Life on the High Plains

Today is the start of the "Get Fit on Route 66" physical activity challenge that FCs across the country are participating in.  Those who wanted to participate were put into teams and we log our minutes of physical activity each day.  Each minute of activity moves you three miles along the 2,448 Highway 66 route. Today was the first day and it lasts for six weeks.  I'm competitive so I went to boot camp after work and then came home and walked for another half hour--95 minutes of activity.  Then I went into the website to log my time and found we can't log more than 90 minutes per day.   Okay, that's fine, but since the team's score is based on the average activity of all the team members I was hoping to add some extra time for the members of my team that I know don't spend anytime per day on physical activity.  I'm trying to control my competitive side, but really people why did you sign up for the program if you aren't going to contribute to the...

Wednesday night Irv was at work and I was at my monthly "ladies game night" at a friend's house.  I headed home about 9:15 and got a call from my sweetie a few minutes later who was on his way home from work.  A few minutes later the phone rang again and I thought my sweetie has just forgotten to tell me something...but no, it was a reverse 911 call from the sheriff's office.  There was a grass fire near our home and we were in the evacuation zone.  The pedal hit the medal as I made it home in record time with only one thing on my mind...my critters. This was the view from our back deck...tons of fire rigs which is great to see when you live in an area that is protected by volunteer fire fighters.  I expected to see fire crews closer to our house, but was relieved to see they were still a mile away or so, but the wind was howling so I knew I needed to decide what was important to take in the next couple minutes because we needed to get the horses loaded up...

Last week you may have seen a story on the national news about the tumbleweeds here in Colorado.  Well, it's true.  The rain we had last fall that resulted in all the flooding our state endured also produced an abundance of weeds.  Now all those weeks have become tumbleweeds that blow around  crazy when the wind blows which is almost daily. Irv and I took the dogs on a walk around our pasture last week and we got to see our southern boundary fences up close.  We have our own collection of tumbleweeds on every fence line. I'm not quite sure what to do about this mess.  I guess we could pull them off our fence, but then what do we do with them?  The county budgets in this area have taken a huge hit because of tumbleweed cleanup.  Snow plows have been used to get them off the roads.  Some counties are baling them; others are shredding them.  What a mess! I guess for now we'll just leave them where they are and see what happens....

It's time for a painting update. After 5 weeks it's definitely coming along, but it is still quite kindergartenish and has lots of layers to go. What do you think?  Does it look anything like my photo?  Keep in mind that I am an impressionist, not a realist and I still need to add all the greenery in the foreground. I think it might be hopeless. My instructor constantly tells me to back away from it to get the big picture so here's a shot that's further back.  I think she's right, it does give a different impression from a few steps back.   In case you're wondering, yes, my kitchen table has become my art studio. I think this painting will be done in approximately 2.7 years.  It's way more difficult than I expected, but I love it!  In fact, I told Irv I would be quitting my job so I could just concentrate on painting for the next few years.  He said "okay".   That's why I love that man so much!

It has been a rough couple days.  I had to say a forever goodbye to one of my best friends. Tabitha. Yes, she's a cat, but she's been my companion every day for the last 18 years.  This precious kitty was a gift for Jillian when we moved to Wisconsin back in 1996.  We got her from a local pet store that rescued kitties.  Tabitha was very social even as a kitten.  Although the other kittens were caged, Tabitha was allowed to roam freely around the store.  The people who worked there were glad Tabitha found her "forever" home, but at the same time they were sad to see her go. Tabitha loved people and she was very patient.  I wish I had time to find some of the pictures from Tabitha's youth.  Jillian used to dress her up in doll clothes and push her around in her doll stroller.  We used to camouflage Tabitha in the midst of all Jillian's stuffed animals and she would just allow it. She had a feisty side too.  She used to stalk J...

I had a goal:  16 minute miles and I actually met that goal with a 15:48 pace over 5K or 3.1 miles.  I took 8 1/2 minutes off my last 5K time so I'm a happy camper. It was cold Saturday morning--about 44 degrees and the wind was blowing like crazy from the north, but we were all there...Jillian, Mary, me, and Brandy.  (Why is it that I have to be a head taller than everyone?)  Last week I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis so I had two compression socks on my right foot and the orthotics in my shoes that my podiatrist prescribed.  I was hoping the foot would hold out for 3 miles. At the start line you get into place depending on your pace time.  There's a starting point for those who do 5 minute miles, 6 minute miles, 7 minute miles, and 8 minute miles.  Then there's everyone else.  This is what it looks like from the back of the pack.   We all started together, but that didn't last for long.  Jillian and Brandy took off ...

Irv and I made a trip to Denver last weekend and we had some extra time so we walked over to the capitol.  The dome has been undergoing a renovation and there's some scaffolding that hasn't come down yet, but it's still beautiful.  I think all state capitol buildings are special.   Of course what everyone wants at the capitol building is to have their picture taken with the medallion that is set on one of the steps that is exactly one mile high, but we didn't wait around to take our turn.     Across from the capital is the Denver City and County Building.  Also beautiful.     There is a park between the two buildings that we walked through.  Love these lights!     Any place that has statues of horses and cowboys has to be great.   As we got closer to the building we saw that a protest was taking place on the front steps.  We didn't really know what they were protesting.  They were...

I've been quite bad at blogging lately.  You see I'm trying to learn to take it easy and not feel like I have to do so much. Last week I had to say "no" to two things that make me incredibly happy.  I told the zoo I needed to take at least two months off from my volunteer job and I told a good friend that I couldn't come help with the 4-H horse show at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo.  I'm all about volunteering and I've spent years building a reputation that makes people want to ask for my help.  To turn down a request was really a struggle, but one that I felt I needed to do at this time for my health.  A lot of people ask, and I prefer not to talk about it so if you ask me in person I'll tell you I'm feeling great, but no, I'm not feeling better.  In fact, I feel much worse than before I made the trip to Minnesota--I wish I had never gone.  Can't sleep, can't find a pain killer that helps, not comfortable laying down or sitting up, a...

How much do y'all love Chihuly? I love Chihuly a lot and consider it a special treat when I come upon his work. We took my dad and brother to the Fine Arts Center when they were here at Christmas.  My favorite things were the Chihuly pieces.     There were even some Chihuly pieces that aren't what you typically see.         Then there's the Bellagio in Vegas.  Vegas is kind of a sore subject with me right now.  As you may know Irv and I travel to Vegas almost every year for the NFR (National Finals Rodeo).  Last year we decided to skip it and then I learned that the NFR is pulling out of Vegas and moving to Florida.  Rodeo in Florida?  Really?  Vegas was the perfect place for the NFR and all the accompanying stuff like Cowboy Christmas.  How many cowboys come from east of the Mississippi?  We'll be heading to Vegas in December this year for the last NFR in Veg...