Blue Bells hanging from a Blue Sky

Photographs can preview a future experience or remind us of a past event.


When I found these bluebells, I was hiking with my husband a few miles from our home along a lush woodland stream. Just minutes after taking this picture, it began to rain.


A few days later, while hiking along a different trail, we found the first of the Shooting Stars.

Metric Rocks the Ogden Theater!

It's been a week since I saw them in concert, but I wanted the experience to solidify in my mind before I started to write about it.


METRIC put on a feel-good show at the Ogden Theater in Denver, and my sister took me to go see it! Considering all of the gin we drank that night, in hindsight I'd say we had a super time together!


I get so excited remembering how awesome it was to see Emily Haines rocking the stage with her unfaltering energy. The dress she wore made her look like a Rock Goddess, all shiny and metallic with fringe at the bottom. It must feel so good to dance on the stage in front of a crowd, letting the music take control and feeling the fringe sway against her legs.





One of my favorite songs by METRIC is called Gimme Sympathy: "After all this is gone, who would you rather be: the Beatles or the Rolling Stones? ...come on baby, play me something like Here Comes the Sun.."


It's possible that the Beatles reference is all I like about Gimme Sympathy, but I doubt it. The song has a really uplifting sound about it, and I am a sucker for uplifting songs.


METRIC's music is the kind that reminds you how great it is to be alive. I had such a wonderful time swimming in the (no, not gin) rhythmic beats and soothing soundscapes that filled the Ogden that night. The type of music cannot be described as pure alternative... but my sister calls it a mix of jazz and rock, which I agree is the perfect description.





The crowd was a mixture of young and old, dressed in all flavors of costume, showing that METRIC really appeals to a wide group of listeners. Check them out, I'm sure you will enjoy them!









Below is a preview of their latest album: Fantasies. Be sure to listen to Gimme Sympathy, and take a look at the dress Emily wears in Sick Muse, I think it's the same one she wore to the Ogden!

House History

We have been told that our home served as a company cabin for many years.

I have reason to believe this picture is of our home under construction in the 1950s. According to our neighbor who was involved in the development of the Park, ours was among the first structures built in Crystal Park.


I borrowed this picture from a .ppt file I found in Internet-land created by an unnamed author. I suspect she is the descendant of an early developer of Crystal Park.

This is the link to open her PowerPoint presentation on the geology of the Park.
www.utdallas.edu/~rnix/MAT-SE_Units/Mountain-Env.ppt










The following photos were taken a few months ago, when it was still snowy up here.

The front of the home faces South.




The shady North side is the back of the home.



Shed in the backyard is not pretty but it's functional.



This deck spans the East side of the home.



View from the road side, looking up at our home through the snow-covered trees.




There is a very specific reason why we were able to pay $77,000 for a $145,000 home in Crystal Park. I will let you read why for yourself by clicking here

Fall Line-up

I went to orientation and got my classes scheduled! On August 24th, I will begin the following studies at the University of Colorado:

SPAN 102: Beginning Spanish II
ANTH 103: Introduction to Human Origins
GES 382: Environment and Culture of Mexico, Central America, & the Caribbean
V A 104: Beginning Drawing
ENGL 204: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Prose

Hover over each thumbnail for the book title

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...driven by a need to know.

I have been pouring over an award winning book titled Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and Our Common Origins written by science journalist Steve Olson. A fascinating read, I've been unable to put it down since I brought it home.

Olson carefully reveals what scientists world wide have discovered about human origins, based on the microscopic evidence hidden within our DNA. This book leads the reader on a carefully researched journey from eastern Africa 100,000 years ago through various migrations across the world. I highly recommend this book to anyone who, like myself, is driven by a need to know.

An Unwelcomed and Very Rude House Guest

Okay, I like to keep the screen door propped open so the cats can come and go...

And yesterday the smell of eggs frying in butter probably enticed him a little bit...

After all, he IS just a young bear and I bet he doesn't understand human nature yet.

So... I will continue to pelt rocks at him when he comes around.

But, he is cute.

It is strange that the sound of my voice caused him to start walking TOWARDS ME.



The cats are paralyzed with fear, and refuse to leave the house at the moment.

Which is fine by me!

Recap

Last June, my sweetheart and I were married, and then we visited the Riviera Maya for our honeymoon. Later on in the year, Dusty got his Associate's Degree, we bought our first house, and I then got my degree.


It's been a grand year!

Let's celebrate with a pretty picture of the moon rising over the city:

The Living Room Seating Problem ... Solved!

We've purchased our first couch! And love seat! And ottoman!


(see the tufts of white kitty fur/the kitties have laid claim already)

This goes to show what surfing Craig's List with two Benjamin Franklins will get ya!