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From this........

......to this !

 And we are back home after a month away.    Mostly, I missed my fireplace.     When AZ is cold, a sweater or warm socks just isn't the same.

We were happy to be able to come over Lizard Head pass, near Telluride instead of the extra 90 min to go thru Moab.   It makes a big difference in a full day of driving.      We always take PB&J sandwiches, a few snacks and keep our stops to a bare minimum.   Yes, I missed the fry bread but I have pictures.    

After I get my hair cut this morning, I plan to tackle the kitchen.   There's nothing like putting away your few AZ groceries and freezer items to realize that maybe those spaces could use some  "Marie Kondo-ing".     And then I will sit by the fireplace. 

I have another family pet on the art table but I'll keep it hidden until it is gifted.   It has NO long hair.  

As we drove thru the desert, we listened to Kristen Hannah's new book, "The Women".   About Army nurses in Vietnam.   It got rave reviews but to an older generation, I think it will bring back some difficult times.  

I'm also listening to "Demon Copperhead" on my walks.   Not very upbeat.     

AND, I easily did a 6.3 mile walk on the favorite AZ hilly trails in under 2 hours .   So I have no doubts I can do the BolderBoulder.   My partner in all things is upping his mileage as well AND, he gave in to my constant nagging and got a pair of Hoka's.   And he likes them.  Strava, my walking app, is telling me I need new shoes but I think there's a few more miles in them....and me. 

And now it's time to hug my Valentine 💗

  

A month of mostly sunshine.....

And then we came to Arizona .    Our usual trek is 11 hours of mind -numbing driving.    This year, and NOT because we are older (well, maybe), we broke the trip up into 2 days.   It was kinda hard to spend time in a hotel, knowing that we could have gone all the way.  But the 2nd day felt short and more relaxed and we arrived in a mood to actually unpack the car and put everything in its place.   

We stopped in Kayenta, on the Navajo Nation and stayed at the Hampton Inn which just happened to have the best reason for stopping.    The decor, the staff in native dress and the fry bread.   Oh my, as sinful as it must have been, nachos on fry bread is a reason in its self to stop.  Plus ice cream and hot apples on fry bread !

The owners of the house are the same as previous years but they bought a larger home, overlooking the golf course and open space.   We kind of rattle around in it and could easily host several family in the bedrooms and casita.    Weather is much improved over last year and my trail walks are a favorite part of 

our stays.    We'll only be here a month this year. 

 

 Younger, but not by much, sister Sandy, came to Prescott to see son Patrick and Julie while Matthew and Maribel drove up from Yuma.  So it was a nice family gathering and great to catch up.  

   Since it was Sandy's BD,  of course, I had to capture Charlie and his duck.    He is departed but is fondly remembered. He was almost fun to draw altho I'm swearing off long haired animals for awhile.  

Celebrating.........

It's been a month of celebrating.  

  Becca and Michael eloped to the coast and we are so happy for them.   They are a beautiful couple with a great future ahead of them and we are just delighted.    

 

And I'm celebrating the completion of these two animal portraits.    Murphy is a handsome dog and I think I captured that.    These are both unframed so obviously a bit unfinished looking.  And the smudges on the cat background came off easily.        I am pleased.   

Both portraits went to live in Connecticut, where Murphy calmly waited to open his stocking.

  

 We made it to Connecticut to celebrate Christmas and I took not one picture of the grand boys.   Some had colds and coughs but neg for Covid.   Despite my best attempts, I did bring it home and slowly getting my energy back.  But at least I was fine while there.    CT in the winter, minus snow, is drab and gloomy.    We managed some good walks but sun would have been nice.  

And now we gear up for our trek south to AZ.    Watching the weather before deciding which route to take.   Last year, we had to go thru Moab to avoid snow in Telluride and the passes.    I keep hoping it will be warmer in Wickenburg but so far, I'm not optimistic.  

I'm excited about starting more pet portraits.   Despite my years of botanical illustration classes/and drawings, I really feel a strong affinity for this new venture.     Never too old to explore something new and exciting.   

AND,   I'm celebrating that I've registered for the BolderBoulder happening on Memorial Day.    It's been on my list for years and I'm finally old enough !!!!

I'll start out with Becca and then we can go at our own pace.   It's a 10K and I'm certain I can walk that far in a decent time and not totally embarrass myself.    

And now I need to go for a walk !!

The Best of Times......

We enjoyed a few days having Thanksgiving with Mike, Jenna and Lizzie.....and of course Aspen.   She and Tellie are always nearby.    

And then we celebrated 60 years with comfortable seats to Kauai.    AND, of course, Jon alerted the Captain who congratulated us ( over the PA ) and we received a nice bottle of wine.   

It's a long flight, over 8 hours but we were well wined and dined and had some nice naps.  

We stayed at the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu.   We did the hotel/car pkg thru Costco and it seems like the best deal out there.    We would definitely use that again.     We had a 'villa' which had full kitchen and washer/dryer...very very convenient, very clean and even the right TV channel to watch the Broncos lose early Sunday morning.  

It rained for 4 days.   But it was warm enough for families  to be at the pool and for us to do some exploring.   

Lots of gardenia and plumeria and chickens everywhere on the island.   

 The breaks in the rain and later sunny days allowed us to get out and do a beautiful trail along the ocean twice.    Partly paved by the hotels , it then meanders in the jungle for much of it and I had to use the AllTrails app to find our way....no danger of getting lost but the main trail is much better than the rocky and sandy side trails that often ended in cliffs over the water.   Fortunately no snakes on the island altho it looked like a perfect setting.    And no bugs.... few stray cats.  And always, the ubiquitous chickens.  

And now we are home and it is snowing and very holiday looking and I must get busy.    But we have great memories and need to do it again.

Anyone still out there ?

I'm not sure that a personal blog of an 80 year old is relevant in today's onslaught of social media.   But that is really not the point, is it.   Of course, we all want to be relevant to our family and our friends but otherwise.......nope.     

I follow a blog written by an 80 something woman in Boston.    She is writing about her daily life and it is a wonderful look at aging in a positive manner.      She is highly educated and continues to seek out learning opportunities available at the various excellent schools in Boston.    She was married for many years and her husband decided to leave life when his Parkinson's and infirmities became more than he wanted to deal with.    He withheld food but accepted Hospice care.      A few years ago they decided to move closer to one of their sons.    They sold their beloved condo, moved to a vibrant city, actively participated in the grand children and after a year, decided it just wasn't how they wanted to spend their later years and moved back....buying a condo in the same building if I remember.     She is an honest window into aging.  

Meanwhile, in this aging home, we are well.    We need to get out a bit more and travel more but sometimes home feels best.   I look at ideas for exploring and then maybe think we should be part of group if we go across the seas.... ( that age thing again).    We've been most everywhere in the US but a repeat of some of them would be fine on our own.    Somedays, I miss the RV life....not the BIG RV life but just something smallish.   An off road camp in the mountains or the favorite hiking places in Utah ..... 

My classes at the Botanic Gardens are over.   I could take many more but I learned what I wanted and certainly don't need validation ( a certificate ) to say I can do it.    I still enjoy capturing a plant but lately, I've discovered animals.    I have never had any interest but then suddenly I did.   I spend my days studying excellent sites for learning all the intricacies and capturing a dog or cat or bird or whatever.    I have practiced and spent hours trying to decipher dog hair..... it's not just brown or black.   For now, I won't show any results as they are family animals and I'm not ready to share with family.  

This kind of sums up learning a new skill......

And, here's our college freshman..... all dressed up for the UND Pride of the North marching band.   

 This week he has been on a bus band trip to a football game in Boise..... with stops in Yellowstone and assorted sites.    College sure is different from my days.    But so glad he is in a good place and appreciates his grandma's care package so he doesn't starve.  

And now I have to spend my afternoon wondering if the Denver Broncos really are new and improved...so far they have a lot to prove.      BUT, what about those CU Buffs !!!    I remember the old glory days of the Buffs and then the loooooonnnnng drought.....  it's fun to watch the turnaround and the circus that it is.  

Days of July......

This post is a rambling assortment of not much..... 

 I would love to knit and wear this luxurious shawl....except I'd need to be tall, thin and have long dark hair.    

Pictures are out of order. 

We went to the Front Range for the 4th.    Telly was more photogenic than usual.   

And then we came home to more tomatoes.    Both the cherries and the regular ones are smaller than I'd expected but still full of flavor.   I'm hand watering every day now with the winds and hot weather.  

Thurs night concerts have started up in Ridgeway.   It was a beautiful evening.   The opening act was a guy from Appalachia and a guy from Venezuela who played a harp.   It actually worked and had a little little Spanish flavor mixed with blue grass.   The next group was a female trumpet player, with British accent, who along with 2 guys played upbeat Mexican rhythms.   The crowd was on its feet dancing.   The announcer said they are going for more diverse groups this year and it was very fun.    

Back to the 4th.    Becca and Michael became engaged !!    The ring is a mix of old and new and is so delicate and lovely.   They are a perfect couple and a joy to be around.  

 

And Aspen can pose as well.   She always looks so wise and above it all.  

And then we went to a charity event, in an old schoolhouse out in the country on Sunday.   Hot and crowded but good to catch up with many.     And today, the word is being passed of all the positive COVID tests.    And yes, I am among them.    I suspect many more will be gifted based on so many just today.    My symptoms are pretty mild and the sore throat is gone but the fatigue and cough linger.     We were just boosted in June.   
 

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.