Here's Hoping...

Here's hoping we, the United States of America, don't go to hell in a handbag at 12:01 p.m. EST on Friday, 20 January.   The President-Elect is  composed of several volumes of different types of mental illness.  He is a pathological liar.  He believes he is the white knight in golden armor.  He believes that he can do whatever he wants because he has the name that he has.  He is an idiot.
    He appeared this evening at the Lincoln Memorial, after having gone with his family, en masse, to place a wreath in Arlington National Cemetery.  His youngest son was not present.  His three adult children, all three grandchildren, his current and second wives were there.  But not the youngest son.  Will he be seen tomorrow?  Or will the poor boy stayed locked in the closet for his father's entire term?

Nasty Weather - Matthew

I have to admit that I don't remember much about weather-watching before the family moved to Florida in 1961.  I do remember snow when we lived in Millington, Tennessee, and I remember feeling hot and sticky when we lived in Kingsville, Texas.  We moved to Gainesville, Florida a few weeks after I turned 5 years old, and Dad retired from 22 years in the US Navy.  Our house in Florida was a little smaller than our house in Kingsville, but we had a great yard with trees and bushes.  The house floor actually sat about two feet above the ground, so it could breathe and stay cool in the summer.  Gainesville, itself, is about in the middle of the northern peninsula of Florida; it took 90 minutes to drive to either the Atlantic Ocean, or to the Gulf of Mexico.  There was a nice fishing lake about a mile from our house, and lots of little creeks and swampy areas nearby.
    And, as I've frequently mentioned, we (or I) spent most summers on the barrier islands of Chincoteague and Assateague, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Virginia.  My Grandfather purchased a small lot on Peterson Street and built a catalog-ordered Sears & Roebuck house just before he married Grandma, two weeks after her 16th birthday, in 1915.  The "big kitchen" was added onto the house in 1919, and Grandma chose the wall paper to be used.  It was an oyster-white background, with blue-grey trellises and large old-fashioned English pink roses - some in bloom, some still buds.  Besides the corner with the warped floor boards, so that the rocking chair was permanently tilted back, the thing I remember most about the big kitchen was the wavy brown lines at five different heights, that ran all around the room, marring the wall paper.  (There were six, after the Ash Wednesday Storm in 1962.)
   Now, Momma always kept a decent house - she dusted and cleaned and vacuumed, so nothing was dirty, even though we did have piles of books and magazines all around.  One summer night, after wiping the kitchen table clean, I asked Mom if I should try to wipe away the brown marks on the wall paper.  I think I was six or seven years old at the time, and she explained that those brown marks "were history - the history of the house and the island."  They were the high tide marks of hurricanes and nor'easters and big storms - and they couldn't be washed away.  I think I loved that room even more than the rest of the house, once Mom told me that. The latest owners of Grandpa's house knocked off the kitchen and enclosed the front porch, so the history I grew up with is no longer visible.
   While living in Florida, we saw, via television, what happened during hurricanes.  In Gainesville itself, we had lots of rain, some flooding, and high winds - but we were never hit as hard as places along the coast line.  I lived in Florida, pretty much straight through, from July 1961 until the fall of 1995.  These are the Hurricanes that struck Florida, or near by, while I was there:
1964 -  Cleo and Isabell        1965 - Betsy and Dora     1966 - Alma and Inez     1968 - Gladys
1972 - Agnes     1979 - David     1985 - Elena, Juan, and Kate     1987 - Floyd     1992 - Andrew
1994 - Tropical Storms Alberto and Beryl; Gordon     1995 - Allison and Erin
    And, of course we watched the horrific coverage unfold in 1961 with Hurricanes Carla and Hattie; in 1967 with Hurricane Beulah; Camille in 1969 was devastating; then Celia in 1970 - and Alicia in 1983, Gloria in 1985, and Hugo in 1989.

    I feel so much sympathy for those of my friends, family, and colleagues who are being impacted by Hurricane Matthew.  I know that a lot of folks I know are under evacuation orders, and are not at home with some of their most prized possessions.  I wish I possessed magical powers and could wave my hands, or wriggle my nose, and make the seas and winds calm again.  (No, I do not want to be a God, or God-like.)  I just wish that our coastal areas could enjoy calm weather...  Friends, please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.  Know that you're in my heart and thoughts...

Miscellany

Boulder has enjoyed bright blue skies and loads of sunshine for the past few days - highs in the upper 50s and low 60s.  (Our normal high is about 42 degrees, this time of year.)  The huge storm coming ashore at California, the Pineapple Express, will change things, though.  A slightly lower high on Saturday will be followed by snow after midnight on Sunday (or so the weather folks say).  The forecast models are all over the place at the moment - four different models predict anywhere from 2 to 10 inches of snow falling on Sunday.  -  I think I'll cook a pot of homemade marinara sauce and meatballs Saturday afternoon.  Later on, as it continues to snow, I'll make ham and bean soup and cheddar-potato soup...  But we're supposed to warm back up on Tuesday.  The soup will wait until it's actually winter.
   The kits have decided that my letting them out for 90 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening is a good deal.  They are both back inside and curled up in the sunshine shining through the window.  I think that Lovey is staying alert for the hawk - the sheer size of it seemed to thrill her, and she stayed revved up for over an hour after it flew away on Tuesday.  She really believes that she is a lioness and not a ten-pound tabby.
   Rosie's back is still inflamed and sore, so we are taking very slow, decorous walks around the neighborhood, and spending a lot of time lying in the sun in the Snow back yard.  I was surprised to see that Jim has replaced the fencing that was buried by the silt in the Great Flood over a year ago.  I haven't yet had a chance to ask if it was done to keep Tulo, a Sammie  who visited for 5 days,in the yard; if it was done to confine Woodsley and Mona, the grand-dogs; or if, after taking care of Tulo, Jim has decided to get another Samoyed...  We'll see.
   Thanks to my cousins, I now have photos of 8 generations of the Nocks family.  That seems so incredible when I write it, or say it...  It's just amazing to me that I can look at a photo of my great-great-great grandparents sitting with some of their children and the childrens spouses.  I guess it's so impressive to me because we have so few identified photos from my Mom's side of the family.  I have a ton of unidentified photos from Sweden and New York City, but I have no idea who they are, or how (or if) we're related...
   I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!!

Assorted Photos

Sister Kathy and granddaughter Evelyn - it's a C Day - looking at a calendar, wearing a cat dress, and holding a crab-apple.

Old barn in Wisconsin

T.G.I.F!

Snowy owl

Deer and apple tree in heavy frost

One of my husband's cats - Patches Tobias Padora, a Turkish Van

Yesterday and Past Fourths

I hope that all of my other American friends and relatives had a wonderful Independence Day celebration yesterday!  I spent it quietly, running from home to home to home, and tending to a variety of cats, dogs, fish, bees, and chickens - not to mention gardens.  In the middle of the afternoon, I stopped at the supermarket, because I realized that I didn't have any potato chips and I wanted a few with my supper.  I was amazed - there were so many people shopping at 3 in the afternoon; singles and whole families.
  There were two oddly-acting male college students (drunk? high?) almost jogging in the area of the meat and seafood displays.  They were almost, but not quite, yelling about looking for hot dogs - and they used quite a few descriptive terms regarding said hot dogs, that I didn't think small children and older adults wanted to, or should, hear.  So I yelled - "Hey, guys!  Follow me to the luncheon meat aisle, and I'll show you the hot dogs and the brats..."  They were so effusive with their thanks that it was embarrassing - maybe because they had been so obnoxious to begin with?
  Then I really paused when I saw five full, different families standing in line in front of a RedBox DVD kiosk.  Three in the afternoon, on a holiday that's a Friday, and the best these folks can do is rent a movie to watch?  Why not a picnic?  Why not a hike?  Why not a swim?  Why not the Arts festival that had free admission? No one in any of the families looked ill, hurt, injured, or disabled.  (I am very well aware that 50% of disabilities are not visible ones - but this was ridiculous!)  If you didn't do things outside on the Fourth of July when I was growing up, the only excuse was the weather - a lightning storm - or being so ill that you were at home, in your bed, under the covers.
  Our family, and family friends and/or neighbors, that we invited over, wandered in and out of the house, the porch, and the car port - Dad ran the grill, and the charcoal was first fired up at 9 a.m. (this was before fancy propane gas grills) - we had all kinds of cold foods to go with the meat from the grill, as well as plenty of beverages.  Everyone participated in playing games and doing activities - we usually had a game of tag football, played badminton, built teepees for us kids to play in, and we played games - word games, card games, and memory games.  We told wild and crazy stories - sometimes one person started the tale, and then each person sitting there, listening, joined in with their part of the story. The stories could be very funny, or adventurous, or full of family love…  We didn't sit around a TV and watch it as if our lives depended upon it….
   Today, I have taken care of three homes and all the resident critters, plus I took my friend Beatrice in to her job.   I played with and loved on my kits, and I went in search of freeze-dried bison and turkey to feed to Boo - she ate a little of both kinds I provided…  Plus I ordered a pound of freeze-dried turkey hearts to be delivered to Boo's home.  I hope she continues to want to eat them!

Two Doughnut Shop Visits

My sister, niece, and grandniece leave for Rapid City, South Dakota this morning - they're driving up to collect Jim and bring him home, as well as making a quick visit to see Kent, Jim's brother.  Kent is still recovering from his second brain tumor surgery at the Mayo Clinic - he traveled home in a stretcher in an ambulance, and Jim drove the family behind the carrier.  This is certainly taking a toll on the Snow family, and I feel for all of them.
   In any event, that means that I'm staying with Rosie, but am taking care of Boo, also.  Once I leave my kits this morning, I'll pick Boo up and take her to Rosie's for the rest of the weekend.  Lovey and Nedi are running in and out this morning - I've been returning home early in the morning, and letting the kits go out and play well before our neighbors' normal rising hours.  We've been having afternoon and evening thunderstorms each night, and have had plenty of tornadoes in the state, but none near us.
   The big sports question today is whether California Chrome will become the twelfth Triple Crown champion in America.  I hope that he will, but the odds are against it.  He faces ten rivals, and each trainer will give their jockey individual riding instructions.  Luckily, Belmont Park has that huge one-and-a-half-mile oval, so there won't be a bumpy sprint for the lead before the first turn, as there would be at either Churchill Downs or Pimlico.  But California Chrome is breaking from the second spot in the gate, and might be crowded toward the inside.  Then, too, this is the first, and probably only time these horses will race at this distance - American horses are bred more for speed than for stamina.  The jockeys' experience will play a large role in the race - and the horses' own breeding and training.
  And, with today's running of the Belmont Stakes, England will be watching their Epsom Derby, run at a mile-and-a-half on turf, at Epsom Downs.  There are 16 horses entered in the Derby, and the early betting favorite is a colt named Australia.
   Yesterday was National Doughnut Day.  After doing some shopping with my friend Beatrice, she suggested we stop at a doughnut shop she adores - Lamarr's.  I'd never heard of, or eaten at, a Lamarr's before, so I said OK...  We stepped into the store at 2:19 in the afternoon.  There was only one person visible behind the counter, and there were no doughnuts or food-stuffs visible.  A group of four had stepped into the shop ahead of us, two adults and two children - and I was amazed (actually, appalled) by the way the woman snarled at the people in front of us and pretty much threw a bag of doughnuts at them.  As we stepped up to the counter, the lady (?) looked at us and said, "How many of ya?"  Before we could say anything in response, such as, "We'd like to buy a dozen doughnuts," she grabbed two things that looked like apple fritters and threw them in a bag, which she tossed over the counter at us.  Be said, "We'd like to buy..." and the woman cut her off, saying, "Can't you see I'm out of everything?"  And then she started muttering about "National Doughnut Day" under her breath... She followed us to the front door and locked it behind us.  (The shop hours were posted as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)  Needless to say, I was reeling from my huge dose of customer appreciation at Lamarr's.  We drove back to Boulder, and I parked at Dunkin' Doughnuts...  It was like walking into a stirred up anthill - but, even though were were a lot of customers in line at the counter, and lots of folks arriving and departing at the "Pick Up" counter, the 6 ladies working behind the counter were smiling and laughing, and were extremely courteous.  The shift leader's name was Sarah, and I complimented her on her service and smiles, even though it was so incredibly busy.  She was very happy with our comments....

December First

This morning, as I walked to the bakery for my breakfast bagel, I looked in wonder at beautiful puffy clouds that were painted in colors of pinks and purples against a dark sky.  Less than five minutes later, as I walked back home with my fresh warm bagel, the sight of the mountain-top snows took my breath away.  In the east, the clouds were pink and purple, but they painted the snow on the peaks in the west a glowing, warm lavender.  I miss the gulls and birds of the east coast, but these sunrise visions are gorgeous in Colorado! It's currently 54 degrees outside, the sun is shining, and the humidity is 25%.  I'm sitting at my desk with the patio door and window wide open, while the cats wander in and out.  It's a fantastic fall day.
  The weather has made it easy to get the smell of chemicals and backed-up kitchen water out of my bathroom, closet, and front hall.  And I'll probably be complaining about the fierce cold here beginning Wednesday.  Right now, our forecast calls for highs in the mid-50s Monday and Tuesday; a low of 11 on Tuesday night, and highs on Wednesday and Thursday of 15 and 9 degrees.  I'll be inside, cuddled up with the kits on those days.  The air is so dry that I can't go outside and breathe normally if the temperature is below 20.  I'll be carrying my inhaler at all times later this week...  And I've already sent out warnings to the owners of the dogs that I walk on a daily basis.
  I do have the Broncos and Chiefs game on the television.  I just shook my head while watching the Gators and Seminoles play yesterday.  Poor Gators.  I loved watching the Ohio State Buckeyes win; and I had a blast watching the Gamecocks defeat Clemson.  Of course, the mind-boggling play of all the games yesterday was the Auburn Tigers returning a missed Alabama field goal for 100+ yards and the winning of the game.  I don't think the 'Bama fans have had this first loss even sink in yet...
   And since it's the first of December, my daughter-in-law sent me one of the best photos I have seen this year:

Son Kevin and grand daughter Kennedy getting ready to decorate the house for Christmas!

Thanksgiving and Plumbing

I had planned on posting yesterday, but other circumstances intervened.  And if today's blog seems a little disconnected, it's because I'm eating breakfast and trying to watch the Florida versus Florida State football game while I'm writing. The weather has been wonderful - temperatures in the 50s, an occasional breeze, sunny skies - and it's supposed to stay that way until Wednesday when the weather people say the high will be 25 and the high on Thursday will be 15.  Yuck.
    Thursday was a very good day - we had 25 of the family gathered - that's the Snow family, my sister's husband.  Ages ranged from Evie, at 18 weeks, to Bob, a father-in-law, in his early 80s.  Grandma Anne spent Thanksgiving in Berthoud with her son and daughter, saying that such a large group was a little too much for her.  Fran and Corky were vacationing in Hawaii; and the South Dakota Snows stayed at home due to health issues; we were missing more than 15 this year.  But we had a fantastic feast at the Niwot Grange and everyone took extra helpings home.  In no particular order, there was:  deviled eggs, stuffed celery, fresh fruit, nuts, two turkeys, a smoked ham, gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, Szchewan stir-fry veggies, steamed veggies, a green bean casserole, cranberry-orange relish, three kinds of stuffing, pickles, olives, figs, a chocolate trifle, the Snow family orange rolls, five kinds of home-made pie, and Mike's cocoa-date-nut balls.  Believe me, we all ate way too much, except for Evie...
   After cleaning the Grange, we headed home - which, for me meant Lucy's house.  After I fed and walked her, I went over to Tugger and Sasquatch's and fed and loved them.  Then I went back to Lucy's and collapsed.  Friday morning started with an hour's walk and jog with Lucy, then her breakfast; then over to Tugger and Sasquatch's for their care.  Rosie's walk was next, and a stop by the Snow house to visit with Boo (for Rosie).  Back at Lucy's, I read for an hour or so, and then took her out for her noon walk.  Then I came home to Lovey and Nedi.
  As I stepped inside the apartment, I thought the air smelled damp - like I had just stepped out of the shower - but I hadn't been home for 30 hours...  I closed the door, and stepped onto the hall rug.  It squished under my foot.  I turned on the hall light, and it burnt out as it lit up.  I turned on the closet light, and it burnt out as it lit up.  I stepped into the walk-through closet, and the closet rug squished.  I turned on the bathroom light, and said a few dirty words - the bathroom had more than one inch of water on the floor, covering both rugs in there.  I looked at the tub, which was dry, and switched my eyes to the other side and saw the bathroom sink had backed up and overflowed, and was still at full capacity, with water dripping into the floor and also into the kitty litter boxes.  Super yuck.
  I set my stuff that I had with me at Lucy's on my bed, opened the back door so the kits could go outside and relieve themselves, and walked right over the the apartment manager's office.  I was completely amazed, because, for the first time in 9 months, the office door was open, and JC was at his desk.  I briefly told him what I found, and he followed me back down, bringing a wet vacuum.  I learned very quickly how to wet-vac  and managed to get all the water sucked out of the sink first; after a quick empty run, I had my floor dry.  (I had taken my rugs out onto my patio.)  We put Draino and waited for 45 minutes; then I poured hot water down the drain.  It flowed perfectly - away, down, out of sight.  I was relieved.
  Twenty minutes later, the people who live above me used their garbage disposal.  I walked into my bathroom and watched the water rise in my sink.  So I called JC, since his office was closed, and left a message about what I had just observed; then I sent him an e-mail doing the same.  Then I called our emergency maintenance man - who, it turns out, was out of town.  JC stopped by, looked at my sink, and called the plumber.  Then he relayed the message that the plumber would be here somewhere between 2 and 5 hours from the time of the call.....  At least he came last night, and I didn't have to wait until today to be able to use water again.  (And Martin said that he was getting rice, noodles, celery, potatoes, and peas out of the drain.  He said the folks who live above me must not realize that our units and pipes are over 50 years old, and our disposals are not made like new ones....)
   So I'm going to watch football today and tomorrow, and walk dogs until it gets too cold for us to stir outside (not to mention the snow)...  And I'm going to thoroughly enjoy myself - and not worry about plumbing!

Family Matters

It's a nice, bright, sun-shiny day out - which has already caused the set of muddy paw-prints on my jeans and T-shirt. They start at the ankle and walk right up my right leg, then onto my chest... Lovey then licked my face and marked my jaw line with her chin. I visited Maggie May yesterday and was delighted that she remembered me; I start caring for her on Friday. I sent off a collection of children's books to my granddaughter yesterday, as well as a Hello Kitty activity book and a Carousel of Happiness coloring book. Then I had found some nice, old-fashioned coloring pages for Easter, so they went into the package as well. I sent it Priority mail, so Kennedy will receive it before Easter.

   I spent most of yesterday finalizing my plans for the making of a baby quilt for Sarah's daughter... One side will be an (almost, but not quite true) recreation of my baby quilt that had galloping horses in separate diamond-shaped fields. Instead of the one galloping horse shape, this one will have five shapes of horses, one in each of the 21 diamonds. The reverse side of the quilt will be in a dog and cat (or other animals) print. I know the amounts and sizes of the material I need, and will head off to the fabric store for cloth and batting later this morning.

   I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the NCIS episode last night, in which McGee finally came to terms with his father, the Admiral. I've known a lot of people that are like both the Admiral and his son, McGee. I respect McGee more, but I also know that the times that the Admiral grew up and lived in molded the man he became. I try to keep an open mind and heart toward all of my new, and old, acquaintances. I know my own demons, and I know that I can be a trial to everyone on certain days - those are the days I try to isolate myself, so my nastiness won't spread to others...

   Right now, I'll just wish you a happy hump day!

Pets and Love; Accomack Arson

I am becoming more perturbed each day with the arsonist in Accomack County, Virginia. Last night, he/she/they/it burned an historic building to the ground - a turn-of-the-century wooden school house in Cashville. I currently live in Boulder, Colorado - but my heart is in Accomack County, Virginia. My ancestors have lived in Accomack County since the 1640s. We are losing history with each and every fire that occurs. Old family homes, barns, sheds, restaurants, and motor courts all have intrinsic value. Hopes, dreams, loves, losses, and memories are lost with each and every fire. I cringe every time I see a new case of fire being reported. This is my history going up in smoke. Whoever the arsonist is, they need to be stopped. Stopped cold.

  And I received some dire news from a very good friend - after having lived by herself for the past 23 years, she is giving up her life, her house, her past, and her pets to move in and care for her parents. This decision has wracked her for days. I will happily adopt her cats - if I could, I'd move in and save her house, doing the needed repairs and paying the taxes... but every one knows how it is in this economy. When your parents are ill, you love them, and can't deny them their requests for care. I left all behind me in Florida to care for my Mother on Chincoteague, who had had a massive stroke and then had Alzheimer's and then developed Parkinson's Disease on top of that. At least I didn't have to forgo my pets. Mom slipped back and forth through time, and my cat Bibbin Tucker became her "Sally," from her youth. Bibbin stayed with Mom, on her lap, or beside her all day, and slept next to her pillow all night. That was a wonderful thing to see and observe... Bibbin would respond to me, if I called her Bibbin, but not if I called her Sally. All Mom had to do was whisper, "Sal..." and Bibbin would be there, at Mom's hand, in an instant.

   Lovey and Nedi are doing very well. So are Boo and Rosie and Remy. Nancy and I spoke about Remy today, and we both agreed that we think he got depressed when I was ill and couldn't walk the Rs. He is so happy to see me, and even if he's tired, and not walking well when we return to the house, he seems very happy and content - and will happily eat for me, even if he disdained the food offered before our walk. I am so happy I can make Remy happy.

Mom's Birthday

If my Mother were still alive, she'd be 92 years old today, and that just doesn't seem possible.  It is true, however, even if my mind doesn't want to stretch time back that far.  Dad would turn 90 in March.  It just doesn't seem right, somehow.  I can easily accept the fact that I'm 56, heading for 57 now; but Mom and Dad being that age? No way!  My first real recollection of their faces comes from when I was four years old and we were living in Kingsville, Texas; Dad was still in the Navy, and every two weeks he took Kathy, my sister, and I to ride horseback at King's Ranch Livery stable.  Kathy rode a beautiful bay mare named Cricket, and I rode an old-timer whose name was White Cloud.  Kathy and the other kids would walk, jog and lope around this huge field - since I was so small, and was sitting on a 16-hand horse, White Cloud just sort of ambled about - he went where I wanted to go, because I knew about reining, and he was an old cow horse, but we walked slowly. Everywhere.  We just walked.  One day, I caught White Cloud in the flank with a corn stalk, and he crow hopped a little bit.  I was ecstatic!  We had done something other than walk! I looked back toward my parents, and Mom's face was blue-white, while Dad was laughing hard with a red face.  Mom was scared that I'd fall off, and Dad was laughing because I was laughing. ....
   Mom gave me life, and taught me to love books and reading.  She inspired me with tales of hardship of early Chincoteaguers, and things she could easily remember, as the Island was so isolated.  She planted the seed for love of knowledge of the past, for the love of art work and creative sewing.  She was never an epicurean, but she definitely taught me how to cook and bake.  I was always amazed to hear what simple, small things brought her pleasure when she was a child - and now I find that I find those same things endearing and heart-warming.  Mom taught me to love totally, and to forgive those that hurt me, and to give as generously as I am able to good causes and things I believe in.
  Here's to Mildred Louise Johnson Nocks, a woman who was good, in every sense of the word.

Two Days Before Christmas...

I had a wonderful time last night - we (my sister, brother-in-law, and me) went to The Cheesecake Factory for supper; then around the corner and two doors down to the Boulder Theater. This is the third or fourth year in a row that we have attended the Rocky Mountain Revels (this was their twelfth year) for their Christmas Revels show. In the past, we saw an Edwardian Christmas in northern England and a Renaissance Christmas in Italy; this year it was an Appalachian Christmas from around 1850. As always, the music was fantastic, the singing was magnificent, and the dancing this year was absolutely stupendous! We had a magical time, and Jim was taken into the beginning of the dance line for the beginning of the Intermission, when everyone in the building was singing "The King of the Dance." Jim looked quite handsome, with his Santa hat, sparkling blue eyes and white beard and mustache; he was also wearing a green chamois shirt over a scarlet turtleneck, and slate grey trousers (with Crocs). Kathy and I declined to join in the dance line, but we sang heartily while the lines wound around and up and down through the theater. The usual spokesman was away on business, so Kathy and Jim's lawyer was the Master of Ceremonies - and I was very happy when the usual man stopped by and spoke with us at Intermission; he had just returned from Germany. After the show was over - it was the last presentation for this year - the participants came out, still in costume, and chatted with the crowd. It was grand. And I had a very good time.
  We're in the upper 40s already this morning, the sun is shining and I have the patio door open. Lovey is being regal in the reading chair, while Nedi is outside chasing squirrels and ravens. Nedi really wanted out when I returned home last night, so I opened the door and let him go. I have no idea where he went, but he didn't return for 45 minutes, and I couldn't find him in the back yard. I guess he decided to drop in on a party that I wasn't invited to. Lovey stepped out once, and then wanted me to go to bed with her. Three football games that I'd like to see start at 11 this morning - I guess I'll be playing clicker tag with three channels; then the Broncos play at 2:05 this afternoon. It should be a good game.
  The weather folks are now saying that we'll get snow Christmas Eve and early Christmas morning; two to four inches in Boulder. I start caring for Sasquatch and Tugger during the afternoon of Christmas Eve. 'Twill be interesting to see how much snow actually arrives and when... the NWS hasn't been very accurate for Boulder recently. On the 27th, I move in with Rosie and Remy and stay with them for ten days. On the 29th, we'll have the Snow family get-together in Niwot, at Tracey and Dave's home. And I've been told that Grandma Anne will attend. That will be my most powerful reason for going - to spend time with a lady in her 80s. Anne Snow is a true treasure for the entire family. I am so very happy to have the pleasure of knowing her.
  I hope this holiday season is full of peace, love, happiness and tranquility for you and your family.

Yesterday

I had a wonderful time yesterday. I walked Remy and Rosie, then stopped in at Kathy and Jim's to change clothes (having multiple muddy dog paw prints on my T-shirt and shorts). We stopped at PetSmart and picked up a brush for Neddy, then stopped by the apartment so I could grab my sunglasses and camera, and to introduce Neddy to Kathy. We had a quick sandwich for lunch, and then drove up Four Mile Canyon to look at a house for sale that I had liked the looks of from the on-line ad. It was on 7 acres of a very steep slope, and the property line ended about 150 feet behind the house, where the National Forest began. The house looked great on the outside, had wonderful views, and tons of decks. You could see and hear Four Mile Creek across the road - but the interior was disappointing. Kathy and I clambered around the exterior of the house and looked at the creek, and both of us said, "Naw... not exactly what we'd pictured." So we drove on up to the Switzerland Trail head; then drove over to Gold Hill. A few of the little villages we passed through were completely awash with the heady scent of lilac hedges, lilac bushes, and lilac trees. It was like being immersed in a tub of fresh lilac blossoms - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I took Kathy on roads she hadn't explored before, and we arrived "the back way" at Gold Hill. We had refreshments at the Gold Hill Cafe and General Store, and then drove back through Ward and Nederland, and back down Boulder Canyon, where we looked at the washed out bridge that led to the Red Lion Inn. Had a two hour rest at Kathy and Jim's house, during which I read the new issue of National Geographic. Then we picked up Connie, who owns Ooch, and went to Murphy's for supper. There we met Mike and Allison, and Sarah and Mike - and had a very good meal. Sarah and Mike had just looked at a house that they decided to try to buy, so we had an extra reason to celebrate.
What really made my day was that when I got home and climbed into bed, Lovey curled up on my tummy, and Neddy curled up beside my ribs - and we all went to sleep together. Having the kits in close proximity without any upsets was the absolute best occurance of the day.

Lupus Walk, Boston Marathon, Kentucky Derby

Aren't they a good-looking pair? This is my son and daughter-in-law just before their participation in a Lupus Walk for Life in Washington this weekend. They walked in memory of a friend, and raised over $300 for Lupus research. It's a joy to be Kevin and Etoye's step-mom!

Jim is running in the Boston Marathon today; sometime yesterday evening, Suki and/or Boo found a quart-sized plastic bag that had multi-colored candles in it, and they consumed all but one lone specimen. I'll need to check with Kathy as to where the candle bag was and how many items were inside; but the girls usually have no problems getting wax candles through their system. I walked the girls to Wonderland Lake yesterday - don't know where we'll go today, yet; plus I have the Irish kids this morning. Lovey and Banichi are somewhat upset with me, because I'm not sleeping at home; but while I'm home they get to go play in the yard, so they aren't sure whether they should be miffed with me or not.

Today is the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings/tragedy and that is the main subject of the local news. - A medical mystery in Wellington, FL, where 21 ponies from the Lechusa Caracas polo team died within hours of each other, during and immediately after being unloaded from their trailers. Poison is suspected, but their "home" stables (while in Florida)were checked and are clean. - And it's less than 2 weeks before the running of the 135th Kentucky Derby; recent winners who are pointed at the Derby include Papa Clem (winner of the Arkansas Derby), Friesan Fire (winner of the Louisiana Derby), General Quarters (winner of the Blue Grass Stakes), Advice (winner of Saturday's Coolmore Lexington Stakes), and Dunkirk , a striking grey, who would win only his fourth start, if he wins the roses. Pioneerof the Nile, Musket Man and I Want Revenge are also pointed at the big race; as are two Godolphin entries from the UAE, Desert Party and Regal Ransom. Here's to a great race, with no injuries!!

A Day Off?

While I did not blog yesterday, in no way did I have a day off... Arising early, I loved and fed my kits, cleaned their potty boxes, and lavished special treats on them. Then I headed up to north Boulder with a stuffed-full backpack, two grocery bags of fruit, a tray for the fruit, and a large box of gift bags filled with booty for the extended family. I arrived at the Irish kids' house at 7:34, loved them, walked them, and then started washing and patting dry various fruits and veggies; then I had to label the gift bags; then it was 9:45 and the family brunch began at 10. I carried all the gift bags over and then had to return and carry back over the fruit tray... Our high yesterday was 34, with bright sun; we're hoping for 52 today and maybe 60 tomorrow... the snow that's been around since the 13th might actually melt!

The kits have been all over me since I got home - Lovey has placed muddy pawprints all over my jeans and long-sleeved T, and seems intent on adding more. Banichi is sun-bathing, the birds have made a few attacks on the feeders, but the kits are out there - which hasn't made any difference to the squirrels, they're just eating away. I'll only be posting my blog when I'm here visiting the kits, and the times might vary widely, but I'll be trying to get things done. My nephew Mike saw my blog for the first time yesterday, and has decided that he needs to have a blog for his tattoo business, in which he can also show his artistry and art work...

I had 2.5 guests at the party yesterday - Kathy and I "split" Mimi, as I know her as a client, and Kathy knows her from Meeting; and then I also invited a couple from County Surrey in England because (a) I enjoy speaking with the husband whenever I see him and (b) I thought Grandma Anne could use a "Brit pickup" for the holidays... it must be awful not having someone nearby who doesn't share some of the same memories... And Richard and Anne were a great hit with everyone, as was Mimi! So I guess I did well.... Kathy and Jim said I did, so it must be...

I ended up taking the Irish kids on 3 short walks and 1 long one yesterday; the last time we were joined by Kathy and Jim and Suki and Boo... The Irish kids seemed to get a kick out of being part of a pack, and all persons with four feet behaved exceptionally well; as did Silver and Smiley during their visit to the party. So I was finally able to relax about 5:30 yesterday evening; I read to both Remy and Rosie until I fell asleep - I think they were both sleeping, too - at least Remy had been snoring off and on for about an hour. We went upstairs to bed about 11, and Remy slept with me, while Rosie slept in her bed at the foot of the bed. It sounded like a pack of raccoons got into a fight about 3 this morning, but Rosie and Remy were too pooped to investigate the sounds...

Boxing Day

It's quiet, grey and overcast today; the morning walk was spooky, as there were no other people out and about... I guess they were sleeping off yesterday's celebrations, or were out shopping to get post-Christmas bargains at the malls. The ravens and crows were out in force, but the smaller birds were out of sight; I did see squirrels, a couple of raccoons, two fox, and a feral cat. We're expecting a few snow showers this afternoon and evening - but the western mountains are experiencing blizzard conditions with winds up to 80 mph along with the snowfall.

Yesterday was a relaxed day. Sarah is in Santa Fe with her gentleman; so it was Kathy, Jim, Mike and I getting together for the family celebration. We had brunch at 1 in the afternoon, and what would normally have been lunch at 5:30. We walked the dogs as a family, and ran into Rosie and Remy and their folks out at the same time. Kathy acted as chauffeur and drove Mike and I back to our respective houses after dark. I curled up with my kits and fell asleep early in the evening.

Other than going out to have my thumb and wrist X-rayed this afternoon, I intend to spend all the time with my kits, as I begin my stay with the Irish kids tomorrow. And tomorrow is the Snow Clan gathering for Christmas brunch at Kathy's. Grandma Anne will come down from Sugarloaf Mountain, Laura and Jim will arrive from Fort Collins, Kathy and Rich will come in from Longmont, Dave and Tracie will bring the Niwot crew, and various and sundry friends and cousins will also be in attendance.

Have a happy Boxing Day!

Wonderful Family, Beautiful Country

Wow! What an incredible past three days! I did miss my kits, but knew they were in good hands with Jim. Kathy and I left my apartment at 9:15 Saturday morning; we spent Saturday night in Clinton, Missouri. We arrived at the Nocks home in Pomona about noon on Sunday - we met and hugged and loved newly-met family members until about 6 pm, and then hit the road again; spending Sunday night in Nevada, Missouri. Kathy ran 3 miles in Nevada yesterday morning, and garnered a lot of stares. I drove around the old town center and found the house where our grandmother was born, and the shop-front that our great-grandfather ran his grocery and dry-goods business from. We left Nevada later than planned, and got into Kathy's driveway at 11 pm. We talked a few minutes with Jim, and then I crossed the street to Brandi's, loved her, gave her a few treats, and then she and I both crashed in Kyle's bed.

I was really happy to have done all of this without any of my usual clumsy accidents. I drove every mile to and from Sarah's, except the last 8 miles. I came home to my my apartment this morning; in crossing the parking lot to get to the front door of the building, I stepped on a few pieces of loose gravel, and fell flat my face. That fall took out the knees in one of my favorite pairs of jeans, cut up both of my knees, my right forearm, and scraped my chin. I guess someone or something was saying, "You're not home yeeettt." The kits are stuck to me like glue.

I've never tried to hide the fact that I'm much more comfortable with critters than with people, so I approached my meeting with our never-before-seen relatives with some trepidation. Within a minute, I was totally relaxed and knew that I was with family. I have been that relaxed with only a handful of other folks... I have photos to download and share; and I have a lot of wonderful memories of the family that I'll share. I'll start posting the photos tomorrow.... Take care!

In Memoriam...

The world lost a treasure yesterday. A man of fun, a man of family, a man of duty, and a man with a work ethic. Glenn Emory Nocks passed away yesterday in Howell County, Missouri. Glenn and I talked on the telephone for many hours - sometimes up to 4 hours in one sitting... I felt connected to him. I could hear hear him light up a cigarette and take that first deep drag, while we were connected by that telephone wire; I heard him drink his Dr. Peppers, and sometimes coffee; I heard him let the dog in and out of the house. He told me stories of our family - I never met either of our grandparents, and he introduced them to me; he told me about his parents, whom I had never met; and he told me about himself and his family. I have never met any of them in the flesh... I hope to be able to meet his daughter very soon, even though it will be under terrible circumstances.

Glenn is survived by a daughter, Sarah; his mother, Theoda Smith Nocks; his step-daughter and ex-wife; his sister Eleanor, and her family; and my sister and I. He was the last male in my father's line of descent... I missed the chance to check his DNA for genealogy purposes. I missed being able to visit him before his death. And, even though we never actually shared the same space, or met in the flesh, I do miss him. Rest in peace and without pain, my dear.

Cool this morning...

It's a good thing that my sister and brother-in-law have been discussing an early retirement for Jim; he was laid off from Ball Aerospace yesterday afternoon, and told to clear his office after 29+ years. He'll get a nice termination/layoff package, but it's still a surprise....

It was 35 when I went out walking this morning - it's now 42... Another front is due in Friday with a high in the low 60s, with highs over the weekend in the 40s and possible snow. The kits went out and had a good run in the backyard this morning, then they both came in and curled up together on a flannel blanket. I went ahead and closed the patio door; and Gimpy arrived early to get some peanuts.

My cousin Sarah sent me 17 photos from our family's past... several photos of my parents were ones that I had never seen before, and there were a few of me as a child, but a lot of the photos were of Kathy. I sent the photos on to Kathy and Jim, Sarah and Michael. Jim was astounded at how much Kathy looks like Mom... I was astounded by a photo of Dad in a short-sleeved sweater/knit shirt at Pony Penning on Chincotague in the late 1940s - talk about a blast from the past!

I also just found out that if you click on any of the photos I posted on this blog, you can get a much larger photo on your monitor - if you want to look at any details, that is. I hope to take some photos of my kits and possibly a self-portrait within the next few days... I'm also cleaning up the apartment for a new chair, a new end table, and a CD player. I already have a cover for the chair - the cats and I are both hard on furniture - The cats with scratching and their fur, me just because I have oily skin, and then add lotion because my skin dries and cracks in this dry air... *sigh* ... I can't win, skin-wise. Pimples as a kid, teen, and an adult... dry skin because of the altitude and aridness of the area... lotion to keep the skin from cracking and peeling... and my elbows always look like they've been hit with sandpaper.... Oh, well. (No real boo-hoos from me!)