tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17825171265636855552024-03-27T18:54:12.332-05:00Spur of the WhimSLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comBlogger1444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-31890066104241771332024-03-26T16:42:00.001-05:002024-03-26T16:42:58.458-05:00Science Teacher Convention<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth2clQ45LS1183imjdUF7077x3ZLoJkuA3U-lOnq-r6F_AKFi2wzeCXY59afn_9hDPVsRZ9zpV663RFE8B1_Yvun_OOyhh7NpBdHV22aEoXXJQ24tLDG-d3Pzr0nQ0RZPX0Dja-nbOExVi1PNMv4w6Krw8shjn8nA9PD411A-rwlQdhAEzKxobC99BSk/s1000/blog52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1000" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth2clQ45LS1183imjdUF7077x3ZLoJkuA3U-lOnq-r6F_AKFi2wzeCXY59afn_9hDPVsRZ9zpV663RFE8B1_Yvun_OOyhh7NpBdHV22aEoXXJQ24tLDG-d3Pzr0nQ0RZPX0Dja-nbOExVi1PNMv4w6Krw8shjn8nA9PD411A-rwlQdhAEzKxobC99BSk/w640-h436/blog52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Even though I'm "retired," I keep getting drawn back into my old technology life. This week the National Science Convention was in Denver, so I went downtown to see my old boss. Their products haven't really changed much in the past few years, but their dress code certainly has. When I was working conventions, we were NEVER allowed to wear t-shirts. Times have certainly changed.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK6tp9RlsHF4c6k-ZqN7hbVJYHUFCmj-muz7DlWyfXsGiie6KNJqahe7g1nG1h62MJy_5Q2DCfWmq0UKooutE1xQX601u8MEKPBnJgrYWHna5-4Ujz4YeYwFu2nVtrpjKTUi6ky9X-kk2Q2NPpxTLTpsXzAx3GpfSuHoa-CoGcrv4zJRm8kLHdpneM3E/s916/blog51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="916" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK6tp9RlsHF4c6k-ZqN7hbVJYHUFCmj-muz7DlWyfXsGiie6KNJqahe7g1nG1h62MJy_5Q2DCfWmq0UKooutE1xQX601u8MEKPBnJgrYWHna5-4Ujz4YeYwFu2nVtrpjKTUi6ky9X-kk2Q2NPpxTLTpsXzAx3GpfSuHoa-CoGcrv4zJRm8kLHdpneM3E/w640-h444/blog51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Before I went to the convention center, I stopped off at the Amante Coffee Shop in the Oxford Hotel to do a little sketching. It was fun to sketch an old building for a change. Out in the "burbs" everything is sleek and new (aka. boring to paint). This muffin and mocha were as good as they look!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc_Z-0Xvk-kp3XVyUlcoAxJ3cBxFxOHiHYJi6PfOVmHmuudra65-PwHsCz0GZDxbcDH98dx8-WeR8bpqorwpV9rqTbir4GPH46U3LPYz1D-NrCu4Bq7CeH6I9eovSl1mYrotGABvHag3L0JNz8-eG1rIcZLux_gCE9SzCo-3sngdk5118jkZxx_vGFwU/s1000/blog55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc_Z-0Xvk-kp3XVyUlcoAxJ3cBxFxOHiHYJi6PfOVmHmuudra65-PwHsCz0GZDxbcDH98dx8-WeR8bpqorwpV9rqTbir4GPH46U3LPYz1D-NrCu4Bq7CeH6I9eovSl1mYrotGABvHag3L0JNz8-eG1rIcZLux_gCE9SzCo-3sngdk5118jkZxx_vGFwU/w640-h400/blog55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mid-morning I went for a second breakfast with my friend, Christine, from Portland, OR. I swear this woman never ages. She looks the same as when I met her 30 years ago. (Yikes, has it been that long???)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpiAxsvK5P2aeQ88ploobOfbl7TRyAcDAcQ-3FmO3FKLWb87w40eCjiHKSwtHr1-23BWwf9HgtUSl2YSS4qtkHQ1Ta685U1JYNKW0T9KtrnPzs5SURpxYgOlEwI8XfMA88QfCt2yOgzpcZ13aQn1lx16r7gQOyxXhEb5XKfppnxHozYOLB6DVWX5jRsY/s743/blog49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="743" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpiAxsvK5P2aeQ88ploobOfbl7TRyAcDAcQ-3FmO3FKLWb87w40eCjiHKSwtHr1-23BWwf9HgtUSl2YSS4qtkHQ1Ta685U1JYNKW0T9KtrnPzs5SURpxYgOlEwI8XfMA88QfCt2yOgzpcZ13aQn1lx16r7gQOyxXhEb5XKfppnxHozYOLB6DVWX5jRsY/w640-h446/blog49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In keeping with this week's tech theme, I went to the Geek Club meeting where the president was demo'ing his latest invention - a pickleball scorekeeper. Not only does it display the score visually, but it also speaks it. The funny thing about this presentation was that most people understood the electronics and software involved in the device, but they had trouble understanding the rules of pickleball scoring. If you've ever played pickleball, you know what I mean.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD68hDtnVTzlFHIR3hXzJlpBXI3XT3Yc8CTLe5hcQh0vmfr1S7971JzMVuSBKWkXWktrO5XunctrbvpK-Hkh5NcKdDz7UkEU-N_xUOpObSwWkJg0jIdt93otovKzRmbrZkE5vBdOHmPEMVaGEhe-FNhWBt3vBFExgvs5NIN1pkRql0uuThtQJ4P5fsUTo/s1233/blog54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1233" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD68hDtnVTzlFHIR3hXzJlpBXI3XT3Yc8CTLe5hcQh0vmfr1S7971JzMVuSBKWkXWktrO5XunctrbvpK-Hkh5NcKdDz7UkEU-N_xUOpObSwWkJg0jIdt93otovKzRmbrZkE5vBdOHmPEMVaGEhe-FNhWBt3vBFExgvs5NIN1pkRql0uuThtQJ4P5fsUTo/w640-h300/blog54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Denver Plein Air Painters had a meet-up at Tagawa Nursery on Saturday. I sketched a few of the plants, but then found this cute little gazebo. They were using rubber rain boots and plastic umbrellas as planters for spring flowers. Clever.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWwvZQ5KjevehNiBJmzX5OBAPGhK45YTnJRjDwniilrfSBS7BdGp21DiRXtvLVvruIZXXbS0mfYSKNujfzDfi1-zS84qPnnHpa4Ag1_i84R4uFQk2YZPmtY1OALo2K1AsSNHxM6VPlYM7k76aWslJrfc89r3SEFjc79uoPNlH12nN4vWFMcDh_Sz6GwY/s2539/blog47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="2539" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWwvZQ5KjevehNiBJmzX5OBAPGhK45YTnJRjDwniilrfSBS7BdGp21DiRXtvLVvruIZXXbS0mfYSKNujfzDfi1-zS84qPnnHpa4Ag1_i84R4uFQk2YZPmtY1OALo2K1AsSNHxM6VPlYM7k76aWslJrfc89r3SEFjc79uoPNlH12nN4vWFMcDh_Sz6GwY/w640-h270/blog47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week we also had our Social Committee meeting on Zoom. We have a contest going on in the neighborhood this month for the best snowman. With all the snow we've had, we're getting a lot of entries. First prize is a $150 AMC Movie Theater gift certificate. I thought about building my own snowman, but I haven't seen any movies that look appealing.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9pW_XW-H1r7DvE_41JOIfwJJ7Nj07c_-uouqt7B50PKO0NTkGkizpwl0V9OvygrH4Von81fkWArD6503aBDbAVq5wo5AjwYZZdKAr_PE6-yogpqLIqKtyQKoLjoyoxQw1wsVpmANCPQW64_71BZchXaNlbLfMWl6MpLnOW_kw0Equ8FmjHy25vn9p-8/s960/blog50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="960" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9pW_XW-H1r7DvE_41JOIfwJJ7Nj07c_-uouqt7B50PKO0NTkGkizpwl0V9OvygrH4Von81fkWArD6503aBDbAVq5wo5AjwYZZdKAr_PE6-yogpqLIqKtyQKoLjoyoxQw1wsVpmANCPQW64_71BZchXaNlbLfMWl6MpLnOW_kw0Equ8FmjHy25vn9p-8/w640-h406/blog50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of the bad things about living in an HOA neighborhood are all the ridiculous rules. We got cited this week for installing a storage container for our trash cans. Good grief, it's certainly better than looking at ugly trash cans (which is also technically illegal, but many of my neighbors keep theirs outside in the summer, because it really smells up the garage). We submitted an appeal, so we'll see if they let us keep it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKc_PcALhOCbepdDk-BRbNynwHlRDQM5rEZ7CnRmpHNReTIitFAcCx70EAxG6XbKKI1dtJiAtx0EDTOu28KFY3DM78nD3eXlDb6oycdvdEqBbDLE9mdwMeXH3bcEHC1RO-8UQATu0ccZ-9MkIVgLKJey7NLBPR7DuL94XyHJ1Yukb-7H-B3mEu2cMaQM/s1000/blog53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1000" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKc_PcALhOCbepdDk-BRbNynwHlRDQM5rEZ7CnRmpHNReTIitFAcCx70EAxG6XbKKI1dtJiAtx0EDTOu28KFY3DM78nD3eXlDb6oycdvdEqBbDLE9mdwMeXH3bcEHC1RO-8UQATu0ccZ-9MkIVgLKJey7NLBPR7DuL94XyHJ1Yukb-7H-B3mEu2cMaQM/w640-h398/blog53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie went to his 2nd dog training class. This week's command was "stay" - something I've already taught him. The only trouble with this class is that when the other owners throw treats out for their dogs to fetch, Charlie wants to run across the floor and pick them up. I have to really keep a tight grip on his leash.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcta97wzCzC5noc4LKTtJ4r_CtnFQm0ibJEx5zl4mTHb_T34kfkLUU7lISZjhwfPcU9uO8axy8yWp2K9-AGmUxab3LjluoBXkMhJHqjOOHK6wfZTWu9W1raCsKZUff_LtUBDU2iY4QQ25iOF9C8_vRIjgVh80Z92dX9nJxIOmXsKKXbxNWarFv7LOXw0/s1557/blog48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1557" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcta97wzCzC5noc4LKTtJ4r_CtnFQm0ibJEx5zl4mTHb_T34kfkLUU7lISZjhwfPcU9uO8axy8yWp2K9-AGmUxab3LjluoBXkMhJHqjOOHK6wfZTWu9W1raCsKZUff_LtUBDU2iY4QQ25iOF9C8_vRIjgVh80Z92dX9nJxIOmXsKKXbxNWarFv7LOXw0/w640-h220/blog48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie also went to Doggie Day Care this week. They had an Easter egg hunt for the dogs. Charlie was a whiz at this, since he'll do anything for food.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-29598042519742533012024-03-19T19:17:00.000-05:002024-03-19T19:17:02.318-05:00Happy First Day of Spring<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfSMsi7SnO2LEBVbyJUM5AI1UkcOJ4wV8iDMC64LJhAwMNoPj_Af7cdtFHcXbTqO_D9pX8hWsdSZawdNXYK0yZTwpayl1kVBCTg5wMWulEPkjSMCpllgbGVJw2Ece_YEbOlPzLsEq8yL-e6Yy2JL3Q1jYdPZnQ2PfcoIxbJYGx0AkdFVoTHk3g4Vbt1k/s1000/blog43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfSMsi7SnO2LEBVbyJUM5AI1UkcOJ4wV8iDMC64LJhAwMNoPj_Af7cdtFHcXbTqO_D9pX8hWsdSZawdNXYK0yZTwpayl1kVBCTg5wMWulEPkjSMCpllgbGVJw2Ece_YEbOlPzLsEq8yL-e6Yy2JL3Q1jYdPZnQ2PfcoIxbJYGx0AkdFVoTHk3g4Vbt1k/w640-h480/blog43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />OK, most people don't go biking in the snow, but I've discovered that it doesn't stop snowing in Colorado until Mother's Day, so it's bike outdoors in the snow or on my bike trainer in the basement. Since it was sunny and 60 today, I chose to bike outside. Luckily the trails were wet from melting snow, but clear.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXuTM4iv4QdVETTuIVB2HoWTiXfHsUHb_xvemEvEHQvlYCbcMn5OfblLWu-u3qMkY9ClEKiJ5WV5R6T41JOkUxS5E2gvU4Gr7wNFSriI8gSbvVdt3TxjAeQBGzZvlKotUgsSEWrxodXL7akz0fxIfXUh3Y5GARNCLSfUz0sSFL5bIMsvn134tJfwSLDc/s1000/blog45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1000" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXuTM4iv4QdVETTuIVB2HoWTiXfHsUHb_xvemEvEHQvlYCbcMn5OfblLWu-u3qMkY9ClEKiJ5WV5R6T41JOkUxS5E2gvU4Gr7wNFSriI8gSbvVdt3TxjAeQBGzZvlKotUgsSEWrxodXL7akz0fxIfXUh3Y5GARNCLSfUz0sSFL5bIMsvn134tJfwSLDc/w640-h404/blog45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Last Thursday's snow ended up dumping 20 inches in our driveway. Bruce tried using his snowblower, but it just got buried. The piles of snow he shoveled on either side of the driveway were up to his chest. He finally had to get the wheelbarrow out and cart some of the snow off to the side, because he couldn't lift the shovel any higher. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyAjFQFRLtfbOJmecxFbSXujaDzmn8I7O22bb56jSn7AnMA_qriTS-69y-Zsd5D1t1ehkykRKn7UbZ1i9RGAhZz6MHapKVSXiPU_qFP-TcVfxDfhOeFj6pvCCaT0pu__CZiPW1HGUiAVHFoepSsuxLERJ2ruISANXPVf4sT6UIKwDfOc7iPZmbS93WpA/s1247/blog42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="807" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyAjFQFRLtfbOJmecxFbSXujaDzmn8I7O22bb56jSn7AnMA_qriTS-69y-Zsd5D1t1ehkykRKn7UbZ1i9RGAhZz6MHapKVSXiPU_qFP-TcVfxDfhOeFj6pvCCaT0pu__CZiPW1HGUiAVHFoepSsuxLERJ2ruISANXPVf4sT6UIKwDfOc7iPZmbS93WpA/w414-h640/blog42.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br />This has been an eventful week. Yesterday Violet turned 11. That cookie looks absolutely scrumptious. Wonder how many calories it is, not that it would affect Violet. She's a skinny beanpole from playing volleyball all the time.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy7H5Y_WeUjna0pLKAsUnnpAhldiHuerj3e0UknW5NR6fW4PwU-hPLsgdjc5BFp062dI4kE8yjwX_GL8By6OA8Qst7quGuVcqFvS8xZFr-OwdlkRHzuYOmT7J2HlzfEWwWLuhsDkwBz7k2kz21iQ4X1w39c2o6IFSjHpdsfvt7D_Smqf08xJS6stPf18/s822/blog44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="822" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy7H5Y_WeUjna0pLKAsUnnpAhldiHuerj3e0UknW5NR6fW4PwU-hPLsgdjc5BFp062dI4kE8yjwX_GL8By6OA8Qst7quGuVcqFvS8xZFr-OwdlkRHzuYOmT7J2HlzfEWwWLuhsDkwBz7k2kz21iQ4X1w39c2o6IFSjHpdsfvt7D_Smqf08xJS6stPf18/w640-h472/blog44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And Sunday we celebrated St Patrick's day with our traditional corned beef, cabbage, and potato dumpling dinner. It takes forever to make, but it's sure worth it. Charlie got to wear his green coat when he went for a walk. He doesn't look very happy here, because he was getting impatient for dinner (he could smell the corned beef cooking in the crockpot). But he got a little piece when he got home.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-28194074655310014642024-03-14T16:01:00.000-05:002024-03-14T16:01:38.479-05:00It Always Snows in March<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vHzyNZQcbns79q4s16JlIXtsKaOyb7lq6zyINE_z0vez7x60Ny72gEYetL4dEb2BUZvjRS9Mli6GGRW-fK-foSGtRIaWFG4nt8v905tJCmAcro5o-fsf2XSv9TbVBGEtWPrBUiy2F-lu7_YpcrZJ9bGrhN53HoGzFtgKv6qxzfVG6_owY9e-L_s51I/s709/blog41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="709" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vHzyNZQcbns79q4s16JlIXtsKaOyb7lq6zyINE_z0vez7x60Ny72gEYetL4dEb2BUZvjRS9Mli6GGRW-fK-foSGtRIaWFG4nt8v905tJCmAcro5o-fsf2XSv9TbVBGEtWPrBUiy2F-lu7_YpcrZJ9bGrhN53HoGzFtgKv6qxzfVG6_owY9e-L_s51I/w640-h470/blog41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In St Louis, we always got a late winter snow, but it was usually only a dusting that melted off by the next day - just enough for schools to use up their last snow day. But evidently in Colorado, they get the most snowfall in March. Ever since January, it's snowed once a week around here, but the rest of the week was sunny and warm melting off most of the snow - at least enough to keep the walking trails clear. Today, however, we're up to 6 inches and the storm is still going strong. Not strong enough to keep Charlie inside though.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpriglBWJMacowx9tBX9All7cmU38yBxGFTqMr_M9K5rwZ9PHKM7QPfZdHLecP_K5VeQNFC-ZjzN0lTjD9CWQkVQKTqZRZKclnAMD6gI_Sk-GkM5wwfcWoPDlawQOICv7taJg-ANIPHvpYFhXEu0u7UUWTcIMPftXtUa9i-d0hpfVQOgS3KzK2LSeeT4/s900/doggie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="900" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpriglBWJMacowx9tBX9All7cmU38yBxGFTqMr_M9K5rwZ9PHKM7QPfZdHLecP_K5VeQNFC-ZjzN0lTjD9CWQkVQKTqZRZKclnAMD6gI_Sk-GkM5wwfcWoPDlawQOICv7taJg-ANIPHvpYFhXEu0u7UUWTcIMPftXtUa9i-d0hpfVQOgS3KzK2LSeeT4/w640-h366/doggie3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's been a little tough keeping up with Charlie's energy level this winter, but Doggie Day Care has turned out to be a godsend. Once a week, we take him to day camp where he gets to run around and play with other dogs. The bonus is that he comes home exhausted.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODLLqacFH6R8QXcpAVQ_BvZH-i-QQ9HLpBMt-ETetSVHQVG_FjlU1tLvJlpS1lwiMUHfYy0Q9ryewj_OIIto-LIhFlsB6brMUC4h5gL64cKHySWVOHlDpHMYZc89mWlMZyhKoo_QlRIwxMpiNJKNtP1rfuVVX9SfvrGmlvfmhvmYIcDeZ3E0PwFwUcn0/s823/blog39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="823" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODLLqacFH6R8QXcpAVQ_BvZH-i-QQ9HLpBMt-ETetSVHQVG_FjlU1tLvJlpS1lwiMUHfYy0Q9ryewj_OIIto-LIhFlsB6brMUC4h5gL64cKHySWVOHlDpHMYZc89mWlMZyhKoo_QlRIwxMpiNJKNtP1rfuVVX9SfvrGmlvfmhvmYIcDeZ3E0PwFwUcn0/w640-h570/blog39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie is almost 9 months old, and has definitely moved into the "teenage" phase in dog development. He tends to be quite willful (probably spoiled), so I signed him up for a dog training class. We've only been to one lesson. I'm not sure he learned anything, because we both could hardly hear ourselves think over all the other dogs barking. The teacher is very good and very patient, though I think he was reaching for the aspirin bottle after our first lesson.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IE0ci_CHaqywiwyRrn5hAaFXLpn3rwjGAwA0BdGerM7sZPYpKaSmUxQ1eaWrZoHR_Nj_ES5pj10SP4LOTNoqZYNNc8dPT9VqV0f6PoIryrxc6Tst1inaPLHBemhPxEn6D9ihSk98Q-2AvAuiMe9kb3DoFugaysQucPLjif-hJ5XsraTMteXtImxMiYQ/s444/blog36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="444" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IE0ci_CHaqywiwyRrn5hAaFXLpn3rwjGAwA0BdGerM7sZPYpKaSmUxQ1eaWrZoHR_Nj_ES5pj10SP4LOTNoqZYNNc8dPT9VqV0f6PoIryrxc6Tst1inaPLHBemhPxEn6D9ihSk98Q-2AvAuiMe9kb3DoFugaysQucPLjif-hJ5XsraTMteXtImxMiYQ/w640-h512/blog36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie likes to help Bruce with chores, especially loading the dishwasher at night (he likes to lick the plates... yuk). We've been trying to teach him to quit eating the mulch out of the back yard, but not having much success.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXHXiy8zcrIzl5y-Mpc-o30tnamFefMngx_dq5N8I76CypfOUcSQO3WNUzoyIMv3N_gRQoXwef9zMuaxFUnstUMYApVXv0jEZVMof8K6mZzlqK4xcoRxGyEznRg1lboqWmcvTnp5zE7XuZP6KPxa5ISKKO3BcBtrCFHxQY3PEkUtBeCVXBNMltVFo94o/s720/blog38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="720" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXHXiy8zcrIzl5y-Mpc-o30tnamFefMngx_dq5N8I76CypfOUcSQO3WNUzoyIMv3N_gRQoXwef9zMuaxFUnstUMYApVXv0jEZVMof8K6mZzlqK4xcoRxGyEznRg1lboqWmcvTnp5zE7XuZP6KPxa5ISKKO3BcBtrCFHxQY3PEkUtBeCVXBNMltVFo94o/w640-h520/blog38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've spent the last couple months trying to improve my diet so I can go on longer bike rides this summer. I've been testing out high-protein recipes. My favorite is this breakfast waffle. It's just one of those mini-frozen waffles. I toast it, spread it with almond butter, layer on a dollop of cottage cheese, and top it with blueberries. Absolutely delicious and contains about 16 grams of protein.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJnepq19c-TjZk92To1sBTq7USgD6l3e0sO0WvDhlCvovZdzqGc2LhaVF_bZ-ew0uR7yjY3IE2cGJjYX56-lBIic9xzwOlBqyubS2bIxG00AjaqA-g-K8xLDMvGHczNaQI29fMEedk7OWCCPi2FLpnZqhIF7vFvExwBhqT7Er1Pr-Hi1-zmYjCJtzHKE/s1648/blog35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1648" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJnepq19c-TjZk92To1sBTq7USgD6l3e0sO0WvDhlCvovZdzqGc2LhaVF_bZ-ew0uR7yjY3IE2cGJjYX56-lBIic9xzwOlBqyubS2bIxG00AjaqA-g-K8xLDMvGHczNaQI29fMEedk7OWCCPi2FLpnZqhIF7vFvExwBhqT7Er1Pr-Hi1-zmYjCJtzHKE/w640-h292/blog35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In between snowfalls, we've been doing a little yard cleanup and assessment. Last year I planted 3 pinon pines. They are supposed to be low-water bushes - great for our high desert climate. But we got so much rain last year, that I think it drowned 2 of the bushes. The nursery I bought them from gave me a credit so I can replace them when it quits snowing.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt2yMN0r6NuxlYNVkZw_ri37fYbYMRd3L9q1G_gjW060iw-ieA6bXlg3hXA-hzw47H_jnUQ7pWW0gyedrF44fK778sTDcRc4BuDg4Nek904VbHaLfPb8WSKMkHqAT7x-92kT_fzEmjTg2FLriHvYpWI8iHjHEogaaSjp4KAEbLgiXEtvqZ-zrJA1T91E/s1333/blog37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt2yMN0r6NuxlYNVkZw_ri37fYbYMRd3L9q1G_gjW060iw-ieA6bXlg3hXA-hzw47H_jnUQ7pWW0gyedrF44fK778sTDcRc4BuDg4Nek904VbHaLfPb8WSKMkHqAT7x-92kT_fzEmjTg2FLriHvYpWI8iHjHEogaaSjp4KAEbLgiXEtvqZ-zrJA1T91E/w300-h400/blog37.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Luckily, it's not really that cold out even with all the snow, so I doubt it will harm the buds on my Bradford pear tree. Some of my neighbors' crocus have already bloomed, but the trees and bushes are holding off on leafing out. Good thing, especially with today's snow.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-83314734939150427022024-02-23T08:54:00.002-06:002024-02-23T08:54:43.868-06:00Like Father, Like Son<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRZaJJR7Ip6s4Sd5msSrbUst_rZZ8I9ErIaASXaAAvJNPLAZacwlMF_etqMIKAtS2wSV6NQlvezmenJei2BzgPGNSYt6m_jeXRJ-5vqJxETzdin_EuliZ_B6KXHb7py1vErzOQCD9wVCNXp6LQlzYwK4D_bcqO6v_BqSJC5OmemrBcre4owXMuj6_x4o/s595/blog34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="595" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRZaJJR7Ip6s4Sd5msSrbUst_rZZ8I9ErIaASXaAAvJNPLAZacwlMF_etqMIKAtS2wSV6NQlvezmenJei2BzgPGNSYt6m_jeXRJ-5vqJxETzdin_EuliZ_B6KXHb7py1vErzOQCD9wVCNXp6LQlzYwK4D_bcqO6v_BqSJC5OmemrBcre4owXMuj6_x4o/w640-h554/blog34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On most afternoons, Bruce and Charlie have started taking naps on the couch in the living room.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3fNQtnfxNeaOUkXMLOhRatDQrBhNanqTOnkqFEk33oGu86xoi4x_T5_YoYdQrT1tOLp0onDeu3-A0MZFYSPFCU8MBpQkdEWJ5V0JaaHrogajIg7Yuz15_hxz-ispqLIQJ7lvEr5iKQXz6DWNyF-yOaPYB3-IbyZECeMWeME4ysDD30IUZhU5L5QbUzc/s1023/blog31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3fNQtnfxNeaOUkXMLOhRatDQrBhNanqTOnkqFEk33oGu86xoi4x_T5_YoYdQrT1tOLp0onDeu3-A0MZFYSPFCU8MBpQkdEWJ5V0JaaHrogajIg7Yuz15_hxz-ispqLIQJ7lvEr5iKQXz6DWNyF-yOaPYB3-IbyZECeMWeME4ysDD30IUZhU5L5QbUzc/w626-h640/blog31.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><br />Little did I know that Brian does the same thing. Amber texted me this photo of Brian taking a nap with one of his cats.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs9JvvlR1XC0TGkwray1WrYMlj2eJzmZrdTVEyzRLqQhXHq7wi2R94ODiq5vM4ZZF0pi_F9iDVtLcTae9zlOyDmsuV9VHHL_NRnKSC7-Cg6maP7rLSF1DXBdb5p9MHcWmOK01kMWHoGPegjKN_h32S7MFq9qGZeq0pIvPxW7Pu8uRZ2OtQj2BcVWvF6Y/s1797/blog32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1797" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs9JvvlR1XC0TGkwray1WrYMlj2eJzmZrdTVEyzRLqQhXHq7wi2R94ODiq5vM4ZZF0pi_F9iDVtLcTae9zlOyDmsuV9VHHL_NRnKSC7-Cg6maP7rLSF1DXBdb5p9MHcWmOK01kMWHoGPegjKN_h32S7MFq9qGZeq0pIvPxW7Pu8uRZ2OtQj2BcVWvF6Y/w640-h240/blog32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For my "Something Old, Something New" February project, I got a book out of the library on crochet patterns. Whenever I've made afghan's in the past, I just used one stitch - double crochet. I didn't realized that there were so many other stitches you could do. This book had over 200 variations; I just tried out 36. I ended up just making a sampler, because some stitches are much easier than others. Maybe for next year's project, I'll crochet an entire afghan, but for now the month is almost up, so it's time to move onto something else.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD6ltxQWD_1oGaQgXb6uotHpj4nQLHB0lY2tgiLbGkp1w3Xk_fT5y9RPiC2xLpesl69MA19LL9LVTu1JX_u5qL879ufMvOlhBubYsrFyJerFXhCm13i1LfnawNXDQ5Ybd774uSAWj_c8YScwwk_FSAB2cf0FHUkJRm246m_IlOC2fzvfx1APW3xKOe84/s604/blog33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD6ltxQWD_1oGaQgXb6uotHpj4nQLHB0lY2tgiLbGkp1w3Xk_fT5y9RPiC2xLpesl69MA19LL9LVTu1JX_u5qL879ufMvOlhBubYsrFyJerFXhCm13i1LfnawNXDQ5Ybd774uSAWj_c8YScwwk_FSAB2cf0FHUkJRm246m_IlOC2fzvfx1APW3xKOe84/w616-h640/blog33.jpg" width="616" /></a></div><br />We've been taking Charlie to Doggie Day Care once a week. He absolutely loves playing with the other dogs and it is nice for us, because we not only get a day off, but he comes home exhausted. We found out that this day care also has a groomer, so we had them give him a bath last week (he really needed it!). He came home so fluffy and sweet-smelling, it was unbelievable. We may have to take him back when it gets warmer and have them cut off some of that fur. For now, it's like having a large teddy bear in the house<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-4570972885057190002024-02-11T15:00:00.001-06:002024-02-11T15:00:10.560-06:00Super Bowl Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb7m2lZ7n13yWLa0lKarBOJAdh64BeEj909sHQkrT_4taoxrF0wGznlWZUTyAOcr3-f6gBNohSLzVfbe-Znfwt3DuL6PAozHo3iLigU-CzulBQVEBKny9_pYqZRwWvir2lpndtWvz0BpPBGRJxgfUBKe-BijvmFZGyBALJ3Y9irbMv_lU5OuAlprPYRk/s1434/blog26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1434" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb7m2lZ7n13yWLa0lKarBOJAdh64BeEj909sHQkrT_4taoxrF0wGznlWZUTyAOcr3-f6gBNohSLzVfbe-Znfwt3DuL6PAozHo3iLigU-CzulBQVEBKny9_pYqZRwWvir2lpndtWvz0BpPBGRJxgfUBKe-BijvmFZGyBALJ3Y9irbMv_lU5OuAlprPYRk/w640-h472/blog26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Most of my family are really BIG Chiefs fans, so when they won a spot in the Super Bowl, everybody jumped in to show their support. Violet and Lincoln wore their Chiefs jerseys to Spirit Day at school. Janet bought herself a custom shirt and then hopped on a plane with my sister, Teresa, to Vegas. They weren't able to get tickets to the actual game, but they are attending a Super Bowl "watch" party at the casino.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzel-VlCAJB64dD5cjEl1Mlz0o_Zdf4xKzf2CCBf1kgX6KRIInWFFDYUE3aIA3KP8hxKHj0SNEMSiCpsOJKHlUIFsrQxCZpGnV5yGfn_DCAhsQzczOdDA8SCRsU4f9_OjQHF30-6wUKWbcgHInmC1IHCAwpzaBK2-dkFgvMEWbwPm7nQoic3LHOmWI0M/s927/blog27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="927" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzel-VlCAJB64dD5cjEl1Mlz0o_Zdf4xKzf2CCBf1kgX6KRIInWFFDYUE3aIA3KP8hxKHj0SNEMSiCpsOJKHlUIFsrQxCZpGnV5yGfn_DCAhsQzczOdDA8SCRsU4f9_OjQHF30-6wUKWbcgHInmC1IHCAwpzaBK2-dkFgvMEWbwPm7nQoic3LHOmWI0M/w640-h410/blog27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, we're back in Denver shoveling out from yet another snowstorm (so much for the Ground Hog's prediction of an early spring). It's a good thing the Chief's aren't playing here.</div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-79286036710867320602024-02-02T15:20:00.004-06:002024-02-02T15:20:57.764-06:00Ground Hog Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd3PJ8wroARl0QHtz7b8mwvhYBI9xRW8Y-bxX47BF_Gs9yxyr2znTLk8TGfnsT7XyQBXWv6YyeFWUtW-Tr1-Np_3BujKpwQqkI-IMc4MHvW2KQ0YvcE6WCG9YDFmCOGD9vaFAlgj-oCw3pJqX98v52ELds6X-2OoVWgfAZiiX-xZk67E8aZt2nL-XYO8/s753/blog23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="753" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd3PJ8wroARl0QHtz7b8mwvhYBI9xRW8Y-bxX47BF_Gs9yxyr2znTLk8TGfnsT7XyQBXWv6YyeFWUtW-Tr1-Np_3BujKpwQqkI-IMc4MHvW2KQ0YvcE6WCG9YDFmCOGD9vaFAlgj-oCw3pJqX98v52ELds6X-2OoVWgfAZiiX-xZk67E8aZt2nL-XYO8/w640-h512/blog23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Hurray! The groundhog said we're going to have an early spring. I never understand the concept of thinking NOT seeing your shadow means spring, because to me a nice dark shadow represents a bright sunny day. But I'll take his word for it.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QEc6O7nfJRNZXVZLloFdD1Kx3T50xmsj3q_FCeIN2kDMilLIkIuV472OZS_ROQJ3eM50o4ms_3mHg_ww3XiA1d0pz2hbzQjK3RmpmMODr6SkdaVC0LUbOinN4MEQZvVEQDYdQ_j6kaQg28cEFS3oVNS5SY_jUMBwUbs8URxBFoA3YmgISFF6wkgfCn4/s812/blog24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="812" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QEc6O7nfJRNZXVZLloFdD1Kx3T50xmsj3q_FCeIN2kDMilLIkIuV472OZS_ROQJ3eM50o4ms_3mHg_ww3XiA1d0pz2hbzQjK3RmpmMODr6SkdaVC0LUbOinN4MEQZvVEQDYdQ_j6kaQg28cEFS3oVNS5SY_jUMBwUbs8URxBFoA3YmgISFF6wkgfCn4/w640-h338/blog24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div>Bruce took advantage of our warm weather by doing a little garden cleanup in the back yard.</div></div></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-13496556281460346532024-01-29T07:19:00.000-06:002024-01-29T07:19:25.271-06:00Doggie Day Care<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt3Lq_KOL2DPM_KIvzTXoG8dj-ktl1YDSp79s1CUK5VLCZv0U7myNsyG0rh9y0JOTerepaKR4CF66SNsUpE_hyphenhyphen8xdmgraujgWK2HWO01PaBRpF99A02oDIaIGCvpsUeIdARGu4VhkneKMn1yUhdpe5FnGWroYyIeBC1RQwoVvs25PB9PRgkfpQOeIWrQ/s1000/blog20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1000" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt3Lq_KOL2DPM_KIvzTXoG8dj-ktl1YDSp79s1CUK5VLCZv0U7myNsyG0rh9y0JOTerepaKR4CF66SNsUpE_hyphenhyphen8xdmgraujgWK2HWO01PaBRpF99A02oDIaIGCvpsUeIdARGu4VhkneKMn1yUhdpe5FnGWroYyIeBC1RQwoVvs25PB9PRgkfpQOeIWrQ/w640-h434/blog20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now that Charlie is neutered and has all his vaccines, he can start "socializing" with other dogs. The trouble is, he only gets to see other dogs when he goes on his walks. So I decided to take him to Doggie Day Care. Even though Charlie is a bit of a wild man at home, he turns into a shrinking Violet when he goes out in public. I had to coax him through the door of Doggie Day Care, especially when he heard several loud barks coming from inside. But the day care worker quickly took him into the "small dog room" and he had a gay old time playing with Ginger (a small Pomeranian). I think it's a hoot that Doggie Day Care has cubbies for each dog's leash, just like Brian's old pre-school had cubbies for shoes.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCycyf0cVqsG6zgI8VxwGUsI7tU1n5-Cw4yqfcH2iMT0L3LbwEfRfA6GglnDemVGo-BHh7V4-rstTCcrCEhl2FyWjXErA4bpkbJSeVpFphPmjQ_RCznVb5NBpp3AfYnfi5at5fxd0XTaoHXNY1VacCOTgjQOq6DQTJDjGi4SB5XC2xCCbpRYKC6Znathc/s1000/blog18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1000" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCycyf0cVqsG6zgI8VxwGUsI7tU1n5-Cw4yqfcH2iMT0L3LbwEfRfA6GglnDemVGo-BHh7V4-rstTCcrCEhl2FyWjXErA4bpkbJSeVpFphPmjQ_RCznVb5NBpp3AfYnfi5at5fxd0XTaoHXNY1VacCOTgjQOq6DQTJDjGi4SB5XC2xCCbpRYKC6Znathc/w640-h514/blog18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I also took Charlie to Pet Smart to buy a t-shirt when he goes walking in the snow. He doesn't really get cold on his walks, but he likes to face-plant in the snow which sticks to all that wavy hair on his back and belly. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh393NDyrKAMtUBoWdhnnLihA2ogyfjxhr35ZTVeh4iSusEqSi_VPasXSsty8u71bhmkGAcl6Kf6l9WbzCkS7ml0hTDiHPrLDefqcf5Tp8EeEM9uSECSY9KRCvaivtQgnicBQsHijwuO5rSPH5VasbSpXIg_GFjRhl7eFcLaGvv1Wpv86zo7DYq_4Gx1EY/s1000/blog21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh393NDyrKAMtUBoWdhnnLihA2ogyfjxhr35ZTVeh4iSusEqSi_VPasXSsty8u71bhmkGAcl6Kf6l9WbzCkS7ml0hTDiHPrLDefqcf5Tp8EeEM9uSECSY9KRCvaivtQgnicBQsHijwuO5rSPH5VasbSpXIg_GFjRhl7eFcLaGvv1Wpv86zo7DYq_4Gx1EY/w640-h480/blog21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The temperature climbed back up into positive double digits, so Susan and I rode our bikes around the neighborhood trail. The nice thing about Colorado is that when the sun is shining, it feels really warm out. As far as I'm concerned, I'll put up with a little cold not to have to ride my bike in the basement.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr4Q6YGEQUzyu-3waEyP1ohJHod6113ahVlOPiGim_FdPlxrsWhMqH2adEsdKRsimVoDhyI8upT3AEnaF02pGPuTanLt-O71vbVrY1XHx3ntETovKffuWLkQU5TWOh4VsIabZdxd4B-z5ZrN3xBWKgD10mDI-V1IOmX_IWt6b9xudkOY_QRXxtO9A338/s1000/blog22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1000" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr4Q6YGEQUzyu-3waEyP1ohJHod6113ahVlOPiGim_FdPlxrsWhMqH2adEsdKRsimVoDhyI8upT3AEnaF02pGPuTanLt-O71vbVrY1XHx3ntETovKffuWLkQU5TWOh4VsIabZdxd4B-z5ZrN3xBWKgD10mDI-V1IOmX_IWt6b9xudkOY_QRXxtO9A338/w640-h626/blog22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bruce is getting ready for spring by building a new garden cabinet in the basement. We bought so many tools and supplies last year when we were doing our xeriscaping project that there's no place to put it all. And as you can see, Charlie likes to chew on anything that isn't hidden away, so it's nice having a cabinet with doors.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm-Vji3MxIzZtxWqI7LMXp9e1vfBUZ7JKFzR-GBYw_FxB_W4B9cNPj30v-focU4U9wGx9bQCoEKjjJ-JzjVXW3y5qjyUIyZXEGb4RYDdF3t2Jf7-Mexd9dF5e-GmlzT2xghzkO1RTg5KSVZqaJuTPwb9ZZ-9WbBdORCXD8ri1Pt2dhR5MlN9CUdpk5hw/s719/blog16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="719" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm-Vji3MxIzZtxWqI7LMXp9e1vfBUZ7JKFzR-GBYw_FxB_W4B9cNPj30v-focU4U9wGx9bQCoEKjjJ-JzjVXW3y5qjyUIyZXEGb4RYDdF3t2Jf7-Mexd9dF5e-GmlzT2xghzkO1RTg5KSVZqaJuTPwb9ZZ-9WbBdORCXD8ri1Pt2dhR5MlN9CUdpk5hw/w640-h316/blog16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of my referee friends was going through the old robotics archives and found this photo of me refereeing in 2007. Goodness, I didn't realize I'd been ref'ing that long.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI-ynRCwUu1A7ovrgMio6HNYY8qL_gxNyB6TvQxozy8LCWpVhrE2db8M2MAsJ0rlqSP1ZZZ2CXEWUPpkmTTI_NApCVRe-0xoy3OOBFcjQ7pWUyApMA7utUJavVh9pcHF_gHW8bgeYxlS1bcV76mqAOPwH8eLMx2gF4c4_i01BvZN4uucE-5CdjpCxi0k/s683/blog17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="643" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI-ynRCwUu1A7ovrgMio6HNYY8qL_gxNyB6TvQxozy8LCWpVhrE2db8M2MAsJ0rlqSP1ZZZ2CXEWUPpkmTTI_NApCVRe-0xoy3OOBFcjQ7pWUyApMA7utUJavVh9pcHF_gHW8bgeYxlS1bcV76mqAOPwH8eLMx2gF4c4_i01BvZN4uucE-5CdjpCxi0k/w602-h640/blog17.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br />The table layout has sure changed in the past 17 years. In 2007, the mat was very simple with dark black lines to help the robot know when to turn. The 2023 mat looks like a flashback to the psychedelic art of the 60's. I don't know how the robot feels, but I get dizzy just looking at it.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-7467768303988298402024-01-16T15:40:00.000-06:002024-01-16T15:40:04.744-06:00Frigid Temps<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5ioZCdEfGvLpcdeiUx57AWCWNgR796RaD9NoGYoLbNkdx-QigtYeRM-RHlfVyCumhLIOKZgo9hOL12Q_rvafmtfoMHYSiAmRgICGj8ZV5YbOPGDBa-OietZFsgsQTtXgeuF7rxTpvi0edwc6eYYhYbiIbAXPYWXgrIrBzkQrOqISUAhcuft65mMsyFg/s1000/blog8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1000" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5ioZCdEfGvLpcdeiUx57AWCWNgR796RaD9NoGYoLbNkdx-QigtYeRM-RHlfVyCumhLIOKZgo9hOL12Q_rvafmtfoMHYSiAmRgICGj8ZV5YbOPGDBa-OietZFsgsQTtXgeuF7rxTpvi0edwc6eYYhYbiIbAXPYWXgrIrBzkQrOqISUAhcuft65mMsyFg/w640-h590/blog8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wouldn't you know that as soon as I make a goal of riding my bike once a week, the temperature drops below zero... and I mean WAY below. It was -17<span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3f3f;">°</span> last night. Yikes! But I did manage to log a few miles on the trainer in the basement, albeit with a little help from You-Know-Who.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwHOh6gUm_JfXl6b3z4O7b3heJtfqGX-j7p1VAopmyLyGPry9tKvDVZ0mHRIJgOgpkrP35ErOVj6axyyBG2sTBFGx1OxcNx0Ww5UuDF4z2aHCw3rbebrEd7dXPASaVASIkK1Ni8nZePyfoBVAnG90T2CQPZLoT2QwQmncRnQGw0vdqjTcY1RxZ2d972o/s1000/blog9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwHOh6gUm_JfXl6b3z4O7b3heJtfqGX-j7p1VAopmyLyGPry9tKvDVZ0mHRIJgOgpkrP35ErOVj6axyyBG2sTBFGx1OxcNx0Ww5UuDF4z2aHCw3rbebrEd7dXPASaVASIkK1Ni8nZePyfoBVAnG90T2CQPZLoT2QwQmncRnQGw0vdqjTcY1RxZ2d972o/w640-h426/blog9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Never let it be said that a little "cold" weather will keep Bruce inside. He was out there cleaning off the sidewalks and driveway. Luckily, the snow was so frozen that he was able to blow it off with the leaf blower. As you can see in the background, we were the only clean sidewalk on Monday.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNbAD9MsjKT2uRD4ndjuablkaRxG6WXEOsfVb1A8mJLY60bCepJb2WkYx8K9Qw_1YdL-_s9KjsH7vUJyXOKG8LNV4cYG24f29LUiyA4hJJxxiXz_VJhb3S9IZQGzU7RvPDbPtjCAmMtKjHSVfHn12pA5JoyPwSRYesJfkYuIC7au3kkPhxfVal4uXoz0/s969/blog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="969" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNbAD9MsjKT2uRD4ndjuablkaRxG6WXEOsfVb1A8mJLY60bCepJb2WkYx8K9Qw_1YdL-_s9KjsH7vUJyXOKG8LNV4cYG24f29LUiyA4hJJxxiXz_VJhb3S9IZQGzU7RvPDbPtjCAmMtKjHSVfHn12pA5JoyPwSRYesJfkYuIC7au3kkPhxfVal4uXoz0/w640-h352/blog13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The folks back in St Louis also had snow and single-digit temps, which caused several out-of-town teams to be reluctant to head to the robotics competition on Saturday. So at the last minute, the administrators set up a remote event on Zoom and I was back in business as a referee. I was a little nervous at first, as I haven't ref'd this particular game this season; but like most years, the game is basically the same - push something, pull something, or pickup something. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR7PZxP6I_HrSCuDPjN-RJt3K9qAlDKAqR5-ZS2EEWYlTt3D5_Hfm91R1ckrWOlT1ktrCLMO9njyY2UTav2_XSN-SYYJ89mE0CP1fG6AUwunK3Hi1kHoJ-7bscMyD2_lCsrWdzev6co018zmAWkImuZblMQGkG-C-AOS5H5mbmKCzyXJ2lQQD2pHfRDs/s2107/blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="2107" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR7PZxP6I_HrSCuDPjN-RJt3K9qAlDKAqR5-ZS2EEWYlTt3D5_Hfm91R1ckrWOlT1ktrCLMO9njyY2UTav2_XSN-SYYJ89mE0CP1fG6AUwunK3Hi1kHoJ-7bscMyD2_lCsrWdzev6co018zmAWkImuZblMQGkG-C-AOS5H5mbmKCzyXJ2lQQD2pHfRDs/w640-h418/blog7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's also very cold in Chicago, so Courtney and I signed up for an online painting class. This time, you were supposed to paint a northwest river scene using only 2 colors. It was really interesting seeing how the paint mixed together to make it look like we used a whole palette of different tones. I think I'm going to try painting the view out our windows, because right now everything looks very bleak.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYxQ1iE0BVjeLc5xv-Uc7jMBgEKOA_7DPP0QVTyTWxnsW2xgUV-q2QqOX8d-QeR13WsUUErzbw5QHwQOwp2oJ-f0c28HUyXd0WYkPkXkFAJs8_zqOD6972Gg7X6YwIo0dqc-5tt5s1fbCeJv90LWLMhbr_dGmum94RFNnyaCPYrOhIcc5bULQ8qPYNEs/s928/blog10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="928" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYxQ1iE0BVjeLc5xv-Uc7jMBgEKOA_7DPP0QVTyTWxnsW2xgUV-q2QqOX8d-QeR13WsUUErzbw5QHwQOwp2oJ-f0c28HUyXd0WYkPkXkFAJs8_zqOD6972Gg7X6YwIo0dqc-5tt5s1fbCeJv90LWLMhbr_dGmum94RFNnyaCPYrOhIcc5bULQ8qPYNEs/w640-h328/blog10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I managed to go out to lunch with my new <i>Ladies Out to Lunch</i> group just before the snow hit (actually, it started snowing while we were in the restaurant). We went to the Perfect Landing restaurant out at Centennial Airport - a small airport for private planes. It was interesting looking out the window and watching all the wealthy skiers load up and take off before the snow got really bad.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50bMXsbqWXNke1ZnibXjEfasU0GEDy_AvHVHOjMC93q0EFRtyhXWEPvaxInGs7uDSyWUu-UOCHb3HQuu6FgM7z9_wpBGc92nt89NcGajceh_R9yB8ok3yvhyphenhyphenFm6VJd0lf3GBIbKEF59frWrJKJz6sSnYtQM8dTvQZDoIDflHklbfvEANNpzAmPxLGiDQ/s1016/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50bMXsbqWXNke1ZnibXjEfasU0GEDy_AvHVHOjMC93q0EFRtyhXWEPvaxInGs7uDSyWUu-UOCHb3HQuu6FgM7z9_wpBGc92nt89NcGajceh_R9yB8ok3yvhyphenhyphenFm6VJd0lf3GBIbKEF59frWrJKJz6sSnYtQM8dTvQZDoIDflHklbfvEANNpzAmPxLGiDQ/w630-h640/blog6.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><br />Poor Charlie has had some bad luck health-wise. He's extremely curious and tends to put everything in his mouth. One day, he ate some plastic wrap that luckily worked its way through his system on its own. But a few days later, he started weaving around like he was drunk. We took him to the vet and they ran blood tests and gave him a shot. A few hours later, he snapped out of it. The vet said he acted like he'd ingested some marijuana, maybe from a walk past the construction sites. We also found a bite out of the bar of bath soap. We're still not sure what caused this, but he now wears a muzzle when he goes on his walks. He can sniff things, but not put them in his mouth.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9xTiOio5it0saVm3fB5USLS5fOsRa5Uxq9hJWMZ50b0qkM3Y1JzHKZdMOrKdAgtiT66h5RMZY-WWaJCy_pze_6CKJOLK-izEkLR_qp3yGfLIDPulaLnA0qd6TYP_fsZhoswiXsqjmmRO9Xvvgz-ZNYMChx27ScRI2Um12mR8agQdPoIaiCEu7blnu_g/s1000/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1000" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9xTiOio5it0saVm3fB5USLS5fOsRa5Uxq9hJWMZ50b0qkM3Y1JzHKZdMOrKdAgtiT66h5RMZY-WWaJCy_pze_6CKJOLK-izEkLR_qp3yGfLIDPulaLnA0qd6TYP_fsZhoswiXsqjmmRO9Xvvgz-ZNYMChx27ScRI2Um12mR8agQdPoIaiCEu7blnu_g/w640-h514/blog5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A few days later, we took Charlie back to the vet to be neutered. He was a little loopy for a couple hours afterwards, but then he snapped right back to his crazy self. The vet put a cone on him to keep him from licking his stitches, but it didn't stop him from running around the house with his toys. The trouble was, he kept banging into walls, because the cone stuck so far past his face. The only way we could get a little peace was to put a donut pillow on him. I think the worst part was he wasn't allowed to go outside to play (only to use the bathroom). Thank goodness his quarantine week is over and he can get back outside... even if it is cold. He doesn't seem to care.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsXhY6waz-0mjLhYX-d6i8fNDm9eDNWYy-ltazT4nHpQwaYB8bvNVu9M1ZTcJQzofRhz01wzQFh0Xhpu6O1bKj0wtcbbKuzrRilCd88xWNJdSvNh4WZQfj77I7gOYI38UYwa-rBrMnblnbzhPXl5xwyRExFAhLgFH5PHMurbwxc4sOCGZCH_eAgPb204/s1000/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1000" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsXhY6waz-0mjLhYX-d6i8fNDm9eDNWYy-ltazT4nHpQwaYB8bvNVu9M1ZTcJQzofRhz01wzQFh0Xhpu6O1bKj0wtcbbKuzrRilCd88xWNJdSvNh4WZQfj77I7gOYI38UYwa-rBrMnblnbzhPXl5xwyRExFAhLgFH5PHMurbwxc4sOCGZCH_eAgPb204/w640-h524/blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-21777217969234458502024-01-07T10:39:00.001-06:002024-01-07T10:39:40.485-06:00New Year, New Goals<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfhZCSUGCdIzCfN2kJYXAs0-Z8ne-Pc7P23Aa3ucmW-6uIEi0KIrkgLo0_miWvrz_OdDMaBnx5H7nBHre1iBz8qUq6LM2yyoRvgCjYNMtkfRaRHue1m_ogdkSOYc_bVeDfWD2E08sqQb1NNySf2Nl3VzXQmItncNfiq5gJmEm-gR12pHuC1kATiAgwO4/s1000/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfhZCSUGCdIzCfN2kJYXAs0-Z8ne-Pc7P23Aa3ucmW-6uIEi0KIrkgLo0_miWvrz_OdDMaBnx5H7nBHre1iBz8qUq6LM2yyoRvgCjYNMtkfRaRHue1m_ogdkSOYc_bVeDfWD2E08sqQb1NNySf2Nl3VzXQmItncNfiq5gJmEm-gR12pHuC1kATiAgwO4/w640-h480/blog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />While most people were sleeping in on New Year's Day, I decided to take advantage of the sun and go on a First Day Bike ride. Even though the temperature has been getting up into the 40's every day, the snow just doesn't want to melt. As long as the trail is clear, though, I'll go out. I rode over to Panera's and used my Christmas gift card to have lunch - luckily autumn squash soup was still on the menu (yum!). So the first box was checked off for my goal to ride my bike at least 52 times (once a week) in 2024. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINpZgLDOGoGJ20yeTvTNdCifgmTKn4Qv5QUGqFLl8YXkP4RiK-VlGfSlTNWaNNouMH1erLV6KUQ1-acl3YlF2IBYhz3o8K6D_Lzs1rrAYD20gISaED8FNHUPBK0oM7p-aHVrkEGBq26dKZ6JSnU0n1BcidM-mqTpTbEcq-OeSdtCpJnho8rEDCrAm5TI/s893/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="893" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINpZgLDOGoGJ20yeTvTNdCifgmTKn4Qv5QUGqFLl8YXkP4RiK-VlGfSlTNWaNNouMH1erLV6KUQ1-acl3YlF2IBYhz3o8K6D_Lzs1rrAYD20gISaED8FNHUPBK0oM7p-aHVrkEGBq26dKZ6JSnU0n1BcidM-mqTpTbEcq-OeSdtCpJnho8rEDCrAm5TI/w640-h440/blog2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Keeping with the fitness theme, I joined the Hiking Club at Sandstone Ranch on Wednesday. The trail was very icy, so I had to wear ice cleats the whole time. But the heat from the sun got so strong that I ended up shedding my coat. One of these days I'm going to take my sketchbook to this trail, because the red rock formations are gorgeous,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIO68Ey2x8TbJcvXwZtOmFmYvdAfnPdaQgd7P0lTOkAfVMk6DZgWqjQkTjoUpW3Ov420uP24b_Vp-Hemy9yia7YrU27I-gjW8MWBm7kVDCSO0WN8NrKGN7AcZ7dtvASZguwalKQir8N8J800rToQThqhGY4yWo2FsaA6uBw7XA1hfe2pr93ujUkerN4E/s2351/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="2351" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIO68Ey2x8TbJcvXwZtOmFmYvdAfnPdaQgd7P0lTOkAfVMk6DZgWqjQkTjoUpW3Ov420uP24b_Vp-Hemy9yia7YrU27I-gjW8MWBm7kVDCSO0WN8NrKGN7AcZ7dtvASZguwalKQir8N8J800rToQThqhGY4yWo2FsaA6uBw7XA1hfe2pr93ujUkerN4E/w640-h202/blog3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Along with my biking goal, my main theme for 2024 is "something old and something new." Every month, I'm going to resurrect something that I used to devote a lot of time to but haven't in a while. It can be a hobby, an activity, a project - just something I haven't done recently. Along with that, I'm going to try to learn one new thing. This month, I'm resurrecting <i>Procreate </i>on my iPad to make my own digital cutouts for junk journals (like the kits people sell on Etsy). Along with that I've been learning how to use <i>Canva </i>- the app that many Etsy sellers use to make digital junk journal kits quickly and easily (kind of a drag-&-drop piece of software). So far, I'm having a lot of fun with <i>Procreate</i>, but I'm not all that impressed with <i>Canva</i>. It's easy to use, but the results seem very cookie-cutter and not very creative. I think that's why we're seeing so many "low content" digital products on Amazon these days. Oh well, I'm not planning to open an Etsy shop; I just wanted to see what all the buzz was about.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1LTAER_ueB4RgakRgKz2e9tcyohpJxDEp-rEz22QnrMlfrNs_Iy2t6RtRseNPYYIAPeuulpgjXC3meW22hbzW6SZFV0ZRp7LkkAjd6MTkVTwVru2-oWHPltxtNOwcRQ1L37wHOYtHixjfS1OV462MDr6lJe-Y_f374702Yvx5iVYq44X9OuTw9BB7HA/s678/goldie2yr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1LTAER_ueB4RgakRgKz2e9tcyohpJxDEp-rEz22QnrMlfrNs_Iy2t6RtRseNPYYIAPeuulpgjXC3meW22hbzW6SZFV0ZRp7LkkAjd6MTkVTwVru2-oWHPltxtNOwcRQ1L37wHOYtHixjfS1OV462MDr6lJe-Y_f374702Yvx5iVYq44X9OuTw9BB7HA/w504-h640/goldie2yr.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br />In family news, little Goldie Celine celebrated her 2nd birthday this week with a field trip to the roller rink. Good grief, I can't believe how nimble she is on those skates!<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-28136064474036946962023-12-31T11:50:00.000-06:002023-12-31T11:50:04.816-06:002023 Year in Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIiFY4ihBW0YzLDDkSQEkz5sNUbZvNKsJaIxYUuZypB87anpE3s1aoSR1AKglT0zavKgw79-GIqggD6KIY64tjHjP47awKRad7KYLeJxtuqnsf9D6ojRgxJOJk149UdAsvCbGI_H6FLe4XxI-0jq0bq30B8wX2aEin2g4C-HKeugPBXB28mcoyF9Kwe0/s1576/blog97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1576" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIiFY4ihBW0YzLDDkSQEkz5sNUbZvNKsJaIxYUuZypB87anpE3s1aoSR1AKglT0zavKgw79-GIqggD6KIY64tjHjP47awKRad7KYLeJxtuqnsf9D6ojRgxJOJk149UdAsvCbGI_H6FLe4XxI-0jq0bq30B8wX2aEin2g4C-HKeugPBXB28mcoyF9Kwe0/w640-h220/blog97.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />2023 was a milestone year
for many members in our family. In January, Bruce’s mom, Margie, turned 100 and
my niece, Melissa, turned 40. My sister, Janet, and her friend, Trish, hosted a
<i>Fiesta 40</i> party for Melissa and Jamie (who turned 40 the month before,
so is technically not one of the milestoners). I wasn’t able to attend, because
we were buried in snow. In March, my grandniece, Violet, became a <i>tween</i>
when she turned 10. She celebrated her birthday with a scavenger hunt at
Target, a mani/pedi at the nail salon, and lunch at Chick-fil-A accompanied by
several of her friends.<o:p></o:p><p></p></div><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FUne39rmOwil3PuMqsRvE_dAM_l5NLMfcMdAGwpixKzqh9wxlE383t1jVMh79KZkp9hyphenhyphenLBB72RJMaEs3lhxz1efhw4uiKHEg3Y8ldgBzvcgERhyunZ7w57gkGGvOCyw1EwGc0VDvtBJkF35OSXgTAeImIbZEz6XtJKnB-KhntngMzhCeedyczAjWvNs/s1696/blog98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1696" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FUne39rmOwil3PuMqsRvE_dAM_l5NLMfcMdAGwpixKzqh9wxlE383t1jVMh79KZkp9hyphenhyphenLBB72RJMaEs3lhxz1efhw4uiKHEg3Y8ldgBzvcgERhyunZ7w57gkGGvOCyw1EwGc0VDvtBJkF35OSXgTAeImIbZEz6XtJKnB-KhntngMzhCeedyczAjWvNs/w640-h180/blog98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I celebrated my 70<sup>th</sup>
birthday with a biking road trip across Kansas. I managed to bike 4 different
trails, including the Prairie Spirit Trail in Ottawa (which had been on my
bucket list since pre-COVID). I ended up in Kansas City where I took advantage
of all those burned-off calories with an Oreo cookie jackhammer from <i>Andy’s
Frozen Custard</i>. I got my picture taken with Janet’s birthday shirt – her
2023 substitution for the hated sombrero we used to have to wear.<p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH2Lr2NfdZhLjUpMekjKJz7VjooN_lyBIPrLEz1TXnc-IIbATNDXUL2O1DOhyg4MLJBpwnNI9qCBzYD7niYi6LAPlxYOA_NR_ZsNJrBe7mSPnnVX6MUBFsUzeIdOZ_U1TQ0gzrdZPOpo1UiY6tnJxI_pbzYkqyBQgZJkXZASVvLEfP5FYanTgjoBj8yA/s1262/blog99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="1262" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH2Lr2NfdZhLjUpMekjKJz7VjooN_lyBIPrLEz1TXnc-IIbATNDXUL2O1DOhyg4MLJBpwnNI9qCBzYD7niYi6LAPlxYOA_NR_ZsNJrBe7mSPnnVX6MUBFsUzeIdOZ_U1TQ0gzrdZPOpo1UiY6tnJxI_pbzYkqyBQgZJkXZASVvLEfP5FYanTgjoBj8yA/w640-h224/blog99.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In September, Courtney
celebrated her 40<sup>th</sup> birthday with a trip across Utah. She started in
Denver, and she and Bruce drove to Moab. Then she rented a car and headed out on
her own. She ended up in Las Vegas where she met some of her friends. I’m going
to throw Charlie into the milestone mix, since technically he’s a milestoner, too, being
born on June 26<sup>th</sup>. Yes, we got a dog – a Goldendoodle who keeps us
laughing. He loves to dig in the dirt and eat the mulch, but we’re hoping next
year he’ll be calm enough to go on hiking trips with us.<p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sYEJ5Izbt33zkHOXIAHgULvlUSoynM5Onpcx0Xq8UXZ4CXrpZrKs-8Aspr6UVe4XkBlwCHOnuvu_GJl2svX6p5CxS_ot2B61KvKAsjr5cAduNisqzmITeTF_UXUpqvE5Arg_5qgpI1Ip7yk_7_JJNjB8mleyUm-26qQ08T8H3dK7-1uJQA_Xk8rQ_OM/s1768/blog100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="1768" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sYEJ5Izbt33zkHOXIAHgULvlUSoynM5Onpcx0Xq8UXZ4CXrpZrKs-8Aspr6UVe4XkBlwCHOnuvu_GJl2svX6p5CxS_ot2B61KvKAsjr5cAduNisqzmITeTF_UXUpqvE5Arg_5qgpI1Ip7yk_7_JJNjB8mleyUm-26qQ08T8H3dK7-1uJQA_Xk8rQ_OM/w640-h174/blog100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />I took a few out-of-town trips this
year. In March, I went to San Diego to do some sketching and get out of the
snow. In July, I went to Chicago to join Courtney in the <i>Urban Sketchers
Symposium</i>. In August, I went to see Brian and Amber. Incidentally, Brian
celebrated his half-milestone birthday (he turned 45). In October, I went to St
Louis to see some of my teacher and robotics friends. Notice I seem to have a
beer and ice cream theme going on in many of these photos…</span><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHk3K53Yt417H7P6Rc-79WUhPSt68r_CeAY4Agh2QCnGx4okuSSs7XUx6lCqKHuEcx2yyZ40kCjKQui9eR5_bqWwNSJO1m0tOj5wgI8S7XjjHR8iGPu7xvZhJgSM948t8D4PhO536iQtkXOFXqGuYOcjteRaPZRKZZTiZccv2InIamdzJvsgug_Pr5pk/s1632/blog101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="1632" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHk3K53Yt417H7P6Rc-79WUhPSt68r_CeAY4Agh2QCnGx4okuSSs7XUx6lCqKHuEcx2yyZ40kCjKQui9eR5_bqWwNSJO1m0tOj5wgI8S7XjjHR8iGPu7xvZhJgSM948t8D4PhO536iQtkXOFXqGuYOcjteRaPZRKZZTiZccv2InIamdzJvsgug_Pr5pk/w640-h180/blog101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bruce and I spent a big
chunk of the year xeriscaping our yard. We got a grant from the city of Aurora
to rip out our grass lawn and replace it with a desert-style landscape. So we
spent most of the spring and summer building a cobblestone creek bed, a fence,
and some low retaining walls. We put in hundreds of drought-tolerant plants and
hauled in tons (literally) of rock, mulch, and boulders. It was a lot of
back-breaking work, but it was really nice this summer not to have to
mow the grass.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZ0VRBZdyB4mHhI_smN8Z1ES96MlNaQfu9Pt0Ki6cQPsiow8fgaygLjk8-fxDqlEAixoJoJKNsj4wgVZUHTChljxJP3lfWunKOog07k8yaYg8O03vzgYpl99PCTFzFuj6LeeYe8ucsTXVOrPVAGB7_LYCND8ZeIZfFrF7fNcnRBC6x28wAQSMHucKJ0/s1617/blog103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1617" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZ0VRBZdyB4mHhI_smN8Z1ES96MlNaQfu9Pt0Ki6cQPsiow8fgaygLjk8-fxDqlEAixoJoJKNsj4wgVZUHTChljxJP3lfWunKOog07k8yaYg8O03vzgYpl99PCTFzFuj6LeeYe8ucsTXVOrPVAGB7_LYCND8ZeIZfFrF7fNcnRBC6x28wAQSMHucKJ0/w640-h162/blog103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal">We had a very long winter
with lots of ice which really interfered with my outdoor activities, but I did
manage to go snowshoeing a couple times and do a little winter hiking (wearing
ice cleats of course). But when summer finally arrived, I went out biking at
least a couple times a week. One week, the Bike Club went up to Frisco and rode
to Breckenridge and back. The mountain views were gorgeous, but the air was
considerably thinner than in Denver. I set a goal to bike the entire Highline
Canal Trail and finished all 71 miles, except the few miles that were under
construction. I participated in the neighborhood 5K and joined the Walking
Club. Janet and I did several virtual walking challenges, including the 485-mile long Colorado Trail. I didn’t quite meet
her 3,000,000-step goal, but I did manage to finish the year with 2,954,047
(that’s almost 1,500 miles!).</p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzQ8kd3eLr3iKvjHHl-F4mf8DhV8-z164WumkUvPJ_RpZWKxPB7nTxVxgoLsK7ny7JRLer-nkF8hGRemOSEp9kEZJtJMBFkOJ7zb5psnOOeuZbZ4h5J2D6yQHi0I9pczToj7afMjCy2EI2CQyhxBfz9gTuxX-ruR6mkaw7kwm5qnmlrIVKi-kqnZpEkk/s2362/blog104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="2362" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzQ8kd3eLr3iKvjHHl-F4mf8DhV8-z164WumkUvPJ_RpZWKxPB7nTxVxgoLsK7ny7JRLer-nkF8hGRemOSEp9kEZJtJMBFkOJ7zb5psnOOeuZbZ4h5J2D6yQHi0I9pczToj7afMjCy2EI2CQyhxBfz9gTuxX-ruR6mkaw7kwm5qnmlrIVKi-kqnZpEkk/w640-h120/blog104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I continue to enjoy the neighborhood
clubs. I taught the Craft Club how to do watercolor travel sketching, organized
a movie trip to see <i>80 for Brady</i> with the Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Club, and gave a demo on Lego robotics tournaments to the Geek Club. I ran
the volunteers for the Pickleball Round Robins over the summer and joined the
Baking Club. I know it sounds like a lot, but my participation in these clubs
isn’t very regular. My 2 favorite clubs are still the Biking Club and the
Ladies Out to Lunch. So that’s 2023 in a
nutshell. I tell you, living in this 55+ neighborhood is like being on one
long giant cruise.<p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-56667714513309713472023-12-27T16:42:00.001-06:002023-12-27T16:42:32.867-06:00Merry Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdHM0HCJ0KFChhV1V1VvXeQTL0K8Bs2k7YbAwDg42cDYECRLtQT6QOcIhKACw3UmAYnpaTz52cxCszq1Cl9SJmNnN8op4vP2Ckr1KrGQkKnoUtn0ijiZEdZv8aUU3jkDReszlIC4BsYLKTjLisLZM9DwBMVSryw93XktUgpP4S08XBYYn-H7TckQEKfY/s831/blog92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="831" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdHM0HCJ0KFChhV1V1VvXeQTL0K8Bs2k7YbAwDg42cDYECRLtQT6QOcIhKACw3UmAYnpaTz52cxCszq1Cl9SJmNnN8op4vP2Ckr1KrGQkKnoUtn0ijiZEdZv8aUU3jkDReszlIC4BsYLKTjLisLZM9DwBMVSryw93XktUgpP4S08XBYYn-H7TckQEKfY/w640-h512/blog92.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This year, Courtney came for Christmas almost a week early, so we were able to do some activities together. First up was the ice sculpture display at the Gaylord Hotel. Most of the sculptures were life-size and very elaborate, but it was really cold walking through the display area. They keep the temperature down in the teens. Brrrr!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL6RAOcpPSzcCQW3JYhyGvn03odceSnIh0-8Q7ZfGiO_vU4A6VFVI2xLECMYS4UkZie87I6PHRefaDBLIM1cByF0yQOxraEca3CuKERkzXEnh0RoW_b7P5_T99Dq6jh9d1ySrngrh7ld9uv13HzH4sPkmpXN8TVKqzxA-4JO4EnGG0dHzXNmbfpzmR3I/s1000/blog91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1000" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL6RAOcpPSzcCQW3JYhyGvn03odceSnIh0-8Q7ZfGiO_vU4A6VFVI2xLECMYS4UkZie87I6PHRefaDBLIM1cByF0yQOxraEca3CuKERkzXEnh0RoW_b7P5_T99Dq6jh9d1ySrngrh7ld9uv13HzH4sPkmpXN8TVKqzxA-4JO4EnGG0dHzXNmbfpzmR3I/w640-h434/blog91.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of the highlights of the display was a giant ice slide (all those trees, presents, and elves are carved out of ice). They gave everyone special blue coats to wear that were supposed to keep you warm and help you go down the slide. I put mine on over my regular coat and I was still cold.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnp3qkzHZ1B-wE4PeM7CZR9DWzGegiDzKmUBzSz6vxY1vUDXGLz1sN7BNnwJrMS4UkSD-s3ukn8HgDSKhwG5TJDx9m68CfOxCiyU1Wwryp6wsToxPynz63HkYNSPuLYHmk66PEmU-rF1j01eWjZrSotcqTXsclCwdQs4Wen7Y1OxzpQ45BXuZFLKGqic/s1042/blog93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnp3qkzHZ1B-wE4PeM7CZR9DWzGegiDzKmUBzSz6vxY1vUDXGLz1sN7BNnwJrMS4UkSD-s3ukn8HgDSKhwG5TJDx9m68CfOxCiyU1Wwryp6wsToxPynz63HkYNSPuLYHmk66PEmU-rF1j01eWjZrSotcqTXsclCwdQs4Wen7Y1OxzpQ45BXuZFLKGqic/w384-h400/blog93.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br />We watched the people slide down for a while, but most of them were getting stuck halfway down. I'm not sure if the walls of the slide were too narrow or the coats weren't really helping, but we decided to skip going down ourselves.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8UdXAfT_fD1ZTGxilFV2DU3r1aThwzCVFJvaopa-VZILQ6zmkrZRgUMPi-91zPmTjpX_iluskSNgdTNTWdDS8eOB5nJCLFvGik5BHdljHruJ3pzQOiJJBSdL3VcmzyjJuyacKhOe82unWlympL0gqgoewKi-kAcku3I7FR5jL1G5lR4PTqrbw44z5HI/s853/blog94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="853" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8UdXAfT_fD1ZTGxilFV2DU3r1aThwzCVFJvaopa-VZILQ6zmkrZRgUMPi-91zPmTjpX_iluskSNgdTNTWdDS8eOB5nJCLFvGik5BHdljHruJ3pzQOiJJBSdL3VcmzyjJuyacKhOe82unWlympL0gqgoewKi-kAcku3I7FR5jL1G5lR4PTqrbw44z5HI/w640-h402/blog94.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I made a special holiday-themed dinner (this was not our Christmas dinner; this was just Wednesday night dinner). That's a snowman made out of mashed potatoes. It's not nearly as creative as Melissa's reindeer breakfast pancakes, but I thought it was clever. The only bad thing was that it was stone cold by the time we got the snowmen made.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktEDrcyYPsoe2NJvkYFrgBZfK5Ke4fiLGndMQy9tP7vQq8C5mlxmAgeT2gKPoMs4p9E_1ARY0E6US2ms8yY_N4gikDP8Wk1aVrbayfiFSCTZOu5qdVXpI3z8af6V0ZnyhMQuDlj2fi5SujcZKcMdu62TkjALDvTMZlE-dJ-JhPpzO3WCmI77pjjRGz4M/s1000/blog90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1000" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktEDrcyYPsoe2NJvkYFrgBZfK5Ke4fiLGndMQy9tP7vQq8C5mlxmAgeT2gKPoMs4p9E_1ARY0E6US2ms8yY_N4gikDP8Wk1aVrbayfiFSCTZOu5qdVXpI3z8af6V0ZnyhMQuDlj2fi5SujcZKcMdu62TkjALDvTMZlE-dJ-JhPpzO3WCmI77pjjRGz4M/w640-h324/blog90.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />That night our neighborhood had a candlelighting happy hour. My next door neighbors put out paper bags with little coin lights inside. I thought they'd only put out 1 or 2 per house, but as you can see, they totally lined the street with them. I really got my steps that night helping to pick them all up when the party was over.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-9p_iRWTRQhuZm0y6ZSOYa_vNqcCE8-AiNAcwGwtY8pJqu9T1MaO19qokeHdBJgJmlW46Mv4G1zrkj3VaXCTrC8JVm4qaoaLqY7Cj4a3_obj6fK_WT-v7xU0s4SInxwmQLjAAkTVykdrTkf_cuImKUdg5srD1EFP4V-XaXVM5AoY2Xxb9Bt55ICmkbI/s860/blog89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="860" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-9p_iRWTRQhuZm0y6ZSOYa_vNqcCE8-AiNAcwGwtY8pJqu9T1MaO19qokeHdBJgJmlW46Mv4G1zrkj3VaXCTrC8JVm4qaoaLqY7Cj4a3_obj6fK_WT-v7xU0s4SInxwmQLjAAkTVykdrTkf_cuImKUdg5srD1EFP4V-XaXVM5AoY2Xxb9Bt55ICmkbI/w640-h424/blog89.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The next day I took Courtney sketching to the crazy Christmas house. I was trying to sketch the characters under that bay window, but it got really boring since there are about 30 snowmen in that spot. I didn't realize how many duplicate characters there were until we started scrutinizing the display.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4yojUldAwHc5uJ1mJ89iOZ5UVKnoTNKyyhSCBL4bUbiO6lqfpRwAD9FgR5ohgiQT-ouF4f-GPYwdLIKT3KAAQO7w_ZUxBFBhdOyVR2V9MDYvdY62kEAue50OGgy2nmJ-3j7_y8pqQFZrMc2Rie3B4kZ9VBgrQnX-Flvy6YsxGEi4z65Nt15__PTHhK8/s1000/blog88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4yojUldAwHc5uJ1mJ89iOZ5UVKnoTNKyyhSCBL4bUbiO6lqfpRwAD9FgR5ohgiQT-ouF4f-GPYwdLIKT3KAAQO7w_ZUxBFBhdOyVR2V9MDYvdY62kEAue50OGgy2nmJ-3j7_y8pqQFZrMc2Rie3B4kZ9VBgrQnX-Flvy6YsxGEi4z65Nt15__PTHhK8/w640-h456/blog88.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />When we got back, we took advantage of the warm day and went out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. Courtney got to ride Bruce's eBike and test out his new brakes.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_IcEy-xmBGwKSMAW53b_-jg4A6uHYsWBnHHf5-5zVkl4NQ1foyIrcy-0ITAMBBs7BLNptPZRlKaORZmPDSL7-6266raGUy91pLW3i5uEXvFZrpTaB96sH4c-eK4W1zQ8I2PA6T0XZZloQzphpkP-lq5uwJL4d3rM_mzJ_AbeR3LJrUIWlaa_1cMEWM/s852/blog87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="852" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_IcEy-xmBGwKSMAW53b_-jg4A6uHYsWBnHHf5-5zVkl4NQ1foyIrcy-0ITAMBBs7BLNptPZRlKaORZmPDSL7-6266raGUy91pLW3i5uEXvFZrpTaB96sH4c-eK4W1zQ8I2PA6T0XZZloQzphpkP-lq5uwJL4d3rM_mzJ_AbeR3LJrUIWlaa_1cMEWM/w640-h476/blog87.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Good thing we didn't wait to go on a ride, because the next day it snowed. Courtney and I tried taking Charlie for a walk while Bruce shoveled the driveway, but Charlie just went nuts in the snow - jumping into the drifts and getting totally covered. I had to hand the leash to Courtney, because I was afraid he was going to pull me into the ice.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg3eV_WmDSSx9CKexgJ0200Z8vyqsWrwgX_kAAAd1o-JyrvSvfLwsA9B9tTNcIxvph1GdiqOje9QriURoYTQWeZHgmPL_-Gd8J08VCpQtg6GbPZiEmFjTHcrGFe2cycpZI1GAYSFtA9mtU4Y-AAsrmirH4a0qtD55XmrTExli4pxrhlCWy78F2YIq00c/s819/blog86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="819" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg3eV_WmDSSx9CKexgJ0200Z8vyqsWrwgX_kAAAd1o-JyrvSvfLwsA9B9tTNcIxvph1GdiqOje9QriURoYTQWeZHgmPL_-Gd8J08VCpQtg6GbPZiEmFjTHcrGFe2cycpZI1GAYSFtA9mtU4Y-AAsrmirH4a0qtD55XmrTExli4pxrhlCWy78F2YIq00c/w640-h380/blog86.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On Christmas Eve Eve, Bruce and Courtney made a traditional turkey dinner. I forgot to take photos of that, but it was delicious. The next day, Courtney and I made pierogi for dinner. I've never made pierogi before, but my grandmother used to make it all the time for us. It didn't seem that difficult to make, but then I had Courtney with me to do all the pastry rolling.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDWJ_BqOMjCQX2fNJy2mClJXaGuTXtG6UBLM96oADupl_CFa25kmjGOh8b5yWr2CED6WD5RuxIRI1itWCheVJZ2YsfVkX3TzzoEjoIkMQfjilSsW3nmoq9DZZeprOtm803y_VquPgOUg01zQiW5qBHLCZQsqBpDwGfyCjoRhGQ-DgBn-6smu9AxFlIQ0/s756/blog85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="756" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDWJ_BqOMjCQX2fNJy2mClJXaGuTXtG6UBLM96oADupl_CFa25kmjGOh8b5yWr2CED6WD5RuxIRI1itWCheVJZ2YsfVkX3TzzoEjoIkMQfjilSsW3nmoq9DZZeprOtm803y_VquPgOUg01zQiW5qBHLCZQsqBpDwGfyCjoRhGQ-DgBn-6smu9AxFlIQ0/w640-h516/blog85.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Courtney went home Christmas day. She thought it would be a lighter day to travel, and you can tell by the non-existent TSA lines that it certainly was. That's probably the only day of the year when the airport isn't packed. It was a good thing she left on Christmas day, however, because that night we got 3 inches of snow, and it kept on snowing all the next day. I bet the airport was a madhouse.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqZ9AHSukObd6Vo_S-jJTSehMJc21dxoNq_b3BJnvMGORwmkfo3BTRiRKfmckRJptw5YnRNmmGEWtdZ5wDQUOmRbkG0k-gYCfGD7JMsIDf4SeryOal00_9WgqL9QyV3e7fKvlPMO5T_5mcD8c4eZquH_8rQuZzyV0YZ-majZ6XXhef17CUf0x3K-T-To/s1000/blog96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqZ9AHSukObd6Vo_S-jJTSehMJc21dxoNq_b3BJnvMGORwmkfo3BTRiRKfmckRJptw5YnRNmmGEWtdZ5wDQUOmRbkG0k-gYCfGD7JMsIDf4SeryOal00_9WgqL9QyV3e7fKvlPMO5T_5mcD8c4eZquH_8rQuZzyV0YZ-majZ6XXhef17CUf0x3K-T-To/w640-h480/blog96.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie had his half-birthday the day after Christmas, and along with that, he had to go to the vet for his "Junior" check-up. Little did he know that it was also his pre-appointment for getting neutered in a couple weeks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje42Y9MMUFKcfRy9nD7lrLYt-T9v3WbwJife-_KZf4oeWW-rO4BPN9n9APLy0z-OcDca_FDZ9nPJgYbaipMO_0iT_Hfo0HlxDfdD0LE6AZxJNIPvq2UBY1ASWnur473RbSrOPS5m3bkuHKq28WmlCzpiF8_k5tZzzAJDKgKl5lx_xPp5DgdEQGEMlM8k4/s817/blog95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="817" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje42Y9MMUFKcfRy9nD7lrLYt-T9v3WbwJife-_KZf4oeWW-rO4BPN9n9APLy0z-OcDca_FDZ9nPJgYbaipMO_0iT_Hfo0HlxDfdD0LE6AZxJNIPvq2UBY1ASWnur473RbSrOPS5m3bkuHKq28WmlCzpiF8_k5tZzzAJDKgKl5lx_xPp5DgdEQGEMlM8k4/w640-h474/blog95.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie absolutely loves people, but he isn't that comfortable yet around other dogs. One of my neighbors has a goldendoodle that looks like Charlie's twin. He tried to get Charlie to play with his toys, but I think Charlie needs to get a little older (and a little braver).<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-83661869528864155592023-12-15T15:20:00.000-06:002023-12-15T15:20:22.215-06:00Happy Birthday Dad<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxHSuG7Z996bdTDVwldBN5E0DbiBmNZ3MNH8SIfSSGCMxmz76QvBy9NLh35yLW_ntOrMh3_zYx3qI52SA22UbPVXUhbG5v9zpQZgTTd71hk16HfwaC-GehUlvTwt67p2ANzDqX7ytU3L33Sfe7J963LM23fddQkZkVHidZmCiqA036dLimrfzfgGCsZI/s1864/dad%20Snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1864" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxHSuG7Z996bdTDVwldBN5E0DbiBmNZ3MNH8SIfSSGCMxmz76QvBy9NLh35yLW_ntOrMh3_zYx3qI52SA22UbPVXUhbG5v9zpQZgTTd71hk16HfwaC-GehUlvTwt67p2ANzDqX7ytU3L33Sfe7J963LM23fddQkZkVHidZmCiqA036dLimrfzfgGCsZI/w640-h512/dad%20Snoopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I was growing up, my Dad's birthday marked the start of the Christmas season. We'd put up the tree, hang lights, bake cookies, and wrap presents. Nowadays stores don't even wait for Halloween to be over before playing Christmas music. This year, I even saw a Christmas display next to the Back-to-School supplies at Walmart.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiow98SF4wQeA3fy_EJ24gP0RgErLhUIAbC5IpgGPyHXdaNvx2TZW29AqDhBTuhvn4r2TSugz2g4H8k3iW7KfcP_PthVU-812z0gqXqqHwnOA_Lf-1jBtd9cctFgoNUC00nRQimGmJkTangq2XKpq_OW7glZqK21ewfd9_LFeZnUU35hS0nsxMQn1PGhU/s923/blog75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="923" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiow98SF4wQeA3fy_EJ24gP0RgErLhUIAbC5IpgGPyHXdaNvx2TZW29AqDhBTuhvn4r2TSugz2g4H8k3iW7KfcP_PthVU-812z0gqXqqHwnOA_Lf-1jBtd9cctFgoNUC00nRQimGmJkTangq2XKpq_OW7glZqK21ewfd9_LFeZnUU35hS0nsxMQn1PGhU/w640-h418/blog75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's been a busy week with all the clubs I belong to. I went to Opa Grill (a Greek restaurant) with my <i>Ladies Out to Lunch</i> group. This is the last month for this group of ladies, because we re-shuffle the names into new groups in January. It's always fun meeting new people and the restaurants aren't bad either.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_E0r8tPkf-TvkNDeVnWMAMQxXm_EpThdjqtCjLChimSj-_1j2Q6S5aGpa-LICCWQhWgtQfRw_lxhge5dyHYs4ia2t3b30_xxcUOZl1n-uF_sWoXWV1SD42ZShThuL86V_dBwjchThHEq1UkbB5DbQtquP8hGB0CV18HSWUB_-wNegHxmXLeqh39v0mY/s1000/blog69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1000" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_E0r8tPkf-TvkNDeVnWMAMQxXm_EpThdjqtCjLChimSj-_1j2Q6S5aGpa-LICCWQhWgtQfRw_lxhge5dyHYs4ia2t3b30_xxcUOZl1n-uF_sWoXWV1SD42ZShThuL86V_dBwjchThHEq1UkbB5DbQtquP8hGB0CV18HSWUB_-wNegHxmXLeqh39v0mY/w640-h630/blog69.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I spent an afternoon making cookies for several different club functions. I thought I had picked an easy kids' recipe, but I think Google meant kids would enjoy eating them, not baking them. They were called <i>Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies</i>. The base was a chocolate cookie, which was really kind of tasty, but then the recipe called for frosting each cookie with marshmallow fluff and crushed peppermint candy. You were also supposed to dip the lower half of the cookie into melted chocolate, but I figured it was already a diabetic coma waiting to happen. Notice my "helper" who is fascinated by anything we do in the kitchen.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnA7lJjyw2VxMnDnzkYTXJ6zvGxoaJJisoN19GyS2SgIzN7XmpEmFIzKUIoZRSYqwNvbyuE9X6Ooq8CcrEvkUTgC-ST5_46au2bx4yOMeQ-Eou_VarlNkAc_7xIK9CSKqZMY4CiRF0uHdvx583md-Gl1GB2Db9jr-Jzv9pir6-VRh5wzETKjlG5iJSuo/s929/blog70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="929" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnA7lJjyw2VxMnDnzkYTXJ6zvGxoaJJisoN19GyS2SgIzN7XmpEmFIzKUIoZRSYqwNvbyuE9X6Ooq8CcrEvkUTgC-ST5_46au2bx4yOMeQ-Eou_VarlNkAc_7xIK9CSKqZMY4CiRF0uHdvx583md-Gl1GB2Db9jr-Jzv9pir6-VRh5wzETKjlG5iJSuo/w640-h366/blog70.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The <i>Baking Club</i> had a potluck dinner and cookie exchange. I took my chicken sausage soup and 4 dozen of my peppermint cookies.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXur94qSw2YhoFbtM2okDRUDb2tC-cEZpI3mUB-lHfQn9Va74rVWNEorUMFLxNjBA9gZb4OKp3cnQoydMPYHG8V4hVEa76Thyphenhyphen2X7svn_O5Bsb31MT1VCEv6to6cKyqEDKk23Z_NGzn-GqPPx1fo026yM71BuWxJrFfqV61HhxkkPTFhi5MWqMucJg6PqE/s922/blog74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="922" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXur94qSw2YhoFbtM2okDRUDb2tC-cEZpI3mUB-lHfQn9Va74rVWNEorUMFLxNjBA9gZb4OKp3cnQoydMPYHG8V4hVEa76Thyphenhyphen2X7svn_O5Bsb31MT1VCEv6to6cKyqEDKk23Z_NGzn-GqPPx1fo026yM71BuWxJrFfqV61HhxkkPTFhi5MWqMucJg6PqE/w640-h402/blog74.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In return I brought about 4 dozen cookies back home (the soup was devoured). I put the cookies in the freezer and am trying to hold off until Christmas Eve.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-UOAUdmdc7xjnG3Z9rL2t__-HkJZAWfA-3C7G7mSwDXrXw_Mvlb_cj3VUe4LjCVyk0it51V3fpiUMqs74DOrQi7ZAbPIggkRMDUXnDsl5z2sQ6GkIj1gMwjDIKI2wC9rUEntpABIr06DvFsLXaRl_hTlVWfdoeH8cUmLNVHYlsymB2brfk9THg-M0AA/s939/blog73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="939" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-UOAUdmdc7xjnG3Z9rL2t__-HkJZAWfA-3C7G7mSwDXrXw_Mvlb_cj3VUe4LjCVyk0it51V3fpiUMqs74DOrQi7ZAbPIggkRMDUXnDsl5z2sQ6GkIj1gMwjDIKI2wC9rUEntpABIr06DvFsLXaRl_hTlVWfdoeH8cUmLNVHYlsymB2brfk9THg-M0AA/w640-h482/blog73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The <i>Baking Club</i> also had a gift exchange during the potluck. Everyone got a number and when your number was called, you could either take a wrapped gift off the main table or steal an unwrapped gift from someone else. I stole this lady's gift which happened to be dish towels and spatulas (something I really needed). She wasn't too upset, because she got to steal from someone else. It took quite a while to get through all the presents with all the stealing that was going on. Luckily a gift could only be stolen twice, otherwise we would have been there all night.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_n5DXdSUDfftOfxLnd42oO8iC4Il4IyOiXr88zRf00z9wUXNQLybT0AjgITYLro-vRmJxeM9-7pcsaHn8nzLOGcVG7GyIJQSb4X-HJ825bELsXFMok03A2r5MyJypSKLH2xPcwBGypdcz2CkFa-0iD4e5n0BsqYiul1h5WdKQJZvEzkoaLmtJ7CyxCM/s1000/blog72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_n5DXdSUDfftOfxLnd42oO8iC4Il4IyOiXr88zRf00z9wUXNQLybT0AjgITYLro-vRmJxeM9-7pcsaHn8nzLOGcVG7GyIJQSb4X-HJ825bELsXFMok03A2r5MyJypSKLH2xPcwBGypdcz2CkFa-0iD4e5n0BsqYiul1h5WdKQJZvEzkoaLmtJ7CyxCM/w640-h432/blog72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The next day I burned off all the cookie calories by going to Mt Falcon with the Hiking Club. It's been snowing in the mountains, so we had to wear ice cleats on the trail, but the snow on the trees was really pretty.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vbXgCfRYgEFs7p2FQ-3v2PoK4VFiyYwFGE6j6s5l6GOS9E-dL4mZqvqx2PBDSLKiWKA50gOV-X_MT4KGnmY3kgMuGzDm5RNVix-wCzjiybECjG-O30VH3jrz0a_FcksIe5TLQSkq3grtJnl1bRYg_C29QndO54nrJ_C9xFVT31bPKDKfg-6QBVvwv3U/s1000/blog71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1000" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vbXgCfRYgEFs7p2FQ-3v2PoK4VFiyYwFGE6j6s5l6GOS9E-dL4mZqvqx2PBDSLKiWKA50gOV-X_MT4KGnmY3kgMuGzDm5RNVix-wCzjiybECjG-O30VH3jrz0a_FcksIe5TLQSkq3grtJnl1bRYg_C29QndO54nrJ_C9xFVT31bPKDKfg-6QBVvwv3U/w640-h416/blog71.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There are some old castle ruins in this park that were very interesting. They sit at the top of a hill, normally with gorgeous views, but the clouds were so low that we couldn't see a thing. It was kind of eerie hiking in all that fog. I'm putting this park on my bucket list as a place to do some sketching next summer.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb4n2bfNlr2A5JbuUZT11tGy8AezU79HxI8AT4Hhugf4RV1hZYNeVhcQS0uvscUfs9tGzTZDznUvatr-4cgsLNYqcNXm4iHhROBdsqdSjUYwRlUrqxgb4hyg6xMGhh4l70fFnYA81px0UNtk89YLf-wMCBATArzX1O3WYKP-tH23p8dpHCagw37DMjBA/s1000/blog77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1000" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb4n2bfNlr2A5JbuUZT11tGy8AezU79HxI8AT4Hhugf4RV1hZYNeVhcQS0uvscUfs9tGzTZDznUvatr-4cgsLNYqcNXm4iHhROBdsqdSjUYwRlUrqxgb4hyg6xMGhh4l70fFnYA81px0UNtk89YLf-wMCBATArzX1O3WYKP-tH23p8dpHCagw37DMjBA/w640-h438/blog77.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile Bruce has been working on the back yard widening the retaining walls so we can add some paths through the garden next year. Our yard will never be flat, but the retaining walls really help to tone down some of the slope.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxi9chFRdHkX5QQ6aHP9ye6gbdbhOlEeL_zghyMOkteIXfYrqmULV4ApJlUF_b24oiSu-WCxiksY6fIrC5ooWxJ-S4fSQIOYuVL60V2iUTyexdYR5oRHwIJe7xEmVvCn_1aOakT28Ya-cAPEZAytVGEx4lFjdmqXBnbbUH85CqXdwHN-vBLbLN7atryI/s1029/blog78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxi9chFRdHkX5QQ6aHP9ye6gbdbhOlEeL_zghyMOkteIXfYrqmULV4ApJlUF_b24oiSu-WCxiksY6fIrC5ooWxJ-S4fSQIOYuVL60V2iUTyexdYR5oRHwIJe7xEmVvCn_1aOakT28Ya-cAPEZAytVGEx4lFjdmqXBnbbUH85CqXdwHN-vBLbLN7atryI/w622-h640/blog78.jpg" width="622" /></a></div><br />Bruce and Charlie have also been going to the dog park a lot. It's been too cold to take the eBike, so Bruce just throws Charlie into the back of his jeep. I'm not sure Charlie will ever truly enjoy riding in the car, but he's getting better. At least he doesn't throw up anymore.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhTzJ1cgZGaofHkTBBcUQa-Up64FxPypY9f0ywjdxaDTVugMi7u1mWtrezNDeVexw5b2Wl29l3NxoCu7hw8WjTE7GswuUXJfrtIM9ZIL71zNGyxpSy9mIRCOS-m6GMBgFTnHgFRxMFLUpZoW5H2zwhwNYbXEfN8-dLvL3oJSaOup_dt3gks38YGzUte4/s1593/1route66CA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1593" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhTzJ1cgZGaofHkTBBcUQa-Up64FxPypY9f0ywjdxaDTVugMi7u1mWtrezNDeVexw5b2Wl29l3NxoCu7hw8WjTE7GswuUXJfrtIM9ZIL71zNGyxpSy9mIRCOS-m6GMBgFTnHgFRxMFLUpZoW5H2zwhwNYbXEfN8-dLvL3oJSaOup_dt3gks38YGzUte4/w640-h296/1route66CA1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Janet has almost reached the California/Nevada border on our Route 66 Challenge. Thank goodness, because that means she's only 35 miles from completing her 3,000,000 step goal for the year. I sincerely hope she picks something simpler next year, like going to the gym once a week. She's killing me with these multi-million-step challenges.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-84048312129842709152023-12-09T14:22:00.000-06:002023-12-09T14:22:28.696-06:00Happy Birthday Janet and Jamie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-9YW26DzuM2nxg1n3yF__-ZtWDoFTs8yhtwV5hMZ3rAY7RIGi2JKJO74A579osHJ_cLYqSSfsJIWb3crsYrnrSWGZhXy8RlXg1SduwF5OG-chKkRRQPdCuXOtH4X6eXHDlIckH9FqKCwfdG1RZ2NXFXwjE67AlPdHSNgnJQbZyAa0xs-mYIJ5zXVEdM/s1494/blog64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1494" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-9YW26DzuM2nxg1n3yF__-ZtWDoFTs8yhtwV5hMZ3rAY7RIGi2JKJO74A579osHJ_cLYqSSfsJIWb3crsYrnrSWGZhXy8RlXg1SduwF5OG-chKkRRQPdCuXOtH4X6eXHDlIckH9FqKCwfdG1RZ2NXFXwjE67AlPdHSNgnJQbZyAa0xs-mYIJ5zXVEdM/w640-h518/blog64.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A year ago, Janet came up with the idea of having everyone sign a special t-shirt on their birthday. Goldie was the first name on the shirt, followed by Melissa, etc, etc. As months passed, the shirt became more filled and more colorful. This past week, the last 2 names (the December birthdays) were added to the shirt and it was finally called complete. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFxWWgXmJitUoFvHuTxHYxnc48viZXJK84Woo7Rwx68rm81Qg1a9VmXC7ubBEqLBvKMZ-s-UvraIMmVvWnFo91w1NKaUomsiMS65DJTN5h-aJWuF_Ll4lLMwi7OcCjPyja08Cp2vf6Y9Vlgq9dqwedYHSmwr_xBTGDqGCimmzNs4UPsNUtm9xGzu0fBI/s523/blog60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="523" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFxWWgXmJitUoFvHuTxHYxnc48viZXJK84Woo7Rwx68rm81Qg1a9VmXC7ubBEqLBvKMZ-s-UvraIMmVvWnFo91w1NKaUomsiMS65DJTN5h-aJWuF_Ll4lLMwi7OcCjPyja08Cp2vf6Y9Vlgq9dqwedYHSmwr_xBTGDqGCimmzNs4UPsNUtm9xGzu0fBI/w640-h488/blog60.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Janet turned 69 this week and decided to spend her special day touring the Christmas lights from the sunroof of her car. Luckily it looks like it was a decently warm night.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IlNCC2MCkSJV8WnTPUuaUPhbCZvY73fX1zhVJBw9nw_YX9Sc6BbvediEsSq0OWYWZ8B_hb-SHjtwsyLF9YFBJGBxqnMFpVNaBnJNAEJ8KXIN-ietIdiQIfTb5Eftk5N6plXMB9P2SGsRctPuA5hztGP1qqALo0pW0BIAO29mW-fdd3cospHzxpukFQ8/s1000/blog65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IlNCC2MCkSJV8WnTPUuaUPhbCZvY73fX1zhVJBw9nw_YX9Sc6BbvediEsSq0OWYWZ8B_hb-SHjtwsyLF9YFBJGBxqnMFpVNaBnJNAEJ8KXIN-ietIdiQIfTb5Eftk5N6plXMB9P2SGsRctPuA5hztGP1qqALo0pW0BIAO29mW-fdd3cospHzxpukFQ8/w640-h480/blog65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The day after Janet's birthday it was pretty warm in Colorado, too, so I went out riding with the Bike Club. We're all starting to look like a group of clones with our yellow jackets, but with the sun so low in the sky these days, it's almost a necessity in order for the cars on the road to see us.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T878htgkQuXWH9ZD4T2JpY-OooFnLbOCdkrUeTepMvOv5oJ8Sur5Dmtb7h2gSA4QNQVMESEi4dalEbuefgW0riSMCG2vWW2RNYuKQ1Bolcpw2cC1Eyc0uojbAc20wIo__pkpPb0x_YlPtG4Y74iZkeL_FYt159g7vOuJ0sVJ3gJmUf48f8ro3Q8-w6A/s1000/blog66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1000" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T878htgkQuXWH9ZD4T2JpY-OooFnLbOCdkrUeTepMvOv5oJ8Sur5Dmtb7h2gSA4QNQVMESEi4dalEbuefgW0riSMCG2vWW2RNYuKQ1Bolcpw2cC1Eyc0uojbAc20wIo__pkpPb0x_YlPtG4Y74iZkeL_FYt159g7vOuJ0sVJ3gJmUf48f8ro3Q8-w6A/w640-h398/blog66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We stumbled on this yard that looked like it threw up the past 50 years of Christmas decorations (and you can see from the background, that half the decorations are those inflatable blow-ups). I know Janet likes to decorate her front yard with lighted toys (see photo above). I just hope she doesn't become eccentric like these neighbors in her "old age" and take it to this extreme.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGvfpBA1EOoxUqLBOmfwZCY7QkHYeq62WRHoCsUqndB12Cpz4u_0HfUwvzrHLZn_mPBdqag-i9CkYPAOR498jh8Dl9KWjo_3jY7CjBvDGZVE93JUdckdaaUGNj73_THRcocqhmXpk0tNI_iO37QgaSm-uHLlwAFLVnN5D6g7smN3boFF3v96T3ti2zgw/s1045/blog68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="997" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGvfpBA1EOoxUqLBOmfwZCY7QkHYeq62WRHoCsUqndB12Cpz4u_0HfUwvzrHLZn_mPBdqag-i9CkYPAOR498jh8Dl9KWjo_3jY7CjBvDGZVE93JUdckdaaUGNj73_THRcocqhmXpk0tNI_iO37QgaSm-uHLlwAFLVnN5D6g7smN3boFF3v96T3ti2zgw/w610-h640/blog68.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br />On my way home from biking, I stopped at Target and bought some gifts for the Toy and Senior Drives. The Senior Center was collecting hats and large-print crossword puzzle books.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLd6dLBRSUr_MfpuStyNMf28RUj2OWiZy0wzfD5KXgzOKiuFvneIKF7_LYjKN1kRuKpKXDxifJVAZnWas-3J4Hc9ppg0nJ55yjkE0aI0WuysCx9YzmDpkzkcl3_BvZtQurVxusvttwEoxZptNaG5j2jVj7-oPBd0b_dnP7S-4-KkLHpOIdDvUwrGm6kM/s813/blog67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="813" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLd6dLBRSUr_MfpuStyNMf28RUj2OWiZy0wzfD5KXgzOKiuFvneIKF7_LYjKN1kRuKpKXDxifJVAZnWas-3J4Hc9ppg0nJ55yjkE0aI0WuysCx9YzmDpkzkcl3_BvZtQurVxusvttwEoxZptNaG5j2jVj7-oPBd0b_dnP7S-4-KkLHpOIdDvUwrGm6kM/w640-h514/blog67.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For my toy contribution, I bought an Our Generation doll. I love the outfit on this girl, because she reminds me of me - leggins and a hoodie topped off with a ball cap. She also has a little suitcase and passport, so she can go traveling. I'm not the one who donated the pink bicycle, but I thought that was really appropriate, too.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCogYzJXmGzS1mFLFjotlrfiDHLMlMz_jiuAFuZ2k9IWutB-0yQUOEiiQUFNMSlvaZ_giEC5FU779STab52k11ryxfvDJK2eSYcaj_Pzmd6g7l2Q2Oae-wlE95sEuVc_ClD3CxkROwjnvEivrT4GcUzJUVoOG8CtcXhgspIyzqnI8cg53xIwORswkdUQ8/s1000/blog62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1000" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCogYzJXmGzS1mFLFjotlrfiDHLMlMz_jiuAFuZ2k9IWutB-0yQUOEiiQUFNMSlvaZ_giEC5FU779STab52k11ryxfvDJK2eSYcaj_Pzmd6g7l2Q2Oae-wlE95sEuVc_ClD3CxkROwjnvEivrT4GcUzJUVoOG8CtcXhgspIyzqnI8cg53xIwORswkdUQ8/w640-h314/blog62.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week, my <i>Ladies Out to Lunch</i> group met for early brunch, since everyone is so busy with holiday prep. I ordered eggs and corned beef hash, which was OK, but not nearly as good as the breakfasts in Chicago.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiilqwPGd_0OF4N1dpBrWH32JEoLJdYaGfeZz4gCkj-HcdBsVwKM1vC_jkLTQhInKnrWlKqmHqIFo1ElKGUWbudX3KovQkq3mRY5zb0vh8PQfA4qpDAepWsyjPpvfq_R8evUPSTuehe9TShhTTBiogMiPe7wT7Qf-28nqWXfUvvtBBxP3zcUANdDYRCVo/s1000/blog63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="1000" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiilqwPGd_0OF4N1dpBrWH32JEoLJdYaGfeZz4gCkj-HcdBsVwKM1vC_jkLTQhInKnrWlKqmHqIFo1ElKGUWbudX3KovQkq3mRY5zb0vh8PQfA4qpDAepWsyjPpvfq_R8evUPSTuehe9TShhTTBiogMiPe7wT7Qf-28nqWXfUvvtBBxP3zcUANdDYRCVo/w640-h350/blog63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Since it snowed on Saturday, Courtney and I got together on GoogleMeet to paint. We found an online workshop on watercolor botanicals. Like usual, Courtney's paintings were way better than mine. In my defense, I had to contend with Charlie who kept trying to lick my paints.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-59040312017778399182023-12-04T08:23:00.000-06:002023-12-04T08:23:07.145-06:00Bath Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilH5YSvGbIOeCaHVFV64WQ8iyz27nXtcS5WktxKVKK1BGtrUxuLTgfQsov4nVzr0HjfZoHJqkYXw9HOx44T9HsalH-7KAvBQJGAs04k-v_emsGfFcqZPo5ltexPfQ9BuxGxxLgjQHXH8ImdcZbDP06qUKkUZ5iC4iOl50yvJC2iwRItuywaNLpdf6fnk/s882/blog57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="882" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilH5YSvGbIOeCaHVFV64WQ8iyz27nXtcS5WktxKVKK1BGtrUxuLTgfQsov4nVzr0HjfZoHJqkYXw9HOx44T9HsalH-7KAvBQJGAs04k-v_emsGfFcqZPo5ltexPfQ9BuxGxxLgjQHXH8ImdcZbDP06qUKkUZ5iC4iOl50yvJC2iwRItuywaNLpdf6fnk/w640-h466/blog57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of my main criteria when I thought about getting a dog was getting one with brown hair. Since we live in a high desert part of the country with lots of dirt and very little grass, I didn't want a white dog that would look dirty all the time. Unfortunately, no matter what kind of dog you get, they all manage to get dirty. Luckily we have a pretty large laundry sink that just about holds Charlie long enough for him to have a bath.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMQkrExJxFhuByBi0qfXo4iaFnWyMV68neBmi_eNjDGCSY84iJ2rbduJIIs_224F-8m-q-taVXxf2uqnc1cJk77idz3sdE3X74NE7v0F79vINBuHzv3VPL7zKc6m6WvwRk3DetkVbFGgdFWq6MabFfbwmO5AuhHebkZqlFGURYPvkiOoZeVkFVakymzs/s1005/blog55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMQkrExJxFhuByBi0qfXo4iaFnWyMV68neBmi_eNjDGCSY84iJ2rbduJIIs_224F-8m-q-taVXxf2uqnc1cJk77idz3sdE3X74NE7v0F79vINBuHzv3VPL7zKc6m6WvwRk3DetkVbFGgdFWq6MabFfbwmO5AuhHebkZqlFGURYPvkiOoZeVkFVakymzs/w636-h640/blog55.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><br />Charlie may not like baths, but he certainly looks whiter and fluffier after having one. You could hardly tell he had white tips to his feet before he had his bath. Of course, about a half hour later he was back outside, but this time he was rolling in snow - wet feet, but no dirt.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40mqdxPGSWHzV1tR1KdpZ0T73Rp8fG7_xRAsrs7balL2bF6_1crFil3U5i69fwftm-ePXT_x4Rr4T6C-1nTNG6-tT4mV8oBYIwMuX1WOrV4y9y5JPxjWOCDHGojcmw63e66M6XEcw2rEQQgaitC71Ky8bV2nnh_QHZvrc9qIr7uJIJjGbwD5Ula5ft30/s1000/blog56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40mqdxPGSWHzV1tR1KdpZ0T73Rp8fG7_xRAsrs7balL2bF6_1crFil3U5i69fwftm-ePXT_x4Rr4T6C-1nTNG6-tT4mV8oBYIwMuX1WOrV4y9y5JPxjWOCDHGojcmw63e66M6XEcw2rEQQgaitC71Ky8bV2nnh_QHZvrc9qIr7uJIJjGbwD5Ula5ft30/w640-h388/blog56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Only 3 of us were brave enough to go out riding this week. I bought myself a new thermal quarter-zip shirt which really helped to keep me warm. Riding up hills always helps a lot, too.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoyAKVYAWbWeEmf6vgsKcrNmxtRCEEuKlTL1JoYrCaRBdUz5qDzNxGzgQv-9I1kYlj_wIGEN24zt4q-Cr5rMVy_3-eOJp-8sOKNOLINDzo2qbNkzHBK9cxw5fie7NaTqV6bkWLy3SVP4IKoeGC8vbEz13L-TKN9ZRX9dzBaFQffhm9JFMYcRQCSeDPJk/s779/blog58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="779" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoyAKVYAWbWeEmf6vgsKcrNmxtRCEEuKlTL1JoYrCaRBdUz5qDzNxGzgQv-9I1kYlj_wIGEN24zt4q-Cr5rMVy_3-eOJp-8sOKNOLINDzo2qbNkzHBK9cxw5fie7NaTqV6bkWLy3SVP4IKoeGC8vbEz13L-TKN9ZRX9dzBaFQffhm9JFMYcRQCSeDPJk/w640-h414/blog58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm not doing any refereeing this year, but my head ref friend, Fred, has really gotten into the Christmas spirit. Actually I think it's a little freaky how much he looks like Santa. I wonder how many kids gave him their Christmas lists.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXlsl8F8fkKTIgLHyscXHKwJCbBP3bvXVWhM_wE0sqzbPvWBzH3-qvwFEngc3OFFAbe-BvX3lpRU_ODFXlUoJxvYAVzvXSq0CqFYzkmFZEc2KQrit6mmSLADzd1dGaVQT9zdCj1GqtssLuRg45mar6jvQ0bW6zFTRgRdGrezct4EzN104Hcm4M80pnto/s1000/blog52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1000" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXlsl8F8fkKTIgLHyscXHKwJCbBP3bvXVWhM_wE0sqzbPvWBzH3-qvwFEngc3OFFAbe-BvX3lpRU_ODFXlUoJxvYAVzvXSq0CqFYzkmFZEc2KQrit6mmSLADzd1dGaVQT9zdCj1GqtssLuRg45mar6jvQ0bW6zFTRgRdGrezct4EzN104Hcm4M80pnto/w640-h510/blog52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Melissa's family participated in the UTV Christmas parade in Pleasant Hill this week. I think their vehicle looks amazing with all those colored lights, but they all look very cold riding around in a car with no windows.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BVk6qC2Z273KhP-q2Jxs6Fmu_RysXL34wHFds-JuN13If8P2UtiqhSLXRYfQ6YFJRB9x35b9xQTnE9Lf03CqOMpJx0ha1m2MhGdMR5yV0IVZ_EHts5ofa0Lw-1yT2MfC8m1u3fUPLSlEZgdHjO2pFnnG17me4ZWvv3fG5FqA9p-KRLtjwSFn-8n3Bkc/s1593/1route66CA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1593" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BVk6qC2Z273KhP-q2Jxs6Fmu_RysXL34wHFds-JuN13If8P2UtiqhSLXRYfQ6YFJRB9x35b9xQTnE9Lf03CqOMpJx0ha1m2MhGdMR5yV0IVZ_EHts5ofa0Lw-1yT2MfC8m1u3fUPLSlEZgdHjO2pFnnG17me4ZWvv3fG5FqA9p-KRLtjwSFn-8n3Bkc/w640-h296/1route66CA2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Janet and I have made it to Barstow, CA in our virtual walk/bike. She's a little ahead of me (like usual), though this week I got laid up for a few days with a bout of food poisoning. YUK! I hate throwing up, but sometimes it really makes you feel better. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dIua_258W_zc-oT6A8ORtWyy7BHixlRdTCF6fc4jLGxcI8lnU_3TKdY8DkViExJ86hT3dosJ-GA4kGwmAyN-eYIElfN-oQokSH4ccZqdGyuLg0lglAiNgw9amkVgewxP3XRLQRT0ZkkApvSs87biDpzha-kpfZfRZSywFaJrvPqYmsZj17LWqQR_1Pg/s800/blog54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dIua_258W_zc-oT6A8ORtWyy7BHixlRdTCF6fc4jLGxcI8lnU_3TKdY8DkViExJ86hT3dosJ-GA4kGwmAyN-eYIElfN-oQokSH4ccZqdGyuLg0lglAiNgw9amkVgewxP3XRLQRT0ZkkApvSs87biDpzha-kpfZfRZSywFaJrvPqYmsZj17LWqQR_1Pg/w640-h360/blog54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I search for pictures to highlight this trip, I'm always intrigued by some of the quirky things you find when you get off the interstate. This truck stop in Barstow is the old train station. Barstow was once a huge railroad town, so the McDonalds decided to build its restaurant inside 3 train cars. If I'm ever back in California, this is one place I'd love to stop and have lunch.</div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-54806315516190117802023-11-25T09:18:00.000-06:002023-11-25T09:18:00.364-06:00Route 66 Virtual Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3lFrk9wvDwv_oSZVSaHAWpWNCGsXDnH-lYOUEBJ2LZ0158hIlNGralNy92zVKBd8XPVT8AENIiAiUd_Yz4KrgfiRGb7YucBLxLkuDIC82oAuveqn80IhlLMKnTPcGQIEN07HId_t6MJINl1AIpSHTHFkLs-JeBEQI7qC-O_B_BXJuS4blzEIw8vrJOw/s1602/1route66CA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="1602" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3lFrk9wvDwv_oSZVSaHAWpWNCGsXDnH-lYOUEBJ2LZ0158hIlNGralNy92zVKBd8XPVT8AENIiAiUd_Yz4KrgfiRGb7YucBLxLkuDIC82oAuveqn80IhlLMKnTPcGQIEN07HId_t6MJINl1AIpSHTHFkLs-JeBEQI7qC-O_B_BXJuS4blzEIw8vrJOw/w640-h180/1route66CA1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well I decided to move Janet to California with me on our virtual walk. It's just too difficult to show a step-challenge on a 6-inch 2300 mile map. So we both started in Santa Monica and are now up to Victorville - a small town out in the middle of the desert known for its neon signs and mom-&-pop motels. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjIMLTPZCNPmIhLa_g7TNW_gEITZbT_GjczOqXAICecgwEVYFYB8SV20qhaQ0YZM1quMjrpk9sMga104e7tD9nS5j-RrX3Xv_NIGp1uBYmY-ylPo-SlDQDWMMN9DkeSDNcIESCw_Zw25zGV8pcRN1rvDAy6PgMqUUConpp2lIX7jzNt6nctlSmu_e_I0/s1600/66b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjIMLTPZCNPmIhLa_g7TNW_gEITZbT_GjczOqXAICecgwEVYFYB8SV20qhaQ0YZM1quMjrpk9sMga104e7tD9nS5j-RrX3Xv_NIGp1uBYmY-ylPo-SlDQDWMMN9DkeSDNcIESCw_Zw25zGV8pcRN1rvDAy6PgMqUUConpp2lIX7jzNt6nctlSmu_e_I0/w640-h298/66b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We both stopped for lunch at Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe. It's a bit run-down, but it's one of the hot spots to visit in the Route 66 guidebook.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZfrJhn-OFBfbCIPVMh_HPAJcIwff8kxodzXR4RxD8FzisaE2cOlH41tyrIwIvhHnXM3W53O1MJ6tSIlTPvc0W3yHDHUqcwRG2x_7IyuRG70Z_xiGybsrkWOYWs2FuYlT6DjK9A8bzYylp8pCuWgUy0O9dFodP-f2_JpODnjwR_YM4cqlZnw9_s9hO5k/s997/66c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="997" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZfrJhn-OFBfbCIPVMh_HPAJcIwff8kxodzXR4RxD8FzisaE2cOlH41tyrIwIvhHnXM3W53O1MJ6tSIlTPvc0W3yHDHUqcwRG2x_7IyuRG70Z_xiGybsrkWOYWs2FuYlT6DjK9A8bzYylp8pCuWgUy0O9dFodP-f2_JpODnjwR_YM4cqlZnw9_s9hO5k/w640-h542/66c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm not sure what a Holland Burger is, but our burgers were served on toast rather than buns - not too bad.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fkVOI65RiSJfAAPAIcGUqnh8l_39KIfJA7xHRMRx5NnShIHUIdF1w3BZlIoRSWgOV1IhKSSbMt6kWSa_-f2Ogrzgu6MOuaOIF6Sh9b3FOScl8xtTRC4M6xK36rSXrpalHV7nDtsjN6qaPd_kA481Vjk4KfxbaHX1_Ye43Y9jtae7aYcbGohEksxzx1I/s771/66a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fkVOI65RiSJfAAPAIcGUqnh8l_39KIfJA7xHRMRx5NnShIHUIdF1w3BZlIoRSWgOV1IhKSSbMt6kWSa_-f2Ogrzgu6MOuaOIF6Sh9b3FOScl8xtTRC4M6xK36rSXrpalHV7nDtsjN6qaPd_kA481Vjk4KfxbaHX1_Ye43Y9jtae7aYcbGohEksxzx1I/w618-h640/66a.jpg" width="618" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Janet got a little ahead of me, because I stopped to sketch the neon sign outside the New Coral Motel. Being from Denver, I couldn't pass up a bucking bronco.</div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-46300071287575599642023-11-25T08:40:00.001-06:002023-11-25T08:40:07.258-06:00Black Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibE-nHNjwWgKsXj7CqPoXuE-3H_w83ycXGs6nSs1NLBMNX-mCmU36F2I9udLCtLcMfCGgTXWNah7OzLCSKQd7avu7VSI0nmIBTYYlwFwIudO14vA4mUsqvg9QwCPrCh2pKZJ-OsWXzkAyoCSkLBOxLdXMaeYfcLKYnXiXBN1VzWPWgYXqb_ooNMwMydU/s750/blog49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="750" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibE-nHNjwWgKsXj7CqPoXuE-3H_w83ycXGs6nSs1NLBMNX-mCmU36F2I9udLCtLcMfCGgTXWNah7OzLCSKQd7avu7VSI0nmIBTYYlwFwIudO14vA4mUsqvg9QwCPrCh2pKZJ-OsWXzkAyoCSkLBOxLdXMaeYfcLKYnXiXBN1VzWPWgYXqb_ooNMwMydU/w640-h462/blog49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The day before Thanksgiving we're out biking in sunny 70° weather ...<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNqf5Vkzn_VXBuDwj20lr5jZTcujuCvZag7RLYjimiN8gyufjaJjyVP_7u3IpOQk78gnSCGcvjIcpQ86HQHXtbbpnkyjtCIthoI-btxmKxU5UQEmC67oUA5RqhMO_YthEF0KyLrvFbf9PLtjW0NaQ4pZJ8b0N2KFn2_BYlzXBGNT7Y0dOTsyUmFcv1go/s1000/blog48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNqf5Vkzn_VXBuDwj20lr5jZTcujuCvZag7RLYjimiN8gyufjaJjyVP_7u3IpOQk78gnSCGcvjIcpQ86HQHXtbbpnkyjtCIthoI-btxmKxU5UQEmC67oUA5RqhMO_YthEF0KyLrvFbf9PLtjW0NaQ4pZJ8b0N2KFn2_BYlzXBGNT7Y0dOTsyUmFcv1go/w640-h480/blog48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The next day it's snowing and the temperature dropped into the teens. Brrrr!!!</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-ImN-Fc2_YC865jTfcTWHszu0aQ1Ey77hNeHijzXrze4yiBV5qQu2MdWuFU9ZjmqhTSBpZ7cD-WUGOrL-33Ezm0ErdleuGfegU0S5DIOjzi8UaP4bZ89j9MUK1oKT0TQYZJo410apE-o1KYmbjR1xOLsxHOCVnawnm8ir-znDRmBZM1E_1jJdp8XQyo/s1000/blog47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-ImN-Fc2_YC865jTfcTWHszu0aQ1Ey77hNeHijzXrze4yiBV5qQu2MdWuFU9ZjmqhTSBpZ7cD-WUGOrL-33Ezm0ErdleuGfegU0S5DIOjzi8UaP4bZ89j9MUK1oKT0TQYZJo410apE-o1KYmbjR1xOLsxHOCVnawnm8ir-znDRmBZM1E_1jJdp8XQyo/w640-h394/blog47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie seems to be enjoying it. He likes to go outside and lick the snow off the ground. I just hope his tongue doesn't get stuck to a rock.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxXzzrHi_54QTiVmnEYKbATByLk2zv_s5YjpMgftsxpah94hoYy-OjIqka9YDhPRID1GDa0X72GAL3-E0pIQUjP4F2I1llebkn1aLJe5IVq0d0Uqy1T2NpqmoUckCKhATMeEqFK-RFnfcYqc4hbmTaJy1k4NwqI2PO_VxiUoznHl-h6XXObJMi1-yC2w/s1026/blog43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxXzzrHi_54QTiVmnEYKbATByLk2zv_s5YjpMgftsxpah94hoYy-OjIqka9YDhPRID1GDa0X72GAL3-E0pIQUjP4F2I1llebkn1aLJe5IVq0d0Uqy1T2NpqmoUckCKhATMeEqFK-RFnfcYqc4hbmTaJy1k4NwqI2PO_VxiUoznHl-h6XXObJMi1-yC2w/w624-h640/blog43.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br />I did most of my Black Friday shopping online this year (MUCH easier), but I did make a trip to the Outlet Mall in Castle Rock the weekend before Thanksgiving. They were having so many PRE-Black Friday sales though, the place was packed. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouM65HaW8-KdGYzkrytXiWBBklV-Sqoq5sv30DYnAeIXVlYmNwM8-R1dgccKz_f0o_B5pNMSDo0GG73ycL-yQGfgp5eWRrewikbGlc_kEThi-NSRZjT7ja4-rgaQ6M8AhsURHOzHh6gOoxPIE_W43pvdR8NY-cFP_1bf1zfcBkPXrjzIZnmQRF6uERLI/s1000/blog50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouM65HaW8-KdGYzkrytXiWBBklV-Sqoq5sv30DYnAeIXVlYmNwM8-R1dgccKz_f0o_B5pNMSDo0GG73ycL-yQGfgp5eWRrewikbGlc_kEThi-NSRZjT7ja4-rgaQ6M8AhsURHOzHh6gOoxPIE_W43pvdR8NY-cFP_1bf1zfcBkPXrjzIZnmQRF6uERLI/w640-h428/blog50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We stayed home for Thanksgiving and since it was just the 2 of us, I cooked steaks instead of a turkey. The kit I ordered from Hello Fresh came with an aioli black truffle sauce (the white stuff next to the steak). I know truffles are supposed to be a delicacy, but I thought the sauce tasted kind of bleh. Black pepper is all I need on my steak.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi75RRkORammPWY-nHczAt2Fqutj8Uag9ZkekGmUN1qCGcFzfKgcvuYG_4ezeKwLnOH_zqqjyLPCuFGTwSY8g73DI6JvBAfCuaQP6loALP5AN_Ql9nwgspaBLfXA46URv7RxTTRvW6LJy4wpKfFseCMiD6QJ-mxOctEJDF_H9UQISE1IBlBUELZ9U2A/s1000/blog45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi75RRkORammPWY-nHczAt2Fqutj8Uag9ZkekGmUN1qCGcFzfKgcvuYG_4ezeKwLnOH_zqqjyLPCuFGTwSY8g73DI6JvBAfCuaQP6loALP5AN_Ql9nwgspaBLfXA46URv7RxTTRvW6LJy4wpKfFseCMiD6QJ-mxOctEJDF_H9UQISE1IBlBUELZ9U2A/w640-h470/blog45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This past week Bruce has been busy taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather by building another retaining wall in the back yard. We're trying to break up some of the mulched area and add a little more interest. We won't be able to add the rock though until next spring (plus, I'd like him to build a 4th wall on the far side of these 3).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeTkjoD9xPnktjYVnRckcPr3EfX-YYVd4ck9H1z4JZBK4OlbE1uy3ooiW0Kf_10N5ep2Pui7Uf347fa3-uoysSbtrUxIFxBTWYtYtiX3ADbfLRMnrFr8nCtABxLPok23I_40sRs7abJGRbcRdPKq3Ogi1H9AQIr_DZ8Lx6rmOyqpEw5u_SHr3slj4CcE/s655/blog44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="655" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeTkjoD9xPnktjYVnRckcPr3EfX-YYVd4ck9H1z4JZBK4OlbE1uy3ooiW0Kf_10N5ep2Pui7Uf347fa3-uoysSbtrUxIFxBTWYtYtiX3ADbfLRMnrFr8nCtABxLPok23I_40sRs7abJGRbcRdPKq3Ogi1H9AQIr_DZ8Lx6rmOyqpEw5u_SHr3slj4CcE/w640-h506/blog44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bruce also bought himself a car hitch for his new eBike. My bike carrier isn't nearly heavy enough for his bike (it weighs 60 pounds!), so he bought a heavy-duty carrier to go on the back of the jeep. When spring rolls back around, he wants to take his eBike out to Hidden Mesa and try doing a little mountain biking.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSAGZ4XpPabREmly8NkPXJ_J7TZJbHV2tmAb4hshF0Nq5tB9tyI-lSNMNOuitP4zdPrEEcLCQ8E0K_vi7JDz2BVZ8kNYUPLlkMXPowtkjvOkTKlkUfaaE29TfZY6sxEBp9X0TzXHcEfWxGyX1lxpfQi_c_2ZHlD32v1bJ-bdSaJEqs68f4Z7L4ZDyevU/s554/blog42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="554" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSAGZ4XpPabREmly8NkPXJ_J7TZJbHV2tmAb4hshF0Nq5tB9tyI-lSNMNOuitP4zdPrEEcLCQ8E0K_vi7JDz2BVZ8kNYUPLlkMXPowtkjvOkTKlkUfaaE29TfZY6sxEBp9X0TzXHcEfWxGyX1lxpfQi_c_2ZHlD32v1bJ-bdSaJEqs68f4Z7L4ZDyevU/w640-h486/blog42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For the time being, he mostly uses his eBike to take Charlie to the dog park. I'm not sure how long that's going to last with all the snow that's predicted. I guess Charlie will have to entertain himself with his toys in the basement.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnYPy0vN09eIAzP-xanrMUNBbJQmQdJcaJ6ik_FO2iZ5IwRhGBJtMCo8A9rbsA-sBlCnlIZjGvj0hNYerTxhuyCST-Ah8B6_ck6soK9-7KTkJIp_wUM8yupmF8CoJLXZexAjMEdKMItMCiT45aAUiOYaHOfoBz9S7zF4Yplm969RBZQ69gvPjot0eryI/s1000/blog46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnYPy0vN09eIAzP-xanrMUNBbJQmQdJcaJ6ik_FO2iZ5IwRhGBJtMCo8A9rbsA-sBlCnlIZjGvj0hNYerTxhuyCST-Ah8B6_ck6soK9-7KTkJIp_wUM8yupmF8CoJLXZexAjMEdKMItMCiT45aAUiOYaHOfoBz9S7zF4Yplm969RBZQ69gvPjot0eryI/w640-h434/blog46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-33121214441704412023-11-11T17:07:00.004-06:002023-11-11T17:07:35.379-06:00Getting Colder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU-q0zQ0ZLfIysLuUWFjF4ct0EXLlhHf_GzMgbUqeN0A-hCwFlB4eB6lyQ69W_mbRYd3k6Gqasi5ORvmfssbfTQprxS0bFQCfnWQOYULftCb12Q4N7n9MO9tP_wUaEyaKrHjRRbTtxJ_P6S_WZd5S-WjsfwtMce1OH0JpKAbpYf4oM6SXSWD3q-mU5iE/s999/blog38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="999" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU-q0zQ0ZLfIysLuUWFjF4ct0EXLlhHf_GzMgbUqeN0A-hCwFlB4eB6lyQ69W_mbRYd3k6Gqasi5ORvmfssbfTQprxS0bFQCfnWQOYULftCb12Q4N7n9MO9tP_wUaEyaKrHjRRbTtxJ_P6S_WZd5S-WjsfwtMce1OH0JpKAbpYf4oM6SXSWD3q-mU5iE/w640-h480/blog38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Winter weather is getting closer and closer. We've already had 2 snows - one that left about 4 inches on the ground and another that just left a dusting. Luckily the sun has been able to melt both relatively quickly and warm up the middle of the day. I managed to squeeze in a bike ride last week on one of the sunnier days. It's a little hard to see in this photo, but we rode the Platte River Trail almost all the way downtown (20 miles round trip). We were about 3 miles short when we turned around, but we're planning to go out again next spring and try to ride all the way down to Confluence Park (where 3 different rivers meet at the Convention Center). It will be a good incentive to stay in shape this winter.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_en1VuJ-9EuAx6lv_lMcCEQMFoBXOfEJMgt2b645l9mgIJFyhP22hFEwaoTJptSQujtl5zSoER_cf7k28Jmu3VTCxKOL_uyBv0mLiM8qsoYhVLHMNXjErVY8TyuT1zwLKAAEYbEAY9LUAraMeY-ydWhbjg9YBcEupSA2BhP9-wE4BOq4mZRTesMQV74U/s1825/1route66a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1825" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_en1VuJ-9EuAx6lv_lMcCEQMFoBXOfEJMgt2b645l9mgIJFyhP22hFEwaoTJptSQujtl5zSoER_cf7k28Jmu3VTCxKOL_uyBv0mLiM8qsoYhVLHMNXjErVY8TyuT1zwLKAAEYbEAY9LUAraMeY-ydWhbjg9YBcEupSA2BhP9-wE4BOq4mZRTesMQV74U/w640-h216/1route66a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Speaking of which, I've almost caught up to Janet's mileage on our Route 66 virtual bike/walk. I need to find a better map, because you can't tell that we made any progress at all on this one (it's hard to show 2330 miles in 6 inches). At least we're keeping active.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d5_QdR41c0FAESFGou4GyYLvFHsgu_9Dnuiro8Dj5Jkqz3ilZVASOgGlkC4KELybXTmBabJUC872lfwv-iuAwQA2czlldfjqVaHDMezP-ueY_1reNDITUC-S4S4asyzOwp_-RAGAepu5c8y4AbEMvXQTKuGN-WqFjl2qS1HQl0XBC6DZxqjaB3rjYZE/s950/blog36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="950" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d5_QdR41c0FAESFGou4GyYLvFHsgu_9Dnuiro8Dj5Jkqz3ilZVASOgGlkC4KELybXTmBabJUC872lfwv-iuAwQA2czlldfjqVaHDMezP-ueY_1reNDITUC-S4S4asyzOwp_-RAGAepu5c8y4AbEMvXQTKuGN-WqFjl2qS1HQl0XBC6DZxqjaB3rjYZE/w640-h398/blog36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I met with 3 different lunch groups this week. It's interesting getting to know new people and trying out new restaurants (this one was Mexican), but there are times when I also feel like it is taking over my free time. I think I'm going to cut back to once a month in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkoyxPWTEac4y4uOK0aKK1-be8pyl-twlSbS5cz6FInhyKWVxf3v-JjeoNBELMize2pwBmWlRandxxGTH5573jS7L9cMelN7zL8JJy1kF_ztnbUwBOmomXPR59nwBJzjCoCdRiHja5e4_IOmW8J0RWm_WPJhyphenhyphenkXJXFju49WI8EA1cEAPEH6eQm-tJdfs/s734/blog41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="734" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkoyxPWTEac4y4uOK0aKK1-be8pyl-twlSbS5cz6FInhyKWVxf3v-JjeoNBELMize2pwBmWlRandxxGTH5573jS7L9cMelN7zL8JJy1kF_ztnbUwBOmomXPR59nwBJzjCoCdRiHja5e4_IOmW8J0RWm_WPJhyphenhyphenkXJXFju49WI8EA1cEAPEH6eQm-tJdfs/w640-h488/blog41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I got some new paints I wanted to try out. They're earth-tone colors which I thought would be good for fall, but it's getting hard to find a warm spot to sketch. Starbucks has a nice patio, but it's not very exciting sketching strip malls and parking lots. Though I was really excited that peppermint mochas are finally back on the menu (they only serve them during the holiday season). </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx46YG4BZjJKYDApqkC_jCfmsTKv-Xa6pHOx1KhCoIjyBg4PynQQkLopUy_T7ikrftiqISsC0Nk4qX2lZkYupVUGPmbq1M4FRboiZ-1b1C6bq7Ke9r83UhF07iZOFwY0BED3bFiSZL-NxmERSwPAzd6z3zR9UDXWwFE5vxHvbvXRAq2Zac7v12QtP-MMA/s831/blog40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="824" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx46YG4BZjJKYDApqkC_jCfmsTKv-Xa6pHOx1KhCoIjyBg4PynQQkLopUy_T7ikrftiqISsC0Nk4qX2lZkYupVUGPmbq1M4FRboiZ-1b1C6bq7Ke9r83UhF07iZOFwY0BED3bFiSZL-NxmERSwPAzd6z3zR9UDXWwFE5vxHvbvXRAq2Zac7v12QtP-MMA/w634-h640/blog40.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br />I went to a coffee shop down in Parker on Halloween day to do some sketching. Several kids stopped in wearing their costumes This kid looked like he attached the inflatable yard decoration from his front yard to himself. I'm sure it didn't weigh much, but I think it would make walking difficult.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF349VYKN1AKRD2imB-t7rwAi4t_AIJ4VtlVfZPFzjf9d41EqLE9t_cyu6FuAEnjkGndkT-9IJ3nfLQw-fjyF_Z5iRRkGxOYZYAQswECKI8RNzMzXXB1hG2iKT2RcRYMiDd8SmqRoqdm4T-J00__94ZqK8GkK9klqCuXZHA_sOmfd0PsHTW6D6ql9FnI/s738/blog39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="738" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF349VYKN1AKRD2imB-t7rwAi4t_AIJ4VtlVfZPFzjf9d41EqLE9t_cyu6FuAEnjkGndkT-9IJ3nfLQw-fjyF_Z5iRRkGxOYZYAQswECKI8RNzMzXXB1hG2iKT2RcRYMiDd8SmqRoqdm4T-J00__94ZqK8GkK9klqCuXZHA_sOmfd0PsHTW6D6ql9FnI/w640-h430/blog39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now that Charlie has his rabies tag, Bruce and I took him to the dog park. Since it was a Sunday afternoon, the place was packed. Charlie is a bit shy around dogs - not surprising since he's only had me and Bruce to interact with the last 3 months. So we skipped going into the fenced area and instead walked over to the frisbee golf course. He loved that, because the dirt was soft enough for digging. White hair on the tips of his paws is cute, but it's not good for digging in the dirt. Maybe Violet and Melissa will take him with them the next time they go for a pedicure.</div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-53562420540971760502023-11-05T10:22:00.003-06:002023-11-05T10:22:21.316-06:00New Step Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjvrfsy_a-MVEhSyHbAmzvP5-TxAWhkhuImkDqr6xHhVjG36mfX8Ngma4XwCtGRfVP35Eh1U0RhBeslPYiO_eSzxBS8ezdOrNpvZn_5ztOHPX3xN2HRUgOhpXA1LRYplVnfDUsaPok1Alny90jKIT0ntM25UKlFmgLSNSdtIGcmBBstDk_6eWqPLqYYY/s1263/blog37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1263" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjvrfsy_a-MVEhSyHbAmzvP5-TxAWhkhuImkDqr6xHhVjG36mfX8Ngma4XwCtGRfVP35Eh1U0RhBeslPYiO_eSzxBS8ezdOrNpvZn_5ztOHPX3xN2HRUgOhpXA1LRYplVnfDUsaPok1Alny90jKIT0ntM25UKlFmgLSNSdtIGcmBBstDk_6eWqPLqYYY/w640-h418/blog37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Janet and I are putting our walking shoes back on and starting another virtual step challenge. This time, we're traveling down Route 66, a distance of 2,339 miles. In order to try to finish the challenge before the end of 2024, I'm going to start on the west in Santa Monica, while Janet starts on the east in Chicago, and we'll meet somewhere in the middle. Full disclosure, I'll actually be counting biking as well as walking steps - whatever my fitness tracker reads at the end of the day. I'm not sure what it says about me that after only 2 days, Janet is already 4 miles ahead.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0Ytdybi1cIm4KI9XVR66YozJRhWS8JEqZtAwQTD7FB9jTPn2AGl61o4sVG2zBmL5q2aMbp-K1ZWttzqwrGrm0Or3O71Im9yarnFhSyOEt03xSwZv3GAsc67XDC4vRh0fL8RNs3WOjHN6437xnIJey2sFV4Iuj_N0IIYSXXeXENC9LBbtgP-ZxeOUVzc/s1781/1route66a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1781" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0Ytdybi1cIm4KI9XVR66YozJRhWS8JEqZtAwQTD7FB9jTPn2AGl61o4sVG2zBmL5q2aMbp-K1ZWttzqwrGrm0Or3O71Im9yarnFhSyOEt03xSwZv3GAsc67XDC4vRh0fL8RNs3WOjHN6437xnIJey2sFV4Iuj_N0IIYSXXeXENC9LBbtgP-ZxeOUVzc/w640-h222/1route66a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-87461108417954892392023-10-31T18:44:00.003-05:002023-10-31T18:44:34.148-05:00Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3DQEU8M0qr98jgeVZHvGrtJUsiT0L638C8d41xHXQOo7YQHPyYVQYithm9Cki5u4cvMle_9fwkepWpptA2iDJPXFqL69m3KUW-EUWehzU60QPfBZQuxdBB-oY2adE7wCRt2_bvWbo2NaIHhCb2HpCywu0R3iD8DtABL6We1-8dM2PBboo7m602TLI60/s770/blog25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="770" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3DQEU8M0qr98jgeVZHvGrtJUsiT0L638C8d41xHXQOo7YQHPyYVQYithm9Cki5u4cvMle_9fwkepWpptA2iDJPXFqL69m3KUW-EUWehzU60QPfBZQuxdBB-oY2adE7wCRt2_bvWbo2NaIHhCb2HpCywu0R3iD8DtABL6We1-8dM2PBboo7m602TLI60/w640-h462/blog25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween from Michele, Violet, and Mr Bones!</div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-25959565909834106912023-10-31T07:22:00.000-05:002023-10-31T07:22:15.049-05:00St Louis/KC<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz72Ww-172kDvNWJ3Kyqhk_JXjKHycqZWvzD-7-aBY8n_9Xcbft-Ci178MOxR2L-v6XcyzINohXsyDgwJuLWZhY3NdmzmK7uvYbnojWZYTDpFIBiq3IPFxBqS1SqNgEUpbRcVWGwFQhOEOESZTuvQA4AWdI9FTrF_Ny7z9fvUnfPYpvHQiR035D24n4M/s1000/blog32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1000" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz72Ww-172kDvNWJ3Kyqhk_JXjKHycqZWvzD-7-aBY8n_9Xcbft-Ci178MOxR2L-v6XcyzINohXsyDgwJuLWZhY3NdmzmK7uvYbnojWZYTDpFIBiq3IPFxBqS1SqNgEUpbRcVWGwFQhOEOESZTuvQA4AWdI9FTrF_Ny7z9fvUnfPYpvHQiR035D24n4M/w640-h536/blog32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's been ages since I've been back to Missouri, so I decided to go on a Halloween adventure. The Denver airport is probably one of the worst-managed airports I've ever been in, but they do know how to decorate for Halloween. Unfortunately, I think this "employee" was the most helpful on my entire flight.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCdb8TB3numh-iwx3e-_nVD6CFGAYgLHinombj4uHIkMEexDt-qVAv9gxDnmSrUSyrp3Ib6vumV_j3j-tRkAAe-yTvCqvCZt3zy6jmRA8hcW22rHHdzbifBEWU7FepKW-PLrjMwA8U-0LVMagE4tjd34R1IJ_CWTkWg7DSgq1P2vkzyPMDWgkXixDau0/s609/blog31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="609" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCdb8TB3numh-iwx3e-_nVD6CFGAYgLHinombj4uHIkMEexDt-qVAv9gxDnmSrUSyrp3Ib6vumV_j3j-tRkAAe-yTvCqvCZt3zy6jmRA8hcW22rHHdzbifBEWU7FepKW-PLrjMwA8U-0LVMagE4tjd34R1IJ_CWTkWg7DSgq1P2vkzyPMDWgkXixDau0/w640-h546/blog31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My first stop was St Louis, and of course, a trip to Ted Drewes with some of my Nerinx teacher friends. There were several seasonal Halloween flavors on the menu, but I stuck with my favorite <i>Cardinal Sin</i>. It's a good thing I don't live closer to Ted Drewes or I'd be over there testing out every item on the menu. I love going to this south city neighborhood, because they always decorate so elaborately for Halloween. We spent almost an hour driving up and down streets looking at all the decorations (huge skeletons and inflatables seemed to be very popular this year). <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1zbH-ae3SqWsbhmBBe_okXVOUgteFQ0ODe2cf7n7VMPI6wEoGto4BpyB4W9Z5QTPrjuoOLFB85WTY3zZ-iFyrsVIBzk-T8jywTe9SWmnpjwCwz1FejYuhe64tKIcmeqE3mQouIAFx_Q83EyfLTaZM2GxyFtzjeO78KfgDu73WovnLWXh2uTa6YN-wSA/s1000/blog30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1000" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1zbH-ae3SqWsbhmBBe_okXVOUgteFQ0ODe2cf7n7VMPI6wEoGto4BpyB4W9Z5QTPrjuoOLFB85WTY3zZ-iFyrsVIBzk-T8jywTe9SWmnpjwCwz1FejYuhe64tKIcmeqE3mQouIAFx_Q83EyfLTaZM2GxyFtzjeO78KfgDu73WovnLWXh2uTa6YN-wSA/w640-h454/blog30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />No visit would be complete without dinner at Mi Ranchito. You would think that with such a large Hispanic population in Denver, I'd be able to find a good Mexican restaurant, but so far nothing beats Mi Ranchito. It's a little hard to distinguish what I ordered, but this is sort of a nacho plate with Mexican taquitos and tamales buried underneath chips and guacamole. It was delicious.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTSatJ77yWArq71SkvjgxBf8WF_VQ7-6z6zdsbLr-AoOi2HHgTvLi2E_UfCCmkRpBg0mQBhhYgYpx2vsxCRuYf8v2WoCKurKBtGIWb7h2dOwdy4byQ0uAll5FgEEO5yKFb_Lw1cPwR2w5DU_oDSXbB_w0c18MQqdTEFdr6HIQLU0weY9gCMOYm2X0Joc/s959/blog27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="959" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTSatJ77yWArq71SkvjgxBf8WF_VQ7-6z6zdsbLr-AoOi2HHgTvLi2E_UfCCmkRpBg0mQBhhYgYpx2vsxCRuYf8v2WoCKurKBtGIWb7h2dOwdy4byQ0uAll5FgEEO5yKFb_Lw1cPwR2w5DU_oDSXbB_w0c18MQqdTEFdr6HIQLU0weY9gCMOYm2X0Joc/w640-h426/blog27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Since the rain was holding off, I went over to the Delmar Loop with one of my robotics referee friends. Fred started growing a beard as a joke for the middle school kids in the robotics tournaments. It turned out looking so much like a Santa Claus beard that people are begging him to keep it until after Christmas.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZBX2stlHYaHLxjh_qzLl2do1lTDQ2v7lw1O8T69Y7IPO0vHpX8_yFlEEccjL4UCh4oUYYMSVycv-29xEZTi76tFpkg6qfmsMoDL0szffT4clDaCUKtUwBN7Wo9mZsZv7viPA2g4gwgKndsk96eigyW7UDAhLUaBEVgv7qvuC_okgRhKsXLNCWcYogjM/s1000/blog29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1000" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZBX2stlHYaHLxjh_qzLl2do1lTDQ2v7lw1O8T69Y7IPO0vHpX8_yFlEEccjL4UCh4oUYYMSVycv-29xEZTi76tFpkg6qfmsMoDL0szffT4clDaCUKtUwBN7Wo9mZsZv7viPA2g4gwgKndsk96eigyW7UDAhLUaBEVgv7qvuC_okgRhKsXLNCWcYogjM/w640-h578/blog29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We went up to the rooftop bar above the Moonrise Hotel, a restored '60's building. I used to go past this hotel all the time when I was walking home from the Metrolink station. I've always been curious about this place, because you can see a giant rotating moon from the sidewalk below. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbc7L_CGkBLj4jjJQUOpHUPHrHhBiausD255afsV9fvibJIVIKAuNPSqRxIdzXKDD8veHcVzHVRTbNuWJ_Tq58CQBwX86XPBFHCkJTzSEJjojgfaXeSeAoMB0FkJHcg-waZ7AHbkNOCK2s1Ok1W5rvX-vMr67Ck3JUpWfCtDlH2hDHBr0f5DksgqoSzI/s1000/blog28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1000" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbc7L_CGkBLj4jjJQUOpHUPHrHhBiausD255afsV9fvibJIVIKAuNPSqRxIdzXKDD8veHcVzHVRTbNuWJ_Tq58CQBwX86XPBFHCkJTzSEJjojgfaXeSeAoMB0FkJHcg-waZ7AHbkNOCK2s1Ok1W5rvX-vMr67Ck3JUpWfCtDlH2hDHBr0f5DksgqoSzI/w640-h404/blog28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The view was spectacular from the roof. You could see all the lights along the loop as well as the Central West End skyline. If it hadn't been foggy, we might have been able to see the Arch. I think the next time I go to St Louis, I may look into getting a room here.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBhwCEWs3cNo7APRoG_ohROBT6JRjLsmq3Z9wVEX6s7pDD25bNWq7bhAJ5NdQEyOFiYtiQijWXRZ9xg5DtMeSwRkpEN06tf5VgE1nX93udmpUEPY1krjOTl5BiLqCgsbsWtlbXgfgqhVtLQGaIV9UA1wSmPjVxYmgO-XaEUIUzkBFVqjZ7_aKU5ohEuw/s1000/blog26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBhwCEWs3cNo7APRoG_ohROBT6JRjLsmq3Z9wVEX6s7pDD25bNWq7bhAJ5NdQEyOFiYtiQijWXRZ9xg5DtMeSwRkpEN06tf5VgE1nX93udmpUEPY1krjOTl5BiLqCgsbsWtlbXgfgqhVtLQGaIV9UA1wSmPjVxYmgO-XaEUIUzkBFVqjZ7_aKU5ohEuw/w640-h480/blog26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The next morning I took Amtrak to Washington, Missouri. I used to go here all the time to sketch, walk along the river, or ride my bike along the Katy Trail. There were a ton of people out boating and eating in sidewalk cafes. I forgot how warm that Missouri humidity can make you feel.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8PfWUHNR-rTZ6sjNJNvaW1729cI1RpQfXgDSKWiiJnWD61Wqfa9w2z2Yb3sQ_vEMxtc_EMSdoh3OczNw1IYzgpIA2V977Muk3sWcs9RfQscehawY_VToQzDpfZmu9VweaWImYrxG3cCTFoRHHeZ6zQkdp1DOJQVxcjuhh6bl3V0WSYNWQlpX9hbYvCo/s1000/blog33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8PfWUHNR-rTZ6sjNJNvaW1729cI1RpQfXgDSKWiiJnWD61Wqfa9w2z2Yb3sQ_vEMxtc_EMSdoh3OczNw1IYzgpIA2V977Muk3sWcs9RfQscehawY_VToQzDpfZmu9VweaWImYrxG3cCTFoRHHeZ6zQkdp1DOJQVxcjuhh6bl3V0WSYNWQlpX9hbYvCo/w640-h448/blog33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />That afternoon I got back on Amtrak and headed to Kansas City. I was supposed to spend the weekend going to the Halloween parade with Melissa and family, but the temperature plummeted... I mean it literally dropped 50 degrees. So instead we all played Uno and ate Janet's chili for dinner. I never won a game (these kids are too smart), but it was fun to play something besides solitaire for a change.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogVEQ48sArukN38kRKFaNP4bFr0UdjCh0qO2ERUg5NNfaT3gWAR7LaaLQeGRpAzK6FXXE3G7NCJISfgNh2zUA8rIXjo0in8u06NE2ygqQVKbik27eF1ngu0M1XuDu7xtK_1Nd05vMnsYoyTP__vICBWis3o_bkB0bJQnv_UoFcvIGCz2cmunUQc4Bdv4/s779/blog34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="779" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogVEQ48sArukN38kRKFaNP4bFr0UdjCh0qO2ERUg5NNfaT3gWAR7LaaLQeGRpAzK6FXXE3G7NCJISfgNh2zUA8rIXjo0in8u06NE2ygqQVKbik27eF1ngu0M1XuDu7xtK_1Nd05vMnsYoyTP__vICBWis3o_bkB0bJQnv_UoFcvIGCz2cmunUQc4Bdv4/w640-h452/blog34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On Sunday I watched the Chiefs game with Janet and Teresa. The poor Chiefs lost 9-24 against the Denver Broncos. There is all kinds of hype in Kansas City about one of the Chief's players, #87 Travis Kelce, dating Taylor Swift, and the observation that Kelce plays better when Taylor attends one of his games. Taylor didn't go to Denver, so many people are blaming her for the Chiefs' loss. Truthfully, I don't think Taylor had anything to do with it, since Patrick Mahone had the flu and Denver got 8 inches of snow (you don't see the snow on the field, because they vacuumed it off before the game, but it was piled up in our front yard when I got home on Monday). Still it would have been fun to see Taylor in the stands.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6agcPdR7uetn98LL5vp1FR5CNeBUzXJuw1Eimk7Gafp6ap1FJ0DCdvrcnHp9yNA3CpHFj7-uXM9ARWbQ9MaSvWPSEtZLmeQJexQwajaCzScM10PzSnnoSC3XUmhhPnqX5wfOCboyTHG07k5-VgXNMeiD_88hegQ8MJs74BVOliY6C-t5oT5_NRvRvJpg/s1024/blog35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6agcPdR7uetn98LL5vp1FR5CNeBUzXJuw1Eimk7Gafp6ap1FJ0DCdvrcnHp9yNA3CpHFj7-uXM9ARWbQ9MaSvWPSEtZLmeQJexQwajaCzScM10PzSnnoSC3XUmhhPnqX5wfOCboyTHG07k5-VgXNMeiD_88hegQ8MJs74BVOliY6C-t5oT5_NRvRvJpg/w640-h426/blog35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-6225641122293589202023-10-25T12:59:00.001-05:002023-10-25T12:59:10.499-05:00Courtney Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMhs9s-P20erc3T45H0TqW_9RBuLlFBfwXODYW3H8ky3_yXwtQg7T6Yr9h6cNvCeseO84gl_qp3rGMEnNieRZfyBiU1Iz5P8IziApzO7H1Scvnm8ch2vv2QZ8MBSz_tbV4g_oxz5KHXjOP21qoudgnWhKEGIDGKClfR86axdHJWCxZAHAFzcNzqyJGd0/s774/blog20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="774" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMhs9s-P20erc3T45H0TqW_9RBuLlFBfwXODYW3H8ky3_yXwtQg7T6Yr9h6cNvCeseO84gl_qp3rGMEnNieRZfyBiU1Iz5P8IziApzO7H1Scvnm8ch2vv2QZ8MBSz_tbV4g_oxz5KHXjOP21qoudgnWhKEGIDGKClfR86axdHJWCxZAHAFzcNzqyJGd0/w640-h446/blog20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Courtney is taking a belated 40th birthday trip - driving to several national parks in Utah. She started her adventure in Denver where I made her a Princess birthday cupcake (probably better for a 4th birthday, rather than 40th, but I thought it was cute).<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYix46JDhWzcgQ3UmpKFY_CSoZ3HqirFjSBlUTZhCzxad8hvgeh48OMbizCxRSPTQGZYz6G5S_4atNmZokGczndE9WHnYz_B_kWoeulGttOrvTJvysoXRJQ-Z_svWD79948t5mViytNE8j21ZnBX9zD1yT00L7cxhjCRNmYD2ZWSRBl8-9o8wcD-LOVyo/s1144/blog16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYix46JDhWzcgQ3UmpKFY_CSoZ3HqirFjSBlUTZhCzxad8hvgeh48OMbizCxRSPTQGZYz6G5S_4atNmZokGczndE9WHnYz_B_kWoeulGttOrvTJvysoXRJQ-Z_svWD79948t5mViytNE8j21ZnBX9zD1yT00L7cxhjCRNmYD2ZWSRBl8-9o8wcD-LOVyo/w560-h640/blog16.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><br />We had glorious weather while Courtney was here, so I took her out to the <i>Plains Conservation Center</i> to do some sketching. We saw tipis, sod huts, antique farm machinery, and an odd-looking animal called a pronghorn (kind of a cross between an antelope and a really old deer with stubby antlers).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwYP6AXRKVy6qgaGaafMV5K2qduy7vFAa8b9cMbaWnZjbAEt08aZYoOLkiG2SPHUnt66smp5cTEnK2lWJAQsnn79h2c7WjF0STQaQ6SU9DxjVyc-2MSP3BRYryIDOCRS1o6Z2EIt06p0K7M8DUh5Fvd-ULKA9ZXNSonqgbiT57YDf747ljaeU3G69Imc/s944/blog15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwYP6AXRKVy6qgaGaafMV5K2qduy7vFAa8b9cMbaWnZjbAEt08aZYoOLkiG2SPHUnt66smp5cTEnK2lWJAQsnn79h2c7WjF0STQaQ6SU9DxjVyc-2MSP3BRYryIDOCRS1o6Z2EIt06p0K7M8DUh5Fvd-ULKA9ZXNSonqgbiT57YDf747ljaeU3G69Imc/w640-h400/blog15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We took Courtney on a bike ride around the neighborhood (Bruce let her ride his new eBike) and then stopped off at the Mexican restaurant for lunch. The portions were so huge that it became lunch and dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf9P739AyKYFQPlWPxqWX1Goo1XVfRE6_rWz8wF4pGZf5FiDzawR2YzlUXUKKBQ39sxbL7H6akaR3kJ8yWpamm32cQ8YITrXbwG6A_RuCzRu0mj-x8iogtCr-gkm0dOFNJzhyphenhyphenbESsIAypzI-ensALZFAH18V05N48R7fFekAMMbE7xI4nJ5t3F0AmTAo/s644/blog17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="644" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf9P739AyKYFQPlWPxqWX1Goo1XVfRE6_rWz8wF4pGZf5FiDzawR2YzlUXUKKBQ39sxbL7H6akaR3kJ8yWpamm32cQ8YITrXbwG6A_RuCzRu0mj-x8iogtCr-gkm0dOFNJzhyphenhyphenbESsIAypzI-ensALZFAH18V05N48R7fFekAMMbE7xI4nJ5t3F0AmTAo/w640-h524/blog17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Courtney got to spend a lot of time with Charlie. He actually went nuts whenever he was around her. I think if she would have slipped him into her suitcase, he would have followed her home.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8CrY-rlQ3a1kPA7x1NfbToma3sRJx7XFYf9aSs5nr5Fk9MnvOklq0x-FfmMlVRiqGmg83gvJqUN2OQgvSYIPTVxEcOIPH2KnkV-d5olIQNdxTQCCHLSAGVxrfHd_5YT58yWiIfz0rFtIFO2PIWu1BAZMHgT3grgDzA1N68XtxX5kh6qyDukjOARlLe8/s988/blog9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="988" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8CrY-rlQ3a1kPA7x1NfbToma3sRJx7XFYf9aSs5nr5Fk9MnvOklq0x-FfmMlVRiqGmg83gvJqUN2OQgvSYIPTVxEcOIPH2KnkV-d5olIQNdxTQCCHLSAGVxrfHd_5YT58yWiIfz0rFtIFO2PIWu1BAZMHgT3grgDzA1N68XtxX5kh6qyDukjOARlLe8/w640-h490/blog9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On Wednesday, Courtney left for Utah. Bruce went with her to Moab and they spent a couple days there hiking in <i>Arches National Park</i>. Then Bruce came home and Courtney continued south on her own.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWL0oPEJ2MkrBHQX8EMG08yF-wukQNbNDIAb4A5jvw71JIWGk0Zt-JVtP-HzGdBEIhHmGgBiXsS_i5scMLtH77N4vJfa7CyOoZ7Z4eI4LQRdZpdtvtk4PYXxZ1voMvAJ1vTuf09ik49YklqjwyQ04-XYL7_JgyTghBu59ewmLKTTmq5BbGk8_MwyEmDI/s880/blog8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="880" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWL0oPEJ2MkrBHQX8EMG08yF-wukQNbNDIAb4A5jvw71JIWGk0Zt-JVtP-HzGdBEIhHmGgBiXsS_i5scMLtH77N4vJfa7CyOoZ7Z4eI4LQRdZpdtvtk4PYXxZ1voMvAJ1vTuf09ik49YklqjwyQ04-XYL7_JgyTghBu59ewmLKTTmq5BbGk8_MwyEmDI/w640-h458/blog8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In the meantime, I stayed home and finished up some chores. I had to take my car in for an oil change and brake fluid flush. It's so much nicer to have a car that needs an oil change only once a year.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvjd7ySoku5PImvKD9ERW0gvF8a-C21y8qF8S3p3ll3ipBPlErPZWnNLfdysCfEnstQUrVr2GfAFg1KHHoeMTv4nBTRPTbAhbkULlxj-56BIXThWPhzKDYMToiaiO5mGfAafmQlVuw_dLS-iHwyinwOpq-vObT1-66RbcsJ71kO9gFaQqokM-H6osLzA/s1000/blog22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1000" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvjd7ySoku5PImvKD9ERW0gvF8a-C21y8qF8S3p3ll3ipBPlErPZWnNLfdysCfEnstQUrVr2GfAFg1KHHoeMTv4nBTRPTbAhbkULlxj-56BIXThWPhzKDYMToiaiO5mGfAafmQlVuw_dLS-iHwyinwOpq-vObT1-66RbcsJ71kO9gFaQqokM-H6osLzA/w640-h422/blog22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I took advantage of the great weather and went on a couple bike rides. Susan and I rode 4 different trails near the Platte River and ended up at the <i>Enchanted Forest</i> in Hudson Gardens. You can see the pumpkin ticket booth behind us. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJrQabC55l1qEnb4L9-stR4yCxyLG9yQiVeb3EoKWtafPduN36pGeCizZngc3e66FPttzM2iv30fRZvGI2MBxuPzXpJseSJ7khMCZUS-bkyX6sJ3UHBTQvgVBppmmL7vfN7k1U7yJ9eU4_pr1DY4NX25vO78MUd9RZHC0Ms2yaEp7XxFFeVIK8gxJ5Eo/s930/blog24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="930" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJrQabC55l1qEnb4L9-stR4yCxyLG9yQiVeb3EoKWtafPduN36pGeCizZngc3e66FPttzM2iv30fRZvGI2MBxuPzXpJseSJ7khMCZUS-bkyX6sJ3UHBTQvgVBppmmL7vfN7k1U7yJ9eU4_pr1DY4NX25vO78MUd9RZHC0Ms2yaEp7XxFFeVIK8gxJ5Eo/w640-h324/blog24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The view along the river was absolutely gorgeous (you can see the mountains in the distance - this was before they started getting snow on them). There were tons of other bikers out on that day. Being a weekday, it made me wonder if anyone went to work these days.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7AqxL5teqXCCEOhHNUvL9-zuMJCf3u9aZ5qtcvtWpZ8oYSnpsmn7VlKFLK6t-zHgWzyrJkiPPGi_MBakGKLN0K3PZExBxCRHpqgOLmPPRP5M8i_3u8uVkzQco44kMaGyFKYCcXJRJxKUMkEAQd-gOByZ7ZDe55xyuuiCi2EAenZ6fJ68DdrGtNhINFU/s1000/blog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7AqxL5teqXCCEOhHNUvL9-zuMJCf3u9aZ5qtcvtWpZ8oYSnpsmn7VlKFLK6t-zHgWzyrJkiPPGi_MBakGKLN0K3PZExBxCRHpqgOLmPPRP5M8i_3u8uVkzQco44kMaGyFKYCcXJRJxKUMkEAQd-gOByZ7ZDe55xyuuiCi2EAenZ6fJ68DdrGtNhINFU/w640-h426/blog13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A few days later, I rode the Tallman Gulch Trail with Molly to the Fika Coffee House. She's heading back to Phoenix for the winter and won't be back until May. Bummer, but I don't blame her wanting to get away from all the snow we're predicted to have this winter.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGtqb0Pxm9pwt-VgceBFdiEiSnQsI1u4dquGzEFQAr02BjLFUQyPpbCNtgA4ehNRyMhjUsSNYdCzZGg6J7Kc5QzvTQjok5NCuRZCwTbiGzJOn_ueAn3WvX1j62OyyyOzgVpSNDaEhjmaIVMNIMochgUfaq1vv7rmgspCKXzza-pGtpwNUVp1hddE9t1I/s1000/blog10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="1000" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGtqb0Pxm9pwt-VgceBFdiEiSnQsI1u4dquGzEFQAr02BjLFUQyPpbCNtgA4ehNRyMhjUsSNYdCzZGg6J7Kc5QzvTQjok5NCuRZCwTbiGzJOn_ueAn3WvX1j62OyyyOzgVpSNDaEhjmaIVMNIMochgUfaq1vv7rmgspCKXzza-pGtpwNUVp1hddE9t1I/w640-h370/blog10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The city extended the Cherry Creek Bike Trail all he way to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The park is about 20 miles from our house, but our bike group tried starting at a trailhead down the road. Five people made it to the park. I turned around after 10 miles, because the wind was really picking up making it difficult to keep up (especially with the eBike riders). On the way back, I passed a pumpkin patch with Halloween scarecrows.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqTJZX6rp4RhqkznLMmi-RtMHvxLGEHhC5sQ0B3Nalyo3P06MzeeXBMl2psEv7uOQIZC819QOQDjwdYrTgeGNGxbzXn-pyef-fav5n7xf5Ib22gVoN4VxuTzf-L8yyldCBr9y6YsSA50WSXIijKOa-nae3n9sKXUxTfbHk8bd4C7vUNrflrr9I_w10g8/s684/blog12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="684" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqTJZX6rp4RhqkznLMmi-RtMHvxLGEHhC5sQ0B3Nalyo3P06MzeeXBMl2psEv7uOQIZC819QOQDjwdYrTgeGNGxbzXn-pyef-fav5n7xf5Ib22gVoN4VxuTzf-L8yyldCBr9y6YsSA50WSXIijKOa-nae3n9sKXUxTfbHk8bd4C7vUNrflrr9I_w10g8/w640-h472/blog12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been taking a quilt class on Saturdays called <i>Sunsets & Silhouettes</i>. It's an applique class where you temporarily glue down the pieces before sewing them on. Then you paint the black images onto the fabric. It was a really interesting class, but very fast-paced. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIBp2PNDEVw9guGi9miLlvhxXoZhra2eeTWC7a-a2P1PG72UFZjYJBAM9N8Jj15H7S7tM60bucl14BD5wuuF-IGX0jIHEHArq1nodL2HaGtYCg46SphqNHDVVdZIpMMcKp6luYTupceCwwWSpYHZw9t7im42UT79bb3vEJa7rPjBpfZVJ1-CDaYrYH7E/s583/blog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="583" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIBp2PNDEVw9guGi9miLlvhxXoZhra2eeTWC7a-a2P1PG72UFZjYJBAM9N8Jj15H7S7tM60bucl14BD5wuuF-IGX0jIHEHArq1nodL2HaGtYCg46SphqNHDVVdZIpMMcKp6luYTupceCwwWSpYHZw9t7im42UT79bb3vEJa7rPjBpfZVJ1-CDaYrYH7E/w640-h556/blog11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The final quilt (wall-hanging) was 45 inches wide! We all told the instructor that she might want to go for a smaller project the next time she teaches the class. It was difficult to get finished in 2 weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_gTeoVULPWFEGe5-dX7a9EZ2Dw6rhqQdaqvAtZKZIUOuYYdtQaBOa-7jq2qoAIfgTvbDzspYRhkWurzKX-liczyCO_HveX8mBLRXHBb10lC425NM4dVow55Qh4O6Wb1TJ5WfSbJhzbrsxV5JCJa9QVQ5clB98PpzzeMrx2eh6-ROEhYZPKN0XE7dbIQ/s764/blog23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="764" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_gTeoVULPWFEGe5-dX7a9EZ2Dw6rhqQdaqvAtZKZIUOuYYdtQaBOa-7jq2qoAIfgTvbDzspYRhkWurzKX-liczyCO_HveX8mBLRXHBb10lC425NM4dVow55Qh4O6Wb1TJ5WfSbJhzbrsxV5JCJa9QVQ5clB98PpzzeMrx2eh6-ROEhYZPKN0XE7dbIQ/w640-h398/blog23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I took Charlie to the vet for his final vaccine and rabies shots. So now he is legal and can go to the dog park. The only trouble is that he seems to hate riding in both the car and the bike trailer. But at least he seems to like walking a little better. The trouble is the dog park is almost 2 miles away. I'd rather bike there than walk, especially with a wiggly dog.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSZYq9bjTgsUxEVCMd3cbGW4WbJafviFdN8TfLLkFooC8ulHp-gFw8LGYSCI5rHQN8bZlmn3OroKF3qfOs0xcUYWFU8EoX2qEKoqQ4dScT2MZHeZWDBNjXgw6LpSkMcskpeLeruDMosReHX2Ta9l6-_KbgNdh64IcUWneszOJMvoSTadvm8rQgz47LHs/s901/blog14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="901" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSZYq9bjTgsUxEVCMd3cbGW4WbJafviFdN8TfLLkFooC8ulHp-gFw8LGYSCI5rHQN8bZlmn3OroKF3qfOs0xcUYWFU8EoX2qEKoqQ4dScT2MZHeZWDBNjXgw6LpSkMcskpeLeruDMosReHX2Ta9l6-_KbgNdh64IcUWneszOJMvoSTadvm8rQgz47LHs/w640-h412/blog14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We got our sprinklers winterized this week, but since it's still really warm out, Bruce has had to water the plants with the hose. Charlie loves to "help" him by sticking his face into the water spray. Luckily he's able to dry off pretty quickly in the sun. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0qk-jR25P9pdKEZhYbin-97rU6LW6RFT_9T_AWzJ3u4UfGq3g94U3kKlNcX6gM64EG_fhPR7JysZtYZEMgEhxLtk-J4NfvwWxdfI3cu7VDbxQBdygmUNr3qhGACubeYBbXynkqvuotZZ_CegbSlD5WsG1-P3ybCeK-C7t6Glwz-j1KWKkvvp_WOgwnU/s1008/BLOG18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="999" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0qk-jR25P9pdKEZhYbin-97rU6LW6RFT_9T_AWzJ3u4UfGq3g94U3kKlNcX6gM64EG_fhPR7JysZtYZEMgEhxLtk-J4NfvwWxdfI3cu7VDbxQBdygmUNr3qhGACubeYBbXynkqvuotZZ_CegbSlD5WsG1-P3ybCeK-C7t6Glwz-j1KWKkvvp_WOgwnU/w634-h640/BLOG18.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br />I built Charlie a play space in the basement to help burn off some of his puppy energy. He is a wild man when he is down there playing with all his toys. But at least it wears him out enough that he sleeps most of the afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_OK9nzDw-FSW7J6hPP1j24lzYWikJdA5PySn2nQcQciEuG3g0L4P7_KjIDR93fIKj4R1THd2C3SCXAucL6IbviZtxqrEvt_loibu3f_JSVLkN4JLt9dQwHpqD08-U7xjZpMk8zSQZnWqfSQfMdG0Wh-e1CYFqADjfDRGkvjAIRdEDAcwsaNNNJs3NxI/s1000/BLOG19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_OK9nzDw-FSW7J6hPP1j24lzYWikJdA5PySn2nQcQciEuG3g0L4P7_KjIDR93fIKj4R1THd2C3SCXAucL6IbviZtxqrEvt_loibu3f_JSVLkN4JLt9dQwHpqD08-U7xjZpMk8zSQZnWqfSQfMdG0Wh-e1CYFqADjfDRGkvjAIRdEDAcwsaNNNJs3NxI/w640-h384/BLOG19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-14734238918702082032023-10-10T07:35:00.002-05:002023-10-10T07:35:27.284-05:00Club Fair<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61lxhcrwy2_h9c1pqbfUUyanz65ojHOi5IGhOfIgmyKYakrHw-gSqajNjczVSdYE8MbCjuJruuJmRyNUREyVv6lHS0qgeSwkUMV-Gv5Y7pnsX2peeUmSdz1eNZu1b1oF1P5-KetRhyphenhyphenmyQW8YdS6IODbHq8eX-4GA8Cfyp73X0vhBAkKYd2_A8fdKGRN8/s892/blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="892" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61lxhcrwy2_h9c1pqbfUUyanz65ojHOi5IGhOfIgmyKYakrHw-gSqajNjczVSdYE8MbCjuJruuJmRyNUREyVv6lHS0qgeSwkUMV-Gv5Y7pnsX2peeUmSdz1eNZu1b1oF1P5-KetRhyphenhyphenmyQW8YdS6IODbHq8eX-4GA8Cfyp73X0vhBAkKYd2_A8fdKGRN8/w640-h388/blog7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week our neighborhood held a Club Fair to showcase all the opportunities available to residents. I worked the Bike Club and Ladies Out to Lunch tables. We have about 50 clubs in our neighborhood (I'm peripherally involved in about 20 of them). The Cuisine and Baking Clubs put on a big food spread (food is always popular with seniors). They're still building in our neighborhood, so we get new people moving in every week. And, frankly, it seems whenever anyone new moves in, they come up with a new idea for a club.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL0zxVQnFUtBwI3bPC1G_KhIxDNGdd_OHqEQNcD-oWl8pTLgq0J5-NxDhviPX7LI6GSUehfE384_G2w-fCT8JddpPrUebrmoHYi4vw6fo-_MiPHzEL0_g3fvl0-oXX89osKduD9mJbQAFKB4EGEWCeepz3cxVakoXGAaHoL7OqLH2FbTK-esLycTxMcc/s1000/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL0zxVQnFUtBwI3bPC1G_KhIxDNGdd_OHqEQNcD-oWl8pTLgq0J5-NxDhviPX7LI6GSUehfE384_G2w-fCT8JddpPrUebrmoHYi4vw6fo-_MiPHzEL0_g3fvl0-oXX89osKduD9mJbQAFKB4EGEWCeepz3cxVakoXGAaHoL7OqLH2FbTK-esLycTxMcc/w640-h260/blog3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our Bike Club leader (the bald guy in the above photo) went to visit his grandkids this past week, so I organized our 3rd annual <i>When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play</i> breakfast ride where we just ride down the street to the Heritage Cafe (low fitness, high socializing). Bruce isn't a big biker, but he is good at socializing (and eating breakfast), so he usually joins us.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh7hdk91J1cfSUjTQc1ST6ikBTKAanWfOXq5tvbuNCFPa7M1H7QB8CRX8j0l-NspwJojPeHEh_Q7sJuuAd74nB__eZ-Gw1-iBLY9rNviIuDGVXzFympQnoC9tlbhTxt-oY2JgS7zd_qPr_rwsTP1rP_JlXhq3EmVLLqfRIgrfClCGL3eMn3heaY9g_v8/s622/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="622" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh7hdk91J1cfSUjTQc1ST6ikBTKAanWfOXq5tvbuNCFPa7M1H7QB8CRX8j0l-NspwJojPeHEh_Q7sJuuAd74nB__eZ-Gw1-iBLY9rNviIuDGVXzFympQnoC9tlbhTxt-oY2JgS7zd_qPr_rwsTP1rP_JlXhq3EmVLLqfRIgrfClCGL3eMn3heaY9g_v8/w640-h518/blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />But after the breakfast Bruce decided that since there are so many bike trails in the neighborhood, he might enjoy biking a little more if he had a little help. So he went out and bought himself an eBike. eBikes are getting very popular, because they have built-in motors that give you a little extra oomph. They aren't quite as powerful as a scooter or a motorcycle, but it sure makes pedaling up hills a lot easier.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1izqD2wv3y7JoaqL-KDbSgjor_d9F98x-fJc1IDAZ_tX3HvbmCL3mcwiqqv10nlChK7WPkUZDGLnNgK4RwDZjSXNvs4-MdWTptwgjjgacEKZJS5Jsj5XJWtiPA2onAIYCanHDaK5wh7IkkIK6BfH554ldVESCSU5PRA1UTjq0Z4WfCgZFt96253TlCI/s591/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="591" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1izqD2wv3y7JoaqL-KDbSgjor_d9F98x-fJc1IDAZ_tX3HvbmCL3mcwiqqv10nlChK7WPkUZDGLnNgK4RwDZjSXNvs4-MdWTptwgjjgacEKZJS5Jsj5XJWtiPA2onAIYCanHDaK5wh7IkkIK6BfH554ldVESCSU5PRA1UTjq0Z4WfCgZFt96253TlCI/w640-h610/blog5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />eBikes look a lot like real bikes, except for that fatter section in the frame that stores the battery. They're also A LOT heavier than a real bike, so if you aren't careful and run out of power, you're stuck with pedaling a lot more weight to get back home. I think Bruce's battery is supposed to last for about 45 miles, which is about twice as far as I usually ride.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvWyCAwNWxA_MLMkv1VuBtt_aslJ7JVi9mbIDRkwlCGwdVelTSPRfeKvTF1LKnFkEs1dfeXfa1Tv8FlfguVG8RTGo-Q8JCnHfQiO0QM3SROvR85OCGglQC6ra5-7Fc3jhrXmmoxOJ_T-faxHMF1DynsZcNHhg15O0A-Jh3OJciiY4d7HKJRdU1nkzUYo/s585/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvWyCAwNWxA_MLMkv1VuBtt_aslJ7JVi9mbIDRkwlCGwdVelTSPRfeKvTF1LKnFkEs1dfeXfa1Tv8FlfguVG8RTGo-Q8JCnHfQiO0QM3SROvR85OCGglQC6ra5-7Fc3jhrXmmoxOJ_T-faxHMF1DynsZcNHhg15O0A-Jh3OJciiY4d7HKJRdU1nkzUYo/w636-h640/blog6.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><br />Charlie didn't want to be left out of the excitement, so we bought him a bike trailer to go on the back of the eBike. The bike trailer weighs 25 pounds. When you throw Charlie in there, that's way too heavy for me to pull on my regular bike (hence, another perk of an eBike).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihADijWb7UJGRppiWG-W_sDq9JYtrmXAueHqYOrNDlgNsyyhR_UbwPI0qGd2apirLnlSAkWd3J_rYw04qJR_EbKsHGOWQSFEMSz7NYTQrH8GF2sBRe3olV2hjyFa6bl9eEoIdUOmm-oaZ7MLcK6XFnFtL-ZYhbkpju0MDPl7QslPkvCn4I4d7Q931_tdE/s1000/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihADijWb7UJGRppiWG-W_sDq9JYtrmXAueHqYOrNDlgNsyyhR_UbwPI0qGd2apirLnlSAkWd3J_rYw04qJR_EbKsHGOWQSFEMSz7NYTQrH8GF2sBRe3olV2hjyFa6bl9eEoIdUOmm-oaZ7MLcK6XFnFtL-ZYhbkpju0MDPl7QslPkvCn4I4d7Q931_tdE/w640-h480/blog2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie wasn't quite sure if he would like riding in it (we had to stuff him in the first time), but when he found out that it's a great way to get to the park, he became a big fan.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBTWdqbdhRA0FrSpT3NLXHOtX4z4Z8h-M4C2Eaex7YmyS6jlx8GFQ4oHvUgYdo2CY9OPjz3nbZedRuomybV82EUX1LQH-3scm9oOtY58rJNZkSHcNhrFcohyphenhyphenbwd-JH1ZT-5uECoa4LC80Rz4gEi3Wtk2AwlaAenDv9OTdu-9JKZ1xjpLQwiKL4TFHf90/s788/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="788" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBTWdqbdhRA0FrSpT3NLXHOtX4z4Z8h-M4C2Eaex7YmyS6jlx8GFQ4oHvUgYdo2CY9OPjz3nbZedRuomybV82EUX1LQH-3scm9oOtY58rJNZkSHcNhrFcohyphenhyphenbwd-JH1ZT-5uECoa4LC80Rz4gEi3Wtk2AwlaAenDv9OTdu-9JKZ1xjpLQwiKL4TFHf90/w640-h394/blog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-42939243081262536862023-09-27T07:37:00.002-05:002023-09-27T07:37:28.916-05:00Happy Birthday, Charlie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdbzVQQtW3Pk9G5VWJ_CNxYwWA2rca8xXedGWmDELI1t0CDdCcqBPiiqcaNQVWBhYcyfuCiYoUKzQC5jx7-CVYL8aZv1c-czdLPjUJ91ZmzDnTCPO7YnmmN1XtT9L_1-jfvkx2BLHY8buubhgCZCxJi-5eaRzAT7xSNCE-goewKj1pXdjTFMLQK8NbKg/s840/blog150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="840" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdbzVQQtW3Pk9G5VWJ_CNxYwWA2rca8xXedGWmDELI1t0CDdCcqBPiiqcaNQVWBhYcyfuCiYoUKzQC5jx7-CVYL8aZv1c-czdLPjUJ91ZmzDnTCPO7YnmmN1XtT9L_1-jfvkx2BLHY8buubhgCZCxJi-5eaRzAT7xSNCE-goewKj1pXdjTFMLQK8NbKg/w640-h394/blog150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie is 3 months old already with a personality roughly equivalent to an 8-year old boy (according to the American Kennel Club). I can believe it, because he is very smart and VERY active, but also a bit of a rascal. He's getting tall enough to steal our clothes off the bed and dressers. Luckily, he hasn't learned how to open the closet doors yet.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1q3jTcZdpo2ucOh1pm-HcewxQ1mMlnn3ACXeq49Q1NpHyroQMtzy2bwmE8EOa7a-QPpfVFu7fIOvdKCJfnxTt-v0x0MttKdvCr16RABHf7IIYo_v_PSdcbUfGLvzIWTgTiJx3KhH6J-3DnkCAiSCGIIuc5dgjRXJVLBJ3ggpRgTjMhPA1fGbZQkDWrs/s845/blog143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="845" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1q3jTcZdpo2ucOh1pm-HcewxQ1mMlnn3ACXeq49Q1NpHyroQMtzy2bwmE8EOa7a-QPpfVFu7fIOvdKCJfnxTt-v0x0MttKdvCr16RABHf7IIYo_v_PSdcbUfGLvzIWTgTiJx3KhH6J-3DnkCAiSCGIIuc5dgjRXJVLBJ3ggpRgTjMhPA1fGbZQkDWrs/w640-h566/blog143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie's favorite toy is a ball with streamers hanging off the sides. It reminds me a lot of Lincoln's flag football games where the kids have to rip the flags off their opponent's belts. I bet Charlie would win the game for them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNU12kMbDWuMB5WEDtfXaEEWTWApdZMzh9W5PPOLCOAhjhc7KCcOOJL6QycKpDw-Hf2MGo3nEEgiObZdZKoYVgBGZ59Gh91bdXb9gk_fopuvK2Gj0n-vvFko3EvU85e7dUMb8uxHWUec3t_L6ivGYYyPaUytdlW0_zND9bzUrCnOpncSeBESR_ZeXng0/s1000/blog147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNU12kMbDWuMB5WEDtfXaEEWTWApdZMzh9W5PPOLCOAhjhc7KCcOOJL6QycKpDw-Hf2MGo3nEEgiObZdZKoYVgBGZ59Gh91bdXb9gk_fopuvK2Gj0n-vvFko3EvU85e7dUMb8uxHWUec3t_L6ivGYYyPaUytdlW0_zND9bzUrCnOpncSeBESR_ZeXng0/w640-h480/blog147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Charlie loves to dig in the dirt, especially when Bruce is working in the garden. This week, Bruce planted one of my peace poles for me. Charlie ended up so dirty that I had to give him a bath (not his favorite thing to do).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbq4w8doHTTS56uYmE28Kgt-JfQVynceh4RLiWevm-WrHTn3DrXseRAnbM72Rg_Lh0V4GK7b53ofnAFGffBn3Q8bUx1zbK0JEXrONSZ-mHjtQV3NOQEOWH77osy9-lF6aAgVUZ4nevtz860Nl0zpqli3YYmXB0e8eM72C_qbI00FJJRXqCipVfcgRhuI/s596/blog148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="596" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbq4w8doHTTS56uYmE28Kgt-JfQVynceh4RLiWevm-WrHTn3DrXseRAnbM72Rg_Lh0V4GK7b53ofnAFGffBn3Q8bUx1zbK0JEXrONSZ-mHjtQV3NOQEOWH77osy9-lF6aAgVUZ4nevtz860Nl0zpqli3YYmXB0e8eM72C_qbI00FJJRXqCipVfcgRhuI/w640-h380/blog148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Most dogs like to sit in the sun, but Charlie prefers the shade. If Bruce goes out to do yard work in the middle of the afternoon, he's on his own. Charlie watches, but doesn't venture out to help.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYuy8imOKvx-GbQQ0TX3lMGMurWsaI59pqvTxvv2mFMr9y4a0Y16jKa3tZ5wQTYmemWS1ME66ODfquEXgnRTsPPHjMKgaPKRzE6zpUqKnJUbzAPinUIbZAaKcekCYRLmXCkBLLB_OJBWdRnVkue6s3bBbPLnKVI88CHwCBZrfyve2OcAQ5h_y8oKTVBo/s817/blog145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="817" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYuy8imOKvx-GbQQ0TX3lMGMurWsaI59pqvTxvv2mFMr9y4a0Y16jKa3tZ5wQTYmemWS1ME66ODfquEXgnRTsPPHjMKgaPKRzE6zpUqKnJUbzAPinUIbZAaKcekCYRLmXCkBLLB_OJBWdRnVkue6s3bBbPLnKVI88CHwCBZrfyve2OcAQ5h_y8oKTVBo/w640-h500/blog145.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Last weekend, I took Charlie over to the <i>Pooch Plunge</i> at the family pool. I think families with kids seem to have much larger dogs, because the pool was overrun with Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Charlie was literally petrified by all the big dogs. And even though he loves water, he wouldn't go inside the gate.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mhq-vHZ_CalFajEbJSwzvYUfyHiF5YCbqBNaqbdDV57WmNgmEWpnZ8bgjdS8De_gwu7rkSkrduIPa28bT8uDk4bzrgUk6WippoSJcPPVYOdiG3c6HNQpm5Spw3GVISRAogqXMuQ0lJYrizrh1zFHea0u-RdfHEQKhQ7A_igqLfCbDy8TOjKOLijSMP4/s932/blog146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="932" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mhq-vHZ_CalFajEbJSwzvYUfyHiF5YCbqBNaqbdDV57WmNgmEWpnZ8bgjdS8De_gwu7rkSkrduIPa28bT8uDk4bzrgUk6WippoSJcPPVYOdiG3c6HNQpm5Spw3GVISRAogqXMuQ0lJYrizrh1zFHea0u-RdfHEQKhQ7A_igqLfCbDy8TOjKOLijSMP4/w640-h442/blog146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was such a traumatic experience for him that he came home and took a nap. I think he likes the "over-55" side of the neighborhood better.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pw0tzrmx7yEYuxlon4jP1VsbqPlGcXdl_2wgc40yxb7bST1CF91hI2xJHParxn2pSwEGhwxDSyidVYAeg0suGMmyTHwZqnxnCUM0cFjpyD_Jbo5rg_c8Nd7AnAlMh6rDNoglG_kn6TzOzPCgTfrJUoJrQSORQ4xNGq9dkdLuXPkZigOQwpRksWB0T_8/s996/blog149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="996" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pw0tzrmx7yEYuxlon4jP1VsbqPlGcXdl_2wgc40yxb7bST1CF91hI2xJHParxn2pSwEGhwxDSyidVYAeg0suGMmyTHwZqnxnCUM0cFjpyD_Jbo5rg_c8Nd7AnAlMh6rDNoglG_kn6TzOzPCgTfrJUoJrQSORQ4xNGq9dkdLuXPkZigOQwpRksWB0T_8/w640-h314/blog149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week was our last Pickleball Round Robin of the season. I ended up not playing much this summer. The other players are just too competitive and pickleballs really hurt when you get hit with one. I'm not talented enough to hit the ball back, nor quick enough to get out of the way.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F6MTPCvqndES5ttR56H3ELKa5weIbmxE_WRrAV6_I9Bsfx-PIhusgRrNU65PAYLuoRaJHBJZf-5T_bSWPntXRWFCppq8D2v0IrMqRQauZuRpIvljEIf9JyZ29cgzhyphenhyphene1tGDnPIAlVHbQGxycEZv-Xrmip4WutHyjeFfnDMgW06gqzmqXSa7ANbqw_9U/s1000/blog144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1000" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F6MTPCvqndES5ttR56H3ELKa5weIbmxE_WRrAV6_I9Bsfx-PIhusgRrNU65PAYLuoRaJHBJZf-5T_bSWPntXRWFCppq8D2v0IrMqRQauZuRpIvljEIf9JyZ29cgzhyphenhyphene1tGDnPIAlVHbQGxycEZv-Xrmip4WutHyjeFfnDMgW06gqzmqXSa7ANbqw_9U/w640-h440/blog144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So I guess I'll stick with biking. This week I biked the first 8 miles of the Highline Canal Trail. The first 2 miles go through a really pretty canyon. The trail is an old, abandoned service road for the water department. Miles 2-8 were a combination of crushed rock and dirt. While the entire trail is classified as "multi-use", that section of trail runs past several ranches, so the horses have really torn up the trail. My arms were aching after dodging so many potholes and horse pucky piles. I've gotten spoiled with the concrete trails in our neighborhood.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOxCcxXR2UePz78NTSZdkTmjs_CB8Yoys0yOfW24ownYhzJzU4rGFKJXau-3XT9hzY4e7NOMyZJE00bKs3D_pQHMiA2S3C4fR6Lc6jrd3XQVt2045mnzdbl6b81BBMfDO0mUHyOZZfhbbLshmGel02O21h-YAZIvCO0wull8mECc7bx_dk3k9mHsvrgs/s883/blog151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="883" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOxCcxXR2UePz78NTSZdkTmjs_CB8Yoys0yOfW24ownYhzJzU4rGFKJXau-3XT9hzY4e7NOMyZJE00bKs3D_pQHMiA2S3C4fR6Lc6jrd3XQVt2045mnzdbl6b81BBMfDO0mUHyOZZfhbbLshmGel02O21h-YAZIvCO0wull8mECc7bx_dk3k9mHsvrgs/w640-h514/blog151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-1704034672635467662023-09-17T08:22:00.003-05:002023-09-17T08:22:21.982-05:00Vet Visit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSoUCqouR5PbEKYaw2_ojyPEhxMIRHAKKbHbvDVjMtJc43EmXHtBsWpBoTfVHJYlrLR39E2G3BI9gBhfNRX7306doFhBmYfhRe5AyvbqtKSQpxa6NWsvwJtnQTV-SW2BxO313duEUn2uWtWVTlNshjPxBXuPm3Q_j2lskdzCcN3j6BGbQa2-wmncEGQ/s747/blog142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="747" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSoUCqouR5PbEKYaw2_ojyPEhxMIRHAKKbHbvDVjMtJc43EmXHtBsWpBoTfVHJYlrLR39E2G3BI9gBhfNRX7306doFhBmYfhRe5AyvbqtKSQpxa6NWsvwJtnQTV-SW2BxO313duEUn2uWtWVTlNshjPxBXuPm3Q_j2lskdzCcN3j6BGbQa2-wmncEGQ/w640-h490/blog142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Poor Charlie had to make a trip to the vet this week to get his second round of shots. I think the ride in the car was more stressful than the shots, because he had to squeeze himself into the dog carrier we used when we picked him up. He's grown a lot since then. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-93lEl-H_W-as793vTB5fJp466bJkJ9EZ_k86XVzPnX4fYrTiAZe5ycSKosQOMdouUwwNSE-16Zg-gG2VP8Um2cxa6T1O-3_SgKJda7vn4uzdjKy2vVW9zVmGwOUf6CLULmJKDYkmmqszDqBFjcynpEqA1_N3KnlNTC5HfufhkdVYkNGQ-PBhZ4D7LTc/s691/blog138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="691" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-93lEl-H_W-as793vTB5fJp466bJkJ9EZ_k86XVzPnX4fYrTiAZe5ycSKosQOMdouUwwNSE-16Zg-gG2VP8Um2cxa6T1O-3_SgKJda7vn4uzdjKy2vVW9zVmGwOUf6CLULmJKDYkmmqszDqBFjcynpEqA1_N3KnlNTC5HfufhkdVYkNGQ-PBhZ4D7LTc/w640-h508/blog138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />But he still has that cute puppy look, which made all the vet techs spoil him and sneak him treats after his shots. One of them put a bandana around his neck, so I had to take a photo. He's learned to perfect that big-eyed look when he wants something.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29PtI2f8EgZJN9MVMuxkxBglBEfV1uZP8AeEk0OJI2Y80avbq6lUberS0cQ2A1kR8u80Kvuoi6YFTZ5VP-yLOtJTCMpco0rddUHUy066Slj24jz3H-sCCcGTAV28fJeHpHk-fGFT1s9ZOwWBGbxVqBj1TV5GVciN0Qg00uU3hmbGeLUklsSSt3sGfwN4/s945/blog141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="945" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29PtI2f8EgZJN9MVMuxkxBglBEfV1uZP8AeEk0OJI2Y80avbq6lUberS0cQ2A1kR8u80Kvuoi6YFTZ5VP-yLOtJTCMpco0rddUHUy066Slj24jz3H-sCCcGTAV28fJeHpHk-fGFT1s9ZOwWBGbxVqBj1TV5GVciN0Qg00uU3hmbGeLUklsSSt3sGfwN4/w640-h340/blog141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week's bike ride was along the Tallman Gulch Trail - one of my favorites, because the halfway point is the Fika Coffee House. Our weather has significantly cooled down, but it was still warm enough to sit out on the patio and enjoy the view of the mountains. The lady standing next to me in the blue shirt just moved into the neighborhood. She's from the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. She moved here to be closer to her kids. Small world.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskCFSrzchR6n2nxz5qe2ubEHRtYzU6sSR1HJUqfmzIFSyGpIjRLxcRGaqjDOwVhcAxcW3JZsoy2MzUXvMehNceUqtGrrf9gwg2xQMjCaC2LF3Y9Zsl7IYqv9UK4ov-KrylZaHtvrT4zR5zDF5vf-l62qoCeDp4FBQTL9rPv6_VMB3U0vf4HyE8iB40fo/s1000/blog139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1000" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskCFSrzchR6n2nxz5qe2ubEHRtYzU6sSR1HJUqfmzIFSyGpIjRLxcRGaqjDOwVhcAxcW3JZsoy2MzUXvMehNceUqtGrrf9gwg2xQMjCaC2LF3Y9Zsl7IYqv9UK4ov-KrylZaHtvrT4zR5zDF5vf-l62qoCeDp4FBQTL9rPv6_VMB3U0vf4HyE8iB40fo/w640-h342/blog139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I had 2 lunches with my <i>Ladies Out to Lunch</i> group this week. On Tuesday, I went to the Olive Branch Grill with my new autumn group (we change partners every 4 months). On Thursday, I met the ladies in my old summer group. We got along so well over the summer that we decided to continue meeting in the fall. Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention when we scheduled our lunch and we went to the exact same restaurant I ate at on Tuesday. But I wasn't as bad as one of the other ladies. She not only booked the same restaurant, but the same day and time as her new group of people. We ended up pushing the tables together and put her in the middle so she could talk to all of us. This club is getting really popular. We're already up to 180 members. It's not that tough to scramble the names each session to form new groups. I just use the random number generator in Excel. But trying to keep all my different lunch groups straight can be confusing. I've participated in 7 so far and I like them all. BTW, the Olive Branch Grill is a Mediterranean restaurant, so on Tuesday I had the gyro plate and on Thursday I had the chicken souvlaki. Thumbs up on both dishes.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmriYV7hLL7jGViaEsjfak5P4i6k8WHhO6RP2pY9PPN7Jh-8CU7bEAIxXg42TV4qT924c90rwv2fPtklGVQebjtrpgZSfo8PpPc-n-rcAKXVYgSc3gZ5dmKF0RILtqrFQbw0ua-WyCK895kfGS8hDf3ZfC2_weY5Z-137e7xlEJ9lhGOw8hDHg1uRkzyw/s981/blog140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="981" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmriYV7hLL7jGViaEsjfak5P4i6k8WHhO6RP2pY9PPN7Jh-8CU7bEAIxXg42TV4qT924c90rwv2fPtklGVQebjtrpgZSfo8PpPc-n-rcAKXVYgSc3gZ5dmKF0RILtqrFQbw0ua-WyCK895kfGS8hDf3ZfC2_weY5Z-137e7xlEJ9lhGOw8hDHg1uRkzyw/w640-h596/blog140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After Bruce finished installing our fence, decided to make a couple peace poles from the scrap lumber. A peace pole is just another piece of garden art. Normally they have words on them, like "welcome" or "friends" or "peace." I wrote "adventure" on the side of the gold and green one, but I just continued the animal bodies on the sides of the blue one. (BTW, I only made 2 poles, not 4 - this photo is showing the front and back of each.) I haven't quite decided where to put them in the garden yet, but they were fun to make.<p></p>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782517126563685555.post-84210538353844029212023-09-07T19:21:00.001-05:002023-09-07T19:21:21.188-05:00Happy Birthday, Court<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMGntmArmvFNxJfaOV7N1-ED7eUiAp6ORQkHO4DBl_z2VzpHLGDiPt0BDcomoR6iPj2aAfGZBXiYSvIL5nojUkJL9dDnYJxalMMfHHSFH7w2ZWt4EAWWyAmxYu7Ia_1dFmZBkzpI-wmmM-BALa1saE4yQk4AdeickRodkLSFmn78H_zfpxF_7O1MvXio/s373/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMGntmArmvFNxJfaOV7N1-ED7eUiAp6ORQkHO4DBl_z2VzpHLGDiPt0BDcomoR6iPj2aAfGZBXiYSvIL5nojUkJL9dDnYJxalMMfHHSFH7w2ZWt4EAWWyAmxYu7Ia_1dFmZBkzpI-wmmM-BALa1saE4yQk4AdeickRodkLSFmn78H_zfpxF_7O1MvXio/w576-h640/001.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br />Hard to believe that my baby is 40 today! Boy does that make me feel old. She's celebrating the day in Chicago, but coming to Denver in October. She and Bruce are planning a trip to Moab, UT. Courtney is doing a driving trip across Utah to visit the <i>Mighty Five</i> national parks. Bruce is going to go with her to the first 2 on the route. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZB-aViYVqaWsCzz56TNkCwQrjNGxPSDoJnDO130DVor-DE12qPNKOoWsRvDZsnRlB3gqb_AjNdMjyaIOPsdGCLKg-oqQiCL_Jn3SDPvCLtzIFIoXX_MnrhqaOoGFdhLCf73vB7WLonO7S9g_MQJsHLehZ0s3TtMou7sh0t6tG2zR7XPhzmXfABdQ5O8/s1171/blog129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZB-aViYVqaWsCzz56TNkCwQrjNGxPSDoJnDO130DVor-DE12qPNKOoWsRvDZsnRlB3gqb_AjNdMjyaIOPsdGCLKg-oqQiCL_Jn3SDPvCLtzIFIoXX_MnrhqaOoGFdhLCf73vB7WLonO7S9g_MQJsHLehZ0s3TtMou7sh0t6tG2zR7XPhzmXfABdQ5O8/w341-h400/blog129.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br />Labor Day always reminds me of Courtney. She wasn't born exactly on Labor Day back in 1983, but just 2 days after. This Labor Day I went downtown and met up with some of the Denver Urban Sketchers. We were a very small group, but it was fun to sketch an historic building. Most of my sketches these days seem to be from patios of coffee shops (which usually means I'm drawing a parking lot or the strip mall across the street).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SDfrQG5YHP4Jo98qMKbnGNLAFMApoq1ct26pCUcztS3SxnW6Q2XzZWDMI7t94lolvw1n3p8L5hoOCe0ozWreu-n0xNEUH8Aud4lKJA7I3pJqlknutE9Ms9GyN6kmaKQvU9y18NY99Ctl2gbS4u3z3Wb7nZOIFG-cYi99XrB3tFEiGnwD_y4iJLoZPac/s1000/blog130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1000" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SDfrQG5YHP4Jo98qMKbnGNLAFMApoq1ct26pCUcztS3SxnW6Q2XzZWDMI7t94lolvw1n3p8L5hoOCe0ozWreu-n0xNEUH8Aud4lKJA7I3pJqlknutE9Ms9GyN6kmaKQvU9y18NY99Ctl2gbS4u3z3Wb7nZOIFG-cYi99XrB3tFEiGnwD_y4iJLoZPac/w640-h414/blog130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Last week's coffee shop was the <i>Duffeyroll Bakery</i>. Duffeyrolls are like yeast-bread cinnamon rolls only a bit crunchier. I couldn't decide which one to bring home to Bruce (since he is a HUGE fan of cinnamon rolls), so I bought their assortment box. You can see that Bruce bit into one before I could take the photo. I don't blame him. They were delicious.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL9P5VHVJQqmXcaBqmpU1WTY68tRktf_771Df1QMt04dja4lVemlGEnmmP4hSptzkP5PMC-HWuuJtAzpPE_6EInGGqX7yOAw2C1DWEw_RbmZe5qcAzhqCTloSN7LPUcQsKet73CgjIVo5m9-6df8mDvRoZ5JFpIgcOVFW2smOR22jPdzDddG--AjB8Ow/s959/blog128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="959" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL9P5VHVJQqmXcaBqmpU1WTY68tRktf_771Df1QMt04dja4lVemlGEnmmP4hSptzkP5PMC-HWuuJtAzpPE_6EInGGqX7yOAw2C1DWEw_RbmZe5qcAzhqCTloSN7LPUcQsKet73CgjIVo5m9-6df8mDvRoZ5JFpIgcOVFW2smOR22jPdzDddG--AjB8Ow/w640-h392/blog128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had good weather this week, so I got several more chunks of the Highline Canal biked. Our Bike Club rode downtown on Tuesday to the <i>Olive & Finch Bakery</i>. I think I need to ride more and snack less - I'm looking a little chunky in this photo. Our route intersected the Highline Canal Trail, so I veered off on the ride back and picked up a segment of the trail I'd been missing. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwrHNaLcETMV8W57Dvnn5VtHDb_bl6BogNve5Vx6DCEt2L8SNCu11hW60NSnkJqt7BZg-5eqGyLWIJTkb6FufyosajV7aBQroxTqHP0coZTco3gaXRe4xzV78EP4A-CmoKAksTD_8wdMVZ4GxEiBBq21JIxKTHDItgQmaeM_4W5Bsbe5WNGWkiqb-pU/s716/blog132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="716" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwrHNaLcETMV8W57Dvnn5VtHDb_bl6BogNve5Vx6DCEt2L8SNCu11hW60NSnkJqt7BZg-5eqGyLWIJTkb6FufyosajV7aBQroxTqHP0coZTco3gaXRe4xzV78EP4A-CmoKAksTD_8wdMVZ4GxEiBBq21JIxKTHDItgQmaeM_4W5Bsbe5WNGWkiqb-pU/w640-h530/blog132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Highline Canal Trail is very pretty, because it goes through some old Denver neighborhoods. But many of those older neighborhoods are large properties where the owners have horses. And since most of the Highline Canal Trails are multi-use crushed gravel based, horse riders use the trail alongside bikers, joggers, and dog walkers. I don't mind it that much, except when I have to dodge a big pile of horse pucky. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh287Gf7ZVsfZBPxFCwWrUK-R7CKVsbYu3Z7_vDGUTBA8vuPJbu3z80bnlCVPz-97aBYoOIzeuu5KxS-8eslq0lFscgp_7kYH8vFiLsprXWmo3i4cfUpBupDvONEmnz4Twi7teohsEq3-hy3CbMswuC_I9RdHcr4JkbXUQc5mNm8EEQoDcBFERtovSEQ/s900/blog133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="900" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh287Gf7ZVsfZBPxFCwWrUK-R7CKVsbYu3Z7_vDGUTBA8vuPJbu3z80bnlCVPz-97aBYoOIzeuu5KxS-8eslq0lFscgp_7kYH8vFiLsprXWmo3i4cfUpBupDvONEmnz4Twi7teohsEq3-hy3CbMswuC_I9RdHcr4JkbXUQc5mNm8EEQoDcBFERtovSEQ/w640-h406/blog133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There must also be some artists living along the trail. I passed this bench carved out of a huge old fallen tree. It actually might be a work-in-progress, because there's an equally long section to the right that looks unfinished. The person who carved this has some amazing ability. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1mGpto3_DTBCShGFqwVfQkZUcxKze0IZi2E0B52fsjhd2YU0ngq_y2RK2GeJsYMHOibFBJmRq4zKn6lXKXa7WIDojLqDOZ7jYwdlw594XDolnl08c4HueA7MuT9DeITBgQg0JvR3Bu0R9J1thpJhS7rS3dAylDeLenqgiGkE3Sgq_CBiUV7qHh8bqxE/s883/blog134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="883" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1mGpto3_DTBCShGFqwVfQkZUcxKze0IZi2E0B52fsjhd2YU0ngq_y2RK2GeJsYMHOibFBJmRq4zKn6lXKXa7WIDojLqDOZ7jYwdlw594XDolnl08c4HueA7MuT9DeITBgQg0JvR3Bu0R9J1thpJhS7rS3dAylDeLenqgiGkE3Sgq_CBiUV7qHh8bqxE/w640-h386/blog134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bruce has been taking Charlie on walks every day out on the gulch trail behind our house. He originally thought it would help Charlie burn off some energy, but I think Bruce is the one who's been coming home pooped. <div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAyyUQCJ2wEst88C1U-7UJPiQA0o3cuMcwAX24QlWVyXy1RwAgzFPEoV_rqOFPBtyM_Id36ICZlX4e1bKWmJpXQHnRF-JQeFCcSsVHksx_diowLR9MgE81AzrAP8d_xFDIKn_W1aBeA8sZaG9lCWydXuj7lnQ3Bj78-KQKI3noJvnqZSkqTVBRotaC2Q/s648/blog136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="648" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAyyUQCJ2wEst88C1U-7UJPiQA0o3cuMcwAX24QlWVyXy1RwAgzFPEoV_rqOFPBtyM_Id36ICZlX4e1bKWmJpXQHnRF-JQeFCcSsVHksx_diowLR9MgE81AzrAP8d_xFDIKn_W1aBeA8sZaG9lCWydXuj7lnQ3Bj78-KQKI3noJvnqZSkqTVBRotaC2Q/w640-h492/blog136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Since we're running into fall, Bruce has been transplanting some flowers that I planted last year. Charlie doesn't think he moves quick enough though, so he decided to help with the digging.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlrHqoUa3AsbBsFbyzR4RGrWmLDbflEUSTYVdQYQcLZeBocnKC5IoINLFb_e_dxYZUhGEj3w85uLTzPEBmneNqzvtfsIqrD_lmz0iqKkZy0QssL1vyeCobiX0lcfX5yRbDBZCC53UaDcnuuD62ec2NR0MVWdNZU6k0HdFzq2QSp_dyQy4LT0pf33IKnA/s878/blog135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="878" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlrHqoUa3AsbBsFbyzR4RGrWmLDbflEUSTYVdQYQcLZeBocnKC5IoINLFb_e_dxYZUhGEj3w85uLTzPEBmneNqzvtfsIqrD_lmz0iqKkZy0QssL1vyeCobiX0lcfX5yRbDBZCC53UaDcnuuD62ec2NR0MVWdNZU6k0HdFzq2QSp_dyQy4LT0pf33IKnA/w640-h422/blog135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>SLUHbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437338263214380810noreply@blogger.com