Another Cool Morning

It's another gorgeous morning - the temperature was 46 when I arose, but the humidity is 93%, so it does feel a little chilly out. I've taken Suki and Boo out for their morning walk, and we've all had breakfast. After I walk Rosie and Remy around 9, I'll pack up and head for my kits, and two weeks of sleeping in my own bed. We had a thunderstorm roll through around 7:30 last night, but no rain reached the ground at all. And Boo has suddenly decided, at the age of 8, that she is afraid of thunderstorms, like Suki, her mother. So I had two dogs trying to get under and behind me on the sofa for about 20 minutes... it was funny to me, but I'm sure it wasn't to them. And I have library books due back today, so I'll need to swing by the main branch and drop off the nine books I've finished reading.

Yesterday the Longmont Dog Park held its first "Tripawd Party" - a gathering of three-legged dogs and their owners. It was quite a sight, with over 30 participants; the owners discussed the abilities of dogs with three, instead of four, legs, and urged folks to think of adopting a "tripawd" if one was available, as they are frequently passed over and then put down at Humane Societies and adoption places. ... The CU students (and their parents) came back to town this weekend. The first I knew of it was when I tried to get cash at the credit union ATM, and was informed that the machine was out of money. That always comes as a surprise to me. I ought to remember when there were no ATMs around! And then there were tremendous crowds and lines at Target and at the grocery store. ... I am thoroughly enjoying reading the Egyptian series that Wibur Smith penned - I'm around page 400 of the third book, Warlock. I plan on vacuuming and mopping and waxing the floor in my apartment during the next two weeks - the kits won't know what to do! (But I'll let them seek asylum outside when I'm vacuuming!) ... One of the Snow nephews, Tim, is celebrating his graduation from Colorado State U this Saturday, and I've been invited to attend the afternoon festivities. Kathy and Jim, and Grandma Anne are going, and I received a special invite from Tim's mom, Laura, last night. ... Have a good week, my friends!

Florida Photos

Sunset from the Mallory Square dock at Key West



Iguana under the bridge at Bahia Honda



The Fort Matanzas (built 1740) National Monument



The Suwanee River at White Springs

A Very Nice Morning

It was 47 degrees in the backyard this morning. Our usual low for this time of year is 60 - and we're hoping for a high of 70 today, as a cold front drops in from Montana and Wyoming. Hail the size of golf balls was reported yesterday evening at Blue Mountain. Because of the cold front, we're expecting rain showers all afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow morning. (I must remember to take my bumbershoot with me when I leave today!) I forgot to purchase a ticket for yesterday's lottery, but since it was not won, I'll get a ticket for Wednesday's drawing... $245 million... wouldn't that be something?!? The kits are chasing each other in and out of the patio door, having stuffed themselves on beef and gravy for breakfast. Suki and Boo have been suspiciously well-behaved since Kathy and Jim left, and I keep poking around the house, trying to find some mischief they've been up to, but I haven't found anything. Last night, one of the girls did push open the gate and they both came upstairs and settled at my feet while I was on the computer, doing research. The only problem that arose was when Suki curled up under the desk, and laid down on the mouse cord, making it fly off the back of the desk - which surprised both of us.

I understand that the west coast of northern Florida is under a tropical storm warning, from Alabama down to the Suwanee. I hope there is no damage done to any of my friends, or their property. ... I have another bear story - a man and his wife built their retirement dream house on Red Feather Lakes, west of Fort Collins; they hike, fish, and love to ride his Harley - and they love pepperoni pizza. They rode into town and had a pizza, and brought the remains of it back with them in the fiberglass carrier on the rear of the bike. As soon as they arrived home, they transferred the pizza slices into the 'fridge in their house. The dogs awoke the couple, barking, around midnight. There were strange noises coming from the driveway. The man took a flashlight and went out to look. He was confounded to see his Harley laying on its side, with two baby bears and a momma bear attacking the carrier. He fired a rifle into the air and the bears left - having done more than $4,000 in damages to his Harley - just because they could still smell the pepperoni pizza.... I am hoping to attend the Estes Park Celtic Festival in September and then see a day of Cross Country Horse Trials in October down in Parker; we shall see. .... Please enjoy what is left of your weekend!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Lily Lake hiking trail; Long's Peak in background



View of the Gore range from Trail Ridge Road pull-off



Herd of grazing elk in RMNP



Up close and personal with an elk at Bear Lake

Not Much...

We didn't reach 80 degrees yesterday, but it's nearly that warm already today. We're supposed to top out around 87, which is the average high for this time of year. It started out very cloudy this morning, but the clouds have broken up and the sun is now shining. Banichi is partially in my lap and partially on the desk; and Lovey just came running in through the patio door. I was looking forward to watching the first pre-season game of the Broncos' last night... and I developed a migraine that became so intense that I had to go to bed at the beginning of the third quarter. I saw Orton, the new QB, toss three interceptions; I saw Dre Bly, whom the Broncos released, catch one of those interceptions for the 49ers; I missed Ebenezer Ekuban in the defensive line; and I wanted Jake Plummer to return (yes, I said Jake Plummer - the QB before Jay Cutler, who is a whiny little brat and is playing for the Bears this year). Or, hey, Tim Tebow, the Broncos need a man with a good arm and a good head on his shoulders!!

Suki and Boo were exemplary kids last night and this morning. Lovey and Banichi are being super, knowing that I'm slowly recovering from my headache. Today is the Pike's Peak Ascent race, and tomorrow is the marathon - Jim is running in both, with Kathy there to cheer him on. And yesterday was their 28th wedding anniversary... I wished them many happy returns. Have a super weekend! - Will post photos later today.

Friday's Frames

Startled Nancy says, "It's mine! - Go away!"



Barney, the dachshund pup



Dartmoor ponies in the Teign Valley

Invitation to Ride...

It's Friday. I am home. Lovey decided that we needed to get up at 3:25 this morning, and was quite disgusted when I said , "No." Banichi was curled up on top of my head on the pillow at the time. I've taken my walk, and grabbed a fresh bagel for breakfast; the kits have been fed, litter boxes cleaned, and the kits are outside enjoying this overcast morning. More snow is visible up on the peaks to the west, and there is a nice cool breeze blowing down from the mountains. While walking Walt and Sophie yesterday, I ran into Ann and Marty, whom I've met before in the neighborhood. It turns out that the ladies haven't taken a vacation in over 15 years because they can't find someone to take care of their two dogs, three cats, and two horses. I have a standing invitation to come over and ride anytime I feel like it, and they have a guarantee that I'll take good care of all the critters whenever they decide to go on vacation. (Yahoo!!) I'll go walk Rosie and Remy this morning, and then I'll come back home to the kits. Kathy and Jim are supposed to call me before they leave for Colorado Springs, and then I'll head over to their house to care for Suki and Boo until sometime Monday. We did not cool off much last night, and I ran the fan all night long... it's currently 70 outside and the humidity is 80%.

Miscellany: I'm rooting for Tiger in this weekend's golf tournament (and he's in the lead after the first day). ... I'm amazed that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Michael Vick to a 2 year contract. ... I am looking forward to checking out all the new blood on the Broncos roster this evening. ... I'm planning on having the red kids visit the white kids this weekend - we'll have an afternoon of doggy day-care. ... And I can't wait to "sleep in" on Sunday - I'll get up and feed the girls at 6, put them out into their kennel, and then go back to bed and luxuriate in not having to get up at any specific time! ... Here's wishing you a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend! And don't forget that admission into all national parks is FREE this weekend!