Graduation, walks in the woods, being a tourist.....

A beautiful evening for Newtown Connecticut  High School Class of 2023 graduation.   And, the last of the grandchildren to transition to an exciting future.    Mason will become an Aviation major at the University of North Dakota.   His father graduated from there (same degree)   and his grandmother spent her freshman year there way back in 1961. !!     UND is considered one of the best school for aviation.      And for those of you who keep track, yes, that is my official graduation attire....however, humidity is lethal to my thick hair.  

And then we went for a walk in the woods..... this is my favorite place.    So green, so mossy and with interesting mushrooms and lichens along the way.   The state flower, mountain laurel, was in full bloom.  

Lake Zoar appears at the end of one trail along with the waterfall....water was fairly low but the lovely brooks were bubbling along and deep enough for Murphy to splash around in.   

The frog was small but struck a good pose.

Murphy always looks his best.

And then we came home and were greeted my first perfect cherry tomato..... life is good.   

We did go into NYC to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.    Mary Beth's brother and Susan came to celebrate Mason so we explored these landmarks.     Lots of walking and ferry rides and stunning views.... At the Statue, they allow access to the pedestal, up to her feet.   It's 195 steps.   I decided to walk up and about halfway came to a family of teen girls and parents...... the girls were complaining mightily about the climb.   I finally said, " If I can make it, you can make it..... I am 80".     They all turned to look at me  and were generous in their comments.    and we continued upward , quietly.....    

I'm reading "H Is For Hawk"..... actually bought it in book form as I think it would be a good reread someday.   So far I'm learning a bit about training goshawks and her meditations on nature.   Also, listening to "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" by Lisa See.   It's OK and an easy listen on my walks and on airplanes.     The narrators voice is a bit irritating and hoping the story line improves.     I plan to reread "Covenant of Water" when P is finished.   There are so  many books on my TBR list.....
 

Iris, peonies and lupine..

Still here..... one never knows when you get this old.                    And, I've followed this directive quite nicely and have no fear of being kidnapped based on the scale's message.     But, I'd prefer pie.  

I have very painful arthritic fingers/hands.    In order to play golf, I need to take a Motrin prior.    I find that annoying.    A fellow golfer showed off these golf gloves and said they were wonderful for her hands.   So, I ordered one for each hand and wore them for league play yesterday.     They are very compressive....have no idea what the copper does.   BUT, I did not take drugs and wore these gloves and I had no pain !!    I was impressed.    As I said, they fit very tightly.     And then I took them off and the pain came back with a vengeance....but tolerable if I'm not needing them to grip a club.  I found it to be an interesting experiment and will continue to use them.     Fortunately, I can knit and draw and paint without wearing golf gloves.    

For the long time subscribers to this blog....and no, the price isn't going up...... you may remember that we once did exciting hikes with our Cobble Creek Hiking Club.    We even went on overnights and climbed among the mountains on high trails and in thin air.    The Club has gradually diminished as most of us have aged and some younger ones have moved on.    But it still does a weekly hike and I finally got off the couch and joined them.     Last week, while some did part of the Perimeter Trail in Ouray (rocky and strenuous), I stayed lower and several of us did the river walk.    The river is running very high and fast 

and it was a perfect walk.  

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, the tomatoes are showing up.     I have about 8 tomatoes on 2 plants.   The plants really haven't grown much but lots of yellow flowers and the growing fruits.   I worried that they were getting too much sun and tried an umbrella as some suggested that they needed shade.    Of course, the umbrella would not stay put and I gave up.     A friend has many tomato plants and she never shades them ...... 

The iris are abundant  and now the peonies are showing up.    The roses are covered in buds.  

And so today, I went on a 2nd outing with the Hiking Club.   ( hiking wardrobes are not always flattering) Today, we went up to the top of a mesa near Ridgeway and walked two trails.     The Meadows trail meanders thru the pines and the wildflowers were just beginning their spring bloom.    Lupine everywhere.   

 

The Escarpment trail leaves the pines and abruptly comes to the edge of the mesa overlooking the green valley and the San Juans in the distance.   The trail then stays on the edge for most of it and the views are nonstop...... We did almost 4 miles.    The weather was perfect, 59 degrees at 8000 ft.     The group split and some just did the Meadows but I was determined and did them both.    Being the oldest, by at least 5 years, I was pleased that I could keep up altho I did slow more than I wanted on the uphills.   

 Finished the "Covenant of Water"..... I may need to reread it to better absorb the nuances but I thought it excellent.     I'm listening to "Remarkably Bright Creatures", starring an octopus and a 70 year old cleaning lady at the aquarium.   It's a good listen.  

Fewer hummingbirds this year.    Others on a Colorado bird sighting FB page are reporting the same.  And still mostly finches enjoying the feeders.    We do have a kingfisher who is fun to watch.    He hovers above the stream, his wings like large hummingbird wings, then dives straight down, splashes and presumably has a fish as he flies straight up.   I read that they drop dead fish into water to teach their young how to fish.  

Packing our bags for our pending trip this weekend.    Mason is graduating.... I think he has grown much too quickly.  

`Spring is here....

Just last week they were very tiny.....

I've resumed the feeding of the birds....but at a distance.    We still hear the occasional 'thump' against a window but no visible signs of injury or death to depress me.   This house finch is typical altho I did see a bullock oriole at the orange/jelly feeder..... will try for pictures.   

And the hummingbirds arrived on schedule.    We have both blackchinned and broadtail.   

When we go to CT, I love the wander in the forest.   I have read several books on trees, lichens and fungus and their important role.    And, I have sketched them.    And then, a box arrived and this was inside !!    Jon remembered and shared some recent finds....always love the turkey tail.    They will last (with some loss of color) for as long as I want them as models.    I attended a Zoom talk by an artist who concentrates on painting lichens..... her preparation and complex approach to capturing the detail was truly amazing....I'm content to admire my sketches.   

An evening sky......

And then we went to Front Range to celebrate Lizzie's big achievement.    We had wonderful family times with a big gathering of grands and great grands..... 

 And so we are home for a couple weeks before we fly East to celebrate Mason.     The neighborhood is busy with construction on every empty lot it seems,  including across the street.   And soon new neighbors will build next door.   I keep up on my morning walks.   

Golf is going well.   I indulged  in some shopping when we were in the land of stores this weekend.    I'm between sizes so finding  golf clothes was time consuming.    And, I'm buying more long sleeves to protect from this searing sun.  

One of my favorite books is "Cutting for Stone".    The author came out with a new one last week, "Covenant of Water".....so far it's very good and I'm actually reading it instead of listening to it.   And almost done listening to John Irving's "The Last Chairlift".    It's strange, as are all of his and I'm not sure I would recommend it unless you are a fan of his style... plus it's very long.  

A bird mystery.....

I decided to feed the birds this year.   We've always had hummingbird feeders and I usually keep 3 near the windows and the patio. So far, none have shown up this year

but they will..... 

I went to the Wild Birds Unlimited store to learn about feed and came home with a less messy variety and I have been pleased that it seems to leave very little residue on the ground.    We put this feeder and another in front of our family room windows and have enjoyed their antics.    Mostly we get house finches and they are colorful and lively.    

Today, I looked out our large kitchen windows and found NINE birds sprawled on the patio.    These windows are under the upper deck and the feeder is out farther in the yard.    I had one very dead robin (they don't eat from feeders) and 8 finches in various stages of dead and stunned.    I was shocked and saddened.      I immediately removed the feeders.     We left the birds undisturbed and in the end, 4 managed to right themselves and wander off.    I'm not optimistic they will survive.    

So now, I'm feeling quite guilty and sad.    I will move the feeders to the perimeter of the yard and just have the hummingbird feeders by the family room.    I just got an oriole feeder and undecided if and where I will put it out.   

Birds are just amazing and especially the happy little finches.   We also have chickadees, cedar waxwings, kingfishers, crows, an occasional grackle, lots of swallows over the pond,  doves, hawks circling and lots of robins.     Most of those won't come to the feeders but I have my bird books and binoculars nearby to try and identify more of them.    

My straw bale is ready to plant and I am trying to decide on tomato varieties.   I can only plant a few things and will put some bright flowers around the sides.   It won't camouflage it at all but if I put in nasturtium and marigold it might help as a repellent.   I have to figure out a deer cover.   

Our Ladies golf league started yesterday.   It was 35 degrees and ominous but we bravely went forth.   Our group and most others lasted about 7 holes before rain, wind and probably some snow forced us in.... a luncheon followed with hot soup to start and lots of cupcakes to make us feel better. 

With uncertain weather, I'm using the treadmill most days.   I kind of miss the morning walks to check out the changing trees and pending flowers.   But it sure is nice to walk in my pjs.   And it's about time to get on my bike !!

Update:

More birds have hit the windows....I had the feeders  farther back and we had way too many birds.   And then they started flying into the windows again so I removed it all.     I'm puzzled as this has rarely happened in the past.   And I'm sad, for the dead and injured birds and for the loss of enjoyment from watching and identifying them.     The hummingbirds have returned and I will keep their feeders up.   

 

Spring is in the air..... along with miserable allergies

Yes, that is a straw bale sitting in our yard.    I am not a gardener and I would never plant a garden.    But, after seeing the results of Jon's successful Straw Bale Gardening efforts the last few years, I decided to take the plunge.    I got a book and joined a FB group.    Jon and Mason came to visit (after skiing at Vail) and he helped with the purchase and placement of a single bale.  Most people have several bales in rows.    It needs to be in the sun and have water available.    I wanted to make it more inconspicuous but then decided that golfers aren't critiquing my yard when they are really trying to avoid the pond in the background.     I have started the 'conditioning' process which takes about 2 weeks.    It involves fertilizer and warm water.    Then I will be able to plant cool weather plants ( peas, kale, lettuce etc) and once the chance of frost is past, I will put in tomatoes .... maybe peppers.     I will stick some flowers in the sides to brighten it up a bit.    There shouldn't be any weeds.      I can use the bale for 2 years before it deteriorates.     Stay tuned......

There is still plenty of snow around and with the warmer temps, there is fear of flooding and falling rocks and assorted dangers.    We will stay  off the mountain roads.    

April brings a birthday and this year it is a MAJOR one.    I feel fortunate that I am still upright and healthy and reasonably aware of my surroundings.    In order to stay that way, I need to continue my exercise level and coming back from AZ to windy, cold weather made that difficult.   So I requested a treadmill for my BD gift.    It arrived yesterday and after waving $$$$, the delivery guys agreed to carry the large, very heavy box upstairs.    It will go into my large bonus room,..... now called the TV lounge, the exercise gym, the art room, the library and the sewing nook.     I am happy to have all that space.   

And more than happy to have my favorite handyman around.....

Mason had to take his turn driving the 50+ year old Beetle.   It has its share of issues but ably goes to the pickleball courts and beyond.   

Winter hangs on....

These are  a few of my favorite things..... I found these owls in a garden shop in CT at Christmas.    They had several different varieties but they were pricy.    I came back after the holiday and they were 50% off and now they are very happy in Colorado.  They are made with feathers and very fluffy and soft.   And I'm not thinking about where all those feathers came from...... I'm assuming
it was an old pillow. 

Only in Colorado do you see people shoveling snow in shorts.    He fits right in except he doesn't have his sandals with socks on.     

Mountains are still getting feet of snow, the spring winds are starting up and the trees are budding.   

 

It's been awhile.......

We've used this blog for years to jog our memories of what we did, where we did it, when we did it and who we did it with.     If others checked in on us, that was fine but it was never the purpose.    Along the way, I found 'blog friends' and we have kept in touch and that has been a big bonus.  

 

But over time, I gradually got lazy.    And then, one day, I realized that aside from looking at pictures, I had no idea where the time went.   So, I'm back to my 'diary' and if you check in someday, welcome back.  

My small Home Depot jade has grown over the years.   It survives on total neglect but seems to love sitting in this southern facing window.   And then it flowered !!    It overflowed with tiny white blooms and I was stunned.   Apparently this is pretty rare and "requires ideal conditions of light, food and water".   Well, this gets only good light, water when I think about it and feeding about twice a year.   If it keeps growing, I will have to move it or trim it.   And since it goes to my neighbor when we go to AZ,  we will either have to stay home or divide it into smaller pots as it is getting really heavy.  

We went to the same lovely house in AZ again this year...but a much shorter stay.    The walking path is my favorite thing and he has his pickleball tribe 7 days a week.    This year it was cold and windy and rainy and we only played golf a couple times.    One of them was with our favorite excellent golfer grandson, Alex.  

   

Through out the past year  I have been heavily involved in classes through the Denver Botanic Gardens Botanical Illustration course.     They have a comprehensive program of excellent classes, leading to a Certificate in BI.    They are intensive and instructive.    I have completed about 6-7 of the prerequisites.   I have no intention of going for the certificate but I find the instructors to be excellent and the convenience of Zoom classes makes for an ideal situation of learning from the comfort of my own space.    Someday, I might share my work but I really have no plan except to explore different medium ( graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink , watercolor) and the basics of botany, composition and perspective.     I am pleased with my efforts and results.   And it's good for this aging brain.  

And so, we're home, it's raining and snowing but there are buds on the trees, I've played a round of golf, well fortified in fleece and down, and happy to be back to my 'stuff'.     
 

October

Jon upgraded to Captain and we were privileged to share the moment.   Very proud of him as he follows in his father's footsteps.     In a couple months, if you're on a United 737 flight, say Hi and I promise, he'll give you a smooth ride.  

While we were at the training center, he gave us the ten cent tour..... saw the mock ups and simulators and 

even the life rafts...( much bigger than I ever imagined).   Glad I saw them in a static display vs. an actual event !

Later that weekend, we headed to Boulder with Mike and Jenna.     We wandered Pearl Street and my favorite Book store, ate excellent pizza at Pizzeria Locale and the best desert ever !      Well fortified, we went to a concert at Chattaqua.     Rodrigo y Gabriela are a guitar duo.     That doesn't begin to describe their talent and it was a very enjoyable evening.     As I sat there with 1000 other fans, I wondered if I should be wearing a mask.   We are almost 3 months out from our bout with Covid and I wasn't very comfortable.    I had no mask with me and I'm not good at holding my breath but we seemed to have avoided it.    Just read where there are new variants being tracked in Europe that are different enough that our vax won't be very effective.....it's always something.     

It snowed on the mountains.   This is a view on my morning walk and it is much more dramatic with the snow.    We've had a lot of rain which is just so great....and now the snows necessary for the mighty Colorado to keep flowing.

And then we went for a walk.     Crystal Lake is in a beautiful setting among the mountains.    The aspen are at their peak and it was a crisp day  with a Colorado blue sky.

Today we are dealing with reactions to our boosters which we got yesterday.    It was a long night with chills and aches and today is lazy.   

    I'm taking a 5 week botany course and yes, it's about as exciting as it sounds.    No drawing but some dissecting (of flowers, not frogs) and a reference book so I don't have to remember it all.  

And, because we were in Boulder, I got a pair of Birkenstocks.    Yes, they are very comfortable, once broken in, and yes, they are rather unattractive.  

 

It's that time of year again.....

And then we flew East.....

Blogger is not allowing these pics to be placed in order..... The Labor Day parade in Newtown is a very old tradition  and we wonder who will carry on the family tradition now that Mason is a Senior.   He is in the forefront (note that his grandfather, grandmother and mother are on the sidelines.)...Good job photographer (also known as Jon).   

B

   The West Point Labor Day concert is a favorite.   We've been going for many years and the concert, the outdoor venue and the fireworks are memorable.  

We did our favorite walks.....Murphy and I did the paved  trails in town while Paul and Jon flew overhead in a plane smaller than I'm comfortable with.    I know it's something they really enjoy and Jon's membership in a Flying Club allows them the use of several planes.    

And then we did the forest trails......rocky, hilly, shady and humid.    But not too buggy altho Murphy did get stung by something when he stuck his nose in a burrow.   

 It was a great weekend and somedays I really miss the New England vibe but then we come back to the mountains and  feel  blessed to be able  enjoy both.  

We were not immune......(despite boosters and caution)

Hello again !    Yes, time flies and life goes on  and I feel like nothing much is happening (which, at this age, is a good thing) and I neglect to check in.     BUT, I do have to say that many of my fellow bloggers are as productive as I am.     

Jeff came up from AZ and managed to capture some stunning images with the drone.    The top is our view across the golf course and the bottom view is of our house..... we're in the lower center next to the empty lot.     

I've revived my interest in taking more art classes.    I thoroughly enjoy the fine details of botanical illustration and I'm taking zoom classes through Denver Botanic Gardens.    It's been a learning curve to be sure..... some instructors are great, others not so much.    But since I've taken these same classes many many years ago, I have managed to keep up just fine and look forward to the more advanced work after the prerequisites.   Here is my finished project for Pencil I, the first required course.  (our state flower, the Columbine).

Then I moved on to Colored Pencil basics and the workload seriously increased....apple and leaf and assorted other organic subjects.    I do enjoy the process of layering many many colors...it is a slow 

process.  I'm now finishing up another course on Light / Form  and drawing a carrot....exciting things ....

 but I draw what I know.    

We did some bike rides with Mike and Jenna..... 

We saw big horn sheep up on Mt Evans.

We did a beautiful ride in Waterton Canyon , south of Denver.   That is a woman fly fisher person.   

Jeff came up from AZ...... and promptly tested positive for Covid.....  Three days later, we succumbed.

It wasn't critical symptoms  but it certainly wasn't like the common cold and we were all sick ..... we did seek out the Dr's advice and did not take the anti viral by choice.    Codeine cough syrup made all the difference.     Two weeks later, we are still feeling some effects and we continued to test positive for 10 days.     I'm slowly getting back to walking and hope to get on the bike soon.  

Thank you to Mary Oliver....