Christmas 2018

 This cotton field is next to our RV resort in AZ.   In previous years, we've arrived in January and the fields are just dirt.   It was a big surprise to find out what they grow.   I had no idea cotton was a big crop down here.   I wanted to walk over and pick a little boll but it was a busy road and I'd probably be arrested for thievery or trespassing.    I remember very well, in a classroom in North Dakota as a young child, holding a cotton boll that someone had brought in.....I was amazed .   To me, it was only something I had read in books and there was no reality to it.  


And then we came to Connecticut.   We awoke on Christmas Eve to beautiful snow ... just enough.

 We had to make cookies altho Santa only took one bite and I don't think any of the dozen or so were ever eaten.    But it is required.
 

On Christmas Eve, we usually go see the latest Star Wars movie and then go to our favorite Italian restaurant, Franco's .     Alas, there was no Star Wars so we saw Bumblebee.....about the cute yellow Beetle that becomes a Transformer.   Cute but not Star Wars.    But the veggie pizza, the grinders and the pasta dishes were perfection.  

 As usual, the Christmas gifts were perfect and generous and the food was a mix of tradition and favorites.      Mason was very patient when he got up at 5 am and waited and waited for the rest of us.    Finally, he took out his saxophone and played revelry to get us up and moving.    It worked.   He now plays 3 different instruments and is trying his best to figure out the piano.   He has quite a talent.  

 

Before dawn on the 26th, the house was up and moving furniture.    New family room  furniture had been ordered to arrive before Christmas but it was delayed.   So we got to be slothful and eat and drink on the old stuff on Christmas.   But no more.     Andy and I were moving out the  old ottoman and someone captured us.    Not sure where Andy is getting his height but having a strong, tall and helpful young man around is a good thing.  

 Caesar still lives altho the whole cricket thing is time consuming.    I bought 50 on Thurs eve and they were gone by Sat morning.   So I got 75 the next time.   They are 10 cents a piece and he gobbles them in a flash.....the crunching is a bit unnerving.   The alternative is to feed him some kind of roach (no thank you !! ) or some creepy worm.     He does come out and crawls around their arms and shoulders......but he's fast on the floor.    The cat seems to have no interest.   Nor do I.....unless we're separated by glass.  

And so we head back to cold AZ.    We'll stay put for awhile with no plans to wander..... Tis the season of Pickleball tournaments and working on the golf game.    

December shows up.....

I worry about this lone heron.     He's been a resident for a few years and some say he once had a mate.      He stands along the edge of the pond but now it is mostly frozen.    From what I've read, they can survive cold and snow but most go south.   I wish he would so I don't have to worry.  

 

Almost 3 years ago, our favorite Ford Explorer got smashed by a kid in an old heavy jeep.   Since then, we have pondered the need for another car.    

    We've adopted Aunt Romayne's Beetle but it  mostly goes to pickle ball.     The big Jeep is great for climbing mountains but not for comfort on the roads nor, in my opinion, safe on the busy interstates....it doesn't even have a back up camera.     We have driven many different brands and models and read all the reviews and pondered the need/desire for 2 cars .... ( I don't consider the Beetle a car for most purposes...but it is cute ).       Finally, we made a decision and now we have a German majority in the garage.  (45 years difference in their age)  There is still room for the mountain climbing Jeep and the golf cart.    

It's a beautiful car with all the bells and whistles and will probably be our last car......after all, we keep cars about 10 years  and will we still be driving at 85 ??   Aunt Romayne drove until she was about 93 so maybe we will...... !    But then  we'll get a driverless model......

We had to drive over to Glenwood Springs for the nearest dealer.    The 2.5 hr drive was quite beautiful this time of year with the fresh snow and clouds.     Coming home was a different story.    I -70was closed for hours and we had to navigate the back roads in order to keep moving.  It took us 4 hours and one of us drove in comfort and the other drove the Jeep.   

We're delaying our departure to AZ by a few days but beginning the process of list making and organizing.    

I'll miss our morning sunrise.......

Home again.....

We left at sunrise yesterday..... beautiful view of Manhattan in the center and LaGuardia on the lower left where we had just taken off from.     I took a long snooze later in the day.

  

Had a great Thanksgiving day, celebrating Mason's 13th birthday as well.    He made a trip to the pet store the next day to pick up his bearded dragon.   The store had sold 13 in the past few weeks.

He/she  has multiple names but is Caesar for short......he eats live crickets......available on Amazon if you need any. 

We saw 2 movies at the theater with heated reclining seats ( !! ).    Loved "Bohemian Rhapsody" despite it's lukewarm reviews..... still humming..     Did not understand a bit of "The Crimes of Grindelwald" and the boys weren't sure about it either.   Johnny Depp was dark and Jude Law was easy to look at.     

Looking forward to a couple weeks at home before we migrate south.....

It welcomed us once again.........

Connecticut is white and cold and we are back to enjoy it !!

Back on the western slope....

We're home again...... it's always a bit longer to fly west and this trip just seemed rather endless.    We didn't get home until after 8 and since it was Halloween, we managed to avoid the hordes (or not) and having all that left over chocolate.  

    

This was the color from the front door of their house.....there was an occasional maple that showed it's fall colors but otherwise, it was disappointing.   

We made a search for the perfect pumpkins.   I  lobbied for 'smaller is better' but their choices were reasonable .   Mason wielded the sharp knife but left me with cleaning out the slimy innards.   Andy was all in.   

The trumpet and sax player  had their usual 3 hour band practice that night so didn't get to do the neighborhood thing.    They did have 'trunk or treat' after practice and I think that's a clever and convenient option.... and safer than in their dark  and sprawling neighborhood.  ( yes, I realize that's just an old person's opinion and carries no weight).

In the big regional competition on Saturday they came in 2nd (in their division ) for the 1st time this year.    Actually, as disappointed as they were, I think it will make them sharper and more determined for the Nationals  on the 10th at Met Life stadium in NJ.   I wish we could be there for it.

Otherwise, it's good to be home for a bit ..... I'll wander back in a couple weeks as Jon continues his training.

Connecticut...

I had hoped that our trip to New England would be highlighted by brilliant color.    So far, there is little color anywhere.    This is the nearby pond that we drive by most days.    Pretty but it needs to put on a show.

So, we drove to the NW corner of Connecticut where the tourists flock to see the colonial history and the fall extravaganza.    But not here either. 

 This weekend, the NY Sheep and Wool festival was in full swing.     I think it is probably the biggest in the country or even Europe.    They come to show their sheep, compete in dog sheep herding , sell their exotic and varied fleeces and offer the most prized yarns from independent breeders and the hoards line up to look and buy.          And of course, there is the food !!

I have read enough about it to understand that on Saturday, it is wall to wall and lines for everything are forever.    It was cold and even rained.    It is tradition to make a sweater, hat, scarf, mittens ....for wearing proudly at Rhinebeck.

After some debate and procrastination, we finally decided to drive over later on Sunday.   It's about 80 min to get there....over the river and thru the woods.  Very pretty back road  country drive.  There was some hint of color which gave me hope that Mother Nature will come thru eventually.     The crowds were diminished and no lines for the favored falafels, which we shared and  were delicious in the homemade pitas.    We enjoyed the sheep and llamas and after while, the yarns all began to look alike.    We chatted with one lady who raises sheep in eastern Colorado and brought her lovely yarns to sell.    I think we covered about 1/4 of the huge halls/tents  selling all things wool and accessories.   And it took us 2 hours to do that. It was cold and breezy and altho I had brought a poncho that  I knit, I choose a down jacket instead.   I did wear my hand knit hat tho !!

I'm glad we went and I don't have to do it again.    And the only thing we bought was lunch.  

Meanwhile, the boys continue to wow the crowds and judges in their Newtown High School Marching band competitions.    We went to see a 19 band event on Saturday.    It was cold and breezy, and we  bundled up and only stayed for 3 other groups.    Again, they took 1st in their division.    They are not a huge band, about 80, but they are very talented.   But they also work very hard in long after school sessions and all day on Saturdays.   

  https://youtu.be/ifzpG_snM4E      If you have the interest to watch the video, it is not the best.  The  parent/videographer seemed to be biased towards the percussion (who are very good) and often missed the action on the rest of the field.   But you can get an idea and I like the music.

Winding down....

We had our last 

League play last week....We got rained out but lunch followed and many came in costume.    This is a retired Hooter's Girl.....!!!!      Not her real hair or body parts...........!!

 With the changing season, the colors around us are often breathtaking.  

We have needed rain and now we are getting it every day.   The mountains are getting snow.    The sky is gray and low and the winds

are often fierce.    The patio has been tidied up for winter.       Under the table are the golf balls we have rescued from the narrow strip of grass.   The tee boxes are on the left and occasionally, a few cross the creek and land there or in our yard.   If I'm outside, I throw them back to the embarrassed golfer....if not, I do a regular search and rescue before the mowers chew them up.    

 Note the white caps on the pond.     This is the 4th....the tee boxes are on the left and require about an 80 yd carry (from the forward tees )over the Creek.....easy peasy except, it is water and intimidating.   After you get over, you continue on to the RT, between the two ponds and then make a dog leg left to the green by that red tree.    Or you can just go diagonal over the pond.....not my route but I did par this one....once.  

Meanwhile, the fireplace is taking the chill off the days and the astromeria last forever.  

Changing seasons.......

 We headed out in two different directions this week  to try and capture the amazing color show.  

On Thursday, I had my old and trusty Canon T31.   It has served me well on treks near and far.  along with my favorite lens, a Tamron 18-270.    But it is bulky, heavy and big.     For the past 6 months or more, I have researched and studied alternatives.   I settled on the mirrorless Canon EOS M50.    It is compact, very very light and all of my lens will work with an adaptor.    It came with a 15-45 which seems to do all that I want for now.   It has all the latest technology..bluetooth and wifi and a big touchscreen.   I think it is perfect.

Had to sneak in one of my roses in the evening light.....





 Near Kebler Pass, Crested Butte area..... leaves were at or past peak in many places.    But lunch was good at an Asian bistro and a nice walk down the streets of the this "last great Colorado ski town" which was voted #1 ski town in the US by a ski magazine.   It's western, victorian theme is well preserved.  

And then yesterday, we headed south to Last Dollar Trail.    It is about 25 mi from here and is the alternate road to Telluride.   It is only 20 miles long but definitely not the speedy way to go.  And you do need 4 wheel drive (we did see an occasional regular car but it is a rough ride) and it is impassable in rain/snow.    It meanders along Ralph Lauren's massive ranch and other cattle ranches along the way.           No color at the lower levels.   Aspen only thrive above 8000 ft.   We have a few in our yard but they say they only last about 8 years or so down here.   Ours , at about 10 years, still look healthy.   I would miss them dearly if they go before me.  

Around 10,000 ft the trail begins  the gradual descent into the valley.   At about 9,5000 you start to see the homes that have cropped up.   Massive (ie $$$$$$$) homes with equally costly views are homes to the rich and famous.     I'm not sure how they tolerate the altitude when they fly in for their brief stays.   This is the view from the airport road looking towards Telluride...(the highest commercial airport in North America).    Lots of private jets hanging out on this day.  

 Of course, when you get to the valley, it's hard to resist the gondola ride up and down the mountain.   This day was very busy in town.    We heard there were several weddings and it was an absolutely perfect day.

Lazy times...

.... around here these days.      Social season still in full swing and golf shows no signs of slowing down.    But you can feel the changes in the air as the days are a bit shorter, the sun not so hot and the trees beginning their colorful fall show.       It's my favorite time....

Today we are headed to Crested Butte for some lunch and then a return on a jeep trail or two to see the color.    The largest aspen stand in the world is near Crested Butte and in high season it is jammed with photographers determined to get the perfect shot of the beautiful golden aspen.   Hopefully, it is too early although the news said the colors are about a week early.    

I've ordered a new lighter camera with all the latest and greatest.    Mine was great but now it is over 10 years old and not as sharp and user friendly....( kinda like my brain and other body parts).  It is to arrive tomorrow and I'm anxious to explore it and hopefully, be impressed.     I've heard that the new iPhone X and the newer ones have great cameras and it would make sense to have it all in one package but I don't think I'm there yet.   My phone is getting slower and and older but the new prices are impressive..... 

The sisters are currently on a Viking cruise on the Rhine and thoroughly enjoying it.    My mother and I did a guided trip to London and Europe  and their pictures bring back many good memories.   Lots of cathedrals and castles and fairy tale villages.    Makes me think that it's time we did something similar...... I really want to do the Viking cruise in China.    Golfing friends say it is the best thing they've ever done.     

Meanwhile, I have decided to tackle the books and videos of Game of Thrones.    I do like books in a series because they never seem to end.    It was this or Harry Potter ..... ( yes, opposite ends of the G-XR spectrum)   

So I started the first book and it's a challenge to keep track of the characters but by the time you finish the 818 pages , you get a pretty good idea of who's who.    Then, it was on to the 2nd book. 

  

I did some searching for pictures of the main characters in the HBO series so I could put a face to a name.   I'm sure they are much prettier on the screen than in the book.    So that piqued my interest and last night we watched Season I, episode I.    As I expected, a lot of heads roll and the perfect bodies are all glistening and naked.  ( Except for the ones who are gross and filthy and vile.)  The book is vivid in it's gory descriptions and dialogue.    Graphic is a mild word.   I suspect that the film goes about as far as it can.    I had to do some explaining to P on the character connections and I'm sure I would have been befuddled if I hadn't read the book or at least a synopsis.      The plot lines are incredibly complex and all the genealogy of the Kings and castles is vast.   I can't imagine how an author can develop all of this.   But that's why I write a diary instead of a science fiction fantasy bloody novel.       But it is compelling and I will spend more of my days absorbed in it.

Stay tuned for camera update.......

Let's do it again next year.........

 A spectacular, All American memorable weekend.    Just so many highlights and unforgettable moments.     ( warning...long post as I have to capture all this for my aging memory cells).


We flew back to CT on Thursday and into  the high heat and humidity conditions.     The kids' schools were on early dismissal as not all are air conditioned.

On Saturday, we headed over to West Point for the Labor Day concert by the West Point Academy Band.    All career musicians with amazing talent.    Altho they have an outdoor concert every Sunday evening in the summers, the highlight is this night.    Many many years ago, we used to drive the 90 min several times each summer.    Jon took Mary Beth over on their 2nd date .... ( she had received an appointment to the Academy but did not accept it and went to U of Colorado)  We got there early to get our space on the natural amphitheater for the perfect view.    The Hudson River provides the stunning backdrop.   Notice the large barge passing by on the right.    Earlier there was a huge yacht heading north out of NYC.     The boys wandered the grounds and were awed with the history and the cannons and the majestic grey stone architecture.    They are avid 'Hamilton' fans.  I left the picture taking to Jon but don't have them at the moment.         We were treated to various groups practicing while we snacked and knit and people watched.     The music was of course patriotic. Don't we all need a bit of John Phillip Sousa to set the mood ?    They did Broadway hits, rock and a wonderful Proud Mary rendition altho the talented singer in her combat uniform and boots was a far cry from Tina Turner in 5 inch heels.     (the soldiers on grounds all wear the camouflage or their band uniforms).   But the performers were true professionals.   The highlight and most memorable was the finale "The 1812 Overture".   It is moving and just so awesome with cannons booming.     And then there were about 30 minutes of the most amazing fireworks, bursting closer than I thought possible but not unsafe as it was over the water.  

And then, because we hadn't  had enough fun, Monday rolled around and it was time for the 57th annual Newtown Labor Day parade.    Over the years, I don't think we missed any of them.   We used to ride our bikes to the parade, only about 5 miles but it was all up hill and we warmed up quickly in the early morning chilly air.   Of course, the ride home was much more fun.   Thru the various years, we marched, decorated floats, blew up balloons and waited for our favorite entries      I also don't think it's ever been rained out.    This morning dawned hazy hot and humid.    We had put out our chairs the night before.    By 7 pm on Sunday eve, there was a solid line of chairs along the parade route.    The next morning, when we arrived, a tech company advertised  with water bottles on each and every chair. 

 A view of Main Street with the flagpole that has been there forever and created consternation for many a vehicle unfamiliar to the courtesies and nuances of navigating this intersection.  This is a main road ( Route 25) that they close for almost 3 hours and the detours  long and tortuous  to get around. .

 The award winning NHS Marching Band leads  the parade.    This year, due to the unrelenting heat, they were allowed to dress more relaxed.   This is Mason .... they voted not to play a march and instead made another choice which wasn't my favorite but then, I didn't have to march and play and sweat.

 Andy was all in.......

Here's a mixture of the sights and colors..........

Lots of local fire trucks (there are 4 fire dept. in Newtown....even tho it's only about 25,000 people, it covers 60 sq miles ).    This one must be in a private collection as the "Last Resort and Engine 1 & only"....

Senator Blumenthal   marched.  

We had great seats in the shade.....

The Shriners in their noisy little cars have been in every parade I've been to......and always the crowd favorite as they zip around in their formations.

Newtown's Main street is a quintessential New England town with colonial homes dating back to the 1700's.    The weekly Newtown Bee  has been printed since 1870 (and owned by the same family since 1877) and it's weathervane is a well known landmark.   

Elvis showed up as Jon and the boys watched....

The Revolutionary War was represented...

As was the Civil War.....

And the bees and butterflies.....

The rooster on the top of the church has bullet holes in it from Revolutionary soldiers using it as target practice.   ( Rochambeau camped just down the hill ).

And after we got home, this was a cool respite before it was pickleball time......



It was a perfect weekend and we hope to make it  an annual event.....or as long as we have kids in the parade.  

We're back in beautiful Colorado where it is actually raining and there is a light dusting of snow on the mountains !!