And then we went to Amsterdam.......

So, one day Jon called and said "come with us to Amsterdam".     We paused  and thought of reasons why this just couldn't possibly fit into our busy ??  schedule.    And then 3 days later , we got on an airplane.  

Why Amsterdam you say?    Jon and Mary Beth have very busy schedules and when they find a block of days, they try and travel.   And since Jon works for United, they look at availability and go where it is relatively easy to get a seat.....thus Amsterdam.  

Weather was chilly but dry.   I can't imagine doing this in rain.     We covered most of the high spots and found the local trams to be clean and efficient.   We bought a 3 day pass which gave us access to museums and all the transportation we needed.   

There is no way I can adequately describe the bicycle situation .    Everyone rides them.   They are propped up and locked up everywhere.   They fly down the streets.   They carry babies in seats on the front and older kids on the back.   Crossing the streets is an act of courage.  They appear out of nowhere and are very stealth.   Rarely hear a bell although most bikes have them.  The bike paths are part of the roads and finding room for trolleys, pedestrians, cars and bikes is a work of engineering.   Many many cars are electric so between silent cars and bikes, it is much quieter than large cities.     Everyone spoke English and was very nice.   The bathrooms were spotless.   If I could live in one of those narrow canal houses (very very expensive) in the nice weather , I would be happy in Amsterdam.   

We found this pub with the best veggie burger I've ever had.   French fries seemed to be very popular as well as the ubiquitous stroopwafels.   Vegan options were popular everywhere.  

 

 

We did a daytime cruise on the canals and also a private tour at night on a beautifully restored boat owned by a young couple trying to make it in the tourist trade.    Highly recommend.   

Out of order, but this was our arrival at the airport about to take the train to our hotel after 7 hours flying.  

We did the Van Gogh museum ..... excellent presentations of his works.   Interestingly, Starry Night was not there and there isn't even a postcard or a mention.   It is actually permanently in MOMA in NYC.   Jon and Mary Beth did the Anne Franke house.   We were too late getting tickets so we went to the Tulip Museum nearby.   

Fortunately, walking is not a hardship for us and we managed to pile up the steps most days.    Makes me happy to know that my persistence in regular walking does pay off.    I don't think we held up the young people all that much although sometimes we went our separate ways.   

Before, we crossed the pond , we spent a day in CT.   I love this hike in the woods and it was a much greater challenge this time of year.    The rocky trails were covered in leaves.   I took a hiking pole to feel out the rocks and holes but I was slower than usual.    One should never take a picture wearing a waist pack and expect to look svelte.   

Murphy has to seek out all the waters.  

Because of Jon's seniority and our choice of flights, we managed to fly in Business/First Class both ways.   It makes a big difference on these long long flights but they do serve way too much food.  

After landing in NY, we debated about going back to Jon's for a few days but decided to keep going.    The next flight to Denver was full but we got on (middle seats )..... then we sat and sat as our flight to Montrose  was delayed due to snow.    Finally we got home close to midnight....a long long long day but we slept well.   We woke to this pretty picture.

It's good to be home with so many memories.   And now it's back to learning.   I finished Abby and was mostly pleased.   I met her on my usual morning walk and took several pics and told her dad that I might practice drawing her.    I gave them the picture and they were thrilled and surprised.    Next up is a friend's old dog but I'm doing it from a younger picture.   They don't know about it and I got the picture from their occasional dog sitter.    It's going well.   

 "It's so weird ..... being the same age as old people."     

October

It's been 60 years !!! ..... since I was a freshman on this campus.   We met Jon and Mary Beth and spent the weekend with sophomore Mason.    We got the grand tour, of which I remembered very little.  It is a beautiful campus and a perfect day for wandering.     

We went to the airport and watched the students take off one by one.   I think it's a good place to fly...,without mountains.   I was a bit anxious thinking about Mason being up there by himself.   I don't remember being concerned about Jon doing the very same thing.   I'm assuming I just can't remember but Jon was also flying on his own before he even left for college so had some experience.   And Mason is the youngest of the grands......

It was a fun filled weekend, punctuated by a UND hockey game.        How fun to see all the families, babies with headphones, everyone in green and cheering loudly.   And they do sell a lot of beer.    Mason is in the band but skipped this evening so was my guide to everything hockey and band....they are good and added so much to the spirit of the game....but they still lost.  

He sent this pic to his girlfriend  ( who is in school in Gainesville ! ) and she said I was 'slay'.... I took it as a compliment ?

Back to our other life..... the leaves are turning, the roses are in full bloom ( after hardly showing up this summer ) and the weather is perfect.   

  In the recesses of a cupboard, I found this like-new rice cooker.    It made the fluffiest and most perfect quinoa in 35 min.   Normally I use the Insta Pot , which is faster, but it sticks to the bottom.    Next up is brown rice.    

We will get our flu and Covid vax today and hope that getting them at the same time won't be a mistake.   

This is Scout.   He is a Catahoula Cattle dog.   He looks more ferocious than he is.   But he was a pain to draw.   She gave me several pictures and he was grey, brown or black depending on the light.   And the pics were out of focus.    I should have taken my own but I stumbled thru.    He has
 a blue and a brown eye.   That was the first thing the framer said so I'm glad that is obvious.   I give them double matted.  I think it enhances my work and protects the surface from contact with a glass frame.  I hope they like him.   Next up is a golden retriever..... I think it will be very hard.  

 

September

We did our annual jaunt around Crystal Lake.   This is a 4 mile trail at 9700 ft but fairly flat so the altitude isn't an issue.    The lake has been drawn down due to a crack in the small dam so the reflections are not as 

impressive and it gets pretty boggy farther out.

This was the only wildlife.   In years past, we've seen moose in the boggy areas and a large fat porcupine.   The bear claw marks on the trees are fresh and a reminder that we are in their territory.  

Yesterday we headed up Last Dollar Road, it is up and over the mountains to Telluride.   Had hoped the aspen were at peak but we were a few days late and there were bare spots and some dull color.   Still a pretty drive but busy.    It is very very rough and narrow and has water crossings.   On each end, it starts out a gravel road and some try it in ordinary cars despite the warning signs to use 4 wheel drive.     I have so many good pictures from previous years that I took none yesterday.  

This is the finished Alex.   They were so pleased and have spread the word so I have had some requests.    I think I may start charging a small fee to cover my supplies and the double mats. 

  

This is Scout.   He is a Cattle dog and the picture is terrible.   She sent me several and sometimes he is light grey, other times dark brown and then black.   We had a chat and she says he is black.   He has one blue eye and one brown altho I had to use other pictures to figure that out.   I'm glad I don't do this to keep food on the table.  It can be stressful....

And here are the silver medal winners in the Delta tournament !!   Their opponents were in their 40's !!   When you get up in years, there isn't availability to play with your peers so you get challenged mightily by the young and agile.  But they looked great and held their own and impressed the challengers.    Well done.  

The hummers are gone for the year and I will miss them.    We discovered that 3 fat raccoons tried their best to climb the pole to the feeder at 2:30 am.  They succeeded in spilling sticky water all over the patio.   We put out a taller pole and that seems to have stopped them.   

We'll be traveling for a few days ........ be back shortly.

PS.   The tomatoes came back, started to ripen and the deer returned....... how do they know????

August......

We feel signs of fall..... still hot at times but more rain and cooler mornings.    The hummingbirds are feeding heavily and I change the food daily now to keep up.    They will leave in a few weeks and I will miss their antics.  

And so I keep drawing........ here's a few glimpses of what makes me happy.  

This is Alexander the Great.   He is all of 15 pounds but has a jaunty presence.  I see him on my walks and have decided to try and capture his cuteness.    White dogs are a BIG challenge and he is coming along slowly.    

I have always liked this picture of Andy and Mason so decided to do a pencil drawing.    I would like to go in this direction again.  

I did Oliver as a favor for a friend.   He is her grand dog and very very old.   She will gift it to her daughter at some point.   It was a terrible picture to work from.   Luckily he is a pure bred and I could find lots of references for color.   

   

Rosie is Becca and Michael's young mixed breed.   Very rambunctious.    The picture was of her full body but at this age, she is all legs and I opted to edit to a better view.   

This is Sir Reddington.  Jeff and Jen's Shiba Inu ...... I am not thrilled with this but if I get a better pic, I will try again. 

And here is the late Guiness.....another Shiba of Jen's.    He was fun to do.  

These two gave me fits.    I took a gazillion pics but still wasn't pleased with any of them.   I just decided to go ahead and do my best ..... I'm sure I will try again .     On the left is Aspen and the other is Tellie.   They are Portuguese water dogs and live at Mike and Jenna's house.   Tellie is blind and diabetic but I gave her pretty eyes.    They are now joined by Georgie, who is a few months old doodle.   She will not be easy either with her dark curly hair.     The round thing in the corner is a magnet which holds the paper to my board when I'm drawing.  

And then there is Mother Nature's handiwork. .... beautiful cherry tomatoes from 2 plants.   They are 

exquisitely tomatoey tasting .

I see many more in our future salads.   I also have another plant with bigger tomatoes but they are slow growing.... 

So that is August and you can see what I do with my time....besides Wordle of course with my smart grand girls and....... wanting to hope again and feeling the JOY !     
 

July.......already ?

I'm still in April.   

With a special dispensation from the city officials, 56 golf carts from our community drove down to Cerise Park one lovely evening.    The city dug deep and built this generous amphitheater and we've enjoyed several concerts over the past year or two.   This evening, it was the USAF band.    

We followed the bike path  altho we had to cross a couple city streets.    Of course, we stopped traffic but except for one irate, vulgar guy,( in a large truck of course ),   the journey was enjoyable.   And the evening was perfect and reminded us of our Sunday evenings listening to the West Point bands,  overlooking the Hudson.

 

 

And then Lizzie and her friend Tristyn drove over.     We did the rough and narrow shelf road up to Yankee Boy Basin.   It is a favorite ride up to 11,000 ft.   The wildflowers were perfect.    

My first drawings of Murphy and the cat are on display now above Jon's fireplace.   And joined by the antique propeller that my dad gave to Jon when he soloed at age 16.   My dad also flew small planes so I guess it's in the DNA.   I took lessons, thinking it might help me overcome my intense fear of flying, but never considered soloing...... never.   And it didn't really help.   So, they say, talk to a pilot...........!!

I did draw as a child and was praised by my teachers and given special assignments.   Then I wandered on to other things and in my 30's, I took up oils.   It was messy and smelly and I enjoyed it.   I had to paint at the dining room table, surrounded by 3 kids and various pets.  

 Later, I explored various media and took lots of lessons but no direction became inspiring.  

And then, at the ripe old age of 80, I take up animal portraits.   I'm still surprised.  

I have 4 more dog portraits finished and matted but not in their homes yet so can't reveal.    And always getting more ideas for my next one.   

I read a good book.  "You Are Here" by David Nicholls.   Now I want to walk across England.   Kindle books are expensive and a real extravagance.      As my roommate says, 'well, we don't buy meat ! '   I also reread many and I'm back to "Wolf Hall" and will probably read all 3 in the trilogy by Hilary Mantel.  I've always enjoyed British history .... and, if I walked across England, I could also see the castles I read about.    Now I'm enjoying Prime's "Lady Jane Gray" movie...   She was Queen for only 9 days before she lost her head and this is a witty, bawdy telling of her story.   

Feeling much better and back to walking my usual distances but still avoiding golf.   And I can get on and off the bike without pain so that is a plus.   

The news is dismal, depressing, frightening and makes me want to move to Finland where I could live among the happiest people.    

PS:    The nest on the front door remained empty for another day so we took it down.   The door was not as scratched as I thought.    Then for the next 3 days, we found smashed blue eggs in front of the door.   Was she flying by and just dropping eggs??   There is a roof over the porch so she had to be quite the acrobat to do a 4 egg bombing run.     

PPS:   I'm no longer moving to Finland.   I'm donating, voting and cheering loudly.   

Too much of a good thing......

A long story short..... I have been totally sidelined for over 10 days with severe S I joint pain.   After the 10K, I came home feeling empowered and proceeded to walk more than I should have and also walked the golf course twice with a push cart.   After a vigorous morning walk and a shower, I suddenly could not walk upright, get out of a chair or move much at all.    Ice helped but not much else.   Visits to a chiropractor ensued and gradually, I am moving again.      Today I did a short walk and will take it slow.   The inability to have normal agility and movement was very sobering.     

BUT, just to cheer me up....I got my stats from the BB.     I was 36,823 out of 43,333 finishers.   My pace was 19:40 / mi..... over 2 min off my usual.  My last mile was faster than my first (crowds !! ) and out of 17 women in my age group, I came in 8th.   I am so impressed with all the details, both before, during and after the walk.   

And another member of the family made some important strides as well.   Congrats to Mason on his solo flight !!   

So a mother bird decided our front door would be a good birthing place.   It's a large bird but other than that, I have no idea.    I'll check in a few days and see if there's anything in it.   She's scratched the door very obviously so a major paint redo will be needed.  

 Dog portraits have started up again now that I can sit comfortably.   Black curly fur is not my favorite.  

Weather hot but that's normal .... we did get some impressive storms with hail and wind and more rain than usual.   Need to get into the mountains  in the next few weeks to see the wild flowers.