Life on the High Plains

Our tradition is to start Thanksgiving Day with a 5K Turkey Trot and we were lucky to find one in Albuquerque this year when we were down there visiting family. It was cold and I mean really cold--35 degrees at race time.  Normally I wouldn't be so cold, but I did not come prepared for a race in this temperature.  I expected it to be warmer, after all it is Albuquerque. Little Miss G just wanted to stay in her stroller.  The Phoenicians were suffering in this frigid weather.  We took turns running her up and down the sidewalk to keep warm. A very cool sculpture outside the International Balloon Fiesta Museum. Turkey Man was there! Even the dogs were decked out in their turkey hats. Off we go.  We purposely started at the back of the pack.  This was going to be a fitness walk for some of us. Irv and his shorts.  I think he was frozen. Mile 2--look at that pace.  At least we aren't last. ...

I've been slacking with my blogging lately.  Life is pretty humdrum when you don't live in Yellowstone so I don't have photos of amazing waterfalls or wildlife to share anymore. Sad, I know.  I really miss that place! What I have been doing in my spare time is working for my former employer helping them out with a few projects and.... in my spare time I've been crafting because it's craft fair season.  We're only doing two shows this year and the first was a couple weeks ago. We've built up quite an inventory and this year the "hot" items were the pallet signs that I hand paint.  We did absolutely fantastic at the show with our highest sales yet, but it left our inventory depleted.  With a two day show coming up December 1-2 I've been devoting every spare moment to replenish our stock.  Some nights Irv has even come and told me to stop and come to bed. This past weekend we had a cold snap with freezing drizzle. Eve...

A couple weeks ago we got to accompany Mr. Beans to the shoot for his high school graduation pics.  (How is this possible, he's only a little kid...but that's a subject for another post.) The photographer was absolutely amazing. She took so much time with him making sure she captured his personality. I got to sit by and hold the accessories while sipping on a glass of wine.  Yes, it has a straw and the photographer said that was to keep from messing up the makeup.   There were several changes of clothing and background. Shiloh wanted a shot with his favorite Sabotan t-shirt (who???) I loved this woman's artistic side and attention to detail.   Here's the best looking man ever! Of course these two had to have a special grandson and pappy photo.  They have such a special bond. Within a few days the CD with the photos were ready.  Here are just a few of my favorites. The session included family...

On Saturday we loaded up and headed to downtown Colorado Springs for the annual Veteran's Day parade which is held on the first Saturday of November. It was cold and I mean really cold.  It was about 40 degrees and the wind was blowing.  That's usually not too bad unless you're just sitting in it.  Coats, hats and gloves were definitely needed. Finally, it began led by Colorado Spring's finest. They were followed by the mounted guard from Ft. Carson. I love the salute to all veterans including those from our past. Ft. Carson also sent their band.  I wonder how these guys like spending their day off marching in a parade when it's so cold outside. I love WWII history.  I'm so grateful to that generation...I can't imagine what it must have been like to live during that time. We even got a flyover from the Air Force. No parade is complete without the horses.  These are the Pikes Peak or Bust Range Riders....