Enough Said...

Won't Deny It...

I ran across this yesterday and it totally reminded me of my son, Ryan.  He was an amazingly creative little kid and continues to be that way at 20 :-)

"One man's trash is another man's treasure."  Ryan used to treat the recycle bin like an art supply store...

I love that kids can turn cardboard boxes into forts, space ships and cars!  I wish that more of us could carry that forward into adulthood.

Early Fall Colors

Instead of pruning the potentilla yesterday, I came up with several other errands and projects that I desperately needed to do...

After spraying the window frames with silicone lubricant, Daisy and I felt the need for fresh air, so a walk was in order.  Fort Collins has not had many cold days so far, so Autumn is no yet in full bloom; however, I did notice that the majority of the early color is coming from these trees.  I believe they are Honey Locusts.

Today's Project... Maybe

This is Today's Project.  Actually it's been Today's Project for the past two weeks but I keep coming up with something else to do...  

They have gotten sligthtly overgrown due to my hesitancy to tempt fate - last time I pruned these potentilla, I nearly cut my finger off...  As I need it for non-verbal communication while driving, you can understand my concern.

Anyone else want to give Today's Project a go??

Good Morning Fort Collins!

More folks are up and getting a move on...
You can already see traffic on a couple of the main streets.

Here Comes the Sun

I really like the series of photos Doug took on Friday,
so I'll be sharing a few more with you.  :-)
Looks like the sun is just starting to
color the sky as Fort Collins begins to wake up.

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Just kidding!
The Pre-Dawn Ride of the 4:50 Club

Doug was able to capture this cool shot of the moon
during his early morning ride at Horsetooth Park.
I haven't had any luck getting night-time photos and
am a little envious of his new camera; however,
 considering how many buttons there are on that thing,
I'm waayyy better off with my point and shoot :-)

Jack Frost Came A Calling...

We woke up Thursday morning to the
first frost of the season.
It glazed the wood of the deck
but left the tomatoes and other plants alone.
It then proceeded to warm up to 79 degrees...
I love Colorado - we are so lucky to live here!

Autumn Poem

Autumn
When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,
And the nights are getting cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns,
And the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn,
Loveliest season of the year. 
~Charlotte L. Riser~ 

Hens and Chicks

Hens and Chicks are one of my favorite plants in our yard.  It's probably due to nostalgia - my Granny had them in her yard when I was small.

The Latin name for Hens and Chicks is Sempervivum Tectorum; sempervivum meaning evergreen and tectorum meaning on roofs...  Interestingly enough, Hens and Chicks were traditionally planted on the thatched roofs in Europe.  According to folklore, they were placed there to protect against lightening-started fires.  This may have some basis in truth...  As succulents with a mat-forming tendency, they probably did slow the
spread of fire through the thatch.

Time-Sharing a Car?!?!

My daughter and I are time-sharing her little cheer mobile while my bus awaits a doctor's appointment...

Talk about the opposite ends of the driving spectrum!  You have to climb up into my bus vs. crawling into hers.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

I think this is my son's favorite day of the year...  Not only does he talk the talk, he walks the walk - usually in full regalia!  He's not available (and probably wouldn't be willing) to pose, so we'll have to make do with Captain Jack instead :-D

Here's a fun link to help you celebrate:  http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ppi.html

I took the test and the result was - Yikes!!:

The Quartermaster

Profile: The Quartermaster (The ship’s disciplinarian).You, me hearty, are a man or woman of action! And what action it is! Gruesome, awful, delightful action. You mete out punishment to friend and foe alike – well, mostly to foe, because your burning inner rage isn’t likely to draw you a whole lot of the former. Still, though you may be what today is called “high maintenance” and in the past was called “bat-shit crazy,” the crew likes to have you around because in a pinch your maniacal combat prowess may be the only thing that saves them from Jack Ketch. When not in a pinch, the rest of the crew will goad you into berserker mode because it’s just kind of fun to watch. So you provide a double service – doling out discipline AND entertainment.

International Women's Friendship Month

In 1999, Kappa Delta Sorority created National Women's Friendship Day to remember and celebrate the special roles our women friends have in our lives. They listen, encourage, console.  They can be our sorority sisters, childhood friends, sisters, mothers, co-workers, neighbors...  In 2009, the celebration expanded to the entire month of September and has since gone international.

Take the opportunity to let the favorite women in your life know how much they mean to you.  Give them a call, go to coffee, have lunch.

I'm very proud to be a part of Kappa Delta Sorority.  AOT!

Showdown Time!!

11:30 am

Mile High Stadium

The toughest and most interesting game of the season!
The Rocky Mountain Showdown dates back to 1893
with the Buffs leading 60-20-2.
They are the favorite today with a 7 to 7.5 point lead.

GO RAMS!!

Mexican Independence Day

Often confused with Cinco de Mayo,  September 16, 1810 marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence.  It is the most important national holiday in Mexico.  Here in the states, let's celebrate our southern neighbor's independence with a margarita toast - Ole!

Make a Hat Day

Remember these??  There's no official information on Make-A-Hat Day, but, chances are, it's promoted by kindergarten and grade school teachers needing a fun project :-)

I made this hat for Daisy.  Let's just say she was somewhat less than impressed and opted out of the photo session...

Yellow Mums

Many of the summer flowers are still showing beautiful colors to admire as Daisy and I take our walks. Yesterday, I happened to notice these mums - one of the first signs of fall...

Adult Truths #16

"I disagree with Kay Jewelers.

I would bet that, on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with Tequila than with Kay..."

A Rose for Your Monday

I know a little garden close 

Set thick with lily and red rose,

Where I would wander if I might 

From dewy dawn to dewy night. 

And have one with me wandering.

- William Morris

9/11

Last night we attended a farewell party for our neighbor, Jake, a young Navy EMT. 
His parents are so proud while holding back their concern. 
As one of the top in his class, he was able to choose his destination 
and decided to go where he feels his services are most needed: with a group of Marines in Afghanistan. 
May The Powers That Be watch over him. 
May he save many lives.  May he come home safely.


Almost all of us have been touched by the events of ten years ago.
Some lost loved ones, some simply feel the effects of security changes...
Whatever the case, I think it's important to remember those that are gone and why.
Pray or send good vibes or whatever works best for you
to those that continue to fight terrorism and work toward freedom.
A moment of silence...

Rooting for the Home Team!

Gimme a C!  Gimme a S! Gimme a U!

It's Ag Day plus the Ram's first home football game - lots of action in the Fort today!  I am cheerily attired right down to my toes :-)

Teddy Bear Day

As most of us know, Teddy Bears are named after Theodore Roosevelt.  As the story goes, while out hunting, President Roosevelt refused to shoot a small bear that his party had come across...  The story got wide attention so toy store owners, Rose and Morris Michtom asked his permission to call their stuffed bears "Teddy Bears."  The rest is Ideal Toy Company history...

Besides being cute and cuddly, Teddy Bears have tea with us, comfort us, travel with us...  I'm sure there are more adults still packing around their childhood bears then they are willing to admit.  I admit it, though he now sleeps in the chair instead of in bed  :-)

GG's Birthday is Coming Up

Great Grandma will be 93 at the end of September!   She lives in New Hampshire, which gets exceedingly cold in the winter, so I tied up a fleece blanket for her.  The back is actually a purple, which looked like a closer match in the store to the shading on the coffee cups...

These blankets are pretty easy to do and very warm!  You need two pieces of fleece, each about 2 yards long.  Lay them together backside to backside - the goal being a square or rectangle.  Cut a four-inch square at each corner, then cut slices about 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick and four"ish" inches long down each side then tie the pieces together in a knot.  I only cut a few at a time, taking turns going from each corner - it keeps the blanket straighter.

Easy gift idea :-)

Hittin' the Books!

These two cheerleaders have their priorities straight - 

a homework and study session before the game.

Good job, girls!!

Go Lambkins!

I think their bows are so dang cute :-)

Happy Birthday, Straten!

This is a drawing of my neighbor boy, Straten, that I did several years ago... He's 17 and his goal for the day is to attend a rated R movie :-)


I was trying to decided how to wish him the best day possible when I came across some quotes by Jennifer Yane, an artist and writer.  Obviously, I didn't send these to him, but they sure pertain to me :-)




"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened."  I'm not really interested in being 17 again, but 25 was pretty awesome!!


"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."  Because I procrastinated...

In Honor of You!

Labor Day was first celebrated in New York on September 5, 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York City.  It has grown to honor all American workers in and outside the home, union and non-union, large corporations and small mom and pops...   I think a BBQ is in order :-)

Tour de Fat 2011

Tour de Fat has become an annual tradition here in Fort Collins.

Although it travels to other cities throughout the summer,

the Fort Collins event is still the largest as it is home of the Mothership -

New Belgium Brewery :-)

The event benefits local bike organizations including 

Ft Collins Bike Co-Op and the Overland Mountain Bike Club.

My favorite parts of the event are the parade and the costumes.

I got put to work almost as soon as I arrived,

so my pictures are few this year; however, here's a taste...

Can't part a boy and his dog

Where's Waldo?

She's going to have a long ride...

Ahoy, matey!

Welcome to Chaos

Because we don't have enough projects going on with the Tour de Fat, the roofing company got our shingles in unexpectedly early...

CSU A

Traditions...  At this time of year, I know school is back in session when a new coat of paint brightens up the A.

The A above Hughes Stadium represents CSU's beginnings as the Agricultural College of Colorado established in the late 1870's.

Freshman began painting the "A" in 1923 when they used a bucket brigade to get the paint up the hill.   Today it's a mix of students, but still a fun social event for them.   Just seeing it brings back great university memories for alumni like myself :-)

Go Rams!!

Emma M. Nutt Day

Emma M. Nutt was the very first female phone operator in the United States! She started her career on September 1, 1878 and kept at it for the next 33 years...  Phone operators held an important job for many decades, but have now, as have many positions in our high-tech world, become obsolete and have been replaced by automation.

If you are old enough to remember Laugh-In (1968 - 1973), you may recall Lily Tomlin's character Ernestine the Operator...  She had that mean snort as she generally insulted her customers and gossiped with her friend.

As you start your September off, enjoy this little tidbit of American nostalgia :-)