It's sweater season....

This was then....... a beautiful but chilly day for golf.....That's our house above his head.   And my ball was at the bottom of the pond.....it was a good shot, until it wasn't.....

 And this was yesterday...... about 3 inches, enough to shovel the north facing driveway.   It's cold and  wintery and good days for knitting and fireplaces.

So, I made  a go-to favorite.   We are meat and dairy free but occasionally, we add a non-meat substitute to change things up a bit.    This is quartered petite Yukon gold potatoes, chunks of peppers, red onion and sometimes sweet potatoes or squash.   I toss it in dried onion soup, cook for about 15 min at 425 and then add sliced Beyond Beef Italian sausages.    They are greasy so a quick saute and I drain them on paper towels and then add to the oven mix.     After another 20 min or so, I toss in asparagus for about 5 min.   Quick and easy and good as lunch the next day.    And the house smells like I can actually cook.         The only other "meats" that we use now and then are Gardein Italian meatballs for spaghetti and pizza and tempeh bacon.     I haven't tried the "Impossible burger" altho I applaud its success.    Aside from cholesterol, it is still loaded with fat and chemicals.





So, I'm still riding but my bike is in for it's 100 mi check.   It's been there for several days so I hope he hasn't found something serious.    Not sure how I'll manage the cold weather and biking.....

I just finished reading "Elderhood".    It's a long book but I'm a fast reader and skimmed over many parts.  "The author takes a look at a vital but often disparaged stage of life".....One of her quotes was that if you have " good genes, good luck, good finances, and one good kid,  you probably won't end up in a nursing home"..... also not likely if you have 3 daughters or 3 daughters-in-law.  I was talking to a friend in Oregon yesterday whose mother had a stroke and altho up and about, she requires 24 hour care at home.    It's costing over $14000 a month.      I'm going to recommend that at least ONE of our kids read this book.          And I learned that I was a senior, now I'm elderly and I have a few years before I am old.....All I know is that it wasn't very long ago that I was a teenager.

October days....

 This was today's  Bing picture, which is my home page on my computer...... everyday the picture changes and is always a welcome beginning to my day.     This particular view is very familiar. Altho we usually don't see it from  this angle,  it is a distinctive landmark just down the road .    This is Chimney Rock and Courthouse Peak.    Yesterday, a fire started near these familiar sites and today it has exploded in size.    Fortunately, the winds blow the massive smoke plumes away from us but it leaves a sobering impression.     Early today, there was snow and rain in the area so we're hoping for the best altho it is 0% contained.   There are many beautiful jeeping trails, hiking trails and ranches in this area.  

And some great news.    Hank the Heron has returned.    We have not seen him for at least 2 months and I feared for the worst.    And then, yesterday he swooped in on his huge wings and went fishing in the pond.      I am happy and relieved that he is OK.    He's been a regular since we've lived here and others say he has been here for a long time, dividing his days between the numerous ponds around the golf course.          And then, I spied this otter on the bank.    I have never seen one around here altho there is a subdivision in town called Otter Pond so they must have walked over to check out the neighborhood.     There were two of them swimming around.    Not a good picture but I just used the phone and didn't get too close.

We're starting to think about our winter plans.     We have several options, including returning to Palm Creek in the motorhome.     We could also stay home and be cozy in front of the fireplace.    This place does get a bit quiet with many going south and west.     The golf course is open except for January but I am a fair-weather golfer.

And yes, because you want to know.....I still love my bike !    I try and ride every day.   I was getting quite comfortable and confident and then managed to take a very ungraceful dive into the dirt, gravel and dry weeds while turning around.    I was on the bike path and crossed over to the gravel frontage road.     When I went to get back on the path, I missed seeing a good sized depression and slowly went over on my side.    Now, this bike is heavy and it landed on my left leg, forcing it deeper into the dirt and gravel.    So here I am, an old lady, trapped under her bike and watching the cars go by on  HWY 550, partially obscured by high grasses.    I was more embarrassed than hurt and just hoped no one would pull over to see if I was dead.     I managed to get upright altho my bare knees got a fair share of gravel rash.       I'm still riding but my confidence was shaken a bit and I"m staying a little closer to home for awhile.

I ride like the wind.......or a gentle breeze.

Have I mentioned how much I like my new bike ??   I love to ride.    I've ridden every day (well, not today ... )    and am increasing my distance and speed. ....... and confidence.    I stick to the roads in Cobble Creek and the bike path that is accessible after crossing the golf course and following the river.    I have a sturdy helmet, flashing lights on the front and back, a bell and a holder for my phone.   I capture my ride on the Strava app.....( you can follow me if you have a boring life) and Paul can follow me in real time so he knows where I am when I need rescuing.     I ride for at least an hour+ and now that I have padded bike shorts, I can ride more comfortably even longer.     I hope to work up to about 2 hours but will have to retrace my route a few times since I'm not ready for the roads in town.     According to studies, bike riding for seniors  is wonderful for balance, muscle strength, improved brain function and slowing of the aging process......providing you don't get hit by a truck. 

People think that an e-bike is wimpy but they are wrong.   I don't use the assist around the neighborhood or on the flat parts of the path.   I use a high gear ( the bike has 8 gears and 4 assist levels) for more resistance and when I get tired or the hill seems steeper, I add the 1st level assist.   My legs let me know that I'm getting a good workout.   Because the bike is so heavy and I have my chubby body to propel, I burn a few calories.     Yesterday it was windy and I managed to ride for an hour with pedal assist despite 20-30 mph winds and stronger gusts.    If I had been on a lighter bike, I would have managed about 3 feet or been blown over.  

In other news..... fall has come to the San Juan mountains.    We headed out on a Jeep trail on Sunday.    We thought the leaves would be past peak but there was still a lot of color.    We took the bumpy high road to Telluride but our favorite restaurant was closed .....     

And then today, winter arrived......

It didn't last long but the mountains are snow covered once again and the wind and temperature made for a cold day.....and no bike ride.   We had reservations in Bryce Canyon NP this week but  the long range forecast was very cold so the motorhome got winterized instead.       It's to be near 70 next week so golf is still on the calendar.  

Age is not a factor.......

Ruth Bader Ginsberg is 86 and is a Supreme Court Justice.....

Nancy Pelosi is 81 and is the Speaker of the House......

Elizabeth Warren is 70 and is a Presidential Candidate.....

Susan Miller is 76 and bought a brand new bicycle...... !!!

After trying an electric bike when we were in CT at a local bike shop, I did some serious research and decided this was the way to go.      This is an Electra Townie Go!8i , a division of Trek bikes.     The black rectangle on the bar is the battery.    It is not a scooter type....it requires pedaling but has 4 pedal assist speeds that allow for easier hill climbing or faster speeds on the flat.    I'm too chicken to go fast but I will look forward to the help on hills.    Plus, this is in the style of the bike you rode as a kid.   It's very very comfortable, solid, stable and heavy. (54 #)   Fat tires make for a smooth ride.   The tires are lined with Kevlar to help avoid punctures.   This brand is the most popular e-bike as well as a regular bike.   They come in fun colors...(The jury is still out on the white tires ).....and the local bike shop is very friendly and helpful.       Montrose has several miles of bike paths and  is currently building many more with access to the Rec Center and scenic rides along the white water Uncompaghre River.  
Life is good on a bike !!