8/19/2021 1 Comment A Moment to ReflectEarlier this month, my husband and I enjoyed a rare camping trip with our adult children and their families. We met up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Even my grand-cats Yakumo and Tenma came along. We did all the silly tourist stuff like the Cosmos Mystery Area, Wall Drug, and Storybook Island. I was born in Sioux Falls, so I had already experienced most of the amazing scenery and national treasures contained in western South Dakota. One of my favorite moments was leaving the crowded main street of Keystone and taking the self-guided walking tour. Revisiting Mount Rushmore was particularly inspiring. My husband and I enjoy historical biographies, and had read books recently that covered all four presidents carved on the mountain. The program before the lighting of the monument was thoughtful, and included honoring all veterans in the audience. Our visit to Crazy Horse began with a film on the history of the continuing project. Without seeing the film, the rest of our visit wouldn't have had the same meaning. We tackled too much in too few days, rushing through some experiences that deserved more time. We all agreed that the Black Hills deserves a return trip. Even with all the touristy bustling about, I still had moments to catch my breath and reflect. This is an amazing country we inherited from our predecessors. I'm inspired to learn more about the great men and women of the American past.
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8/8/2021 1 Comment Pirates on My MindI recently completed a cozy mystery for the new Annie's Museum Mysteries series. My novel will be number three in the series, and has a pirate theme. Since beginning to write the novel, I have seen pirates everywhere. On Pirate's Booty snacks. On International Talk Like a Pirate Day T-shirts. Hiding in a corner at Hillside Gardens in Colorado Springs. Even in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We went to Storybook Island in Rapid City with our daughters and their families. Yes, there was a pirate ship. We took turns at the wheel. Storybook Island has exhibits based on childhood favorites like Winnie the Pooh, Raggedy Ann and Andy, the Three Little Pigs, the Wizard of Oz, and on and on. I'll admit, the Peter Pan pirate ship was my favorite. While completing a novel is a welcome closure, I was a little sad to reach The End on this one. I'll let you know when the series becomes available. 7/21/2021 0 Comments Beginning to EndI wasn't going to make more jam. Seriously, I thought I'd sworn off canning. But when the fruit is free... One Sunday, a friend noticed the wild currant bushes on our ranch had produced a crop of berries. They were a bit sparse, but there were several bushes. We picked a hat-full. I brought them home, and thought about how to use them. This same friend had gifted me with a bag of frozen clove currants from her garden. I still didn't have quite enough currants, so I threw in a cup of frozen cranberries. I pulled out the canning recipe book, and got to work. Photos, from currant bush to finished product. 7/21/2021 0 Comments Shakespeare in the ParkLast year, the annual summer Shakespeare-in-the-Park was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year, with uncertainty about the possibility of an in-person event, the UCCS Theatreworks tried something new. And yet as old as entertainment from ages past. Theater in-the-round, and outdoors. A Midsummer Night's Dream has been performed in multiple venues. There are still a few shows left! We caught the performance in the park behind our local library. Quite a crowd showed up, some with umbrellas for shade. The actors tolerated the heat well, and gave a lively performance. We were all grateful when clouds provided some relief from the afternoon sun. Although Theatreworks may move back into the large tent and folding chairs next summer, I think I might prefer this casual arrangement. Kudos to the troupe for bringing entertainment to the masses. It was a wonderful experience. 7/6/2021 0 Comments Summer NightsThe days are now getting shorter, but the weather is warmer. I'm not sure how that works. I'm enjoying being outside at night without being dressed for an arctic expedition. For over a decade and a half, we have been fixing up our outdoor living space. That included replacing our deck after I put a foot through a rotted step. This summer, we've reached a moment in time where our deck, flower beds, and the patio under the deck, have achieved a pinnacle of beauty and utility. I'm trying to make the most of it, because Colorado's summer season is short. This weekend, we're going to a free play in a local park. Theatreworks is presenting A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's an afternoon performance, but I expect to spend evening time on our deck afterwards, discussing the highlights of the play. I hope wherever you live, you are able to enjoy free, or inexpensive, local entertainment this summer. 6/30/2021 1 Comment Stop to Smell the RosesWorking a full-time day job and writing fiction in my off hours presents challenges. The main one is getting stuck on a hamster wheel of activity. My attitude was going sour earlier this month as summer began, and I felt trapped in routine. My husband came to the rescue with his suggestion we attend a local concert. I was not interested. Too tired. Not in the mood to be around a crowd. He persisted. We went to Hillside Gardens to see the B. J. Estares and Route 61 blues band. First, the garden setting meant you could find elbow room in the audience. Second, the roses were in bloom. Third, the band was great. If you're feeling stuck, check out your community's summer activities. Arts & crafts fairs, concerts in parks, open air plays, and other events may be on the calendar. Hillside Gardens summer concert schedule. 5/30/2021 0 Comments Graffiti Humor5/2/2021 0 Comments Book Trailer Live on PPLDPPLD hosted their annual Mountain of Authors event this weekend. I was fishing, and missed the mostly virtual happening, but hope to catch up with the recorded talks on the library website. By the way, the fish were not biting. Not for us, and apparently not for anyone else. It was a beautiful summer-like day in the mountains. We enjoyed the scenery, the pelicans, and the black diving ducks. My granddaughter created a clever book trailer for the Pikes Peak Library District YouTube channel. Our trailer is the second of four you can view here. 4/26/2021 0 Comments Motorless MorningThe Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs hosted its annual Motorless Morning, closing the park to motorized vehicles from 5am to noon. My husband and I stopped to chat with a park ranger during our four mile walk. She told us when the cars go away, the wildlife comes out. The previous Saturday, we walked in the GOTG in weather that shifted from chilly but mild, to freezing snow. The Motorless Morning weather could not have been better. Below are a few photos from our walk. |
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