Desert-Mountains-City

Within a week, I've visited several different ecosystems.

The AZ desert landscape enveloped me in warmth.

Breckenridge, CO, (and fox) welcomed me home to a yard still snow-covered.

(Hopefully not for much longer - it is, after all, the end of May!)

So, to compromise, I'm staying in Denver for awhile.

My container gardens are already flourishing in the city.

I sit on our tiny patio to read and to relax.

In the filtered sunshine, I daydream of lizards and foxes and melting snow.

I'm rejuvenated from my travels.

For me, that's 

One Good Thing.

It's What I Make of It

I woke in darkness and thought,

"Today I'm 69."

I knew the alarm hadn't awakened me, so I dozed awhile longer.

When I finally opened my eyes again, the power was off.

I looked outside and realized why:

A foot of wet snow had fallen overnight.

I overslept - something I never do. 

Of course, this particular morning I had an early appointment. 

The fox watched silently as I rushed out the door to drive into town. 

Perhaps it came to say "Happy Birthday, Barb."

The mountain was nearly obscured by low hanging clouds.

Droplets of moisture and snow bombs fell onto my head as I entered the building.

Guess who I visited on the morning of my 69th birthday -

Yep, I had a 2 hour appointment to prep for a crown.

My long-time dentist is also the mayor of Breckenridge.

I asked him where the balloons, the cake, and the friends were hiding -

he said I'd have to settle for some novacaine and drilling instead.

Now, I'm in Denver where a loud thunderstorm just passed through.

Bob is preparing me a crab feast for my birthday dinner.

Snow, pain-free dentistry, and my husband cooking dinner - 

this may be my best birthday ever!

Surely, it's a birthday I won't forget!

On Monday, I leave on a Girlfriends' Vacation to AZ.

Today, for me, find one good thing  and pass it on.

Bryce Canyon at Sunrise

be mindful

look carefully

practice patience

show gratitude

Entering Bryce Canyon before dawn, we make our way slowly downward as pink tinges the eastern horizon. A sliver of moon hangs in the sky. We shiver in the chill air, waiting for the warmth of the sun. Walking alone with only the towering Hoodoos and ancient trees as companions, we speak quietly, respectful in Nature's sanctuary.

The beauty of rock surrounds us - One Good Thing.

Morning Light - Zion National Park

Zion is a Hebrew word meaning safe haven:

 

 

 

morning stillness

 

 

spring's awakening

 

 

the blessings of warmth

 

We hiked for 9 miles to Observation Point, awed by the steep cliffs, twisting canyons, and lush vegetation of Utah's Zion National Park.

We are now at Bryce Canyon.

I like the way the desert landscape speaks quietly but has a lot to say -

One Good Thing

 

Life's Rhythm

I've been staying with my four grandchildren for a week.

Life falls into a comforting rhythm.

I wake before dawn and brew my cup of tea. The house has the muted quiet of sleep.

I watch the sun rise over the distant peaks.
 

A new day is born.

Soon, I hear the eight year old on the stairs.

Always the first to rise, he likes this special time alone with me.

By 7, the 10 year old twins and 7 month old Sam are awake.

Eating breakfast, brushing teeth, changing a diaper, gathering backpacks -
off we go to the bus stop.
 

Sam and I wave goodbye and stroll up the road on our morning walk.

Birds sing and squirrels chatter. We see elk and fox and coyote tracks.

The day passes in a schedule of bottles, naps, and diaper changes.

 

Late afternoon, the front door crashes open. The children are "starved" after their day at school. Snacks and play time, dinner, homework, showers, pajamas - just enough time left for a book before lights out.
 

The house settles into sleep.

I brew a last cup of tea.

Life's quiet rhythm continues - One Good Thing...

Hope

I thought about writing a post on Monday, but after the bombing in Boston, I hesitated. I had friends in Boston for the Marathon. I needed to hear that they were safe. When word came that they were all OK, I felt relieved but also exhausted by random violence that forever changed so many lives.

It's been a snowy week in Denver, days and days of clouds and cold. Spring bulbs and blossoms that emerged too early were stunned by the below-freezing temperatures. Finally, today, the sun shines. Snow melts. Grass seems shades greener than yesterday.

Once again, I search for One Good Thing:

the warmth of the sun on my back, a robin ruffling its feathers, icicles dripping from the eaves, the smile of my Grandson.

I give thanks.

Life goes on.

A Feeling of Springtime in My Heart

Spring is more a feeling than a season at high altitude.

Though the calendar might indicate spring, it still looks like winter in Breckenridge, CO.

In fact, we had 7 inches (17 cm) of snow earlier in the week.

Most likely, we'll have snow on the ground through May.

However, the lighting is different - there is a soft glow on the snow.

Beautiful sunsets linger late over the western mountains.

Temperatures are warming, and the melt/freeze cycle has started.

fox tracks on the frozen Blue River, Breckenridge, CO

I want to thank all who have sent me positive wishes for healing.

I've posted some details about my illness and my journey toward health on Live and Learn.

I'm enjoying springtime both inside my heart and outside in my environment.

The feeling of spring is my One Good Thing today.

The Healing Path

Do you remember when I wrote of Finding the Tear?

Well, finally, after nearly 2 months of searching,

following the meandering trails of 5 different medical professionals,

I hope that I may be on the healing path.

I'll focus on wellness for the next several weeks.

I won't spend much time on the computer. 

Think of me occasionally, as I'll be thinking of you, my friends.

The photo of the inverted rainbow was taken early-morning,

February 22, when my grandchildren were leaving for skiing.

It's a very unusual phenomena.

I take it as a good omen. 

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In Perspective

a small object can cast a very large shadow

apply this to:

problems

worries

fears

advise to myself:

keep things in perspective

This and That - Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Not much photography to share this week. 

The sky's been alternately blue and gray.

However, even on sunny days, it stayed below freezing.

On the weekend, we babysat for Sam, who is 5 months old.

He's a smiling, content baby.

  His newest skill is blowing raspberries.

He especially delights in practicing while eating.

My glasses are coated in mashed banana

by the time I finish feeding him.

Gathering together a few photos for

Scavenger Hunt Sunday:

THE SMALL THINGS

Sam's fat little piggy-toes.

ILLUSTRATION

Bob and I bought this illustration in 1985 from a young artist

outside the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

It's hung in several kitchens since then, in PA, in MD, and now in CO.

WORK of ART

My five year old grandson leads me through the fox installation at the Denver Art Museum.

WINDOW BEAUTY

A spruce laden with new snow provides some window beauty

as I snuggle inside with Sam.

VALENTINE

From my heart to yours:

Happy Valentine Day to all.

I hope your day isn't at all prickly!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Grandparent Time - Small Stone

Our Grandson, Sam, is 5 months old.

He stayed with us for a day last week.

We made faces and danced and sang.

We fed and burped and diapered.

Smiles were our reward.

we knew nothing of caring for babies
barely grown ourselves when twins were born
muddling through exhausting days and nights
longing for a private moment or at least a nap
miraculously we're given this second chance
at baby love

small stone - mindful writing
Grand Social

Winter Storm Warning - Mindful Writing Challenge

snow swirling through the night, wind buffeting, the house a groaning ship in a white sea 

Mindful Writing Challenge

We're back in Breckenridge, where a gusty storm deposited 10" (25C) of snow overnight.

Trees hold fluffy pillows and drifts undulate into the forest.

The sun is shining, telling me to put on layers and snap into the touring skis.

This is the last day of the Mindful Writing Challenge.

Though I am in the habit of writing daily, it's not always something to share.

Posting daily is a challenge for me.

Perhaps I'll join the community in writing a small stone each Sunday,

which seems more doable. 

Yippee for small stones, blog friends,

and

SNOW!

City Snowfall - Mindful Writing Challenge

sifting snow filagrees the trees as city lights turn the sky sienna

Mindful Writing Challenge

A temperature drop of 40 degrees in Denver overnight - we woke to a couple inches of snow. 

By the weekend, it's supposed to be spring-like again.

Crazy winter weather. 

Split Personality - Mindful Writing Challenge

Thanks to all of you who inquired by E-mail about my health.

I continue to have skin problems which my DRs now expect is allergy-related. 

I am on a course of treatment that involves removing any possible allergens from my body.

Because of my loss of appetite and now a restricted diet, I'm losing weight rapidly.

For some, this might be welcome, I know.

For me, I shouldn't lose much more weight, or I'll become too frail. 

I haven't really felt "sick," just miserable from the itching/burning.

I found I was unable to be mindful about much but my misery,

which I didn't really want to share!

Today, I'm feeling much better, so I'll  post,

hoping I can visit other Mindful Writers soon.

two pretty scarves, one a bold graphic pattern

the other a shy, pale field of wildflowers

what fun to decide each day which person I'll be

Mindful Writing Challenge

A Chance Meeting - Mindful Writing Challenge

On a warm, winter afternoon, we sit alone but together outdoors at a neighborhood coffee shop. I watch the tiny bird as it watches me. We don't speak, yet we communicate. Our brown eyes hold a gaze as I lift pieces of scone to my mouth. I'm thinking about blackberry being my favorite when the bird seems to tell me, "It's MY favorite, too." We relax companionably as the rhythm of the city moves around us. Finally, it's time for me to go. "Goodbye," I whisper, leaving behind a tidy pile of flaky crumbs. In no rush, my new friend waits politely until I vacate the space.

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

Taking a Walk - Mindful Writing Challenge

the sun warming our faces

we walk a wide boulevard

talking and holding hands

I see us through eyes from my younger years

when I would smile and point and say to my husband

"sweet!"

when I saw an old couple strolling

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

Transformation - Mindful Writing Challenge

I used so many words yesterday

there were none left for mindful writing.

I'm in the city.

I have errands and appointments.

Constant interaction with doctors, strangers, and shop people

exhausts me.

When I was younger, I thrived on this mix.

Now, not so much.

One of my last stops is at the salon for a hair cut.

It's the high point of my day.

My "gal" is not young.

However, she's very hip.

Red lips and swinging asymmetrical blonde hair,

she's wearing skinny boyfriend jeans (rolled of course)

just above her high-heeled ankle boots.

Tight black tank dress shows just a hint of lacy black t-shirt.

I'm in my usual and very ordinary black on black,

yoga pants and T.

She pays strict attention as I sit in the chair.

(An artist ready to create a masterpiece?)

After shampooing, massaging, and patting dry,

she raises her scissors and begins. 

Grey hair flies from my scalp.

We laugh and talk as she works.

My hair gets shorter and shorter.

She twists and gels it into spikes.

I am transformed in less than an hour.

I am still a grammy, but now a hip grammy.

I'm thinking about ankle boots or at least skinny jeans.

The new me.

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

Shift in Attitude - Mindful Writing Challenge

Birds may have chirped, but I paid them no mind. A yapping dog ran beside me - my stride never wavered. Businessmen, phones pressed to their ears, ignored me as I did them. I didn't noticed any warmth from the sun. Monkey Mind chattered incessantly in my brain.

double exposure - grandson opening gift - edited

Suddenly, a little boy scampered in front of me. Head cocked so my pink coat reflected in his mud-puddle eyes, he grinned up at me. "Hi ya!" he shouted gleefully. I stopped and fumbled for my my smile. Where the heck did I put it? "Hi yourself, little guy!" Satisfied, he pulled his Mama forward. She shrugged an apology as we continued our separate ways. Immediately, I felt the caress of the sun. Birds began to serenade. My shadow walked jauntily, slightly ahead. People began nodding good morning. 

"What a great day, " I thought to myself. 

Still smiling...

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

Still with Us - Mindful Writing Challenge

my husband stands silently holding the phone to his ear and smiling

I know he's hearing his best friend's voice

Frank's been dead a year and a half
but

he sounds strong and cheerful on his answering machine

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

View from top of Imperial Chair, Breckenridge Ski Area (2011) - last time we skied with Frank

Banishing the Chill - Mindful Writing Challenge

An ice fog obscures the mountain.  Overnight chill penetrates the house. I light the fire and brew tea. Warming my hands on the cup, steam rises to greet me. I draw the bow of the serrated knife through the bread with a flourish, as though I'm starting an overture. The scent of cinnamon reaches me as the slab turns crisp and brown in the toaster. 

The phone rings - I hear the smile in a friend's voice. 

Finally - fire, tea, toast, friend - the cold is banished. 

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge