Catching Up

Summer is over and fall is running out of time.

Snow has fallen on the high peaks and (luckily) has melted.

Temperatures are cooler - winter is beckoning.

My pansy boxes and container plants thrived through summer and fall.

Wildflowers were spectacular.

I miss their vibrant blooms.

Our 59th wedding anniversary was in August.

We spent several days in Vail celebrating.

Moose continue to pass through our property.

Fall is the time for rut so we must be extra-mindful when outdoors.

I love seeing the snow clouds hover over the peaks.

However, I'm happy to see the white disappear again!

Winter lasts a long, long time at high altitude.

The views in fall are breathtaking.

Gold predominates.

I keep active and look forward to the blessings of each day.

Searching for the positive continues as my focus.

Good things are not hard to find.

I look, listen, and stay present.

The choice between gratitude or dissatisfaction is easy.

I choose gratitude - I hope you do too:

find one good thing - pass it on

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Summer Bounty

Each summer day holds a new adventure.

yellow Senecio with Peak 10 in the background

Wildflowers bloom profusely.

tiny Calypso Orchids (Fairy Slipper)

Paintbrush

meadow of Daisies

We're outside daily either hiking or working on the property.

reservoir on Peak 9

A second family of Juncos is using the wreath.

We won't use the back door until the babies fledge.

In late afternoon, you might find us relaxing on the deck.

Days are pleasant and nights remain chilly.

 What more could we want?

I think of you and hope you're well.

Sending you smiles and hugs from Breckenridge, Colorado.

Nature's abundance is my One Good Thing today.

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Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter

It's been a long time since I posted.

People are starting to email asking if I'm OK.

The answer is yes and no.

behind my house - Red Mountain at sunset

I injured a tendon in my left ankle in the spring.

It's not completely healed so I must be careful.

I'm going to physical therapy.

In late September, I tested positive for Covid.

I was very sick and have some residual health issues.

Luckily, Bob remains well.

I feel better day by day, but my normal active life is at a slower pace.

I've gone off all social media except the blog. 

I've given some thought to making One Good Thing private.

I don't want to spend too much time on the computer.

Nature and the outdoors beckon me.

I need to be more physically active, not less.

Recently, I took a short hike with my 10 year old grandson.

I smiled as he chattered about what's going on in his life.

Four moose just ambled through my property.

The foxes came to visit this morning.

I'm sitting by the fire to write this.

It's snowing off and on.

There are many good things in my life.

I hope there are many good things in yours.

Stay well.

Barb

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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.

Hello Winter

The sun has set on fall in the high country. 

  I finally admit my container plants can't survive the cold.

A new season arrives with its own beauty.

In some areas, fall and winter overlap a bit as storm clouds drape the mountains.

We'll soon be buried in snow!

(When I saw this cut-off tree, it reminded me of a guy stuck head and shoulders in snow.)

I try to greet each day with gratitude.

My mind focuses on many good things. 

I hope it is the same in your world.

Thank you for visiting me.

Stay well....

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Bloom - Small Stone - 11

in harsh conditions, the Columbine adapts

to bloom anew every summer

small stone

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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

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Tracks - Small Stone - 15

 

snowshoe hare tracks - the hare's fur turns white in winter - a great camouflage against the snow

morning light on snow

tracks leading into the forest

heading home

small stone

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What We Sow, We Reap - Small Stone - 10

As a baby, a toddler, and a little boy, our oldest grandson spent a lot of time with us.

We shared our love of the outdoors with him and our respect for nature. 
 

Now, he's a big boy, a young man - he'll turn 18 next month.

He still likes spending time outdoors, learning from Nature.

He enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, biking, and skiing.

When I see photos of him balancing hundreds of feet up on a rock face, I get nervous.

I think he likes to scare his Grammy a little bit when he texts me photos of his adventures.

I warn him, "Be careful!" 

He's an excellent photographer.

I first handed him my camera when he was 5.

Now he has his own DSLR cameras and lenses.

His photos of wildlife and landscapes are amazing.

Excuse an old Grammy for bragging.

Sometimes, what we sow, we reap.

I'm proud of you Ben!

The photo was taken by one of his friends. I watermarked it because I prefer it not be reused.

Aren't the colors in the rock amazing?

small stone

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Long Relationships, Loving Memories

It's snowing hard as daylight turns to dusk.

Tomorrow will be a good day to ski on the forest trails.

The winter forest is magical.

Sometimes, sun filters through the trees.

 And sometimes, clouds cast shadows.

Stumps become snow sculptures.

I think of my friend when I pass this stump.

One summer 15 years ago, she sat here while her husband shaved her head.

Chemo caused her hair to fall out in clumps.

Thankfully, today she is well.

Do you see Waldo smiling outside as Chief frowns inside?

My former student brought us a gift yesterday.

(She left it on our porch because we're still isolating.)

The beautiful blooming orchid contrasts with the snow outside.

Many years ago, in the early 90's, I tutored her in English.

She passed the test for her GED (high school diploma).

Then, I continued tutoring her through her associate degree at the local college.

Formerly from El Salvador, she became a Naturalized citizen.

She asked Bob to give her away in marriage.

Now her daughter is in her first year of college.

We have come full circle.

Another generation studies and works hard to attain an education.

 

As darkness falls, I count my blessings.

I'm thankful for long, loving relationships.

Good memories.

Many Good Things.

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Fall Down - Get Up

We skied through the forest this afternoon.

The sun shone, but it remained below freezing.

Our usual route is uphill for about 1 1/2 miles.

Then comes the thrill of the homeward downhill.

snowing while the sun is shining

It was hard work climbing on a packed trail, and I started sweating immediately.

I unzipped and let my hat dangle from its bungie, happy that I was wearing wicking garments. 

When we finally got to the top of our loop, we followed a lesser-used ski trail through dense forest.

I fell on that trail, my ski catching on a small, partly buried limb.

I sweated even more with the effort of standing to get my skis under me again.

Remember me rising and lowering myself to and from the bottom step without using my arms and hands? 

(I have blog friends who say they can rise from the floor to standing, but I need the step.)

This muscle memory is key to lifting myself off the ground when I fall on skis. 

Bob waited patiently but didn't help by pulling me up.

I use the poles and my muscles to leverage myself upright.

It's not a pretty sight and takes a few minutes arranging body and mind to the task.

I need to know I can do it myself for the times I'm alone on the skis.

Pattern of animal tracks from ground level.

The second time I fell was on the steeper downhill.

This time it took me longer to get the skis and myself situated properly.

I was covered in snow with it stuffed down my gloves and up my sleeves.

I may have cursed a little under my breath.

 However, I managed to rise.

Tonight, I am pleasantly tired.

Tomorrow, I may be a bit sore and stiff.

But, knowing I can still stand the skis and get up if I fall makes me thankful.

The beauty of the snowy forest as I view it both upright and from the ground is my good thing today!

Stay well.

Try to stay upright.

(But if you fall, get up....)

Barb

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End of August - End of Summer

 The end of August at high altitude means the end of summer.

The forest floor changes day by day.

Nights become cooler - soon frost will appear.

My gardens splurge on one last burst of color.

We hike in early morning on trails we've used for 30 years.

We rarely meet another person.

August has been very dry, but today rain fell.

Our forests need moisture. There are 4 wildfires burning in Colorado.

dawn turns the trees golden

We continue to isolate at our mountain home.

There is no place we'd rather be.

We've enjoyed our gorgeous high altitude summer.

We're staying well and staying hopeful.

I hope you are, too.

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