Hello 2023

 Hello 2023!

Yes, I know I'm a little late.

The landscape is wearing winter white.

I'm in physical therapy 2X a week for my ankle.

I do special exercises at home to improve leg/ankle strength and balance. 

I'm improving day by day.

There is no quick fix.

Determination, patience, and a great physical therapist help my healing.

I'm still inside looking out.

I have forest creatures to keep me company.

Their antics make me smile.

Though we don't feed them, they're ever hopeful.

Also, they're curious and often peek in our windows.

My mother taught me that self-worth lives inside all of us.

It is not bestowed by anyone or anything outside ourselves.

What we think about ourselves matters.

We are all inherently worthy.

Today, in my first post of 2023, I celebrate the good we all have inside.

Thank you for visiting.

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Peace

stillness

quiet

calm

solitude

peace

Where the fox and rabbit tracks meet, I pause

wishing

hoping

praying

 for peace to calm the chaos in the world.

Be Still - Seek the Light

Our oldest grandchild, Ben (18), left on November 26 for Norway. He joins an international group of youth in Rosnik, north of the Arctic Circle. They have an 8 month commitment to Youth with a Mission. Participating in planned outdoor adventures to increase their confidence and leadership skills, they will grow in self understanding and in awareness of the needs of others. Part of the program is a posting to a developing country to help with a community service project. Because of Covid, it's uncertain if this can happen. Ben is certainly hopeful.

When he was about 5, he showed interest in my cameras. Along with his siblings, we took walks in Nature. He carried my camera and snapped photos. I shared two tips with him: stay as still as possible and watch for the best light (this included knowing where he cast a shadow). As he grew, his interest in photography continued. He took classes and bought his own DSLR and lenses. He developed into a fine photographer and matured into a fine young man.

Saying goodbye to him on his last visit to us, I admit I clung to him for awhile as we hugged. I shed some tears. He stood calmly hugging me, trying to reassure me that all would be well. I know he's right. He's a young man now with his own convictions and determination. He doesn't need to hold his Grammy's hand while walking in the woods.  (Well, possibly at my age, I may someday need him to take my hand again....) We think of him many times a day. I wake in the night and add 8 hours to know what time it is for him in Norway.

 

Before Ben left, I asked if he'd choose a few of his photos for me to share on the blog. He was glad to do so, though he is always wary about revealing locations. He feels many wild places are overrun and spoiled by overzealous people. 

Ben is my One Good Thing today and always.

My advise to him is still the same:

be still

find the light

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Celebrating Fall

Our fall is brief but glorious at high altitude.

For a couple weeks we live in a golden world.

Temperatures start to drop below freezing in the night.

Wildflowers and perennials go to seed.

Bushes and trees put on a show.

On early-morning walks, we wear layers.

The forest floor turns russet and amber.

Sunlight streaming through lodgepoles has a golden cast.

Each day, there is work on the property preparing for winter.

Garden ornaments are stored.

Leaves are raked.

On sunny afternoons, we sit in sunshine on the deck with mugs of coffee.

We talk of winter as leaves drift down on our shoulders.

Tourists still visit Breckenridge, but they rarely venture onto the trails behind our house. 

If we do see people approaching, we veer into the forest.

Usually, we meet no one on our walks.

We're alert for bear and moose.

The bear are gorging, preparing for hibernation.

The bull moose are in rut, searching for mates.

The squirrels are busy storing food for the long winter.

Gray Jays, like little old men in overcoats, follow us as we walk.

Nothing remains the same.

We cherish this time of change.

We stay isolated, surrounded by beauty.

We enjoy the quiet.

Stay well - look for One Good Thing.

Thank You for visiting.

Barb

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Greetings from Breckenridge at the End of April

We're having spectacular weather at the end of April.

There is no snow in the immediate forecast.

dawn from our front deck

Of course, we can't go too long without some moisture.

With a warming trend, we hope it comes as rain.

Breckenridge Ski area - still lots of snow

The snow in the forest and on the mountain becomes very unstable in the spring.

For safe exercise, I walk the streets in my neighborhood.

It feels good to wear a lighter jacket and walk in my trail shoes.

Mount Baldy in morning sunshine

Others pass me infrequently - I rarely have to pull up my mask.

We wave, and one of us crosses to the other side of the road.

no lift lines (melting snow at base of Peak 9)

Bob and I go 3 weeks before grocery shopping.

We tried on-line shopping and pickup at a nearby store last week.

It worked fine, so we'll do it again.

We went into Whole Foods to pick out our produce and fruit.

Blue River still low in its banks

Colorado and our county/town are lifting some of the isolation rules.

Next week, salons and small businesses can open with restrictions.

Restaurants and bars remain closed except for takeout.

People cannot gather in crowds.

No short term rentals are permitted.

People are asked to wear masks in public.

where you can find me most mornings waiting for dawn

This Covid lifestyle  isn't too much different from our normal way of life.

We tend to be stay-at-home, quiet people.

However, normally, we don't spend so much time disinfecting! 

Today, Bob and I teleconferenced with his urologist about his prostate cancer.

He must go to a lab tomorrow for bloodwork.

That exposure is a bit scary, but he'll wear gloves and mask.

He'll shower, and we'll launder his clothes when he returns.

We won't relax our own isolation and social distancing for awhile.

Though we feel healthy, we have friends with the virus who are very sick.

One of our acquaintances died.

In our mid-70's, it's up to us to limit our exposure.

swing still buried in snow

I know that during this time, people are suffering physically, mentally, and economically.

We do what we normally do to stay healthy and sane:

stay in touch with family and friends electronically

go outside or open a window to breathe fresh air

meditate/pray and think positive thoughts

limit the news

eat healthy

exercise

it will snow in May, but I'm not encouraging it

Bob took this photo of me today.

My hair has grown from a short dandelion puff to an unruly tumbleweed!

Don't worry - I'm putting that pillow away - no use tempting fate.

Stay well!

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Stay Safe and Well

All is quiet here at the edge of the forest - 

very peaceful.

Some days, the morning sun spreads golden rays through the trees.

My amaryllis glows with light.

Other days, clouds and snow obscure the sun.

A white beauty surrounds us.

Animals visit.

Waldo smiles.

We continue to isolate at home.

We escape into the forest for exercise.

We count our blessings.

Wherever you are in the world, stay safe and well.

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Pandemic

I'm sure all of our worlds have changed dramatically since I last posted.

The Governor of Colorado issued a state of emergency earlier in the week.

dawn

In Breckenridge and throughout Summit County, CO, places where people congregate are closed.

This includes schools, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, rec centers, and ski areas.

People are asked to keep away from others, staying in their own homes.

Outdoors we should keep a safe distance from others and avoid crowds.

Some popular parks and sledding hills are off-limits.

None of our shuttles or buses are operating.

Short term rentals and hotels are closing.

Tourists and second home owners are supposed to leave.

the fox is curious - what's happening Barb?

Bob and I hunker down in isolation.

Even prior to the government edict, we asked our family not to visit.

Before the emergency, we stocked some groceries and supplies.

Unlike families with children, our supplies last a long time.

Meals are simple - we don't eat a lot.

We can exist on what we have for awhile.

the pine marten visits - he abides by social distancing

We maintain a similar schedule to our normal one.

I wake early and give thanks for another day.

I answer e-mails and do some reading.

We work around the house and property.

We get fresh air and exercise.

exercising on snowshoes

We discuss what's happening here and around the world.

If we get sick, we'll care for each other just as we've done for over 53 years.

We don't feel panic though we've never lived through quite this kind of situation.

Each morning we ask each other, "How are you feeling?"

So far, so good.

Perhaps we all can get outside and breath fresh air.

Keep in touch with family and friends electronically.

Smile and remember happy times.

Let ourselves believe that this too will pass.

deserted ski trail

I hope wherever you are, you're well.

If you're able, offer help to someone in need.

May peace and love abide with you.

Barb

A friend sent me this meaningful poem:

Pandemic

What if you thought of it

as the Jews consider the Sabbath—

the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now,

on trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives

are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

sunset

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