Whirlwind

I am finally back to my home. It is so wonderful to be sitting in front of my pellet stove, Olive on the couch beside me. I have been in Colorado Springs, Dallas, San Antonio, Dallas and back to Denver to fly home. Unfortunately, getting in and out of Gunnison is a bit difficult.

My fabulous daughter, Shelby, ran her first Marathon. It was so hot and so humid...and she finished it. She has a determination that is beyond anything I have ever seen. She is also a bit bull headed. She gets that from her father! I love her and really am always amazed at what she accomplishes. Yea Shelby!

I am headed to Horseshoe Bay for Thanksgiving. Everyone will be there. I am looking forward to it. I am planning to get everything done here and freezing it - then off it will go with me to HSB.
I love cooking for my family...we have rented a house out there, the kids plan to walk the Turkey Trott - I think Liz might also. I have a great excuse to sit in a car with my dr. pepper and watch - I have to be in shape to cook! ha

Everyone have a great day!

Indian Summer

Olive and I have enjoyed a couple of absolutely fabulous days. The sun is out, the sky is an incredible blue. We are really enjoying this weather. I know it will be short lived. We have already had a major snow storm - Monarch Pass had about 2-3 feet on it the other day as I was driving over.

I am loving the mornings, but I have always loved mornings. Growing up I had my best friend give me one rule. Never ever call before 9am on a Saturday morning. To keep the peace, I did just that. I can remember tapping my toe waiting for 9!

The sun is just waking up here. Silhouettes of the trees are beginning to form with the light touch of white/blue behind them. It is Cold! Everything is frost kissed. What a morning!

I received my first "tooth" yesterday. I have horrid teeth, and seems like I have been on this road of trying to figure out what to do with these really obstinate choppers. I have been through cavities, braces, crowns, root canals, and now implants. I wish I could have just started with the implants! It was so much less painful than anything I have done to this point. When all is said and done, I will have a total of 3 new teeth. Thinking about just having them do them all! ha!
I don't know anyone who is as hard on their teeth as I have been. Guess I just want to get my monies worth!

Paul is almost finished with the cabin. We keep adding a little bit here and there. I now have wooden screens on all the windows, a freshly stained deck, and a very well sealed home. Should really help for the winter. Funny how the baby poop has made the house blend into the world. You can hardly pick it out while driving down the road - my neighbor had commented that it was really a good camo color! What a perfect fit up here being hunting season and all....

My darling child is running her first marathon in less than two weeks. I am so proud of her. For all of you out there - that is 26 miles. She is completely bull headed (don't know where she got that from -) and has stuck with the training through the heat, rain, now cool weather. No complaining - just running. What a girl!

Hope to all that you have an amazing day!

Painting

I am having the cabin painted. I love the color - baby poop green...It is actually more baby poop yellow with steamed milk trim. Don't you love the name of colors these days. I think I am fairly good with descriptive words - but these paint namer guys are just a step ahead! I did wake up the first morning after they had started and really caught my breath. Wow what a change. I had picked the color months ago, but with all the chinking, new logs etc., the painting just had to wait it's turn. I know I have mentioned the age of the cabin. It is just absolutely my favorite place on the earth. As I write, I have a window cracked, the pellet stove going lightly and all is right with the world!

It is now morning, just too tired to finish this last night, and the sky is the most wonderful blue. The color of eyes when someone is crying blue. Intense, deep, but still a bit light and airy. I have Nat King Cole on the music maker. And as I write, he is singing about heaven!

Olive and I plan to cook today. She is quite involved. She is quality control. Bites of this and that.

Off to THE grocery. Love to all!

What happened?

I spent part of last week traveling to and from Dallas. I am a road warrior. I have 180k miles on my poor wonderful car. I love my car! I know it is just an object - but it has heated seats - a lumbar support - 0-100 in....well let 's just say it flies!

Driving through so many towns, I began to notice many car dealerships closed. The more I noticed, the more closed dealerships seemed to appear. What happened! I know some of these dealerships had been in existence since the early 20th century. How could we let this happen?

We have been dealing with a President that is not proud of our country. Who elected this man? I am continually surprised at the people that are waiting for monies promised - monies they did not earn - monies they have no idea from where it has come. They just are expecting money.

The world that I have lived in forever is changed and I am afraid it has changed forever.
I am sad.

Fashion and the grown up

I ponder my fashion choices every day. I have some great pieces that I have loved for years, and you know if you keep them long enough they will come back into style. Unfortunately, I always come out of the closet with the very same thing. Jeans. I love my jeans. I buy the exact ones for $30 - $40 a pair two times a year. I do get different lengths - 32 - 34. That covers the tennis shoe/flat and the cowboy boots. I dress them up by having them starched. Now you all know my weakness. I decide once or twice a year to throw away my jeans and wear nice slacks, dresses or skirts. I never get the courage to throw the jeans away, and the new fashionable slacks etc. last about a week. Shame on me!

Now that you know my bottom line....I am in search of updated tops. I figure if the jeans are here to stay, and they are, I should have some great tops. Grown up tops. I, of course, have the great Colorado tops. You know, the really warm tops. I also have bought a nice long coat. I have not had one of those in years! So the search is on for something feminine and darling, sophisticated and fun. Don't think Gunny is where I will find such fun things - but the search is on.

I bought nice, non-cowboy boots last season. I ended up wearing them all the time. They had a bit of a heel, and fit really nicely. So that is my closeted issues of the day! Again, I wish the glamourai could make a personal visit to help me with my quests!

I have to admit that I am very proud of myself with a few things. I have conquered electricity. Yes, I have wired two light fixtures! It took most of the day, but I got it done! I will try to get a pic for the crystal chandelier that finally shines! Good thing I have a nice neighbor who will still take my calls. He can tell me which wires are good and which are not. Yeah! As this is written, I now have trac lighting over my couch that is bright! It also spotlights a wonderful picture I have over the couch.

Last Volleyball game today. It is one of those happy/sad things. It is also a 4 hour BIG YELLOW BUS ride to get there. We have had snow predicted for the past couple of days and it has not hit yet. Hopefully it will hold off one more day. I am also hopeful the girls will play well today!

Morning has Broken....

We are up and at 'em here in the big city. Olive has done her job of scaring off all the nightly creatures including the horse in the field right behind the house. I have to admit the movements against the bushes was a bit eerie until he finally showed himself! I am thinking bear, raccoons - and I mean a bunch of raccoons, deer? When he finally broke away, I was totally relieved! Glad I did not shoot him. Doubt the neighbor would have thought that was too neighborly.

Our schedule today is open. The sun is trying to make it's way over the trees. It is cold. Olive is doing her lay on her back with the feet in the air dead dog thing, and I am sitting in my cashmere robe. Best money I have ever spent! Fireplace (pellet stove) is roaring and we have yet to decide the rest of the day.

Volleyball was interesting yesterday. Kids. Remember they are 13/14 year old girls. I had one player tell the ref "no f...way" during our first tournament. Yesterday, same child tells me she has a s... load of homework and can not stay for practice. I think I must stand there with my mouth open just looking at her. Number one, Media (my mom) washed my mouth out with soap when I was 3 or 4 and it still is a vivid memory. (Ok - everyone settle down! Yes I do use some of those words....but not THOSE words!) So needless to say, coaching has been very colorful this season. All my coaches would have to be laughing at this - I had a list of words that were never to be uttered - at least not in my earshot. The girls and coaches were always very aware of this!

I am going on a wonderful site seeing adventure on Friday. I am taking the big yellow bus over Monarch Pass. I still hold my breath going over it in my car. I just can not imagine how riding a BIG YELLOW BUS is going to work for me. I have my anti- anxiety pills, maybe get some oxygen, a flask....and then I get to return at night! ON THE BIG YELLOW BUS! Lots of prayers would be appreciated.

Hope all ya'll have a great day!

Cold!

Tonight is one of the more blustery nights in Gunny. It just feels like the weather has changed. I know I have mentioned a bit of snow, the colors are amazing, a nip in the air. For some reason, tonight is the biggie on a new season trying to come in.

I found out Friday that I will have to have knee surgery...again. At least this knee is the other knee. How lucky can you be? This means the 4 weeks strapped to a machine moving my leg consistently, 6 weeks of crutches....I almost have to do it NOW to be able to watch my baby run her first marathon. If I wait - then it means crutches on ice. Gee....what great choices. What would you do? At least the orthopedics up here are amazing. Lucky me!

A great friend of mine has a daughter just hired by Paramount Studios. Her show will be Three Rivers. I am watching it now. Looks really good! She starts on Tuesday of this week. How exciting! Another good friend's daughter has a website http://theglamourai.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
She posts really fun jewelry, clothes, ideas of how to make things. She is in New York right in the big middle of all!

ok - enough for now!

Jeep'n

Hi all I went jeep'n today. Olive loves to go - and we generally have a great time. We went to the top of Pearl Pass. It is a view like no other. I met two men on the way up, I must mention that they were the largest me I have ever seen in a jeep before, and got to follow their "line" to the top. It was absolutely the roughest trip I have ever done. I tore up both running boards on my Lex - and the jeepies were quite impressed that my silly little lex would follow their mean ol' big man jeep! They obviously did not know lex very well....They were also surprised "li'll darlin' " could make it to the top. Truth be told, I was too!

I ended up in the er last night. Don't laugh. It was really a rough hold your breath kind of drive. I am so sore this morning I can hardly stand it. I have costocondritis. Mis-spelled it and really don't care this morning. I have rapid heart beats - tach...and when my chest hurts with it - well off I have to go to the er. Fun to have a small town. My er doc was Jay - Bren and Deb's friend - who had bought us dinner not that long ago. He is newly remarried and extremely nice. The er nurse was best friends with my varsity vb coach...so I got really nice care! And then in walked Deb with a LARGE sonic! No better meds in the world.

Olive and I went to bed around 8:30. Woke up at 6:30....very unusual for me. Olive did have the night shift - and did a very good job with it. I am sure it is the raccoons. If only I could shoot. I tried last year - well let's just say raccoons 3 me 0. I am going to work on that.

I have been extremely sad lately. I thought the drive would be so good for me. Olive and I love to do this. She gets to swim - as the streams are just simply amazing and crystal clear. I did take pics - but they will have to come a different day. I took my pepper spray. One of my buds swears by it for bear detention. I was in a very wonderful place to look at old wooden steps that had washed down from who knows where - heaven I am guessing....(someone was trying to cheat to get in) and was a bit nervous that a critter might spring out. I decided to test drive the pepper spray - un-noticed breeze brought it right back to me. Yup, it was working just fine!

Pearl pass drops down into Aspen. I knew the road existed - thought it was too bad a pass to drive. Scofield pass would be that one. My BIG jeep buddies were headed there next. I have to say, after yesterday, Scofield will just have to be on my wish list.

It is another amazing day here. We have no clouds - and no clouds all day long. Thursday we are to have a snow storm. At least that will be Oct. 1 - so let it snow!

Fall

It is fall in full swing here. The colors are beyond amazing, the air is very crisp and the harvest moon is coming in. I am sad that the fruit and veggie stands are beginning to close. We had a very big snow on Monday last. I walked out of the gym from coaching, and was completely covered with the snow prior to getting to the car. I do get tickled as people say the same thing here as we do in Texas - if you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it will change.

I have not gotten to do any horseback riding lately, and I miss it. I would love to buy myself a horse, but not sure that I am quite ready for it. Can't believe that I rode through the winter, froze during the winter, and have not ridden once since we have had these wonderful days. Can't believe how the days fly by!

My volleyball team is learning a lot, but we are not winning. I try to remember that winning is not everything -
yes, I don't buy that either!

I am starting to feel more like a local. I can go to Crested Butte now and actually see people I know on the streets. It is a wonderful feeling. Again, it is a small town and most everyone knows everything about everyone!

Powdered Sugar

It has finally happened! (Yes, and I know in about four months I will be done done done!) Powdered sugar on the peaks of the Bowl of Mountains in Crested Butte. It looks like someone has sifted the sugar all over the peak of one of the mountains. Very delicate, very light, just enough to let you know it is there. It is so white - so perfect! What a beautiful combo with the vibrant fall colors! I know it is just moments away from our customary below 0 weather. Not really sure I am ready for that - but - bring it on!

Some interesting news, Bogart has gone to a new home. I miss his sweet face, his desire for really close loves, even his early morning clubbing, but, his new home is wonderful for him. I try not to think about it too much. He is with a couple that I know well. Their dog is getting really old, in need of seeing dog help, and they are hoping Boggie will be the man for the job. Olive and I can see him any time we want. He also is getting to go on morning jogs. This he really needs! I love him dearly, Olive loves him also, but we both agreed this would be a happier place for him.

The great white hunter is back. Wearing camo, latex doctor gloves, glasses, this hunter is on it! Currently there are six less critters in the world. Who could match that number? Who could track these horrid creatures so fearlessly? The hunter should hire out....I'm just saying.....

We have had rain everyday. Everything is absolutely beautiful in my yard except the flowers that need personal watering. I am just not that person. I forget, I get side-tracked, I get busy, I don't want to do it...so many flowers, so few excuses! I still have one hummer left. One sweet lone little guy. I am hoping he will fly away soon. I would hate for him to get caught here on the day the temps drop. It would not be good for him! The Canadian geese are here. We have lots that stay all year. My neighbor has his fields full of them. I always have to do a double take when I see them. He has many horses and I am always wondering what this group of vicious birds are doing so close to all the mighty hoofed animals. I love their voices. They do fly overs twice a day and I love to run outside to watch and listen.

Big day here, cleaning. My absolute favorite thing to do! You should all come join me...

Morning

It is another fabulous morning here. We have been outside (and I use we for the kids Boggie and Olive) and checked out our world. It rained again last night but now the sun is waking up and as she stretches she is pushing away all the heavy rain clouds.

I finally figured out what is so upsetting to Olive through the night, or at least one of the things that is upsetting my fabulous guard dog. I went to get a Sonic late (almost 11pm which is very unusual for me) and had a CAT run across my path as I was leaving the house. If only I had known, I might have begun feeding it so that it would stay around and de-mouse the area. I have learned many things being out in the country sort of. One of those things is Mice. They love my home, no this is not a statement of my cleaning ability, it is warm here and every once in a while Bogart or Olive will drop A piece of dog food. I hate to admit to all of you that I love catching the pesky little things and have been known to do one of those ridicules laughs when I have one in my traps. In my opinion, it is like being in the jungle and if the pesky beast decides to hunt in my neck of the woods, then it is only fair that I hunt him down! I do keep a box of surgical gloves in the house at all times for the clean up. Ha!

As I write this, my two very protective dogs are snoozing. One is on the couch (and yes I am still working on this) and one is on the chair that Bogart has eaten. All is quiet here. The only noise is the sound of my heater going on and off. I love the mornings. Everything is fresh and new. At this hour my floors look clean, my face looks almost made to go, all seems right with the world. All this will change when the light comes in, when I have my all the time glasses on (opposed to the readers I used to wear and loose).

Some biking buddies came by yesterday. He owns the local bike shop and also sells extreme stuff. Stuff that I love but am trying to be smart and not do any more. He has back country ski's, rock climbing equipment (this would not just be shoes and chalk, but the things you see in the movies where they hammer stuff in the rock and sleep hanging 1000 feet up) And just fyi - I have never hung 1000' up! I have had night mares about such...but that is a whole nother story. He also carries the best tops and pants in the world for this weather. I bought the fam several of his tops last season Marmot - and the new ones are in now! Back to the bikers - they are the nicest couple. They had been out for an extremely long bike ride and stopped by to say hello. They are very hard workers and love to play on their day off. She is going to be my ski buddy this season along with a couple of other crazy women. I can't wait! Hope we have great snow again...

I went over Monarch pass the other day. I was absolutely amazed at how quickly the trees are changing. One day there are a few leaves, and now the whole trees are on fire. It is big swashes of color amidst the evergreens. As I drove over, the clouds were so low! I love going through the clouds. Really makes it feel like fall. I used to love driving 2222 and Mt. Bommell (embarrassed that I can not remember how to spell that) years ago. The steam coming off the Colorado river would give that same feeling. The road is/was so narrow and windy. I just loved the early morning view!

It is hunting season now. My neighbor got his BIG buck on the opening day. He was so proud! He drove around all day with the buck in the back of his truck showing everyone what he had gotten. It was a 4X4. Sounds like a nice jeep to me... The streets are full of men with their atv's in the back. When I say atv plural, let me explain. And let me also say, men who hunt should never comment on the number of shoes a woman has in her closet. There is no comparison on costs here... One truck was pulling a FLAT BED full of 4 atv's. Another truck has some sort of device that holds two atv's side by side. I have not seen a single truck with less than 2 atv's. It is black powder and archery season. Let's just say the equipment is amazing, it is not what we shot at camp at the big round archery target. Proper term is a compound bow. I have one actually. It is a kid's size. I am pretty good at shooting it - and really enjoy shooting it. They are a bit expensive, and then the arrows are a whole nother story! Again, let me say, shoes are so much less expensive! Every one of the hunters is in camo. Like they don't think we can see them walking around town? It would be fun to go through with a paint ball gun and mark them. They would really rethink that camo stuff. I have a wonderful camo one piece outfit. I wear it on the cold mornings to walk the dogs. It is really warm - and it has all these wonderful zippers for ventilation. Now that is a cleaver idea!

The birds have finally woken up. I am sure the cold makes them a bit slow getting out of their nests. I still have one or two hummers. Mainly now I have the sparrows and swallows.

Hope you all have a great day!

Color

It is such a fabulous morning. I am down to a couple of hummers, but the big birds have taken over my morning viewing. The colors are just so vibrant. As they do their fly-by's, I see flashes of red, yellow, black and white. I have one crow, and he is really a big crow, that sits in the cotton wood tree across the street and laughs at me. Does not matter what I am doing, he laughs. Can be really irritating at times. Show's his intelligence, he does not realize how well armed I am. Or maybe he does and knows what a horrible shot I have become!

The trees are really turning now. Brilliant colors, yellows, oranges, greens and a bit of red here and there. I so love the seasons. We have had rain the last few days. The mornings start cool and crisp with an amazing sky and by mid to late afternoon the rain comes on down. Yesterday we had thunder. It bounces from one mountain to the next. Love that the most. My yard is absolutely gorgeous. It is still hanging in there. Unfortunately, you can't really get the full beauty of it because of all the dog toys! I should be ashamed for all their goodies out in the yard. And just like a child, they love the wrappers or boxes best!

I have been coaching Volleyball for Crested Butte. We were undefeated until Saturday (honestly we had only played one match prior to Saturday). Saturday we went 0-3. It was not just bad it was sad! I do enjoy the girls. I had forgotten how much I enjoy being around the kids, listening to them, trying to teach them something that maybe will help them out in life.

My good friend Debbie brought me a pair of boots yesterday along with dinner. They are so cute and so GIRLIE! I love them! They actually have bows on the sides. Wish they were my size. I would wear them every day.

I must go for now, Sic em Bears!

Clouds again!

Van Gogh has nothing on the nights here. It has been a rather long night, I could not sleep. Around 3ish am I looked through my bedroom window and the Van Gogh clouds were all over the sky. I have never seen anything at all like them. Swirly, perfect circles. One cloud after another were connected all over my beautiful night sky. The moon was almost full, which helped illuminate them. It was absolutely amazing. Starry Starry Night is one of Shelby's favorite paintings. I was analyzing them, trying to think how to take a picture that would show each swirly creation. I don't think anything I could do to give the look and I think that Van Gogh did an amazing reproduction of God's handiwork.

I love clouds. Living in Austin, that was one of the things I so sorely missed. The sky in the Panhandle always had CLOUDS that were always changing. I have never been one to see things in the clouds - I know I have already stated that, but I just love clouds. From Thunderheads to wispy, I just love them.

Complete swirly circles, now that is one to add to my memory banks. To be 50ish, and only now to have seen this, well I feel very lucky!

night friends

Tucked safely and soundly in my warm bed, someone is knocking on my door. Immediately, I am getting my robe on and headed to the door. Olive is barking, upset. Middle of the night...who would be at my door? It takes a while for all of us to settle back into bed. It is 1:30 a.m. ish.

I took the dogs for a little walk early this morning. They are still uncomfortable, nervous. Who can believe that the dumpster has been tossed, tossed like cardboard box, onto it's side. It is full of the cement chinking, so the toss was miraculously done. It completely creeped me out. We headed back into the house. A neighbor stopped by mid day to help me right the dumpster. It took a pickup truck and a tow rope to right it. He had had a bear last night. A big bear, chest high on his four legs. Scary! That was my late night visitor. I am prepared now. Shotgun is loaded with rubber bullets. Reminder to all, do not sneak up on me!

Hummers

Puffy, fluffed, winged fighter planes. I have f-16's, helo's, cargo planes. They are landing on the mother ship decks, touching down with calm,with finesse. The fuel line is delicate. It resembles a fine needle. No curves, no bends, efficient. I could suggest the cabin is Midway. Loved that movie. So many flight decks for the aircraft to choose from, so many choices to refuel, recharge. I have not seen Debra Kerr on the beach as of yet. I will keep you posted

Currently, I have eight feeders out. For those of you who know me, it would be like multiple Sonics to choose from. My idea of heaven! I am still amazed how much these little hoovers can eat. To be so tiny, they sure can pack it in!

The sun is coming up slowly this morning. I am guessing it is cold and stiff...what is it....a hundred million years or so old? I know I am getting more stiff almost daily! The cool just makes it that much slower for me to get going!

I have been up to Crested Butte. As of today, no new snow on the peaks. The beauty, as always, takes my breath away. It does not matter how many times I go up that way, the reaction is the same. The leaves are offering a bit of a tease. Tiny bits of orange and gold are hiding here and there in the thick trees. Autumn is on it's way. The streets are getting a bit quieter. Not so many families are riding bikes, shopping, filling the roads.

School starts in a week up here. This has always been my little piece of heaven - for some reason school never fit that picture for me. I never considered children actually made this their home. They look out their math room windows at the mountains - at the snow - at the trees turning. Good thing I did not go to school here. I would be day dreaming consistently. Imagining what adventure I would be in next. Mountains to top, trees to climb!

It is Friday. Tonight they are closing off main street for the Classic Car Show. A band will be playing in the middle of main. Small town at it's finest! I will let you know how it is. I have always wanted a refurbished t-bird...hmmm wonder if they will take a check!

BRRRR 32 degrees!

It is 32 this morning. Can you believe it? It is August 19th and 32 degrees. That does not bode well for winter. I am sure all my central Texas buddies are snickering. It has been something like 55 straight days of 100 plus degrees there. What you guys would not do for a couple of 32 degree mornings! We will talk again when it has been 50 plus days of below zero weather!

The hummers are up this morning. They are cold and eating ravenously. I refilled the feeders yesterday morning, which aggravated a few of the more aggressive friends. I do a pretty good hummer mix and they just love it! Honestly, I probably am the only one with this many feeders set out - so by default they love it. As I was rehanging the big feeder, several of my little friends landed on the feeder. It was like having hummers in my hands! Loved it!

I love to sing. LOVE to sing. Never been very good singing in public, but always had a silly dream of one day being in a band - you know Michelle Pfeifer in the Baker Boys. Ok - we can all dream... I have been listening to Johnny Mathis. What a voice. So I am belting out one of the fabulous songs - chances are - and Bogart comes and sits at (on) my feet and looks so adoringly up at me. Made me feel like I could belt them out just like Johnny!

I am running up to Crested Butte this morning. I can't wait. It is really one of the most fabulous drives. It is a bowl of majestic mountains with a quaint little town in the middle. I will let you know if there is new snow on the peaks - I will let you know if the leaves are starting to turn. It is God's paint brush at that point. He has such an amazing eye! I did see a herd of 30ish Elk on Monday. So huge! It was all the girlfriends and their babies. Totally unconcerned with me or the other cars zipping by. They are getting ready for bow season. I think they must laugh at us at times. What other mammal puts urine from it's prey all over it's body to hunt? And is this supposed to be some sort of perfume? Surely these animals see through this ploy. If they don't I sure hope at some point they do. My friends that elk hunt absolutely love it. It is a religious moment for them. I could compare it to a really good antique hunt and it is almost as expensive!

My antiquing buddy and I are heading to the big city later today. Montrose. Target. Really there are not words to describe how nice it is to find Target after a few weeks to a couple of months without a fix. We are going to a movie, have a nice lunch/dinner and antique. I am looking for an old garden gate. It is to put between my bedrooms and the living room. You would just have to see it to appreciate it. My monsters love to go into the bedrooms and reek havoc. I have been very surprised how difficult these gates are to find. Almost like an elk hunt, I have been on this trek for a bit. Also like an elk hunt, it could take years to find the exact perfect fit.

I have not really described my cabin. I know I have told you it was built in 1930. It was annexed in the late 1800's. I have found small apothecary bottles, pieces of purple - y/blue glass, treasures.

I redid the inside a couple of years ago. It started with the kitchen and it grew like the "BLOB". Almost as frightening. My old kitchen cabinets were interesting. The oven was over the stove with a foot clearance. Besides the fact you had to stand on a chair to put things in and out of the oven, I always had a fear that my stove would catch fire, moving to the grease under the oven and whoosh, my cabin would be gone!

n Gone gone gone are those cabinets. The plan was to level the floor in the kitchen (remember the can can roll from one end of the rooms to the other after they have been fixed) and put in new cabinets. Then I added a bit of wall moving/tearing down, new floors from kitchen to back bedroom. Then all the electrical had to be replaced. Just an FYI, should you start to replace some electrical, you have to do it all - by code. That was a bit of a shocker! Loved the old wires and porcelain insulators! At this point why not pull the ceiling down? It was low and a bit claustrophobic so down it came. Being incredibly creative, I had old doors used as the wood for the vault in the ceiling.

The bedrooms need a bit of love. I had already pulled all the carpeting out, pulled out the tiles underneath the carpet (which no doubt had to be asbestos!) and painted the floors. I had the walls stripped of the plywood covers and it exposed the wonderful logs. We sanded and stained them. I had found wonderful old ceiling tin. The guys scraped that and sealed it and it is in the bedrooms and bathroom. I added antique crystal chandeliers over the beds and fabulous linens. Next I get a call about the bathroom. Amazing that I had not fallen through the floor while bathing. (That's a picture, huh?) as the floor was rotten. A bathroom update was now added! Rusty corrugated metal is the tub/shower surround, an old medicine cabinet is above the old pedestal sink, drawers are fashioned for mid 30's drawers I had found with bak lite nobs. An old green outside enameled light fixture is above the sink. My hallway is wall papered with a book - the Great Alone. Page by page I placed these on my walls. Love it! I have used barn door hinges in most of my rooms. It is so much less space needed. Of course the only one that I hung fell down this summer. We do not need to discuss my carpentry skills other than to say I have them. We used barn wood as trim. Also, in case you wanted to know, old barn wood is like gold. Precious and expensive! I also hung a wonderful old crystal chandelier over the pine farmers table for my kitchen/dinning. The floors that have been replaced are heated. It is really one of the best features of a Colorado home. Nothing better than to put your piggies on a heated floor on a cold morning!

So now that I have bored you with my house updates, I will let you go. More about the weather and foliage tomorrow!

shoes make the man er woman

I love shoes. It is a great sickness. Unfortunately it also includes cowboy boots. I have 60 - yes - 60 pairs of boots and counting. I posted this on facebook for intervention but no one really had an answer for my illness. Probably the problem is that I am not listening! I LOVE SHOES!

I go in different directions on style. I love Manolo's and Jimmy Choo. I would love to have a pair of Christian Lobitans' again, you must be able to spell these important words before you can actually acquire these lovelies! Truth be known, I can not walk in high heels. It is true. I either fall out of them or twist my ankles. So not pretty! Shame on me - but I do still love them and have them in my closet.

My favorites are my dansko's and my Merrill's. I love Nike running shoes although I gave up running years ago. This year they came out with the natural leather stacked sandal. We all had them in the '70's. Loved them! Bought them this summer and feel so festive when I have them on!

Colorado is not the place for fancy shoes. I try. When I go to the big cities, Denver or Colorado Springs, I do wear the fancies. All other times I am in my comfort shoes! Promise I will not be into the SAS or those other comfort shoes, well, unless they are happy feet shoes!

Now, my true weakness is cowboy boots. I buy the old ones which means they are used. I had a hard time getting over that fact. To be honest, no one really does boots like they did in the '30's. My collection is varied and very loved! I wear them almost every day. I also collect baby boots. They are hard to find. I love the cut out boots. I have a couple of pairs with longhorns inlaid in them. All the baby boots have the toes curled up. You can just imagine some cowpoke loving these boots and actually wearing them to bed!

Everyone around here is aware of my illness. I have friends that will drop boots that have been so very well worn at my door steps. It is kind of a funny thing. Shelby thinks the boots have overgrown the cabin. Does this mean I should buy a bigger cabin to accommodate my habit?

NOAH Where Are You?

Second day of rain. Lots of rain today. It is almost 6 a.m. and it is still very dark outside. Today it is thundering. I love the sound of thunder. It is absolutely the best sleeping or snuggling weather. As I write, Bogart and Olive are snuggled here with me. Olive is wrapped in a towel from her adventures out in to the monsoon. Boggie is just happy to be up and alive. Puppydom, need I say more?

I have not mentioned the chinking in a while. Casey, my big strapping worker, is amazing. He is almost finished. Just a very small area in the back is left to do. I don't know if it is because my cabin is so small, I don't know if it is because I adore my cabin, I don't know if it is because I write all checks, but I love this place and I love all aspects of taking care of it. Probably I adore working on it because it is so old. I love anything old. It is a problem for me. I understand this. I do not care. I know that part of my enjoyment is that nothing here is perfect. Not one corner is square. Not one wall is plum. Not one plumbing fixture works perfectly all the time. You could roll a ball, untouched, from one end of the room to the other. I don't care. It is just charming. All that to say I love it! I have learned how to do electricity things, pull up carpet, pull up tile, paint floor, paint walls, hang barn door hinges, build tables, build desks, build decks, build everything! I even have really good tools! That is the really best advice I could give everyone. You are only as good as the tools you have on hand. Also, when you go to the hardware store, Do not be offended when you get the "hello lil darlin', are you lost today?" Finally, Ace Hardware leaves me alone to rummage through aisles of everything. Currently I am trying to find a way to hang an old window grate - the kind on old warehouse windows - to use as a gate to keep my monsters out of the bedrooms. Those are the kinds of things I love the most!

Shelby is in Austin today. She is shopping. I feel like a horrible mother for not being there to cook, shop, play with her. I miss her. She is the most amazing young lady. I know I am not suppose to go on and on about my child, but I am really blown away by the amazing adult person she has become. She is probably one of the smartest, sharpest people I know. She is very intuitive and creative. She does a blog, a running page, runs a home, helps with charities, gets promotions, etc. Her creativity is off the charts. I guess dragging her to all the antique and artsy shows was a good thing? We won't ask her that...I know what she would say. My reply would be that I had to give her fodder to talk to a shrink about some day...Unfortunately, I did not give out fodder sparingly! She writes so well. I am really a bit intimidated by her! And I love her more than anything in the world. My mom had warned me when I had her that my life would drastically change. She was so right. And I would not change a thing.

My hummers are up. I can not believe how much they are eating. I have BIG feeders and they were emptied yesterday. That is 3 days for one feeder. I think since it is cold they eat more to be able to handle the weather. Just another thing I am learning up here - as the weather gets cooler - the more all the animals eat. Burning calories to stay warm - means eating tons of food!

Hope ya'll have a great morning! Go have a wonderful weekend!

Beautiful Rain

I woke up this morning to rain. It has been awhile since we had a full day of rain. I am sure at some point Mr. Sunshine will poke his sleepy head out, but right now, I love the rain! I had replanted geraniums. I am so horrible at flowers. It is definitely not my spiritual gift! I let them sit out for a week in the nasty plastic pot. Now they are happily in new pots and had wonderful rain all night!

I hate to mention this but Fall is here. We have had frost on the ground and walkway for almost a week now. I even wore a sweater most of the day yesterday. I love the change of the seasonal guard. The trees will begin to turn in a week or two. The animals are really munching down to prepare for our sub zero winters.

I have so enjoyed the hummers. Currently my happy guys are pretty calmly eating their sugar water (for me that would be Dr. Pepper). They are so funny. At dusk last night I had 6 hungry guys eating at the feeder, 6-7 hovering around it, and a couple more doing fly-byes. This morning I only have about 6 total eating away. I find it a bit funny that these tiny tiny creatures can drink so hard and fast that air bubbles escape to the top of the feeder...little bitty hoovers!

Rocky Raccoon does not like the rain or his scent stays a little closer to him as he rummages through my yard as Olive was quiet this past night. She has had to spend several nights in her kennel due to her barking "issues". We are working on this - but like all my children, she has an incredibly strong will!

Bogart has gotten a couple of new names - Slimmer and Clubber. Depends on the time of day both of these names fit - Early a.m. he is Clubber. He is currently about 40 pounds and is 16.5 weeks old. It takes about 20 seconds for his back half to catch up to his front half's activities. When I am sleeping and he wants my attention he stands on his hind feet and clubs me with his front feet. Very painful if not on your toes....he slings those size 18's at what part of your body he hits. I have gouge marks on my back, he has hit the nose, the cheek, arms, etc. He is the slimmer every time he drinks. I don't know why he thinks it is more efficient to drink with his full face in the water! Once done, he loves to find me in my nice clothes (that would be anything other than my 501's...) and rubs up against me. SLIMMED!

The ....-tuttle meteor shower has been the last two nights. I know it is tuttle as I have given my son-in-law and daughter a little ribbing with the name. The first night I had to go to bed as it started after my 9pm curfew. The next night it did not disappoint. Falling stars with tails. It was absolutely beautiful. It is so dark up here at night that it was the perfect canvas to watch the show!

I have tried the new Off personal mosquito repellent - FYI - it does not work...I am very sad about this as I love to drink a glass of wine outside in the evening, but am cautious to do this with all the West Nile carrying bugs! I am glad for the cooler weather, I can cover myself tip to toe to avoid dealing with the crazy creatures!

It is so peaceful this morning. Of course a light rain is so helpful in making everyone feel tranquil, Olive is snuggled beside me (yes we are still working on the couch issue...) catching a few more Zs and even Bogart is still! I have great music in the background! I am wanting some new classical music should anyone have any suggestions!

wasps, hornets, bees....oh My!

Shame on me! One of the main reasons I did the blog was to get in the habit of writing daily. I love to write. I will try to be faithful!

I have had teeth trouble. It is really true - and so very bad! I have had 3 teeth pulled in the past year. I am getting implants for them. It is a process. I had one of the teeth pulled last Thursday. It is really not a horrible thing, and the discomfort only lasts about a week.

On Thursday, I also had a run in with a nest of wasps....remember Yogi and Boo Boo? Well it is very similar to that nasty cartoon - you know when Yogi goes after the nest for the honey? Thousands and thousands of wasps chase them to the lake that both Yogi and Boo Boo jump in...
It was not quite that bad....I have been amazed at how long my cheek has stayed red. Anyone that asks about it I tell them the other guy looks much worse!

For some reason when I have anything done - pulling teeth, root canal, medical things, etc - I am the one that has the problem that happens to 2% of the population. Who knew you could get bone spurs when a tooth is pulled? Who knew it would require surgery to repair? That has been my past year and a few months. TEETH! I am thinking of going to Juarez and having a couple of pairs of wooden false teeth made. I could paint them different colors - I could add gold accents or silver and turquoise! How about that diamond embedded in that front tooth. Options are just limitless!

OK Back to the wasps. It was a wasp that stung me. I got even. Payback is just so fun. I love the wasp killer that sprays 100 feet or so. I had a hive that was attached to the wall of my shed. I had placed a saw against the hive. No wonder they got me! I am lucky it was only one really mad bug. I have found a hive across the road from me that is 2 feet long. I am going to take revenge on it in the next few days. More to come!

happiness is a choice

You are wondering how in the world I could ever begin to discuss happiness when I am living in one of the most beautiful places in the world. As with all things, not everyone thinks this is one of those places! Can you imagine? I will discuss THOSE people on a different blog...

I woke up this morning happy. As a general rule, I am a happy person. There are not that many mornings that I am mad at the start. Don't get me wrong, One word said in the wrong tone, one word said with malice, one word thoughtless spit out can and most often will put me in "that mood". Ask Shelby, she would gladly agree with most of this! (Don't ask her about what it cost me to get her to agree!) Haha.

As I sit here the hummers are playing and chasing each other around the bird feeder. I am sure not all words are happily spoken around that feeder - especially when Rufus is around - but they all are working away, filling their tummies and zipping along. Bogart and Olive are happy, I have filled their food bowl, filled their water, let them out to bark at Rocky Raccoon and his family, and scratched behind their ears and on their tummies....All things so simple. Food, love, good work, basics that make the animals so content. I am sure there is one critter wondering what is in the neighbors' yard to eat, what joe or jim or jennie or ann is having for breakfast and what their plans are for the day. That would probably make him discontent. Why must we see what others have and long for it? Why can't we just love what we have and be satisfied? I wonder why that is!

There are things I want, things I lust after. I have noticed how my heart is so settled these days. It is so simple. I do not do anything all that differently here. I have great friends all over. I am very lucky. I have a wonderful family. As I write this the sun is coming up and I am listening to quiet opera. Can you imagine anything more perfect?

Clouds

I love clouds. Don't really know why. No, I am not one of those that sees animals, cars, ships, people in the clouds. They are just very....hmmm....interesting to me.
As mentioned before, I don't always sleep soundly. Waking up multiple times through the night has become the norm. Last night, at 3am, I woke up to see clouds low and beautiful outside my window. I wanted to touch them. One of my recurring dreams as a child was that I could fly. Much like the flying nun! Ah - Sally Fields, why did she have to ruin it with Smokey and the Bandit?
Living in Austin for so many years, I missed the big sky. City life hinders the ability to see the sky like the flat land of the Panhandle. Each time driving through or to Borger/Amarillo, I would take such a big, deep breath. I just love the sky. It is fascinating how far you can see, how fun the clouds are.
Here in the mountains, the clouds hang very low quite a bit. So badly I want to touch them, to get caught up in them, to breath in their air. To fly with them.

A new week

It is an early Monday Morning. The birds are starting to stir, the bird feeders are very active. Not a cloud, not one, in the sky. Not a breath of breeze as of yet. All are waiting to decide what this Monday should bring. Hummingbirds are so beautiful and so amazing. Their colors are vibrant. As they dive-bomb everything in site, it is hard to tell to what that flash of red, orange, blue, belongs.

Today we are working on the chinking. I am getting much better at pulling the old stuff out. My arms are loosing that bit of old lady swing that happens right below my shoulders. Maybe this hard labor thing is going to be OK. What project can I take on that would do that tummy tuck thing? I have enjoyed doing this work, it is so interesting how things were done 80 years ago. It is even more interesting that something that old can still be a wonderful resident. I have found old newspapers from December 1932. The adds are so interesting - could be adds from Denny's Men's Wear! Can you believe my dad wore a hat to work most days? He was always so dapper!
One of the wonderful things I have in this old place is a cowboy hat he would wear. Love it!

We had raccoons last night. The reason I know this is Olive protected me from them ALL NIGHT LONG! She is such a watch dog. She has a history with these hungry little ....well we will just call them animals. Rocky and his clan - 5 strong - would come every night this winter. They would sit in the bird food can, they would sit in the deer feed, they would look at us and give us that wonderful one finger salute. Olive does not like that salute and has taken it upon herself to tell them any time she gets a whiff of them. She will sit with her nose in the air - sniffing like a woman at a perfume counter...you know the one...who spritzes the ambrosia into the air and lifts her pert little nose to get a good idea of the mixture of floral, citrus, honey...I don't think Raccoon scent smells quite the same... This morning she is still upset. Currently she is delegated to the couch(I am really working on keeping them off of the couch!) to let her throat rest. I am sure by the evening she will need all her vocal cords to keep me posted on any raccoon smellings!

There is a bit of fall in the air. In Borger, I would always feel the day the season changed to fall. I think it is the way the sun beams hit the earth. It is like they are shinning at an angle. Nothing else has changed, it is still as warm as the day before, but it is a feeling as much as anything. All my buddies are upset with this. Winters are long and hard. It is such a fantasy land here. There are bikes to ride, mountains to explore, fish to catch, wildlife to photograph. It is as much an adult playground as it is a children's park! Both towns are full, sidewalks have so many footprints! Parents that don't have time to play with their children are now riding bikes through town with little Johnny or Jennie in tow.

When I was in Austin I really missed the changing of the seasons. It is sort of like the changing of the guard, the old season is worn out when the new one comes in to give it relief. Here the seasons are just so definite. I can't wait for the leaves to change. It is a burst of fire!
Shame on me! I don't want to wish or wait away a second! We loose so much time either looking back or looking forward and loose the now. I am working on that also!

Time to get me moving. I am headed to the W for a good country breakfast. Good day!

boy dog love

I am a dog lover. No way around that. For my old friends, Noel was my very first experience with boydog love. Next Boscoe, next Mickey and also, girldog Minnie. I had never pondered the different personalities between male/female dogs. Being politically correct, I felt differences between dogs had nothing to do with sex. I feel dogs are created as we are. Different. I always have just loved dogs! It never occurred to me there might be some differences with the "love".

As I write this, Bogart has jumped on the couch (we are working on the no couch thing), snuggled as tight as possible to my side, and is resting him nose on my arm. To compare, Olive was up here. She sat at the opposite end of the couch. She wanted me to come to her and snuggle. I gladly accommodated her. She is incredibly loving, but it is on her terms.

Mickey, a yorkie, was so fun. Bless his heart, he passed a few years ago. He was amazing. He would let Shelby dress him in her doll clothes, play baby with him, pick him up - drop him etc. He was always very good with her and her gang. He had quite the personality. Life was on his terms. Boydog love did not track with him. He was quite the snuggler...if it was his choice!

A good friend sweares by boydog love. She will have no other flavor than a male dog. I had allowed her the leeway to state this opinion, but really dogs just love - Right?

I am sure part of this discrepancy is Bogart is a puppy. Puppies are just happy. Puppies just want to make you happy. Every moment is a new experience and they are happy to share it with you! You are the queen or king of their world!

Boydog love - is it true or just an urban myth? Since I am in the boonies - would that make it a gool ole country tale? Which are you? A believer in boydog love or....

New Days

I woke up to marvelous sunshine today. It is not unusual for that to happen, I am just well rested. That makes it simply Marvelous! No one ever told me that as we age we loose the ability to sleep. Even in Paradise these things still happen. I guess that is why there is such joy in a full, restful, uninterrupted night of sleep!

Chinking did not happen yesterday. Funny thing in a really laid back world, everyone and everything is very laid back. It has been a great thing for me as I have a time frame for everything and could sit and tap my toe with impatience waiting. (btw, it would not be in last year's Prada!) Ha! Cabin maintenance has been a challenge. Painters came by yesterday to discuss painting this old thing! Guess Fort Knox is not going to be safe - as it will take a break in there to pay for all of this! You know...you can't take it with you.

My two dogs, Olive and Bogart, are so fun. Olive was an only dog for her first 3 years. She is absolutely the most loving dog you would ever hope to find. She loves to dress up - no I am not one of those crazy women who dresses her dog in cutie outfits (Dolce Should be in a Dressy Outfit!) she just likes to change her collar from time to time. 2 hound designs is my absolute favorite online store for this. She is very funny about it. She also likes to get as dirty as possible. I guess you could call her a tomdog? Last night was bath night for her. The tub was black. The water looked like the Canadian River after a really good rain. Thought that would give a very good visual...
Bogart is a baby. He is all male. He loves rough housing with Olive (that is one reason she was so dirty) and he hates baths. He also has wonderful collars to change with his mood - but he just really does not seem to care! He is 14 weeks old, such a baby, and he already weighs 33 pounds and is as tall as Olive. If she had any plan of taking him on in a wrestling match and actually winning - well it ain't happening! He has feet, which I am reminding myself he will eventually grow into, that are huge! Paw prints of them are already quite a bit bigger than Olive's. What have I gotten myself into?
Needless to say, I love these babies. They are like Shelby's siblings she never had. I don't really think she likes that idea! She is just as big an animal lover as I am. I think if we were together for any amount of time we would have a problem. Every time we would run into a down trodden creature, we would just add them to our menagerie!

I have a really good friend that runs an antique store here. For many years she was the only antique store in town. I always owe her monies as she is very gracous about letting me run a tab. She is really so smart! Running a tab at an antique store! Who would think....Again, I have to contact Fort Knox when it is bill paying time!
Anyway, because of her I have found some amazing things for the cabin. She always lets me know if something has come in that is just perfect for what ever spot I might have. Honestly, what a great friend! All you junkies out there will understand this!
Tomorrow is the Paris Flea Market. For my Texas friends, this is Round Top for up here. In comparison, we will just say they grow every thing bigger in Texas! Last time I went with my buddy, it would make junkers everywhere proud. She has a van with no seats in back, we had that baby packed. Stuff so full inside we had to carefully shut the doors, and the top was covered also! Beverly Hill Billies here we come!

Currently I have my pellet stove running and we are all sitting here drinking our oj and typing. The dogs are really unconcerned, although Bogart tries to interject an oljuy or ouklbja; from time to time. He is so verbouse! I know how blessed I am to be here. It is paradise.

Cabins

Ok, today I am working on Chinking the cabin. For all you city dwellers, it is the magical stuff that goes between the logs to keep bugs, hot air, cold air, dirt, out of the house. My cabin was built in the 1930's. The stuff I am pulling out is at least that old. It is fossilized! Amazing the different materials used. It is cement in some places, fiberglass insulation in others, deep wholes in a few. It is dirty and time consuming - but the final result is wonderful! I don't know why I have taken such great joy in redoing this old place. The floors creak, the floors sag, I have mice periodically, a few window panes are cracked...but again this is paradise to me!

Casey is coming to help. He is darling, young and a stud. Good for me as I am not darling, old and definitely not a stud!!! I have been very humbled at the things that I can no longer do. My strength is just not there. Of course many of you will ask - what strength? I will have you know I did have my day. We just will not discuss how many days have come and gone since I had that day...
Bruising is almost a daily thing. The color of different parts of my legs, arms and hands is just such a kaleidescope of molteled colors. Again, we do not need to go into this - if you are obscenely curious, find an old person, examine their arms and Wa La - you have the colors I am highlighting here.
The hummingbirds fight me for airspace. They dive bomb, they chase, they sass at me continuously. Honestly, it is ok. They are absolutely amazing creatures. The other birds are just as scene stealing. The colors of all the birds is so vibrant this summer. I do not know the names of any of them except of course our Robin Red Breast...a true winner of all things spring and summer. I have a few wood peckers. My absolute favorite is the morning and evening fly by's of the Canadian Geese that live in the field and stream behind my house. They call to each other as they fly by. I am sure they are all commenting on that silly woman in the green house. I wear my rain boots, my big hat and always my lee 501's...and almost always a smile of pure pleasure!
I will try to figure out how to post our progress on the chinking...a truely mountain woman thing to do!

a new beginning

Today I woke at 5 and decided to start this silly blog. I don't know if anyone will care - or be slightly interested...but here goes!

I am currently in Paradise. At least this is what my heart is telling me is paradise.

As a child, I can remember paradise was climbing the mimosa tree that was outside our side window. It was big, it was scary, but all in all it was the place to be. My older sister could climb it, all her friends could climb it, but I was just a little sister. They could get away from me! So climb it I did. Luckily I never fell out of that tree...

A few years later paradise was in the form of a hike through the desert country behind our neighborhood. We could do it any time. So different from now in the big cities. We would pack a lunch and go hiking. I loved it. I have always been a tomboy - or an outside girl. I have definitely never been a tree hugger...

Funny, trying to remember my other paradises brings no images. I had lots of good times - but only one place from there on that has held that esteemed position for so many years!

I am in that place now. We started coming here years ago - won't say how many - we will just leave it at MANY! That wonderful place is the Colorado mountains. Nothing better.

Today I plan on working outside. It is cool this am. It rained all night. My babies - Olive and Bogart - are still sleeping. It is early even for them. Goldendoodles...best dogs around. I will go ahead and let everyone know they are the smartest dogs in the world.
Back to my mountains. When I am driving here, which I do quite a bit, the view coming around a specific corner on the highway gives me great pause. I smile, catch my breath, and know I am headed to the place my heart sings. I don't know if it is the majesty of it all, I don't know if it is the mountains that I have not met the challenge yet, I don't know if it is the small Mayberry feel of my town, I don't know if it is the fond memories of times gone by, I don't know if it is just an absolute escape for me. I don't know and honestly I don't care. I can tell you that when I see those mountains I can breath a full deep cleansing breath.

Paradise any place of complete bliss and delight and peace.

Need I say more?