I keep debating the value of keeping up with the blog. It has interest to us in that I refer to it more often than I should to jog our memory of where, when and who. I don't mind that I don't reach the masses and gain peer admiration and comments. I don't care that I don't have ads to generate income (I've always wondered how much they make...maybe I am missing lots of $$$).....but wait, you have to have readers to make $$$.
I don't need a following as then I would have to reciprocate with comments and use up my retirement time slogging thru countless stories of other's days. I do enjoy the blogs that I subscribe to and follow and I admit, I'm not much good at commenting, but I am loyal and I look forward to their updates. Several have become friends and I would miss the connections if I/they were to fade away. Fortunately, I don't have to make a decision.....someday, I will fade away but maybe I can get a few more under my belt before that happens. Maybe I'll even get better at updating it....
This is not a good picture but you get the idea. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is just 30+ min away. A national park, it is noted for this extreme chasm carved by the Gunnison River. It is breathtaking and on a still day, you can hear the rushing river far far down the steep walls. The South rim is accessible from Montrose and has the trails, visitor center and camp grounds. We opted to search out the North rim. It is not a short ride and we meandered thru high desert, lots of cows and then just came across this deep rupture in the ground. I always wonder what the first inhabitants of this land must have thought when, without warning, this fault just appears and there is no easy way across. Only a few have managed to navigate the waters and lived to tell about it.
A birthday came and went and the flowers appeared . The rainbow tulips were stunning in their color and size. It's hard to describe these huge parrot tulips. Everyday, they were a different color, and shape. They started out green, gradually opened up and added yellow and then, when fully opened, the red was revealed. All the flowers lasted a full week !!
I didn't mind this birthday. Turning 75 is an achievement not a diminishment. We have many friends who are leading the way in age and remain vibrant and active and I intend to do the same. One friend is building a large home here, spanish style....it will take at least a year before she is in it. Meanwhile, she has bought a Bernese Mountain dog/poodle mix puppy (read LARGE). She hauls him around in her Porsche SUV...... I consider her a wonderful optimist at 81 !!!
On that note, I have a new grip on my putter. It is one of those large ones and today I will try it out along with my other new grips. Another friend, almost 81, just bought a full set of high end golf clubs.....I opted for grips and a used 5 wood from the Second Swing online store. My poor arthritic fingers are getting more and more painful and gnarly. I don't have any other joint pain in the rest of this old body but these fingers are reminding me how miserable it would be if I did. The mary jane cream, while very effective, only lasts a couple of hours. So I take Motrin before playing. I'm hoping that the new grips,
in a larger size, will help as well. 
And more flowers arrived late yesterday. Gorgeous peonies in a beautiful vase.....minus the ants. I've always encouraged the family to defer the gifts on Mother's Day and just tell me how wonderful I am !! But these flowers are very welcome.
