11/30/2022

"Aging doesn't bother me . . .

I am just grateful I am here

to experience it . . . " z2z

This darn word, aging, creeps

into my vocabulary more often

than I would like! It appears 'tis

something I think about rather

regularly . . . or should I say,

rather too often?!

Bottom line, I'm damn happy

to age . . . especially since the

alternative isn't very attractive!

I also like the freedom that

comes with it. I can do things,

get away with things, that I

never could have in days of

yesteryear.

So, what would it be that I'd

like to get away with! Alas,

dressing down, rather than

dressing up, is a positive!

Living on those well-earned

fringes at about half the price,

if not particularly fun, it is

absolutely interesting!

At this point I'm in swearing

mode ... sooooo NOT going to

give up my upstairs bedroom.

Nor am I adopting a cane any

time soon . . . although I have

three Pagan staves . . . do those

count?

This whole aging thing is fun;

no, I misspeak . . . can be fun!

I prefer it that way . . . will keep

you informed; feel free to join

me anytime . . . sooooo NOT

kidding!

lets have a birthday

aging is better than death

sooooo lookin' forward

11/29/2022

"This busy, materialistic

nonsense is not for me. I

belong in a witchy cottage

in the forest somewhere 

with my books, wild berries

and a pet fox." ~B. Hampton

This would be moi, although

you'd have to add in witch's

brew, otherwise known as

a good dry red! I'm ever so

lucky. I've owned it for just

over a decade.

My tiny, tiny cabin backs

into a several hundred acre

forest. Alas, I no longer hike

up there. The black smith who 

built it in 1887, finally opened

up the attic in 1930 and put in 

two tiny, tiny bedrooms. Finally,

in 1950, a tiny, tiny bathroom.

And just so you know . . .

tiny, tiny translates into really, 

really tiny!

There has constantly been so

much work to do.  A 136 year

old cabin requires an incredible

amount. Still, somewhere 'twixt

this and that red I was talking

about, it truly helps stave off my

depression. Not to worry . . . I

only allow myself some of that

red twice a week . . . even mark

it on the calendar so as not to

overdo.

As as to pets, these are a regular

occurrence around here. Feel 

free to be envious . . .

-bears      -bees, wasps,                  yellow jackets      -birds: bluejay,        chickadee, crane,              finch, junco, hawk,         magpie, morning        dove, nut hatch,          pigeon, robin,                        wood pecker,      -cats, tame       -cats, wild: bobcats,         mountain lion       -chipmunks

-deer: mule,          whitetail     -dogs, domestic      -elk      -foxes, red      -moles,       -rabbits      -raccoons      -snakes, garter      -spiders     -squirrels: fox tail,                 grey       -turkeys, wild      -voles

11/28/2022

Methinks 'tis confession 

time again . . .

Not quite sure what's gotten

into me, but I've a hankering

for Harry Potter. I read the

books, lo these many years

ago. Of course, I saw the

movies . . . but I needed a

re-run, as it were.

I'm on book three, even as

we speak. A bit awkward 

as I've always been known

as something of an erudite.

Although, I suppose that just

might be wishful thinking!

Then I remembered, OUCH,

we oldsters tend to regress

and embarrass our families 

and friends.

One of the things I like about

being a hundred plus years old 

is this fabled regression can be

quite fun . . . and, I'm having 

a ball!

Once I've finished with this

whole HP endeavor, I'm going

to have a look-see into what

other nonsense I can get myself 

into!

Feel free to recommend other

ideas . . . or you might just be

brave and join me!!!

Say, maybe we need a little kid

b-day party to make all this snow

more palatable!!!

11/27/2022

Warning: memory assault . . .

As a kid growing up in the

50's, my family had sit down

meals for breakfast and dinner.

And, you didn't leave the table

until you had finished your

plate!

Must have rubbed off as I

followed in the same vein of

things. And, oh the stories my

kids could tell . . . and do, alas!

Life, jobs, the teenage years . . .

all have to do with things

changing, rules relaxing and

doing things differently. Now,

sit down meals are reserved for

holidays, family get togethers,

special occasions.

Still, methinks I may be getting

a tad out of hand. Yesterday, I

had ice cream for breakfast at

o' dark thirty. It's 4:00 a.m. right

now and I'm having eggnog. And,

don't think for a minute that I'm

going to confess to any more

than that!

I assuage my conscience with

inner rhetoric such as, "I so

deserve this. I'm a hundred years

old, may as well enjoy the time

I have left. Time to think outside

the box." and other such nonsense.

Boy oh boy, if only my kids could

see me now! But at least I eat with

my mouth closed and I say please

and thank you . . . That should

count for something, right?!

11/26/2022

Absolutely fab Thanksgiving!

Our meal, made entirely by my

daughter, was so phenomenal

I probably gained ten pounds. 

We got to visit with family and

friends, share some pies and

coffee . . . then somehow, it 

was time to go home.

What is it about coming home

that is sooooo soothing to the

soul? The closer we came, the 

greater the elation . . . we turned 

in and my heart simply rested. 

Can't say I quite liked the whole 

toting in and putting away our 

treasures . . . I just wanted to

crawl into bed and snuggle. Still,

one must always pay the piper.

What I didn't see coming was

the old bod acting up, probably

due to too much partying. Nah,

that's just dressing up the dead 

pig.

In reality, I should confess to

not only eating too much, but

enjoying chili sooooo hot I 

may never be the same again. 

But, ay Dios mío, yummmmm!

Well, as they say, tomorrow is

another day. I'll still be fat, but

I'm counting on sassy!!!

Oh my God, it just occurred to

me, we're going to doing this

all over again at Christmas . . .

damn!

11/25/2022

A most wondrous Thanksgiving

with family and friends . . . yet,

hardly without drawing breath,

end of year holidays await!

Our Jewish peoples will be

honoring Hanukkah for just 

over a week, the 10th - 18th.

My own Mexican family will

enjoy Las Posadas the 16th -

the 24th.

You probably remember that

the first day of Winter, also

known as the Winter Solstice,

begins the 21st. My cup of tea!

The Hopi nation, will celebrate

Soyal the 22nd. I look forward

to learning more about this

holiday.

Our Christians, as ever, will

celebrate Christmas, the 25th;

I can hardly wait to see the

entirety of our neighborhoods 

lit up to the nines! Well I 

remember my father taking us 

on evening drives to see the 

different neighborhood decors . . .

Kwanzaa follows the day after;

our beautiful black families and

friends from the US, Canada and 

the Caribbean will celebrate right

up to and including the new year. 

I so need to learn more about this!

Now, just add in New Year's 

and its previous eve and we're

talking decor, parties, family

gatherings, special foods and,

you've got it . . . we're all

going to go up a size or two

and then start dieting the day

after.

That ole up and down Libra

scales in me just has to laugh

at our eat and be happy antics

followed by diet and be sad!!!

Sooooo dears, let's all eat,

drink and be merry for the

next three weeks and then

we can share different diet

strategies!!!

Happy holidays, and I mean

H O L I D A Y S !!!

11/24/2022 - Thanksgiving

In my 40 plus years of

teaching, I made it a point

of giving a dozen or so

compliments every class.

A hundred a day being

my goal.

Compliments can make

people, kids especially,

feel uncomfortable, so I

would simply say some

thing like, "Cute outfit,"

or "New cut looks good

on you," and walk away.

My scholastic community

was very impoverished

and compliments of any

sort were few and far

between.

Now retired, I don't often

have the right scenario

in which to say something

positive, but every once

in a while . . .

At Safeway yesterday,

gathering the last of our

TG necessities, I saw

a young woman off to

the side. She was quite

striking and dressed in

a manner to obviously

express her personality

I didn't plan it; I didn't

intend it . . . the words

were out of my mouth

before I could help my-

self. "Oh my God, you

are gorgeous, top to

bottom. Wow! Just WOW!"

She turned around and

stared for a moment and

said, "Oh, I just love you.

I've had such a terrible

day and I've been so down.

I'm going to be okay now."

We walked away, each

smiling . . . We had one

more quick stop. There I

saw this old dame, and I

mean old. Her face was

a map of wrinkles, a life

long lived. Her entire

manner of dress was

phenomenal. My first

thought was, "I want to

be her when I grow up!"

I walked over and said,

You look like such an

interesting woman. Just

love the way you put

yourself together. Fab!"

She turned to me, " Thank

God, there are still some

of us around. But know,

I was having a terrible day,

and you've just made mine."

So, I'm not in the classroom

any more and my kids don't

don't need me to brighten

their day. But, there are a lot

of people around us that

need to hear a genuine remark.

I'm going to make a point to

be Ms. Jennings again when-

ever I'm out and about!

Now, there's a thought . . .

11/23/2022

I am ever both intrigued by

and enamored of havens . . .

Creating those (I feel some 

esses coming on!) small,

secret, sacred spaces . . . 

is a joy in its purest form.

One of my favorite havens

is a reading space . . . 

adequate lighting, a comfy

chair, a delicious throw, a 

couple sweet scented candles.

(More of those pesky esses!) 

I can just envision a basket 

or two of books just waiting

to join me.

I have a haven that means a

great deal to me. I sit in a low

rocker in front of my fire; I 

like candles and incense as 

well. I simply quiet my soul 

so I can listen to the universe.

I've a space in my back yard

as well. It's a bit closed in

by a large bush and several

stumps of different sizes. I

have a long table dressed in

stones I've collected over the

years. Candles can be lit in

their hanging holders. This 

is where I love to meditate 

in warmer months.

So love me my havens . . . 

Can't help but wonder if our

comfort in them stems from

those nine months in a cozy

womb?!!

11/22/2022

I am overwhelmed by

the horrific violence

going on in our country.

Wasn't it just Sunday

night that man walked in

to a gay bar in Colorado

Springs and shot up the

place?! Five dead and 17

injured.

We hear so often about

schools being shot up,

it tends to feel common

place.

I've taught high school

and college for 40 plus

years; I remember open

doors and windows, the

freedom to walk the halls

unaccompanied.

And then . . . first a cop

on each outside door.

Little by little, deputies

added to the halls. The

order to lock doors

during class, leave the

windows closed. Not to

forget that fire drills have

been replaced by intruder

drills.

I abhor the way gay kids

are treated. I hate the way

our gays have to pretend,

hide . . . and if they don't,

horrific consequences 

await.

What's to be done?! Do

we turn a blind eye? Sigh

as we read about it in the

papers? Tut, tut when the

subject is broached in

conversation?

We have all the right

questions and no doable,

suitable answers. Having

said that . . . 

At least we can begin by

educating our children 

from a very young age to 

accept other's differences 

and that violence isn't an 

answer.

But truly, where the hell

are we going with all this

escalating violence?

I despair . . .

11/21/2022

Woke up to an all time 

low of 11 degrees. Well, 

day before yesterday, 8 

degrees, but still . . .

So, "I gird up my loins, 

sally forth to conquer,"

(Proverbs 31:17)

determined to take a 

shower even if it killed

me.

Alas, shower water . . .

f r o z e n !!! Living in

a 135 year old cabin

has its issues, make no

mistake. 

One of said issues is the

ever and always winter

time water freezes. I

despair because it's Fall;

we've had three snows

and daily low temps and 

it's not even Winter yet.

Well, my dear old gran

taught me all about spit

baths. Good thing too

as I chose to live in the

1887the year of the

Common Era . . .

Alas, I digress . . . better

put the kettle on. No, not

for tea, but for a good old

fashioned spit bath. 

Thanks a lot gran!!!

11/20/2022

I've been working on my

tax prep every available

hour for the last three days.

Uggggg!!!

All of a sudden, it occurred

to me that this could be a

new test to see if one is

anal, to employ the teenage

term.

And speaking of thoughts

occurring . . . -Just have to

wash the dishes as soon as

they're dirty. -Need to sweep

every time we build a fire.

-Urgent for me to pay the 

bills on the day they arrive.

-Must make the bed upon

rising. 

Still, tax prep mid November

seems a bit rich even to me!

Methinks a total makeover

is in order . . . and here we

are just in time to write

New Year Resolutions. 

There I go again, doing 

things too early . . . to say

naught of sending out my

x-mas cards in October!

I'm reforming; reforming!

Welcome to the new and

improved nonchalant me . . .

Right?!

11/19/2022

Going to take me a snow 

day today, aren't I?!

I wasn't able to take snow

days when I was teaching,

so I have much to make up

for!

So, what do you do with the

gift of a day when it comes.

I suppose half the fun is just

thinking up odd ideas of how

to spend it.

Starting with breakfast in bed

always seems like a good idea.

Mimosas also come to mind;

alas, no OJ in the fridge. Damn,

just leaves the champagne on

its own, right?!

A good movie, preferably a

murder mystery, is a given

as far as I'm concerned. Or,

one of the phenom books in

my queue. But then, my own

philosophy comes to mind . . . 

When in doubt, do both!!!

I just hate it, but the old bod

demands a nap; a waste of

time if you as me. 

Upon awaking, fun foods to

be made and calories to be

wracked up. If its made with

butter, I'll probably love it.

Most likely I'll write a few 

post cards. I've always been

enamored with mail. Too 

bad I don't get much; e-mail

has seen to that.

Still, a fab day awaits and 

I'm all gung-ho . . .

11/18/2022

Yesterday, it snowed all day.

We sat in front of a sweet

fire and simply watched.

Winter is so hard for me due

to SAD. Seems my lover is

always trying to think of fun

ideas to help. So, he came 

up with a wine tasting for us.

What a man; I give thanks!

We had exactly three bottles

of Merlot, a fave of ours. He

poured a small amount of

each in the three glasses he

allotted each of us. We 

proceeded . . .

We looked at the scent first.

They were all similar, and

the scent was quite mild, 

but the Douglass Hill was 

milder than the other two.

Next, we looked at body.

All three were full body,

clung to the wine glasses

to the point they never

even turned into legs. 

Amazing!

Taste, last but not least . . .

finally! This is where the

true difference began. The

Crane Lake was dryer, my

go to!

The Douglass Hill was

sweeter to the palate. Alas,

I'm sooooo not into sweet

wines!

Strangely enough, the

Pine Croft was both fruity

and dry, a combination I

would not have expected.

Then my guy corked up

a couple and put them

back on the wine rack. I

was afraid I wasn't going

to get any, ha! He served

us each a glass of Crane 

Lake and toasted . . . 

not moi, but the Merlots.

If I'm not mistaken, this 

guy is a keeper! 'Tis a 

good thing too, as we've 

been together just shy of 

23 years!

Salud!

11/17/2022

Yesterday, November 16, is

known as The Night of Hekate.

Let's take a look-see . . .

According to Hesiod's Theogony

Hekate was the first goddess to 

appear in literature in the 8th 

century BCE.

This Greek Goddess, known as

a three-way goddess, is thought

to rule the realms of earth, sky

and sea. Add in other threes

and you have past, present and

future as well.

Her time is the Dark Moon and

I can just envision her standing

at my three-way crossroads,

searching the sky for glimpses

of her favored dark moon.

Her symbol is the key, so of

course I've had a great deal

of pleasure seeking out and

collecting old keys that can

be found all over my cabin

and property.

And, as my cabin stands

on a three-way crossroad,

I felt absolutely compelled

to name it after her.

11/16/2022

"One God, many faces.

One family, many races.

One truth, many paths.

One heart, many complexions.

One light, many reflections.

One world, many imperfections.

One.

We are all one,

But many."

~Suzy Kassem

One of the things I absolutely 

adored about my family, was 

the freedom we were all given

to believe and worship as 

appealed to us.

Going back to kingdom come, 

my mother was a Christian, 

my father a Panentheist, and

I'm a Pantheist . . .  my lover 

as well. 

In our children's world . . .

we have Christians, Atheists

Agnostics, Pagans, even one

of Asian beliefs.

So, where do I go from here?

What is my duty, responsibility

towards others who believe

differently from me?!

I truly believe in each person's

right to choose their own path.

I believe it is my duty to accept

and support this. 

I do hope though, that each of

us follow the creed we have

chosen, quite seriously!

Pray, may our paths converge

one day in great unity, love

supporting us all . . .

11/15/2022

"I choose to live by choice, not chance;

To be motivated, not manipulated;

To be useful, not used;

To make changes, not excuses;

To excel, not compete.

I choose self-esteem, not self-pity.

I choose to listen to my inner voice,

not to the random opinion of others."

~Miranda Marrott

When I first read Miranda Marrott's

creed statement, I was beyond wowed!

She reiterates, for me, the person I long

to be when I grow up.

Most of probably don't have a personal

creed. Or, there are words of others

that move us, but they are not our own.

Miranda Marrott inspires me to do some

pretty serious pondering and maybe even

put pen to paper.

Perhaps, the way to go about it might be

to make a couple of lists . . . one would

be what we stand for and the other a list

of nots and nos. I imagine there would

be plenty of pondering and crossing outs.

But in the end, our own personal creed,

in writing, to be a reminder of what we

stand for.

It might take a while, but I'm going to

do this. I invite you to do the same, if

you are so inclined. You might even

post it . . . keep the inspiration going!

11/14/2022

"I'm making a list and checking

it twice . . . " Why for and what 

gives? you may ask. You may

even wonder why in November

rather than in December.

Sometimes I wonder if this whole

list business isn't an age thing! I've

always used them for efficiency 

purposes. But now, I actually

depend on them entirely.

I have grocery lists, errand lists,

gift lists, travel lists . . . and the

list of lists goes on and on.

I only grocery shop 'bout once

a month, eat out once or twice

and Amazon provides the rest.

I find myself perusing my lists,

crossing them off and rewriting

them.

The thing I quite like about this

list business is the feeling of a

pleasant future they bring. I do

recognize this as being more 

of a psychological malady than

anything else, but whatever 

works, right?!

So, if you happen to find your 

name on one of my lists, you'll

either be receiving a present 

from me, a job or running me

an errand.

I'll cross your name off when

you've done the job; count on it!

p.s. Want to know something

crazy?! I just accidentally erased

my entire November lists. I'm

so angry, I could spit!

11/13/2022

What is it about dining out

that is sooooo enjoyable?

I know people who work

long hours at very demanding

jobs must find restaurants a

saving grace.

Caregivers have not only 

earned, but deserve meals out.

Families, grabbing the joy of

reunions, often meet at such

places. Business lunches also

require eateries, don't they?!

Young people in the dating

game must live their evenings 

in all sorts of these different 

places.

But for moi . . . or should I say 

we elder retirees; eating out, 

choosing different places and 

types of food actually provide 

most wondrous experiences. 

Not all of us travel much and 

eating, surprisingly enough,

is a kind of culinary travel.

Give me Mexican food to

enjoy the Mexico I no longer

travel to. Greek cuisine

delights the palate as I can't

fly in. I've ever and always

loved Italy so I must partake

when I can. 

And my seven visits to Japan

and Korea are well remembered

especially when I'm dining Asian.

I await your recommendations!

Yummmmmm

11/12/2022

Mother, forgive me for I have 

sinned . . .

I find I'm enjoying myself way

too much in this retirement era

of mine!!! Seems me and mine

are all about breaking the rules;

make no mistake!

At o' dark 30 this a.m. I made a

fire, lit the candles, called down

my lover and made margs. I'm

not sure who drinks margs at

6:00 a.m. or so, but that just may

be moi!

Methinks 'tis all about living

outside the box! Something that

is sooooo NOT allowed when

one is still working as a proper

adult!!!

Still, this living outside the box 

is pretty fantabulous, as it were!

Wish I had done more of it when

I was younger, especially with

my children.

Maybe I could advise them . . .

and/or there's always precept

and example, isn't there?!

11/11/2022 - Veterans Day

"Veterans Day celebrates the

service of all US military veterans,

while Memorial Day honors those

who have died while in military

service." Wikipedia

Today, I wish to honor my family

members who have served and are

currently serving in the military. I

thank them for their service . . .

FAMILY MILITARY SERVICE

   FINO: Nicholas (Army),

      Bishop (Marines)

   HOSKINS: Michael (Army)

   JENNINGS: (Army) Samuel,

      Chester, Mervin, Stanley, Gene

   KAUFHOLTZ: Gerald (Air Force),

      Melvin (Army), Russel (Marines),

      ZAK (Navy)

   KUKKONEN: Tony (Navy)

   LEECH: Jesse (Marines)

   MACLEOD: Jacob (Army)

   MCGUINNESS: Ryan (Air Force)

   SEYMOUR: Michael (Navy)

   VEATCH: Delton (Army), Homer

      (Navy), Morris (National Guard),

      Ray (Air Force), Shaun (Navy)

11/10/1775 - 11/10/2022, 247 years anniversary for our Marines

I find myself thinking of my

family as today is the 247th

anniversary of the Marines

and tomorrow is Veteran's 

Day.

And yes, my family was and

is a military family; I am ever

grateful for their service. As

today we're celebrating 247

years for the Marines, I honor

three of my family who served.

My lover of 22 years, served

in the Marines and my nephew

Jesse served and my grandson

is currently serving. We will

be celebrating and surely the

powers at be will be doing so

as well. 

Hats off to those who served

and are still serving. Salute 

yourselves, raise your glasses, 

and enjoy . . .

11/09/2022

Methinks I've found my 

soulmate . . .

He investigates murder; 

I so enjoy murder mysteries. 

He reads constantly; my fave 

activity.  He works crossword

puzzles; my hobby of choice. 

Say nothing of his white hair,

chess playing and he drinks 

cold lagers . . . man of my 

dreams. 

I could get along without the 

womanizing, of course. Wonder 

if his being English makes up 

for it a bit?! 

Alas, he died 20 years ago . . . 

what's up with that?! Worse,

he died at sixty. Who the hell 

dies at sixty. Go figure!

At least, when I'm missing him,

I get to view his shows every

once in a while. Inspector Morse

simply R O C K S . . . no other

way to describe him!

I'm having a current look-see; 

I'll be sad when the series ends.

11/08/2022

Coming home is an interesting

concept! I've talked about this 

before, but perhaps it bears 

repeating!

We all look forward to our mini

vacays, if not proper vacations!

I would say, especially once one

is retired, mini vacays suit both

the temperament as well as the

somewhat diminished pocket

book!

Lucky for me, I see visiting our

kids as mini vacays! Having said

that, I want to look into some

proper little get out of town!

Sooooo NOT advertising here, 

but methinks Colorado may just 

be the be the perfect place for 

mini vacyas!

I have friends in Ouray that much

need visiting, to say nothing of

Delta and Montrose. And, love 

me some New Castle, fave cousins

ahoy! I'd bet dollars to doughnuts 

that there are people who've never 

even heard of these places.

So, here's the plan . . . as I only 

have half a retirement here is U.S.

I'm going to win the lotto (pray I

buy a ticket any time soon) and

I'm going to dedicate the whole

bit to minis!!! 

Wanna come along? Just let me

know! Soooo pray YOU don't

have to win the lotto too as I'm

counting on you to treat the bar

bill!!!

11/07/2022

"she loves wine, but can't start

her day without a cup of coffee. 

she likes breakfast for dinner

and pizza in bed. some of her

favorite days are spent entirely

in pajamas and others are

surrounded by those she loves.

she has learned to live life, her

best life on her own clock and

by her own rules." ~j. iron word

One of my fave authors, he ever

and always depicts exactly who

I want to be when I grow up! 

And then I take another look-see

and realize 'tis absolutely who I

am already. Wow! Just WOW!!!

I've really never had issue with

who I am. In fact, I've always

quite liked me. But having said

that, there's always been bit of a

wonder about who I was going

to be when I grew up.

Methinks, what with being about

a 120 and all, that maybe I should

consider the fact that I am already

grown up . . . go figure!

Maybe my next phase, thoughts

and words, are going to be . . .

"Now, when I get to heaven, I'm

going to be . . . "

11/06/2022

"But all I want

is to touch your soul

in simple ways

in ways you'll never forget."

~indra

Find myself musing about

this constant battle 'twixt

truly living and simply

existing.

I imagine it takes some of

the second to make the first

doable. One has to earn in

order to spend, after all!

There is a part of me that is

quite happy to pay the price

in order to reap the rewards.

But, methinks the problem

just might lie in how we're

taught to work until a given

age and then it's time to play.

Sooooo NOT true! There are

still meals to prep, dishes to

wash, floors to sweep and bills 

to pay.

Praise the gods for our partners 

in crime . . . My biggest plea to 

the powers at be . . . Pray, let us

spend these last years together

in a relative crutches and wheel

chair free existence . . .

11/05/2022

The plains of Colorado have

a completely different kind of

beauty. Wow! Just WOW!!!

This state has it all . . . 

mountains, foothills, forests,

lakes, streams, paths . . . and 

yes, plains! Well, has it all 

except maybe oceans. Sooooo

if you're  an oceans and seas 

lover, you're maybe just SOL!

And now that I find myself

in the elder age bracket, I'm 

hoping I get to lay eyes on 

d) all of the above, before 

passing onto the better life!

Notice I said lay eyes and

said naught about walking,

hiking, swimming, skiing . . .

I get that I actually have peers

who do all of these ing words,

alas, I'm not one of them. 

Otherwise, why would God

have invented PBS and David

Attenborough?

So, if you want to go sight

seeing with me, come on

over; we'll sack out on

the couch and hike Pikes

Peek or Mount Evans!

Oh right . . . I forgot!!

Everything's covered in

snow right now! Damn!

11/04/2022

I sit here at the dining room 

table, looking out at miles

of untouched snow . . .

It's amazing to me how such

beauty can be responsible

for the cold that we feel. It 

may even enhance those 

winter sniffles we sometimes

nurse.

But, in all fairness, snow

also brings much needed

moisture, a gift to Mother

Earth. And of course, it's 

interesting how we all have 

our fave seasons, each of us 

different for our own reasons. 

I'm coming to suspect that 

the answer lies not only in 

acceptance, but in a serious 

search for the beauty and 

the benefits in each season.

Obviously, I'm preaching 

to the choir here . . .  I

actually want to listen to 

my own words this time. 

I need, nay want, to have 

a proper in depth look at

each season and recognize

the benefits of each.

And, not to overlook the

humor . . . such a kick to

watch the kittens sniffing,

touching and sussing out

the snow for the first time.

Toooo sweet . . .

11/03/2022

And, on the third day . . .

November finally began!

I thinks it's because we

celebrate October 31st,

November 1 and 2, that

it doesn't feel like Nov

even starts until the 3rd.

Go figure!

I'm curious to see just

what November has in

store for us. I think of it 

as the gratitude month.

As I enjoy celebrating

the months thematically,

I will dedicate this one

for all that I am thankful.

We can all immediately

list the things we love and

for which we are grateful.

Family and friends, hearth

and home, health and

happiness, the means to

making a living, etc.

And I reiterate, for these

treasures of life, I am most

grateful. Still, this year, I

want to challenge myself

to think outside the box.

I want to have a good look

around my life and find

other things for which to 

be grateful. Bet there are

some much neglected

blessings I haven't even

acknowledged!

Going back to the 'one a

day' formula, let me have

a think . . . What am I

especially grateful for

today outside of those

precious pieces of my 

life mentioned earlier?!

My tiny, little travel trailer 

comes to mind. It houses

dreams of things to come

as well as fun memories

to recall. Every time I 

glance over at it, my mind

is flooded with those places

visited and others to see.

I am grateful that life has

gifted me the means for

this glorious bit of joy in

my life!

11/02/2022 - Día de los muertos adultos . . .

El día de hoy recordamos

a los adultos que hemos

perdido en nuestra estancia

aquí. Es difícil, claro, pero 

algo menos que las triste

memorias de ayer.

Ha sido doloroso perder a

mis padres, tíos, abuelos, 

y ciertos amigos. Pero, 

cuando menos, han vivido. 

Dejando la tristeza de ayer

a un lado, he de confesar . . . 

cómo extraño a mi padre.

Cuando se me fue, se me 

hizo como si yo hubiese 

perdido la razón de vivir.

Sentimientos encontrados,

sin lugar a duda. A diario

pienso en él, lo recuerdo

con tanto cariño. Pero, 

esto de celebrar este día 

cada año, despierta el 

dolor de nuevo.

Mañana apagaré las velas,

quitaré el altar, guardaré 

los recuerdos . . . las

lágrimas cayendo a mares.

Espero que pasen algunos

días rápidamente para dejar

el dolor por otro rato . . .

11/01/2022 - Día de los santos niños

Despidiéndome de las 

glorias del mes de octubre . . .

Espero ansiosa gozarme 

del mes de noviembre!

Muy sin embargo, estos

primeros días son un tanto

difíciles ya que honramos

a nuestros seres queridos

que hayan pasado a mejor

vida.

Hoy es aún más doloroso

al recordar los nenes que

hemos perdido. Bien me

acuerdo las lágrimas tan

abundantes por los bebés

que no pudieron llegar al

mundo.

Más difícil aún, los niños

que no pudieron quedarse

más tiempo. Como madre,

sé que el dolor nunca pasa.

Y cuando nos visiten en

sueños, al despertarnos, 

el dolor ni siquiera es 

soportable.

Hoy, y todos los días, ellos

están en nuestros corazones.

Mando abrazos fuertes a

todos los padres quienes

hayan perdido un hijo.

Espero en Dios que puedan

consolarse de alguna manera.