Sunday In Boulder

I've been around long enough to know that none of us are immortal - I've lived through the deaths of two grandfathers, my parents, and my husband.  But I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed when I stepped into Paulina's greenhouse this morning and found Courtney, the goldfish, floating on her side in the tank.  I buried her beneath a rose bush.  I took care of Blackberry and Chocolate, and released them from the hutch so that (a) I could clean it out, and (b) they could have 3 hours of freedom inside their large pen.
  Then I sat down and called both of Paulina's parents - I left a message for her mother, but her Dad answered the phone.  I asked if they wanted me to try and find a goldfish that looked approximately like Courtney at Petco, or did they want to have the "death discussion" with her - it was up to them.  Her Dad said they'd "just deal with it when they got home."  As far as I know, Paulina hasn't had any family or friends die in her short 8 years of life.  Her parents are allergic to both cats and dogs, and Blackberry and Chocolate the bunnies, were her first pets.  They arrived for Easter this year.  Then she won Courtney at the Boulder Creek Fair on Memorial Day weekend.  In my experience, the goldfish one won from the fair usually didn't live more than a few days - Paulina has had Courtney for 9 weeks.  Ouch.  Courtney was fine at 8 p.m. last night, when I gave her three flakes of food; but she was dead at 6 a.m.   - I feel guilty, even though I shouldn't.
   Waiting for the bus to pick me up and bring me home from Paulina's this morning, I was bored, because I had forgotten to bring a book to read.  Then I realized there was a bike race going on a block from where I was standing.  In the 20 minutes I waited for the bus, I counted 637 bike riders go by...  I wonder how many entered the event?
   With all the storm warnings last night, all Boulder got was high winds and about a quarter-inch of rain.  But 8 tornadoes were reported in the county, and 2 1/2-inch hail fell.  Trees were uprooted, and empty 18-wheeler trailers were flipped... It was a mess.

Warm, Warm, Warm!

Lovey is laying between my chest and the keyboard, so I'm having to reach over and/or around her to type.  I could make her move, but I'd rather be close and uncomfortable than chase her away.  Besides my kits, and Rosie, Courtney the goldfish, and the bunnies Chocolate and Blackberry, I add Sasquatch and Tugger to the mix today.  Luckily, Rosie's people and Paulina will both be back tomorrow evening, so I'll be back at home, with twice a day runs to the Redwood brothers (Tugger and Sasquatch).   Next Saturday and Sunday morning, I'm free and clear - then I add Tugger and Sasquatch (again), Maggie May and then Tinkerbell, while watering flowers for another client from now until July 4...
   I wouldn't say that we are having a problem with mother deer here in Boulder, but some folks would.  A young mother, who has an injured hind leg has a new set of twins, whom she usually leaves in a yard on Agate Road.  It's a high traffic area for people who walk, jog, run, and ride bicycles.  It's also a high traffic area for people who walk dogs.  This young mother is very protective of her babies - she will make a stand to keep them safe.  The other day, she attacked a dog (on a leash) who got too close - the lady, who had been talking on her cell phone and not looking around for wildlife, dropped the leash, and the dog ran for the doe.  The doe knocked it over and walked on it, which terrified the owner.  The owner of the house went out and frightened the deer away.  The dog and the woman were unhurt.  But this has caused an uproar in the neighborhood...  and I am not happy with the folks who ignore the law and allow their dogs to roam loose, either.  I am firmly on the side of the deer.  I believe that the woman was at fault for not really taking in/seeing her surroundings...
   Wildfires in Colorado continue to pop up, thanks to lightning, sparks from train wheels on tracks, and idiotic people.Yes, we had snow in April and May, and ran in May.  However, we are still in an extreme drought condition.  The Black Forest wildfire, while contained, has now had the homes destroyed count upped to 511.  The West Fork Complex fire (which has three fires - West Fork, Papoose, and Windy Pass) has now burned over 40,000 acres (or 62.5 square miles) and is still not contained in any way.  The East Peak fire has burned 10,000 acres and 9 homes, and has no containment. The Wild Rose fire, near Rangely, is at 850 acres and is 10% contained. The Lime Gulch fire is up to 600 acres and is 15% contained.  The Rife Gap fire has 0 containment and is estimated at 300 acres. The Bull Gulch fire, northeast of Cotopaxi, is 30% contained.  The Disappointment wildfire has been extinguished.  The Wild-Hacking Complex fire is 15% contained.  The Collins fire, 17 miles southwest of Meeker is uncontained, as are the two fires in northern Eagle County, The Derby Creek and the Brush Creek fires....  With high temperatures, no rain, and winds expected for the next week, I'll just cross my fingers, as usual.

Silly Kitties

Kitten versus Domo

DiNozzo, my cousin's cat, making a face

How do I reach it?

Dog as designated driver...