December brings hope.....

We have not started our journey south.     We'll head that way eventually but for now, we are reasonably content looking at our mountains and feeling relatively safe in our part of the virus impacted world.    As with the rest of the population, we are getting hit with record numbers of infections and increasing deaths.  Our small hospital is still OK but Grand Junction is reaching capacity .    We are in a routine of activity and able to do grocery pick up and feel we are doing everything we can to stay healthy.      

Arizona is a different story and we have pondered the wisdom of venturing into a bigger viral pool.   The positive of it all is that we can be outside and be active down there instead of bundling up against the cold.   Up until now, we have been able to golf, play pickleball, walk and ride our bikes.    But, snow is coming and the temperatures are turning wintery.       

So, we are slowly getting our act together to migrate.    Stay tuned. 

 I have a fondness for jade plants.     I do not have a green thumb and my success with house plants is minimal.    I bought this one on a whim at Home Depot about 4 years ago.    We've taken it in the RV and it continues to outgrow it's containers.    Last year, it wintered over in my neighbor's house and did very well.     Now it's getting heavy and needs repotting.    It's going with us this year and I think it will like the desert air and will get a bigger pot and fresh soil.      My mother had a huge jade on her patio in California.    It lived on the patio year round and was like a small tree.    And then one year , there was a harsh freeze and it froze.  It was sad.      I've always wanted one that size but then we will need to hire a jade-sitter when we travel.   

As you can see, Drew Lock, the Broncos unexceptional QB, does wear a mask when he is shopping (as seen by Jenna)  at Hobby Lobby.     But then, he didn't wear one meeting with fellow QB's and had to be quarantined when one of them became infected and they had NO QB for the next game.    I felt bad for the young inexperienced player they pushed into the position with only 24 hours notice.   He did his best but it was an embarrassment for this team that hasn't had it together for a few years now.    

So what am I reading.    Mostly, I am listening.    Currently, " The Tidelands" by Philippa  Gregory.   I enjoy British history.    I finished "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" and altho this fantasy, time travel novel held my interest, the ending left me a bit disappointed.     I am still knitting a lot.    Delving into my UFO's (unfinished objects) gives me a sense of satisfaction and a determination to finish so I can start something new.    

I have made sox for years.    Often, I make one and then the diminishing motivation results in the other not getting made for months.    Now, I'm finding that knitting the two at the same time is very satisfying and I have a pair in no time.   I'm currently enamored with Must Stash Yarn.   They post their available hand dyed matched yarns on Tuesday mornings and often sell out quickly.    They are of high quality and soften after a warm bath.    Of course, they are not lightly priced but I can't think of a better way to spend $$.    

We celebrated 57 years recently.    Actually, it should be about 60+ since we became a pair in HS and actually met in sunday school when we were 10.     We have been blessed in many ways but  especially with a wonderful family and fortunate health.    We plan to continue the romance. 

Be safe, be kind, be well.   

Monday, Monday.....

Another sunrise..... fortunately.      I try and change up  the days but they all feel like "Groundhog Day".

    

I'm starting to think of possibilities in a future closer than I had once thought..... Hope is a calming thing

.   

I'm working on more than dog hats and coats..... I made a pink hat  for Sophie, a wonderful Doodle, who sleeps patiently while her human mother cuts my hair.   Also have other projects going which will remain nameless for awhile.    But I did send off  masks to my sisters.   One has a new Corgi puppy, Ruby,  and the other has Charlie, a black and white cat.  

And then I made an enchilada style dish, layered like lasagna......   very  good and easier than rolling filled tortillas.     I used the sauteed  Beyond Beef , black beans, corn, peppers, onions ,corn tortillas, a hint of non-dairy cheese and  enchilada sauce.    We top it with fresh salsa, chopped greens and guacamole.     And lots of leftovers to eat or freeze for another day.   

 I'm approaching 700 total miles on my bike but it's a bit more challenging to ride with the lower  temperatures and mild winds.   And now snow tomorrow.  We got new helmets.    Costco had the best deal for highly rated ones and we gladly replaced our ancient ones.    They are supposed to protect our heads with MIPS technology (something about absorbing impact) but we haven't fallen, so don't know if they work !! 

We watched "The Queen's Gambit".   It did not make me want to play chess but I did like her clothes.   It was very good and different.      Started watching "My Octopus Teacher" but I'm not an underwater person and it was a bit creepy with all the swirling tentacles and strange creatures.   I think a 10 year old would love it.   I would prefer a bit more singing and dancing and romance.  

Moab and Murphy

After our last snowfall, the golf course looked like a busy ski area from a distance.    Lots of tracks and I was mystified until this gaggle showed up.    

This is Murphy.   He lives in Connecticut.    He is less than a year old.    He loves the snow but he shivers because he is not hairy.    So what is a grandmother to do ?    I made him this covering altho I think it might need to be bigger.... 

And then I saw this picture so promptly added a knit hat to his wardrobe.  

Apparently, the wearing did not go well..... 

But the curiosity remained. 

 

When he isn't modeling new clothes, he is the vigilant back seat driver.    

And then, we returned to Dead Horse Point SP for a few days respite from the noise.    Perfect weather for biking the paved paths near Moab.   We did about 25 miles of vigorous riding over 2 days.    Our pedal assist bikes are just fun but we still get a good workout.    We 're seeing more and more of the E-bikes.  

Along the Colorado....

Our last night, we drove out to the Point to soak up the sunset above the canyon walls.    We weren't alone .... a young crowd with music and laughter.       A beautiful end to our short stay.       And now we wait for more snow....

 

Winter came early......

It was a beautiful fall day for the Smashing Pumpkins pickleball tournament.   He played well but didn't bring home a pumpkin.    

Meanwhile, we watched in concerned fascination as fire clouds rose up one afternoon.    The fire was actually quite far away (the San Juan mountains are a bit over an hour away and the fire was another hour past that).    But it still looked ominous and fortunately, it burned remote areas and now is almost contained.    But on the Front Range the horrific fires continue .    The pine beetle has done a lot of damage in Colorado and the dead pines and debris and the lingering severe drought are very concerning.    

And then it snowed.     And it is cold.    It was 10 degrees this morning and we had 7 inches on surfaces and 10 inches on the grasses.    It is beautiful and will hang around a few days until we see  a return to normal fall weather.    But we certainly need the moisture.  

Roses ....... 

AND, I now have a bike riding partner.    He bought a Trek Versa 3 e-bike on Saturday.    Mine is having regular maintenance done so we haven't been out for a ride together.    But I'm planning hilly rides !   

 And I continue to read.....  Just started "Piranesi".... it's a bit strange but I'm early into it.    It came highly recommended on a couple of book lists I follow.     And I'm loving "The Once and Future Witches".   I'm listening to it while I knit and the writing/story is imaginative and rich.     In between , I read a few of Amy Harmon's books..... quick reads with historical context and free on Kindle Unlimited.   

The virus is rapidly increasing around here.     Our neighbor , 2 doors down, has it.     So far, she's miserable but OK.   But her husband has health issues so we worry.    And she played cards and mah jongg every week so others are concerned.    Schools are still open altho bus service stopped because bus drivers were positive.    The Rec center  increased it's number of participants which seems strange but they say they are following guidelines.      We'll continue our boring hibernation and be thankful we like each other's company.     

Colorful October

The days go on and for that I am grateful.....but it's getting really old.   We have it so much better than much of the country and I can't imagine how so many directly affected by this can hang on.   My heart hurts for our country and I can only hope that in a few short months, we will see a bright light at the end of this dark and dangerous tunnel.     I'm cheered by the record number of voters showing up and voting early.   

Meanwhile, I enjoy flowers from the grocery and liked these autumn colors.    They last forever or until I shop again.    

I tried to organize my recipes and look for something different to cook.    I tried the ground fake beef and found that it browned up just like regular ground beef....But, it didn't smell at all when I opened the package ( I've found that my smell buds think real meat has a strong foul odor).    Beyond Beef has a high fat count ( as does their sausage) and I always precook it and drain thoroughly).     It has a higher protein than I expected, probably from peas.    

So, I cooked it up and combined it with lentils, peas and carrots , and topped it with mashed potatoes for a  tasty shepard's pie.    I made the best mushroom gravy (vegan and fat free) and it gave us a couple meals.    Later, I used the remainder of the ground 'beef' for enchiladas.   

   

For whatever reason, my roses have come out of their slump and are looking prolific and healthy.   I guess they heard my threat of chopping them all down.    Maybe it's the cooler weather.   

 Two days after I took this picture, the winds came in and the tree is now bare.   Meanwhile, the guy in the red shirt, lurking around the corner, has power washed all the driveways, patios and walks and then gave them two coats of a clear finish.  Many of our neighbors (and us ) do this every couple years.   It looks fresh and new.   

Otherwise, fall has been lovely, the golf is frustrating and we continue to isolate.     We have finalized plans to return to Wickenburg Ranch in a different rental from last year.    I think we can stay isolated as easily there as here but  importantly, there  is the opportunity to be outside.    Golf and bike riding and daily walks on the many trails will keep us active.   

We miss our kids, grandkids and traveling to be with them.    The holidays will be lonely but the risks seem too great to consider changing our minds.   

Fall days....

This kinda sums up the Bronco's year so far.          The blow-up Bronco man has had issues the last few years....not sure if it's a slow leak or just old age.....he's about 12 years old and his skin is crinkly and yellowing ( as one does ).   

We managed to tie him to the garage door but ......... we'll try again on Sunday. 

  If you chop a lot of veggies, you need this little gadget.    Jenna first gifted me one and I was hooked.   It chops veggies quickly and easily in two different sizes.    I managed to break the first one using it on the granite and whacking the chopping lid down hard....my 2nd one sits on a cutting board to absorb the blows.       I make my 'chili' every 5-6 days and we have it for lunch, Every. Single. Day.    I chop up the sweet potatoes, onion, yukon potatoes, add black, red and cannellini beans, corn,  Rotel, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, veggie broth and Taco seasoning and let it cook in the Instapot for 12 min and call it done.   Great over rice, pasta, various noodles or plain.   

And when he's not coming in 2nd in the Pickleball round robin tournament  ( in 3.5 division and being the oldest ), or not golfing or bike riding , he's busy in the garage making this perfect rolling door / bookshelf for an upstairs closet with no door ( not sure why but it came that way).    He can fix most anything....even me , sometimes... 

I explored a new bike route today.    I had to cross a large field on a dirt path.   The path was soft deep dirt and was easy to bogged down in.    The advantage of a pedal assist bike is that I put it in the first assist and it helps me move faster through it.   I didn't enjoy it at all but it got me to a straight long country road with a serious hill.    I made it up the hill (breathing very hard and relieved  to reach the top) and then had to come down which I don't like doing...... too steep for my taste but I have good brakes on the bike.    I also managed to hit over 500 miles on the odometer.   I've had the bike a year and about 350 of those miles have been this summer. 

 

And, I've been reading ..... Ken Follett wrote a prequel to his "Pillars of the Earth" trilogy.   It's over 900 pages,  " The Evening and the Morning", and got good reviews.    I know that I am a book snob (and a yarn snob) but I like rich writing.   And this is not that.   It's a good story but simply written and a quick read.    I just finished "The Vanishing Half" and give it 5 stars.    Excellent in every way.   My favorite of the summer is still " Hamlet" and I plan to reread it.      I'm still reading "The Warmth of Other Suns" but it is a bit of a slower read..... and very well written.  

Our leaves are turning, our days are shorter, fall is in the air and the hummingbirds have started their long journey south.    And it's perfect biking weather.    

  

  

Where are all the old people??

We spent a few days over at Dead Horse Point State Park.....less than  4 hours away in Utah.   I wrote about our trip there last September.    It is a perfect time of year,  not too cool but not too hot.    We like the hiking along the East and West Rim trails.      Mostly, you follow cairns along the the red dirt or the slick rock.    Sometimes, driftwood lines the path.  This cairn was more artistic than most.      It is an adventure playing 'I Spy' with the cairns and a few times we wandered astray.  But it's impossible to get lost  as there is an impressive canyon on one side and a road a mile or so  on the other.   The West Rim is the path less traveled but the views are as spectacular as the East Rim.    Both will take you out to the Point for a panoramic view of the canyon and the mighty Colorado River.   

The trails are not easy  but not overly rugged either altho there is some clamoring up and down from slick rock and hiking poles are helpful .    Hiking boots with rugged soles help hug the uneven surfaces and sharper angles.   The elevation is about 6,000 ft, the same as here at home.     It usually took us 2-3 hours to wander along.  

We also did a shortish Jeep trip.   The ATV's, dirt bikes and Jeeps are constants on the trails.   Busy and dusty.    

 Since it was the weekend, we expected some crowds.   The Visitor Center was busy as was the Point but otherwise, it was mostly just us out there.      It was gratifying to see the younger hikers don masks when they approached us, as we did or we stepped far off the trail to let them pass.      One guy said " Hi Kids"

The entire time we were there, at the campground or on the trails, we saw no people of our vintage.   Yes, there were 60ish grey hairs but we saw no old people.  And I would have noticed because I looked for someone of our decade.        Come on Seniors, get out there and show the  youngsters what we're still capable of !!     Mother Nature has all the safe adventures we need.    

We've got some more trips we'd like to take.    We had trips planned for this summer but it was just too hot.    Now we'll have a limited window to get out before it really cools off.   

We're both reading "The Warmth of Other Suns" about the Black Migration to the north.   It reads like a novel and not a history book.    I just finished "Hamnet" and plan to reread it.   Shakespeare, marriage, Black Death and grief.... a brilliant read.    And my list of 'to-be-read' grows.   

But now it's football season and our hope springs eternal that the Broncos will make us happy once again.!!

I'm ready for better days.....

 Colorado is burning.     Glenwood Canyon is one of the most beautiful places in our state.   It follows the Colorado River as it winds it's way westward.     This mighty river carved a deep narrow canyon in  15 miles of raw beauty.     The highway in the Canyon is a major east/west route. It was a remarkable  engineering feat to construct a two lane interstate concrete ribbon through the narrow pass without destroying or detracting from the best of nature.   

This is the very beginning of the fire.    These two avid hikers were tubing on the Colorado and saw the fire and smoke.   They saw fire trucks racing to the site but it was already consuming large pine swaths.  And so it began..... they think it was from a cigarette thrown from a car window.    We are in a severe drought and this was all it took.     Over one week later, the fire is not contained and 1-70 remains closed. 

   

This is the view south.    Normally, the San Juan mountains are clearly visible and the Colorado blue sky dominates.    There is another  very large fire, out of control as well,  about 1.5 hours north of us and between the two, we are smothered in smoky haze. 

Yesterday, we went Jeeping up Corkscrew Pass.    It was hazy at 12.000 ft as well.    It looked so dry everywhere.    Last year we had record snows and this year, not much.     It is sad.

I finished "Migrations".   It is a somber,  complex novel.   I feel I should reread it but right now, I need something a bit lighter.    I'm also listening to "Children of God", the sequel to "Sparrow".    I'm thinking that listening is better than reading it.   The narrator is good with the various dialects.   

  On our return from the mountains yesterday, we stopped at our favorite restaurant in Ridgeway.  (Believe it or not, this was the FIRST food not made in our kitchen since we returned from AZ in March).   Taco del Gnar makes tacos that are nothing like what you think.    They had window service only, masks required and they wiped the IPad after each signature.    We threw out all of our thoughts of  plant based food and indulged.    The tacos we ordered are a soft flour tortilla, filled with greens, pico, red peppers ( I think) and marinated portobello mushroom slices.    All dampened with queso fresco,   It is served with tater tots with more pico and queso and a container of smoky baked beans.    We sat in the park and ate our drippy delicious meal.    Of course, there a lot of meat/fish  based tacos.    Normally, there are great concerts in the park in the summer.    We pick up our dinners and find the perfect spot to listen and enjoy the summer evenings.    Not normal any more..... but the tacos are as great as ever.    In case you are in your 2nd home in Telluride, there is a Taco del Gnar there as well....a block from the ski lift.  

I should be out walking and biking but the smoke is irritating and I'm not sure it is wise.    I feel like it is winter and we are confined.   

To all my blogger friends.    For quite awhile, 6 months or more, I haven't been able to comment on your blogs.  I still follow all of you and I have tried and will keep trying.  I type out my comments and they never show up.    I'm doing it the way I've always done it.    I suspect it is operator error but if you have suggestions, I will listen.     Anyway,  I'm still enjoying all you have to say.    

Colorado is beautiful.....

Today, I played golf with 3 friends at The Divide Ranch Golf Club.    It's about a 40 min drive  up to 8000 ft on the top of a mesa, Log Hill.   The views of the San Juan Mountains are stunning.    We seriously looked for a home here when we found that Florida, in the summer was not an option.    Ultimately, we decided that the altitude would be difficult for any guests and that there was going to be a 40 min drive to play pickleball and get groceries.   

It's more of a rustic , natural course with serious hills and valleys.   If you miss the fairway, there is no mercy.    I was pleased with my efforts on the back 9...the front was forgettable.    One fairway is called the Plunge and it lives up to it's name as you need to work your way downward until you come to a shelf .   You then hit down to the green.    If you miss the 'shelf', you end up on a very steep incline covered with tall weeds.   It is difficult to stand comfortably not to mention trying to hit a ball.   Luckily, I landed on the shelf so didn't have to mimic a goat.    

  It was in the 90's and clear so the UV index was about 20 !   I covered up with sunscreen, a hat, a UV shirt and still came home wiped out and feeling fried.   

The air is hazy these days due to wild fires north of us.    They are not contained and have closed I-70 in all directions.   There are no easy options to get around, all requiring a few hundred miles detour.  

 This is Mt Sneffles, a fourteener and always a focal point from our back yard.   That's my friend Marcia.  She is always coordinated in hat/shoes/ colors.... she even had pink golf balls until she lost them (she didn't play well )

The deer have no fear.   Many of the lovely mountain homes have very high fencing to keep them out. 

On another day, we headed over to Silver Jack Lake to meet up with friends for a socially distanced picnic.    So good to catch up in a safe and beautiful setting.   Coming back down the trail, we encountered this walking roadblock.   They were in no hurry.   

Meet Murphy.   He lives in CT with our favorite teenage boys.    He is not yet a year old.    And yes, he is a lab/pit mix but is small and seemingly docile.    Andy describes him as the "wallflower of dogs".   He clocks in more miles than most people on the Strava app along with his walking /hiking family.  

And, he's a generous grand dog, sending me these sox so I won't forget him. 

  

And speaking of socks, this is my latest version.   And the yarn is dyed so both socks will exactly match.   The next ones are even more colorful...stay tuned.   

 

 

 I somehow managed to rearrange pics, thx Robbie.   It's still time consuming but these days, I have lots of that.