAAAAAAEkmo/fW_OyHqMZ6QyNQESltGfsGt3lI9VjH5IwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQnQIM4wYy4/YSvXyL3NPvI/AAAAAAAEkmo/fW_OyHqMZ6QyNQESltGfsGt3lI9VjH5IwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were even people on horseback on the trail.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GROWv7Eivvc/YSvXyGdqEEI/AAAAAAAEkmo/qIFuPuhNXwAWRcVa1Rmg1bmXL8kXSCzNACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_9773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GROWv7Eivvc/YSvXyGdqEEI/AAAAAAAEkmo/qIFuPuhNXwAWRcVa1Rmg1bmXL8kXSCzNACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_9773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Our walk was certainly more interesting than walking on the sidewalks near our apartment. We will go there again.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0