Posted on in Amazing Creations, Nature

Autumn Unfurled

We began noticing the autumn changes September 30.

  • Persian Shield
    Persian Shield
  • Chrysanthemum
    Chrysanthemum
  • Maple
    Maple

And the changes just kept happening! For years I have referred to the maples in autumn colors as ladies in their Gowns. And then when the leaves fall, the Ladies dropped their gowns! Here is the Cotillion at Adams Lake.

Bob and I both love reflections in still water. We will return to Adams Lake next summer to try to capture good photos of the giant lily pads there.

Here are the ladies along St. Rt. 32 awaiting their Cotillion ball entrance!

Yes, it would be difficult to leave my maples, especially this time of year. I know, those are not only maple trees, but predominantly maples. And then there is my second favorite traveler, before she ever dreamed of getting hurt!

At our house, now in mid-November, we can see way into the woods on our backyard hill. Today the rain is to come and the temperatures to drop back into the normal range. It has been a lovely “Indian summer” defined by Wikipedia and others as: An Indian summer is a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere during September to November. In an article on the US National Weather Service‘s website, weather historian William R. Deedler writes that Indian Summer can be defined as “any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or November.” Several references describe a true Indian Summer as not occurring until after the first frost, or more specifically the first “killing” frost.

Yes, we have had a killing frost. Oh those Persian shields turned black! A lovely “Indian Summer” indeed.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Posted on in Faith, Spiritual growth

Joseph of Arimathea

When Jesus died on the cross they needed a tomb for His body. If you are familiar with your Bible the Jews needed to put Him in a tomb so they could make preparation for their Sabbath. Sabbath was sunset Friday night to sunset Saturday night. The plan was to return Sunday morning to finish His burial.

Joseph of Arimathea was able to provide a tomb for Jesus. He is mentioned in all four gospels. He was part of the Sanhedrin Council but secretly a believer in Jesus. He was wealthy and at great risk to himself asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:53, “Joseph took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.”

At our house we have been watching a program called The Chosen. It is available through an app. To learn more click on this link.

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

The portrayal of Joseph of Arimathea has been great. So human and searching, just like me. I do not know who said this, but I just love it.

Jesus borrowed a grave. He did not need it for long!

Unknown Author
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Nature, Traveling

Remember the Incomplete Hike?

Remember when I described trying to hike to Piedra Falls? We could not get all the way to the falls due to mud and steep grade? Dan did spot a sight for us though! Wheeling above us was a Golden Eagle. So much fun to travel with our best friends! I found a photo on the web.

Dan knows how to identify birds in flight much better than I do. We were delighted to catch a glimpse of a golden eagle in its natural habitat. I liked the web photo below, too. What a wonder!!

Golden Eagle -Aquila chrysaetos- in flight, landing at a bait place, Kainuu, Utajarvi, Nordfinnland, Finland

Bob was certain we saw another in the field one morning. As you can tell from my snapshot, the web photos are much better!

Or is it a big hawk at the corner of the fences?

Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?  It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold.  From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar.

Job 39:27-29 NIV
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Humor, Traveling

Two Persons This Grammy is SO Proud Of!

So we were traveling from Colorado to New Mexico and stopped for lunch at Rio Chama Coffee in Chama, New Mexico. My photo did not come out great, so this is their photo from the website.

There was a mother and daughter seated near us on the outdoor patio – but not too near of course! After looking at this white van in the parking lot for a while, I finally approached them and asked if that was their van. They said, “Yes.” I asked if it was okay with them if I took a photo of the logo on the window. I explained that our Grandgirls in Ohio both play volleyball. Unlikely they will ever meet for a match. As far as I know no Native American teams play in our girls’ tournaments!

So proud of our #6!
And our #32 Athlete! Photo by Robert Dutina
High flying Grandgirl Photo by Robert Dutina

Both girls are well grounded in their family, though you certainly cannot tell by looking at their flying and jumping skills! 😉

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Nature, Traveling

From the Truck

My sister drives a truck in Colorado. I wondered how she managed to get in it. I am taller than her and it was a stretch for me! Well, Bob took me for a ride in the truck and a CD was in the player. Cowboy and western classics. So when you view this video, that is what you hear in the background, and of course, the breeze!

And this tiny Aspen is next to Ponderosa Pines. I was startled to see what we in the east call “Spanish moss” hanging from the pines. I supposed Colorado might have another name for that, too! Any way there was moss hanging from some of the tree boughs. Not nearly as spectacular as in the southern US.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

Psalm 96:9 NIV
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Traveling

Long Legged Skunk

While driving in Colorado we passed a particular cattle ranch going to and from the ranch where we were staying and the town of Pagosa Springs. I spotted something I had never seen before! A skunk with huge long legs. I laughed out loud and made Bob turn around so he could see it too!!

Do you see it? Almost center of the photo? Just a bit right of center!

Yep! Every time we drove past I looked for the long-legged skunk. Trying to get a good photo for you. It was not always in the pasture.

I found this hilarious! Maybe it was the altitude. Maybe it was the injury from the ATV. Actually it’s called ” ‘Riggit’ Galloway cattle. They are a well documented archaic strain of Galloway, easily identifiable by the white stripe, running down their spine. The white colouration may include a widening of the stripe to cover much of the back, particularly on the hind quarters.” Information taken from the website https://www.riggitgallowaycattlesociety.co.uk/

Colorado likely has their own name for it. In the Old Testament (Genesis 30) distinctions were made between animals with spots, without spots, etc. I wonder how this kind of distinguished cattle would have been categorized?

Posted on in Aging, Faith, medical treatment

Yikes!

It was seventy degrees some days last week but the snowballs here just keep flying! On the date of my birthday Bob was walking our Lucky and she was attacked by a pit bull. Bob kicked the dog and punched it several times in the face while the owner tried to get it under control. It had gotten out of it’s choke chain. He arrived back at home with Lucky limping, bleeding from her shoulder and her eye. The only way we could pick her up was in a towel and even then she cried out in pain.

I called my daughter to tell her we were going to the vet. Before she heard my news she enthusiastically said, “Happy Birthday!!” I replied, “Not yet.”

After multiple phone calls we got her in to the vet. Due to Covid we had to wait in the car. They sedated her and did x-rays to see if she had broken bones or punctured organs. She did not. Shaved the shoulder bite and stitched it up. Two groin bites. Her bleeding eye was so startling! We went home with 3 Rx and eye drops for her. The vet said, “This is one lucky dog!” I am certain that Bob saved her life as much as the vet. He had flashbacks of the incident for several days.

So yes, I was a little distracted last week. SARCASM! Majorly distracted. She would barely let us touch her for the first 2 days. Her pain was great. She did not jump on furniture (which she is allowed to do) and was almost in a stupor of shock and pain.

After the first 5 days or so we did offer her a car ride without her harness due to the stitches in her shoulder. Just attached her collar to the car cord. She is getting spoiled with hot dogs since we put her pills in hot dog pieces twice a day. She is healing nicely.

We are hoping and believing the vet will have nothing but good news this week. Sadly, she will have to get boosters on her shots as the other dog was NOT up to date on his shots. We have asked the owner to remove the dog from the neighborhood by next weekend. The owner will also pay the vet bills for Lucky from this incident.

Not the birthday that Bob had planned for me. He did however have my favorite cake already made before this happened! Lyn’s Cream of Coconut cake. Delicious!!

Maybe in another post I will show comparison photos of her before and after injuries. I am so grateful we still have our little timid beagle!

“Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

Proverbs 12:10
Posted on in Aging, Faith

Thank Someone

Yes, I want to thank my God and Father for a long and wonderful life. The sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. The resurrection that goes beyond my comprehension though I hope to participate in that same resurrection. For a terrific marriage of over 50 years!!! For two great children, now adults. For three grandkids whom I love. For our Lucky-to-be-alive dog. Maple trees, daffodils, seasons, all the myriad of things I get to write about. Friends, old and new.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Marriage and Memories, Nature, Traveling

And then …

When we first arrived in Colorado, Bob had taught the family how to drive the mule and the ATVs. They especially liked those ATVs! One evening Bob was going out into the meadow with Emily and Ellie on the ATVs. He really wanted me to go as his passenger. So I agreed and off we went. Through the meadow and the hard to open gate, on to the next meadow.

  • Aspen and pine
    Aspen and pine
  • "Branch-hand" LOL
    “Branch-hand” above LOL
  • Prairie dog holes
    Prairie dog holes
  • Wild snapdragons, I believe
    Wild snapdragons, I believe
  • Moments before the big mishap!
    Moments before the big mishap!

So we were tooling around the meadow, taking in the sights and even doing selfies! So unlike us old folks.

We came to a gully-ditch. Emily got off their ATV and guided Ellie how to drive through it. We came over and they assured Bob that he, too, could drive through it. As the passenger, I never even saw the thing. After Emily gave Bob instructions everyone began hollering at me to “HOLD ON!!!” There is a steel bar that runs around the passenger area of the ATV. I suppose it is designed to tie down cargo, but also provides hand holds for a passenger. So I held on and Bob drove into the ditch. Little did I know I was about to join the Camp Grenada group.

As he drove down the black bar I was holding to came up and banged me in both elbows. I instinctively let go. At which point I proceeded to get a whiplash from my groin to top of my head. We made it to the other side. I was not thrown off the ATV. I cried in pain, shock and surprise at being hurt. I composed myself after a couple minutes and we continued. We reached another gully as we headed for home. As they debated how to cross I insisted Bob just let me off! I began to walk for home.

They got across that gully and I got back on. We made it home. Both my elbows turned dark purple. The ATV had hit my back across the bottom of my shoulder blades and along my lower back. Lots of pain that night. Went to bed with pillows under both elbows, neck and any other place that hurt.

I moved very slowly the next day and the day after that. I missed posts here the last few weeks because of doctor appointments, x-rays, physical therapy and finally an MRI. Determination is I have more arthritis in my spine than previously. As far as anyone can tell nothing is broken. Bone bruises on elbows may take a long time to go away. No results on MRI yet. From what I have read whiplash can also take a long time to heal. Oy! soft tissue, please heal.

So our Camp Grenada experience continued. One friend said it sounded like a bad movie. But you know what? It was a beautiful place. We were so grateful to be able to take family and friends there. We likely can never go back because of breathing difficulties. Overall, it was a grand way to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Betty is finally out of the boot and did not have to have surgery for her broken ankle. Bob;s wounds are all healed up. We think his knee is not torn again. Time will tell!

My dear friend, Betty, remembered this saying and I will adopt it for myself.

“Growing old gracefully means letting go of the things you can no longer do and rejoicing in the things you can still do.”

Ah! Grandeur of Yellow Ponderosa Pine right outside your window!

 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.  For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.  How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!

Psalm 92:1-2,4-5 (NRSV)
Posted on in Memories, Nature, Special Event, Traveling

Other Sites in the Area

There was a one room school house basically surrounded now by cow pastures!! The sign reads “Debs School was attended during summer grades 1-8. Constructed 1930.” When our son-in-law, Dave, spoke with the Colorado water man who came driving past the cabins one day he said he went there as a child. Dave really wanted to go inside but the man did not who to contact or if that was even possible.

Always when returning to the ranch one must unlock and open the gate. Let driver though and then close and re-lock gate. My sister had taught me the how-tos on that over 20 years ago. Here I am doing the chore while Bob drove the vehicle.

My sister told us to be on the look out for their flock of mountain bluebirds. I saw many in the meadows while Bob drove back and forth to Pagosa Springs, but never could catch a photo. They are known to migrate in flocks of 50 or so. Below is a photo I found on the internet. I was delighted seeing so many together!

Mountain bluebird near Tower Jct; Jim Peaco; April 2013; Catalog #20016d; Original #IMG_9980

I included the scrubby photo below so you could see the hostile environment the thistle was growing in. Certain Bob and Dan could have gotten better photos. Remember I was shooting from inside the vehicle. If we had stopped for every photo we wanted we might not be home yet! This is musk thistle and considered an invasive weed. That color does POP! though.

“Oh, and you must eat at Kip’s!” instructed Paula. My sister was afraid the pandemic might have closed down one of her favorite restaurants, Kip’s. They were able to survive. Bob and I split an enormous green chili burger there! Wow! what a great feast! And GOOD guacamole not loaded with raw onion.

I did not eat the jalapenos!