Life on the High Plains

Finally!  A possibility of snow for the high desert plains of Eastern Colorado.  My front door faces Pikes Peak so I thought it would be fun to snap pictures of the storm moving westward across the Peak towards us throughout the afternoon. Still no snow, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Happy Skywatch Friday! Update:  No snow, but .05" of rain. 

Out here in the high desert of Eastern Colorado we have some awesome neighbors. These two miniature donkeys live next door.  They used to roll under the fence and come hang out with us, but then their owner put up a fence that prevented that.  I was bummed. I just have one word to describe them...cute, cute, cute, cute, and cute! We also have antelope out here.  Usually it's a bachelor male or two who walk through the pasture, but sometimes the whole herd shows up.  During hunting season I've had hunters show up at the door in their full hunting regalia who ask if they can go out to our pasture and "get" the big buck.  I always say NO, antelope have refuge on our property. Then there's the adorably cute, bur desperately unwanted varmints.  They're everywhere and if you get anywhere near them they sit up and bark a warning.  In addition to carrying disease they destroy the land and dig holes that could potentially break the le...

Today would have been my dad's 90th birthday. My dad had a rough childhood in South Dakota.  His mom was widowed at a young age with four children to care for and those were the days before public assistance programs. My grandma worked numerous odd jobs to care for her kids.  Luckily there was family nearby to help too. This is the famous canoe--there's a story connected to that canoe that involves my grandmother being told that all her boys had died on the river one day. A good looking group of kids.  Only Glenn, the youngest, is left now.  He's the last of my uncles and his wife is the last of my aunts.   Dad graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Forestry.  His first job was as a junior ranger in Northern Arizona. He and my mom had met in Idaho.  She took the bus to Flagstaff and they were married there.  I recently found some letters my dad had written to my mom when they were courting....

It's finally here--2018! There was a post on Facebook the other day asking for a description of 2017 in one word.  I found that to be very difficult.  I had very high highs and very low lows.  In one word I'd have to say rollercoaster, or is that two words (either way that's my word)?  From the joy of working in Yellowstone and having our entire family here for Thanksgiving to the death of my dad.  It was a rollercoaster. 2018 is going to bring new adventures starting with our kitchen remodel that starts tomorrow. I'm a very OCD person about the cleanliness and organization of my house so having the heart of the home torn apart for two months is going to be a challenge, a very large challenge. The cabinets, pantry and drawers are empty now and ready for demolition.  Here's some before demo pics. The dogs are feeling a little anxious.  They think we must be moving. So where's all the stuff?  In boxes and tubs and b...