She Didn't Know?

My daughters have always loved animals--of all kinds. But how did they not know that a llama had gotten into one of their bags???

Sleep and a unicorn

"Sleep is like the unicorn - it is rumored to exist, but I doubt I will see any." ~anon.~

"It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it."

~John Steinbeck~

Now that I have actually seen a unicorn, perhaps I will find it easier to sleep--and solve problems!

Colorado Heat

Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal. ~Dante Alighieri~

Heat has never been my friend. There's only so much you can take off and still be presentable. I much prefer being cold so I can snuggle inside quilts or sweaters, by a fire. With the temperature now hovering near 100, we need to find ways to keep cool. Maybe heat can't be separated from fire, but you can separate yourself from the heat. One way is to head to a higher elevation (we are at about 5800 feet) as the temperature drops about 10 degrees every 1,000 feet up, but that takes some hiking. This bathing beauty has figured out something easier. You turn off the heat in the hot tub, grab a floatie, and just chill!

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Happy Dad's Day

Well, this photo says it all. Thank goodness for dads who can fix tires when daughters are driving you to a great hiking spot for Father's Day. This was the FIFTH gas station we stopped at -- the only one for miles around that had a functioning air pump! And when did they start charging for air?

Another Fire

We went out for a bike ride this afternoon and caught site of the fire burning just west of here. This area has had some bad fires--tragic fires in the recent past. On July 3, 1994 a fire started by lightning began burning near this same place. It burned for several days and on July 6, fourteen firefighters were killed. Here is a link for information on that fire: http://forestry.about.com/od/forestfire/ss/s_canyon_fire.htm Apparently this fire was also begun by a lightning strike last night and today it is windy. We hope and pray that this fire is out very soon.

Rodeo Dreaming

This was our second year attending the Strawberry Days Rodeo. Such a different culture from what we are used to. Our favorite event is the Mutton Bustin' where little children up to age 7 try to stay on the back of a sheep for 8 seconds. They're the cutest! The little fella in the cowboy hat won the event last year. The two little girls are Rodeo Princesses--almost an oxymoron. But then they ARE wearing pink shirts.

Summer of Jazz

We are fortunate to live within walking distance of the Summer of Jazz, "regularly touted in 'Downbeat Magazine' as Colorado's premier Jazz Music Concert Series." http://www.summerofjazz.com/
For the second season the festival is honoring musicians from New Orleans. This week we were wowed by Bob French's Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. http://www.satchmo.com/nolavl/bobfrench.htmlThis band has been around since 1910, making it the longest continuously performing jazz band in New Orleans. At one time, Louis Armstrong was a band member! If this band is performing anywhere near you, you won't be disappointed by spending some time with them.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

A few times recently I have been asked about the pink ring I'm wearing. It's the new "Promise Ring" that Susan G. Komen for the Cure is selling, to raise awareness of breast cancer. It symbolizes the promise that two sisters made to end breast cancer forever. My youngest sister works for Komen and gave me this ring, so we are another two sisters making a promise to end breast cancer forever. If you're interested in obtaining your own ring, go to the Komen for the Cure link at the bottom of this post.



I have several friends who have beaten breast cancer, no doubt due in part to this wonderful organization and the research money they have raised. But because of a dear friend's battle with lung cancer--no, she never smoked and wasn't around smokers, not that we should even have to say that (Go Marcia, you are BEATING IT!) and my own brush with colon cancer (go have your colonoscopy, it's a life saver!) , I wish we could get THOSE two cancers in front of everyone. Maybe then we could get rid of the social stigmas associated with lung and colorectal cancers and raise more money for research to end those two cancers as well because those are the two deadliest cancers we have! http://ww2.komen.org/marketplace/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=706-07501

Cats

I am what is called a "cat person." It's not that I don't like dogs but they're a bit too high-maintenance for me. I like the independent attitude of a cat, and their intelligence. You might ask how I could think that a cat is intelligent. Our dog can speak on command and come when called, but our cats can't--or rather, won't. That proves it! Why would a cat allow itself to be subject to the desires of it's human? A cat is smart enough to know that it will get fed without having to perform for it's human. Cats know that they have been worshipped as gods and lets us know that. Why, our own Madame Pele sits next to her food dish every morning and every evening and howls, insisting that WE feed HER--and we do. Who's the one who has been trained? Who's the intelligent one?

Something I learned recently about cats is that people who are allergic to them are actually allergic to a protein, the Fel d 1, in the cat's saliva. This protein is produced in the cat's salivary glands. As cats are fastidious, they deposit the Fel d 1 protein on their fur whenever they lick themselves. This dries and is shed wherever the cat happens to be. So, long-haired or short-haired, it doesn't matter. You just have to keep the cat from licking itself. Maybe an Elizabethan collar?

Collaging

I decided to try my hand at collage. Found a web group and the prompt for the day was orange. So, here is my first attempt. The problem, though, is that when I start going through the magazines to find pictures to use, I find articles that I want to read again. Definitely slows down the process, but maybe that's a good thing!

By the way--no snow, although it's in the mid-30's right now. But the sun is shining in the glorious blue Colorado sky.

More Snow Today?

The weather-folks say we might have some snow today. Hey, it's JUNE! We've already had enough snow this year to last a lifetime it seems.
Here is dear niece, H., standing triumphantly on top of her snow mountain this past winter. Have you packed away your skis or board yet? Get them back out! It's not over yet.

Hummingbirds

This little broad-tailed hummer was resting in our yard after his meal at the feeder. I had not seen a "sitting hummer" and was surprised to learn that hummers spend about 80% of their time sitting on shrubs or twigs or, in this case, a pole. Also learned that the tiniest hummer is the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba which is 2.25 inches long, tip of beak to tip of tail, and the largest is the Giant Hummingbird of the Andes Mountains, a gigantic 8.5 inches! They normally fly from 25-30 mph but can go as fast as 60 mph while doing their courtship dive. Their brains are proportionally the largest in the bird world. Not really "bird-brained," are they?

Genius at Work

The reluctance to put away childish things may be a requirement of genius.

~Rebecca Pepper Sinkler~

Yagatta Regatta

Today was the Yagatta Regatta--a benefit for Operation Vacation which is a program that brings military personnel who have fought overseas to the Roaring Fork Valley. Rafters and kayakers floated and paddled down the Colorado River for prizes and fun! There was a big party in Two Rivers Park, complete with live music and food. Prizes were awarded for speed and for costumes. I enjoyed the crazy floaters, and some of the music--and knowing that our admission fees were going towards bringing soldiers and their families to this beautiful part of Colorado. Check out the website: www.operationvacation.org

Books, and More Books

Yesterday we walked downtown to our favorite used book store and came home with quite a haul. One of the treasures we found is a signed copy of Hope and Hot Water: Glenwood Springs from 1878 to 1891. American Catholic by Charles Morris looked intriguing , so picked that one up as well. Even found the book we were actually looking for-- A History of God, by Karen Armstrong! Four more books, and walked out with $50 less in the wallet. Not a bad price for what we took home. Added benefit--built up those arm muscles carrying the books home!