Theraputic Knitting for Heart Problems

Today we found out that Wayne needs triple bypass heart surgery and a new aortic valve. I'm still processing this news and feeling grateful that we found out before he had a heart attack. We'll meet with the cardiac surgeon next Monday to get his recommendations and make a plan. In the meantime, we'll celebrate Thanksgiving with dinner at Good Samaritan with Mom. I must confess that I'll miss the preparation of our traditional meal and the delicious aromas that always fill the house on Thanksgiving Day.

My stress reducer has been knitting, knitting and more knitting. There is something soothing and therapeutic about knitting needles and yarn. Maybe I can convince Wayne to take up knitting but I doubt it.

Autumn in the Rockies

Autumn is my favorite season in the Rocky Mountains for many reasons ... especially the aspen color. Wayne and I drove the Peak to Peak Highway this bright sunny afternoon and saw the aspens showing off their autumn finery. It was glorious!



This artist is capturing the beauty in oils.

 



Festival and Family

One of many pipe and drum bands



Wayne's sister and husband from Iowa recently spent a couple of days with us on their western vacation. Their visit coincided with the annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival for which Mother Nature kindly provided excellent weather. We joined thousands of spectators for the Saturday morning parade then walked to the fairgrounds for food, Celtic games, music, Scottish merchandise, clan gatherings, dog events, dancing, and more. (Click on the red link above to view a short video.)

Clans displaying their tartans

Military and Scottish bands



Jan and Doug were here for only a couple of days but we managed to pack a lot into that brief visit in addition to the festival - lunch at Moon Kats Tea Shoppe, a hike, and a cook-out in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also enjoyed lots of lively conversation. We're so glad they came!

Sister (Jan) and brother (Wayne) hiking around Lily Lake



Jan and Doug roasting hot dogs. Doug is wearing his
Clan Shaw T-shirt.



A Hint of Autumn



Although it's still only mid-August, there is a hint of autumn in the air. Autumn does arrive sooner at 8000 feet elevation. Some of the native vegetation is fading from green to an autumn palette of gold, rust, and brown. The hummingbirds have been especially active around the feeders getting ready for a long journey south where they spend the winter in Mexico. The nights have been cooler getting down to the low 40's F. Summer babies are making frequent appearances in our yard. These twin fawns (mule deer) and their mother come browsing through several times a week.

Significant haze from wildfires west of us is in the air. I haven't been able to detect any smoky smell but the mountains look pale and gauzy.



More of San Diego

Ocean view from the terrace and path to the beach



Our San Diego vacation was a success from beginning to end. Spending quality time with our family and friends was the number one highlight. Other highlights included: beautiful ocean scenery, watching the kids surf, delicious meals, wonderful rental house, relaxing with my book by the pool, and excursions to area attractions. I'm enjoying my photos and memories.



Terrace view

Cousins and chefs

 

San Diego friends and travel buddies

 

Pacific sunset

 

Colossal ice cream cones

 

Waiting to board the USS Midway

 

One surfing lesson and she's a pro!

California By The Sea

 

View from our terrace

Our entire family (minus one) is vacationing on the southern California coast - a belated celebration of my 70th birthday and our 50th wedding anniversary. Wayne and I came a few days early and stayed with our good friends, Linda & Wally, in San Diego before the rest of the clan flew in on Sunday.

It's early morning, a warm overcast day with a breeze off the ocean. I'm sitting on the terrace with my coffee watching the waves, surfers, and birds. The other adults are drifting out to the terrace with coffees and plans for the day. We want to tour the USS Midway, a WW II aircraft carrier, and explore La Jolla.

 

KC, Judy, Jen enjoying cold beverages by the pool

Naval submarine base - San Diego

 



Charlie, the Weather Hummingbird



This little hummingbird has chosen my rain gage as his favorite perch. The nectar feeder is a few feet away so he can easily chase away any interlopers while keeping an eye on the precipitation amounts, which have been significant lately.

Yesterday, I left the screen door open and he flew into the house! After a failed attempt to catch him in a fishing net, we coaxed him onto a yardstick and carefully carried him back outside. I've named him Charlie in memory of my dad who was a weatherman.

Happy Birthday USA



I'm spending part of today getting ready (mostly cooking and tidying) for our modest little 4th of July celebration tomorrow. It will be just Mom, Wayne and me enjoying a cook-out and picnic on the porch at lunch time. If the weather cooperates, we'll watch for the annual sky diver to jump from a small plane with parachute and American flag. He always lands in a neighbor's yard amidst cheering and applause from all who watch the spectacle.

Once it gets dark, we'll watch the fireworks display over Lake Estes from our deck. We could get a much better view if we drove closer but we'd have to fight the traffic coming home. We do that only when we have the grandchildren here.

Time to hose the pine pollen off the porch and make potato salad.

Little Free Library

Estes Valley Library has recently launched a new project called The Little Free Library. I saw the first installation in the Estes Park Medical Center lobby today on my way to Trail Ridge Quilters meeting. The concept is simple - take a book, leave a book. What makes this tiny library so special is the beautiful hand-made cabinet that holds the books. It was crafted by local artists using a variety of woods, glass, beads, and elk ribs. 

Click here to read an article from our local newspaper.

Group Camping at Beautiful Mueller State Park

We enjoyed several group meals,

Our 2015 group camping adventure at Mueller State Park west of Colorado Springs was a big success. Rich forests of aspen, pine, fir, spruce, well maintained camp sites and facilities, and abundant wildlife make this campground one of our favorites. At 9,400 feet elevation, it's certainly the highest campground we've visited. For me, electricity was a necessity so I could use my O2 concentrator at night. There were eight couples this year, a fine group of interesting, educated, upbeat, outgoing, and delightful people who all love camping and the outdoors.

We gathered for a hearty breakfast.

Here I am, early in the morning, relaxing with a good book and
a cup of coffee.

Wayne is contemplating the morning beauty of our
camp site.

Mueller State Park Visitor Center

Wayne and I took a side trip to Florissant Fossil Beds
where we saw the petrified stumps of 34 million
year old redwoods.

Several of us took a side trip to Cripple Creek
for dinner then drove back to camp in a
blinding thunderstorm.

Opening Day for Camp Bliss

Wayne is spending a relaxing moment after setting up Camp Bliss.

Wayne and I took the camper out for the first time this season spending two days and nights last week at Moraine Park Campground in Rocky. We enjoyed the usual camping activities - campfire cooking, hikes, watching the wildlife, and relaxing. 

We visited the Cascade Cottages owl nest and saw the two baby owlets - no sign of Mom or Dad Owl but I know they were close by. You can just make out the two fuzzy gray heads in the upper center of the photo.

The Bear Lake area (above) still has lots of snow and ice. Without the appropriate footwear, we chose not to hike around the lake.

Sprague Lake, at a lower elevation, was free of snow and ice so we hiked around the lake path. The shrubbery was leafing out and birds were nesting. 

An evening campfire was the perfect way to end our day. Later, we were lulled to sleep by Western Chorus Frogs in a small pond close to our camp site. 

Lunch at Moon Kats

Judy (that's me), Mom, Lil, and Carol at Moon Kats

My sister, niece, and nephew were our house guests last week. They were in Colorado for my sister's granddaughter's high school graduation in Greeley. The women enjoyed lunch at Moon Kats Tea Shoppe here in Estes Park before my nephew's arrival. Moon Kats is a delightful little cafe that serves brunch, lunch, and a wide variety of delicious teas and sweets.

Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed this family visit. It doesn't happen often enough.

Graduation Quilt

Jackson's graduation was the perfect opportunity for me to create a memory quilt from his T-shirts saved by his mom for years. Designing and making the quilt was a labor of love. I enjoyed every minute I worked on it and I especially enjoyed giving it to him .. he loves it! And, so does our daughter. We hung it on the wall in their family room for his party and I got lots of compliments. I'm waiting to see if he takes it to college with him or if Jenny prevails in keeping it on the wall.

I'll be making a quilt from Grace's T-shirts for her graduation next year and I plan to make one for each of the other grandchildren in the years to come.

Grandson Graduation

Jackson receives his high school diploma

So much has been going on during the past few weeks, I've had no chance to write on my blog. I have a wee window of opportunity to do that now while my house guests are otherwise occupied. My sister and niece are napping and my nephew is out for a run. They are here in Colorado to attend the graduation of my nephew's daughter (my sister's granddaughter). My sister and niece arrived by car from Montana a couple of days ago and last night they made the two hour drive to Denver International Airport to pick up my nephew whose plane came in at 11 p.m. They didn't get back to our house until after 2 a.m., thus, the need for naps. The graduation is tomorrow morning in Greeley. They'll all be going home on Monday.

Last Sunday we were privileged to witness our first grandchild graduate from high school in Elkhorn, Nebraska. We spent a few days of intense activity which included: getting ready for a big back yard party at our daughter's house, the actual graduation ceremony, a band concert, soccer games, baseball games and family get togethers. It was all enjoyable but a much faster pace than we are used to! The graduation ceremony was meaningful and the highlight for me was seeing Jackson receive his diploma. We're proud of the wonderful, thoughtful young man he's become and we look forward to what his future will be.

We worked hard helping the family get ready for the party. Although the weather forecast was not encouraging, Mother Nature smiled on the Oligmueller back yard and the rain held off until later that night.

We drove home on Monday and had two days to get ready for our company. Once they are gone we'll have a little breather until the next round of company arrives.

Here are a few photos from our Nebraska trip.

Jackson with his proud parents

Elkhorn High School auditorium during graduation ceremony

Setting up the back yard tent for the party

Family room decorated with Jackson memorabilia