Summer - Thank Goodness!

It's finally summer at high altitude.

Globe Flowers bloom in boggy areas

I spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Paintbrush

Blooms paint the landscape in vivid colors.

Arnica and a decaying stump make a simple tableau

Temperatures remain pleasantly cool - some snow stays on high peaks all summer.

Senecio

Wildflowers bloom in profusion.

morning light on Ten Mile Creek

Streams and rivers run high from snowmelt.

Lupine offer a sweet, musky scent

Summer is a colorful gift after a long, white winter.

Bob and I remain active and feel well. I don't spend a lot of time sitting. I limit computer time. We share responsibilities for cooking and cleanup. I find cooking to be a necessary but unwelcome chore. Unfortunately, we have to eat - we like food but preparation is tiresome.  After dinner, we like to read until bedtime. I'm thankful for our eyesight since reading is so important to us. Now that I'm 80, I realize that every moment I can enjoy Life is bonus time. 

blue Columbine - Colorado's state flower

My One Good Thing today is the awakening of blooms after a long sleep.

I hope Life gives you many good things.

Thank You for visiting!

(comments closed) 

Celebrate!

 It's still winter at high altitude.

Even the donkeys downtown are getting sick of the snow.

However, inside there are blooms.

We've had some celebrations.

Our twin sons turned 56 the end of April.

There was still plenty of snow for their AT skis.

My 80th birthday was May 9th.

The family paid a surprise visit to help me celebrate.

photo taken by Neve's brother, Caden

Our granddaughter, Neve, graduated from high school in May.

Neve in her traditional Korean Hanbok - professional photo

She'll begin a pre-Med degree in the fall. 

While attending graduation in Denver, we enjoyed spring.

photo taken in New Zealand by a friend

Last but not least, our oldest grandchild, Ben, will marry his fiance, Paula, in July.

pond in Frisco, CO, where the snow is mostly melted

There are many good things to celebrate!

I hope good things are happening in your life, too.

Thank you for visiting.

(comments closed)

Glorious Fall

 Whenever the seasons change, the new one is my favorite.

if your road is twisty I hope it's filled with beauty

It's hard to beat autumn at high altitude in Colorado.

We're at peak color in Summit County this weekend.

aspens go through several stages of change - all beautiful

The landscape dazzles.

Bob - early morning walk on shores of Lake Dillon

I took my Olympus out of hibernation to record the change.

dusk from my front deck

I tell myself it's good to challenge my old brain relearning dials and functions!

dawn at my house

To wander and to revel in fall colors are my Good Things today.

morning glow on a lily pad pond surrounded by fall

I hope wherever you are in the world, a beautiful landscape brings you peace.

Thank you for walking with me.

(comments closed)

Sunset - Small Stone - 8

the magic show of twilight

darkness overtaking light

day into night

At 10,000' above sea level there is little artificial light.

Sun, moon, and stars guide the natural world.

The sky heralds beginnings and endings.

I'm reminded that darkness is necessary to appreciate light. 

small stone

(comments closed) 

Nature's Promise - Small Stone - 27

 

the sleeping winter pond holds secrets

revealed in due time by summer's warmth

a time to rest and a time to bloom

Nature's promise 

if you enlarge the snow photo, you can see rabbit tracks on the opposite bank 

be mindful of promises made and kept

small stone

(comments closed)

Connections - Small Stone - 22

the plowed, unpaved road near my house where I like to walk

I met a neighbor and his dog this week while I was walking. They live several miles from us, and I haven't seen them since this Covid isolation began. Actually, we only recognize each other from meeting on the road - years ago we introduced ourselves, first names only. We usually stop and chat a bit. Of course, on this occasion, we stayed a road-width apart to keep our "social distance". His dog, Rosy, an ancient black lab, couldn't understand why I didn't approach to scratch her ears. I tried to ask "J" about his wife, but he raised his hand to his ear. "I'm so deaf now, I can't hear you," he said sadly. I put my hands around my mouth to funnel the sound and yelled, "Your wife! HOW IS YOUR WIFE FEELING?" A smile lit J's face, "Thanks for asking! She's great. We're both fine." 

J is much more stooped than last winter. I'm glad he's still getting outside to walk Rosy, who seems more padded around the middle than a year ago. She waddles now and moves slowly. However, sweet Rosy still wags her tail so hard, her whole body shakes. She definitely remembers my head pats and ear scratches. 

None of us really "knows" people we meet. Our hopes, goals, beliefs, happiness, and sadness are usually private matters. We meet on the road of life, say a few words, then continue on, keeping to our own course. However, there are times when even brief encounters offer much-needed uplifting connections.

Though I'm sure J didn't hear, I said quietly,

 "May Love and Peace abide with you."

Rosy looked me right in the eye.

I'm sure she understood.

The J's and Rosy's of the world are my good things today...

and the connections we manage forge.

small stone

(comments closed)

Lake Etchings - Small Stone - 18

Lake Dillon

a frigid dawn, blown snow etching an icy lake

small stone
(comments closed)

Let There Be Color and Blue Sky!

Summer is slipping away quietly.

Nights inch toward freezing.

Many wildflowers go to seed.

A few late-bloomers still dazzle in meadows and beside trails.

I hike winding paths through alpine meadows into deep old-growth forests.

Always, the mountains stand sentry.

High peaks still glisten white in sunlight. 

Old snow becomes the base for new as winter approaches.

My eyes roam near and far, receiving end of season gifts.

Sometimes, I'm alone in the vast landscape of wilderness.

Other times, family or friends are my companions.

I relax and enjoy my surroundings but remain alert.

Animals are busy preparing dens and gorging for winter.

Moose begin their mating season.

Sometimes, two bulls have an interest in the same cow so tempers flare.

We might see an injured bull limping in search of a mate.

Bears roam even in daylight hours.

They must accumulate fat for the long winter.

Neighbors report bears encounters.

I hug summer tightly, wanting it to remain awhile.

White will come soon enough.

For today, let there be color and blue sky.

Photos are of summer hikes I've taken.

Wildflowers were plentiful.

Days were clear and cool at high altitude.

It is one of the finest summers I've experienced in 30 years.

The beauty of summer is my One Good Thing.

Wherever you are in the world, whatever the season,

look for the beauty that is sure to surround you.

Thank you for visiting.

(comments closed)

Bittersweet

Our son just left - it's early morning. 

He and I were up before dawn. 

He's doing a charity bike ride to benefit Children's Hospital. 

He's riding today in memory of a little girl who lost her battle with cancer. 

To think of losing a child!

 I sit with him in predawn darkness.

We speak in quiet voices as light begins to filter softly through the forest.

Tragedy and hope fill our hearts.

Life is bittersweet.

Yin and yang - light and dark.

Sadness and joy.

The balance of life -

One Good Thing

(comments closed)