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 !!

I got nothing.......

.......much to say.    Well, actually I have a lot to say but will pass on my opinion of the state of affairs in our world/ country/White House.     And that's as political as I'm going to get.      Fortunately, I am not very involved with Facebook.....just a glance to see what the grands are up to and monitoring my art groups and plant based food groups.  

We took a drive the other day and stopped at one of the picturesque rest areas in Glenwood Canyon on 1-70.    We happened to park in front of this sign ......good for a chuckle.

Otherwise, it's been quiet on the western front......eyes are working, hair is always an issue and we've had some rain !!        I took a watercolor class and appreciate what I learned and have branched out from struggling with flowers to studying clouds and mountains.    And I"m drawing a bit and it feels very good.      Golf is not a high priority of late altho I look forward to cooler days and getting out again.    Roses have been a bust this year and the peonies have some dusty fungus (too much shade the book says).     The ducks are on their 2nd round of little ones.....I didn't know they did that.     We need to get into the mountains and back on the trails.     But first, we are going visiting for a few days.......

I can see clearly now.........

    I had the 2nd cataract done 10 days ago.   Again, a non-event procedure wise...this one seemed even quicker.    I arrived at 6:45 am,  eye drops for about an hour while I knit with a warm blanket over me, procedure at 8 after a bit of Versed in my IV (didn't even feel any sedation....was hoping for a nice trip or nap )...... and P  was there by 8:30ish and I was home well before 9 am.   All very efficient.       

The next morning, I noticed that I could read without glasses !!!    After the first eye was done, my distance vision had improved dramatically.    I did not notice the  brightness of colors that others have mentioned.     But to be able to read unaided was like a miracle !!   I have worn glasses or readers since my mid-40's and this is such an amazing and unexpected happening.   Maybe he told me somewhere along the way that the lens would help both near and far but I apparently missed that part.   I just expected better distance.   When I saw him the day after surgery and mentioned my delight, he said that it might be too soon to expect it to last.    But, it has and I am so pleased.   I notice that I prefer glasses in the evening if reading or knitting when my eyes become tired.    And I will get a new prescription in a couple weeks to have on hand.    All in all, a perfect outcome that I really wasn't expecting and so glad I didn't put it off.  

Meanwhile, not much going on our here in the high desert.    We have had wild fires non stop much of the summer and the smell of smoke lingers most days and the mountain views are obscured.   The Hiking club has curtailed some of it's activities and the Rec Center is encouraging the Pickleball players to stay inside.      We're in monsoon season but so far have had very little afternoon rain.   The mountains have had some deluges but the lightening causes more fires.    The rain does seem to clear the air for a bit so we could really use our more normal weather.    But until we are all working to do what needs to be done to fight climate change, I"m doubtful that our planet is going to return to the old normal.   It is a scary thing.   

 I'm a member of the Montrose Center for the Arts and we held a Plein Air event ...... about 24 artists, local and from around Utah and Colorado, came, painted out in the elements and displayed their work to an appreciative crowd.    All works had to be completed on site and in two days.    One guy said he fought off ants crawling on him...but not biting ones.

    The show was held at the Ute Museum, just down the road from us.    It's a beautiful place with a reverent and colorful tribute to the Ute nation that is a part of our state and region.    There are teepees on the grounds and the burial site of Chief Ouray's wife, Chipeta.    He fought for the rights of his people with the Federal government and altho treaties were signed, they were all broken.   He died on a reservation in OK  and his homestead is the site of the museum.    I guess I'm on a soapbox this morning but if you have the time and interest, Ken Burns "The West" is a sobering look at the development of the West.   It is not a proud time in our history and the treatment of the Native people, or of any minority was appalling and unrelenting......    And what we don't learn from history, we tend to repeat.

 This was my favorite piece.   He won 2nd place.   He was the one who fought off the ants at the bottom of the Black Canyon.

This is a similar take on almost the same place....again a favorite but it wasn't entered as he didn't complete it in the required time and instead, finished it during the show.     These are lousy pictures but I snapped them quickly to take back home to show P.    

Otherwise, life is good and we enjoy watching the ducks and the occasional heron.  

July.........

We live in the most beautiful place.   Our daily dose of nature never disappoints.   This was captured  by Jon from the Thursday night concert in Ridgeway.    The setting sun reflecting on Courthouse Peak ( on the right).   

 Andy and Mason came the end of June ( the day after school FINALLY ended after endless snow days and storm days were added to the school year).

We have a very busy airport in Montrose, serviced by all the major airlines from major cities.   We know many of their schedules and can determine if they are early or late as they descend over the house and golf course.    Yes, you can fly directly into Telluride but if you've seen the runway at over 9000 ft high, and surrounded by higher peaks, you might find MTJ less anxiety provoking.

Andy's selfie.....

 Mason came armed with an art project after his acceptance into an advanced art program.   He was capturing the fence and mountains to explore perspective and light source.

We so enjoyed having them for 10 days.   They beat us at pickleball.....well, they beat me.... Mason tried golf and was impressive..... Andy learned to drive stickshift in the ancient Beetle and both were captivated at a concert by the Air Force Academy Band.      Mike and Jenna drove over and Jon flew in so it was a full and happy house.

The wildflowers are at their peak right now.    But, we are under severe drought conditions with low snowpack this winter.     We found fewer flowers and almost dry streams and waterfalls.    Paul attended an information meeting on 'water' and they said it is as bad as in the 30's.    Water is a very big deal in the West.    Laws control who and how much and water rights are passed down for generations.    Just last year, Colorado passed a law allowing rain barrels.   Prior to this, they were illegal. Captured water meant that it did not go into streams and lakes and therefore was not available to those entitled to it.

 We drove the winding narrow shelf road (meaning you drop off if you get too close to the edge) to 12,000 ft to marvel in the breathtaking views in Governor Basin.

 Our road is wayyyyy down there......this was an easier part.

Once we got back down to 10,000+ , we had a picnic beside Twin Falls....just a trickle of it's usual self.

I must brag a bit ..... I played in the 16th annual Lady Bug golf tournament last weekend at our club.   I have to say that I played really really well with several pars, long putts that dropped in and long drives that went the way I planned (hoped).    My partner did not play well so we had no expectations.    Well, I won 2 skins and we won 3rd net in our flight.....we split $160 in the Pro shop.     So now I have a bundle of credit (added to the previous winnings from the earlier tournament) and nothing I really want to buy.    I don't need any clubs, I have plenty of clothes and shoes.    Such a dilemma to have !!

The 2nd cataract surgery comes up soon and I will be glad to have the process behind me.   The procedure is a non event but I was bothered by severe light sensitivity for several weeks.   My distance vision is so much better as is night driving.

We talk about traveling but summer is just about perfect right here.

Summertime........

 Making sun tea on the patio is a highlight of summer.   I discovered a Vanilla Chai by Bigelow that I add to Constant Comment or Spicy Chai and let it simmer in the sun......perfection.

Dinner last night was grilled marinated portobello burgers with veggie brown rice ......decided to skip the fresh corn but it's coming in now and we'll have plenty of it.  

More flowers are in bloom.    This morning I saw a large buck in the yard......since it was 8 in the morning, I was rather surprised.    I know they rummage thru the flowers at night and last night the wine colored lilies disappeared.     

  

 If you look closely, there are hollyhocks surrounding this lily.    They have never been there before.    I have no idea where they came from.    Neighbors down the street have hollyhocks but I doubt they fly thru the air.     I love hollyhocks but don't need them on top of the lily.    I will try and replant them when they are done blooming but I sure wish I knew how they got there.

 We have quite a few mallard ducks.     Also an occasional heron and a few Canadian geese.    The ducks were fun to watch last month as their babies ( 8-10) hatched and waddled behind momma.    Unfortunately, most of the flocks were quickly reduced to only 1 or 2 ducklings.    Coyotes suspected or maybe owls.     This is a teenage mallard going for a swim in the pond.    
We have a large pond close to the yard and it was recently stocked with 80 rainbow trout.   Other ponds were as well.    It is catch and release but I'm sure some of them ended up in the frying pan.   I watched the release and they were each about a foot long and very pretty.  

Along with blooming flowers, we get the weeds.    I'm pretty good about keeping up with it but on the  side of our house that has a neighbor, there is the creek.    It is lined with smooth round rocks of various sizes.     Rick manages to keep his side weed free and tidy.     He uses Roundup.     I refuse to use Roundup on much of anything and pull out most everything except the tiny creeping stuff that is impossible to eliminate from the rock  cover.....so I do spray that.     Anyhow, our weeds on the creekside are becoming unsightly.   I've tried to pull them but between the precarious footing and the deep roots, it is futile.    Our yard guy said he'd send over some college guys he hired for the summer but we have yet to see them.      So, I decided to confront the task yesterday.     I did fairly well balancing on the rocks and pulling a lot of weeds.....    Then I got closer to the water and in an instant I was sliding inelegantly down the muddy slope and into the stream.    My first thought was that I was totally visible to the golfers  and how embarrassing to have them dash over to rescue me.   Fortunately they hadn't approached the 4th tee boxes and I managed to get myself upright and squished and crawled back up the slope.     It was then that I felt the body parts that had impacted and broken my fall.     My hands and butt took the brunt of it and I wrapped my wrist in ice for a bit.   Today I'm pretty sore but I might try golf later......maybe.    I did not inherit my mother or my sister's love of the garden nor do I find comfort and meditation in weeding...... I consider it as rewarding as cleaning bathrooms or dusting.

Meanwhile the hosta are huge and make me happy.        

Still here.....

It's been a great summer so far, filled with flowers and fun guests and medals in Pickleball tournaments and improved  golf handicaps......

........and glorious rain.!!

A season of flowers........

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.

Home !

We were one of the last of our 'group' to leave Palm Creek this year.     The place empties out dramatically the last week of March.     It is a very popular winter home for Canadians....mostly from Alberta and British Columbia.     Most of our friends and neighbors are from Oregon.....I think half the small town of Tillamook shows up.... minus their cows.       We hung around a bit longer to get some new tires.    Sorta like spending lots of $$$ on something that you can't show off but is great for the confidence of driving a bus down the road.   

 We ended up playing the most golf in the last 2 weeks.   It's an 18 hole Par 3 course.    Very pretty with an annoying creek meandering through it.   It was getting hot and we were ready for hydration after walking the 18 holes ( no carts allowed).   The game needs work, as usual.  

This year we went to the 'end of season' party .    Pretty good music and fun with friends.

 Travis came to town for Easter weekend.    Such a busy young man, traveling the world.   Interesting to hear of the safari in Africa and his impressions of South Africa.    I would like more time with him but his quick visit was special and we walked a bit in Scottsdale after dinner.


On the way back home, we stopped to wander Sedona.    Years and years ago we were there.....I had good memories of a beautiful and unique small place .    It certainly has changed.    It was overrun with spring visitors and traffic was usually at a standstill.    The flavor of it seems to have changed or maybe we just didn't see the uniqueness anymore.    We did drive Oak Creek Canyon.    It was busy busy and slow and the trees were still barren but the natural beauty could have easily persuaded us to stop and hike into the more natural areas.    I'd say that we'll do it next time but doubt we'll pass that way again.

It's just great to be home and back among the comfortable and the familiar.     I hurriedly put the feeder out as I saw reported sightings of hummingbirds in Durango.    It's still chilly and not much is blooming so I hope they stop by for a snack and stay awhile.