Farewell, Fess Parker

My sister and I had a few 45 rpm records as we grew up and the ones I remember most were made of bright yellow and red and had a Walt Disney label on them. It seems as if I have always known the lyrics of The Ballad of Davey Crockett, as well as those to The Swamp Fox. I remember seeing the Davey Crockett adventures Sunday evenings on the Walt Disney's Wonderful of Color series (where I cheered on Buddy Ebsen, who played Davey's sidekick) and I remember him well as Daniel Boone, even though I adored Ed Ames (who was Dan'l's sidekick). He was tall, soft spoken, and allergic to horses - which I found odd, but it didn't stop him from making great movies like Smokey or any of his other roles. While I realize, logically, that Fess Parker was a superb actor, somehow I feel as if the world is a little less safe now because such a super American hero (even though an actor, playing a role) is no longer with us. Today my Dad would have had his 87th birthday, so I'll salute him, also. And Keith Olbermann's father lost his 6-month fight with surgical complications this past Saturday. Here's to you, Theodore Olbermann, a wonderful architect. You are all sorely missed.

It was raining at 2:20 this morning, but the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow before 6 a.m. Boulder already has over 2 inches on the ground, and it is falling steadily. I'm to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate Connie's birthday - I guess I'll shower around 3 this afternoon; that will give my hair a chance to be dry before I go out. I'm not walking the Rs today, due to the wet and slippery snow on the ground - but I did remember to grab my snow boots yesterday. I ended up leaving Lovey and Banichi at home - there's no need to upset them and Cloudy and Shady just for my own comfort for a few days. Cloudy demanded to go out this morning, so I finally gave in to her wishes. She went out and sat on the edge of the patio, and got coated with blowing snow before she was ready to come back in. Shady went out and sat on the edge of the picnic table, observed the snow for a minute or two, and then returned inside. While the ground has only 2 inches of snow on it, I can see a good 4 inches sitting on top of the planters and the bird bath in the backyard. And, warning, Sarah!!! As if you didn't know it, this snow is headed your way!! Which reminds me, have you been able to wear your scarlet hat and gloves yet? - Stay warm, my friends...

Happy Father's Day!

It was marvelous to crawl into my own bed last night... Banichi settled in along my left side and Lovey propped her head on my right shin. It was pure heaven. I thoroughly enjoyed being with the red kids this past week - there are several bird feeders hanging by the windows and French doors that look out onto the deck, and the koi got to know me, and would flock to me at feeding time. Rosie and Remy were super as always, and for once I didn't break anything ( I have a terrible record of breaking ceramic napkin-holders at the Rs house)...

The sunrise was stupendous, and I was eager to welcome the summer sun. (I understand over 36,000 people celebrated the summer solstice at Stonehenge this morning.) Our weather is supposed to change today, and the weather folks are projecting a high in the upper 80s today and the low 90s for Monday and Tuesday - right on time for Summer! We haven't had a day in the 90s since May, and I will welcome the sun and heat again. The creeks and rivers are still running high due to the rain we've had, not to mention the snow-melt. Yesterday was the local "9 Cares, Colorado Shares" summer food drive for non-perishable goods: they had over 15 drop-off points set up from Fort Collins down to Colorado Springs, and at one station alone they collected more than 14 tons of food stuffs for the needy. Way to go, Colorado!

Today is Father's Day... and I have no trouble remembering good times spent with mine. I remember him laughing (because I was) while my horse was bucking when I was 4 while we lived in Texas - Mom was turning purple, and I don't know if she was holding her breath, or if it was a combination of fear and anger. On Sunday afternoons, he'd take my sister and me out for long walks in the woods, or picnics at Devil's Millhopper - he taught me how to track creatures of the forest and read sign, and how to carefully look for shark's teeth and arrow heads along the creek banks and in the water at the Millhopper. I remember one day when he spent the entire day driving me all over north-central Florida, looking for a place where he could rent a horse for me to ride. And even though we visited places from Jacksonville to Ocala and from Hastings to Cedar Key, we never found a spot... but we talked about animals, and his days growing up on the farm and hitching up anywhere from 2 to 8 horse and/or mules for the plow and harvester. Dad preferred mules to horses, after a mare (the only horse in the hitch) kicked him and broke his thigh when he was a teenager. - Think about all the pleasant times you spent with your father, and thank him for the time he spent with you. I can't thank my Dad in person any longer, but I certainly send good thoughts and thanks to his memory on this day, and every day.

Ravens in Early Morning

I was up and out walking at 5 a.m. today - the air was clear and crisp - temp. 54, humidity 18%. This is a great time to observe the wildlife around town. The cottontail rabbits are still out and about, the raccoons are heading home, the birds are beginning to awaken in the trees, traffic is very light and the local ravens keep you under observation. At least the crow that used to sing the notes of "Pop Goes the Weasel" hasn't returned yet this spring - it was very disconcerting for a time when the bird followed me to the grocery store and the local bus stops and sang "Pop..." all the time. I know I'm popular with critters, but this was a little much.

Jeffery, my husband, went to an Indian Pow-Wow in Virginia the year before I met him, and was told that the raven was his personal animal totem. While we were dating and married, he often told me he'd come back to haunt me as a crow or raven if he passed away before I did. This morning, as I walked my course of several streets and paths, a large raven flew before me and/or behind me a great part of the way. Since it's Father's Day, I decided that Jeffrey was gracing me with his presence in avian form. As it continued to escort me through various neighborhoods, I started talking to it - and received a few stares from other people out exercising in the coolness of the morning. The raven perched in a tree at the end of my building as I re-entered the apartments ; it was then on the privacy fence when I let my kits out for their morning run.

To all Fathers, Dads, Daddys, Pas, Papas, Pop-pops, Grandads and Grandpas everywhere, I salute you! Happy Father's Day!