1200 miles / 4 days........

........found us traveling to and from  Colorado to honor and celebrate Rae's life.    The large gathering was a testimony to the live's she touched.  

The drive is mostly through tribal lands of the Navajo, Hopi and Ute.     It is barren and bleak.   But every so often, the landscape is quite dramatic.  

 The snow is sparse this year.    We scurried back yesterday to avoid an expected snow storm in the San Juans but only a dusting at our house.

Before we left, we enjoyed meeting Jeff and Jen's friends at a party to celebrate her birthday.   Pretty views at their Club altho I missed a chance to capture the sunset.

It's always fun to hang out with the young and the beautiful.....

 Did you know there is a Cupcake ATM ?    We picked up some for the party and they were large and impressive.

And now, we are back at site 562 ......    

 I'm challenging my aging brain cells and making a foray into pottery.   I have never had any interest but was encouraged by our neighbors to try it.     Interesting process  and about 2-3 weeks for a finished item.    This is my 2nd effort, a tray done in a class.     It will go to be fired today and then glazed and refired next week.      Unless it breaks.....

Rae Marie, Grandmother extraordinaire.......

I was honored to know this wonderful woman.   She slipped out of her battered body yesterday and left us much too soon.     She leaves behind two saddened grandsons who will carry her presence in everything they do.   Always a teacher, she instilled in them the love of books and nature and the joy of cats.   She encouraged them in  finding adventures  and absorbing knowledge.   Andy and Mason were the joy in her life.......   She will not be just a memory, she will be an inspiration to them and to us.  

Onward to 2018 .....

We miss these cute kids.....even the big ones!    It was a relaxing fun family time and went by in a flash.    Not sure why this pic is fuzzy but maybe it's the image gods deciding that aging grandma's 

need a little help.  

We always bring a souvenir home with us despite  observing all my nursing techniques to avoid germs.     I do have to admit that there might have been some kissing and hugging with those cute faces.  (not that I"m blaming them but Andy was a bit feverish and ended up with a ruptured eardrum )  I seem to be on the mend and we are still on plan to launch for parts south in a couple of days.  

    

 I gave my golf bag it's annual cleaning.    Interesting what odd things I find in the various pockets....but not much $$.    My driver head cover was in need of a serious soaking....almost too real looking in the bubbles.     Laddie was a good dog and it's hard to forget those 17 years he kept us safe (from chipmunks), guarded the entries diligently and tried to herd all those grandkids that passed through his life.     He lives on in various forms.     This one came at Christmas and sits in the space that was meant for him.   (Maybe I'll even fill him with cookies).     Note that he is guarding the ibuprophen and Zicam.  

The house is a mess as we gather up too much stuff to carry with us to the land of the sun.   I know they have bookstores and yarn shops and even Costco down there but I want my stuff around me.     Our neighbors at Palm Creek are texting and waiting for us to show at the nightly happy hours around the fire pit.    We're getting close.


Meanwhile, I love the happy color to brighten these grey days.............

And 75 years never looked so good !!!!!