Life on the High Plains

We just got home from Milan, Italy a couple days ago.  It was a fantastic time and we were fortunate to see some good Winter Olympic competitions while we were there (more on that later). A highlight of our trip to Milan was seeing the Olympic Flame at the Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace). The Arco della Pace is a triumphal arch located behind the Castello Sforzesco Construction of the arch began in 1807, but was halted in 1814 when the Kingdom of Italy fell to the Austrian Empire.  Construction was restarted in 1826 by the Habsburg Emperor Francis I of Austria and was dedicated to the peace achieved between the nations with the Vienna Congress of 1815. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic flame is a pulsating, geometric, kinetic structure suspended beneath the arch.  It was inspired by Leonardo di Vinci's knots and the sun. Attending the Winter Olympics was a once in a lifetime experience.  The Olympic spirit is alive and well in Milan! Linking with Skywatch Friday...

Now meet our cats, Queen Sophia of Hemmingway on the left and Hayden Jackson Moran on the right. We found Hayden as a kitten in our barn seven years ago.  We mistakenly thought Sophie would have maternal feelings for a small kitten.  We were wrong.  To this day she hisses whenever he gets too close.  This photo is a freak occurrence.  Both of them love me to death.  Sophie will be on my lap anytime I sit down.  Hayden only gets lap time when Sophie allows it which isn't often.  Hayden gets to sleep next to me most nights.  He's still got his feral instincts and I'm the only one he really likes.  Irv is far too loud for his liking. Do you have cats?  

 Have you ever had a heart dog?  A dog that is your heart and soul?  Keira was my baby and I love this shot of her. My daughter and I went to the Humane Society and adopted her without my husband knowing.  Then we took her to his work and said "surprise"!  Look who we brought home. She was a smart and faithful dog.  We lost her a few years ago, she lived to 16. I miss her every day!

We decided to be tourists and headed to Denver to attend the Western National Stock Show. It was a cold and windy day so we spent most of our time indoors.  First we watched some hunter/jumper horses.   Then we hitched a ride on a golf cart over to the brand new Legacy Building.  I loved their display of spurs. The Stock Show always has an art contest and the entries are always so amazing. Loved, loved, loved the raven. Loved this raven also. This is the artwork I voted for in the spectators choice competition.  I love the light in the canyon.   Then it was onto the stock barn where we watched the cows getting floofed for their time in the ring.  This is big business you know. Banner with my former employer listed as a sponsor. Look at these young kiddos handling huge beasts. Then it was time to leave, head to lunch and arrive at the Denver Art Museum for our 2:00 entry into the Pissarro Exhibition. I love the impressionists!  Some say Pissar...

Last October we made the drive down to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.   We only had one day to spend there and as it turned out, it was not a great day for ballooning.  We got up before the crack of dawn and made our way to the launch field. The balloons were laid out on the field and many were inflating. An hour went by and then another hour without a launch.  My husband finally asked one of the pilots what was going on.  Unfortunately, he said the winds aloft were to high for the balloons to take off. Disappointing, but the safety of the crews and spectators is most important. I'm just thankful so many of the owners came out and blew up there balloons for all of us. It's quite a sight to behold. If you've never been I highly suggest it! Linking with Skywatch Friday

  My granddaughters synchronized skating team came to Denver for a competition recently. It was the Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Section Championships for 2026.  Lots of teams were competing.  Above is my granddaughter's team in the kiss and cry area after they left the ice.  They had a great skate! Then their score was announced and they bested their previous score by eight points and won first place in their division!  How exciting! My granddaughter was selected to be one of the team members selected to stand on the podium to receive the trophy and gold medals.  I wish I could show you some of their performance, but I once got in trouble for posting their routine.  They don't want any competing team to still their news. Group photo on the ice. Happy girl!  We're so proud of her!

Last year we got to spend Christmas in the Phoenix area with our daughter and her family.  I love going there in the winter!  Winter in the Valley is the best! An aperol spritz in a moose mug! My grand cat, Mateo. My granddaughter swinging over the fire or as I like to call it, roasting my granddaughter over the fire. We successfully completed a difficult escape room, or I should say they successfully completed the room.  I was stumped most of the time. Christmas Eve! Lots of fun and games! Delicious holiday meal! My  other grand cat, Aussie. My son-in-law whips up the best snacks! We always have a family Christmas painting exhibition.   Then it was time to head back to the frozen tundra--actually the high desert of Colorado hasn't been much of a frozen tundra this year. Is it cold where you live?    

If you read my blog then you know how much I enjoy Fountain Creek Regional Park and Nature Center.  One evening not so long ago my husband and I got off to a late start and didn't get there for a hike until dusk.  It was a whole different experience.  From the moment we got out of the car we could hear an owl calling.  Luckily, we were able to track him down and got a pretty good shot of him high in the tree. A mallard and his mate floating around.  Now everything is frozen so I don't know where they've moved onto. The sun starting going down.  So pretty. These two always look so nervous when I ask for a photo.  Since it was starting to get dark, and cold it was time to head back to the car. Where is your favorite hiking spot?

Every January I assist with the 4-H Western Roundup in Denver, Colorado  This year I helped with both the horse bowl and horse judging contests. About three years ago the events moved from a local hotel with multiple conference rooms to the Colorado State University (CSU) Spur campus.  The spur is a free, public, educational campus that focuses on water, food and health.  The campus features three buildings--the Hydro, Vida and Terra. This is a view from the Hydro building just as the show was starting to come down. This lady is a 4-H volunteer and runs many of the horse related contests.  One this day we were working the horse bowl contest.  Horse bowl is similar of knowledge bowl and features horse anatomy, physiology, medical, veterinary care, general care, etc. questions. In addition, the hippology (study of the horse) competition was taking place in one of the new National Western Stock Show buildings.  I was thrilled to see this one sponsored by CoBan...