Bike Week

I liked these two for their headlamps...  Check out the candle on the second one!!

Bike Week

My husband and I attended the Peteros Creek Brewery Bike Exhibit last night. It had everything from the antique to the crazy.  I took quite a few photos, so I'll be sharing them over the next few days...

 For Mardi Gras??

Bamboo Frame

A Welcome Sight!

I snapped this shot last night as we were on our way to the FC Bike Co-op.  We enjoyed cooler temps, a decent rain and then a beautiful rainbow :-)

Yesterday was a good-news day on the High Park Fire front.  The fire did not grown, it is at 75% containment and hundreds of evacuees are being allowed to return home.

There's always something to be grateful for!

Call for Rain

I have been watching the smoke from the north and west for several weeks now and today, as I looked south, it was coming from that direction as well. This has to be one of the harshest fire seasons I have ever seen as a Colorado native.  My heart goes out to all the folks who have lost their homes and my prayers go out for the safety of the fire fighters who are giving it their best every day.

As I was listening to Native American flute music - I find it soothing - I decided to see what You Tube had to offer in the way of rain dance music. Can't hurt, might help!  Let's all pray for soaking rains that come without lightening as Colorado, and the Front Range in particular, need all the help we can get!  

Listen and hope...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkMtoG4gZs

Wisdom of Yoda

My favorite tid-bit of wisdom from Yoda:
"You must unlearn what you have learned."

In our constantly changing universe,
I think it is of upmost importance to
keep an open mind that is willing
to learn about new cultures and ideas;
to look beyond what our eyes see;
and to listen to what our hearts tell us.

What the...

This just happened to catch my eye
as I was leaving the Sunflower parking lot.
Some body had too much time on their hands!

High Park Fire - Friday, June 22

A friend of mine took this amazing photo last evening - he was probably sitting on his roof...  He lives about 1/2 mile south east from me.

Although the smoke is making for some beautiful photo ops, it is truly the barer of bad tidings. Friday's temps were in the upper 90's with more of the same due today.  We are also under a Red Flag warning as the winds are expected to kick up. Yesterday, the fire jumped the Poudre Canyon to start a very rapidly spreading spot fire near subdivisions.  Many new evacuations were ordered for the Glacier View Area - including the photographer's cabin.

The firefighters are really doing their best, but the fire got a jump  on them yesterday and containment was decreased.  Let's continue to pray for the safety of everyone involved!

There was a good article on yesterday's fire happenings in the Coloradoan:
http://www.coloradoan.com/viewart/20120622/NEWS01/306220030/High-Park-Fire-burns-through-subdivisions-north-Poudre-Canyon

June Birthstone: Pearl

"Who comes with summer to this earth
And owes to June her hour of birth
A pearl should wear against her skin
Who's innocence many a heart shall win."

The pearl is the traditional birthstone of June 

and represents loyalty, friendship and faithfulness.

Although often seen in off-white, 

pearls actually come in a variety of colors

ranging from white to black.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer officially starts today with the sun reaching it's farthest point north of the equator.  Although I'm a big fan of summer, the FoCo area is expecting below average temps today and tomorrow with possible rain - this is especially welcome as it's sure to be a plus for the fire fighters working to control the High Park Fire.

Juneteenth

Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of African American's freedom from slavery in the United States.

Although President Lincoln's Proclamation of Emancipation went into effect on January 1, 1863, the Union was not a strong enough force in Texas to enforce it.  On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with his troops and was able to overcome the resistance.

High Park Fire - Sunday, June 17

Yesterday started off fairly nice with clear skies, but by early afternoon the wind had shifted so much that our entire neighborhood was hazed over with smoke and the air was thick with the smell of burning wood...  Ash was again falling in our part of town.  These photos were taken around 6:00 pm as the winds were beginning to shift again and the smoke was lessening.

What's Going Around the Internet: Helpful Hints

This is the final one in this series...
Actually, there were a whole bunch,
but I was picky about what I was passing on.

As you can see, guttering for a small garden!
Obviously, you'd have to be careful about
what you were planting (carrots are probably a no-go),
but all in all, a great idea if you are lacking space :-)

Flag Day

Basic US Flag Protocol:

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.  Raise it briskly and lower it slowly in a ceremonious manner.
• The American flag is always flown at the top. All others, including your state flag, fly below it.
• After a death or other tragedy, the flag is flown at half staff. 
• The flag should not be flown at night unless it is illuminated by light.
• The flag should not be flown in inclement weather.
• Your flag should never touch the ground.
• Respect your flag - even in storage. Fold it.
• An old flag should be retired properly.  There is an actual ceremony for this and all Boy Scout Troops should be able to perform it for you.  It is part of their road to Eagle.

More great Flag Etiquette Tips and Information can be found on this website:  http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

High Park Fire - Flare Up

This area could be seen smoldering then, just like that, a big flare-up...  This was Monday evening, right after the last drop of fire retardant.

High Park Fire - Monday Evening

First and foremost, I want to say that I cropped these pictures A LOT!  I was not anywhere near the fire at any time.

Secondly, although I was definitely being a lookie-loo, I was not on any road that was being used by the fire crews, other emergency personnel or evacuees. I don't believe in being a nuisance to anyone except my husband :-)

These shots were taken from across Horsetooth Reservoir looking into the Lory State Park area, specifically, just north of Arthur's Rock and south of a sizable subdivision.  The fire fighters were working extra hard in this area, as indicated by the numerous drops of retardant.   Serious business, but amazing to watch!

High Park Fire Sunday Afternoon

The windows were closed and the AC was running as this was  the view of the northern sky from my back porch.  The huge fire started out approximately 15 miles NW of here, it continues to grow in all directions.  Many more residents were put on evacuation order yesterday as the fire moved closer to Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir.

If you are the type to pray, then pray, if you'd rather hope for luck, please cross your fingers, as the fire fighters and the whole community could use a break in any form...  Personally, I'm praying and hoping for an unpredicted drenching storm sans the lightening.

High Park Fire - Early Yesterday

From my favorite spot under the front yard tree, if I look to the east,
it is a beautiful, warm, cloudless summer day with a light breeze.

If, from that same spot, I look to the west,
the breeze is really blowing the smoke and fanning the flames
 of the High Park Fire which just started this morning.

This is the 3rd fire this season.
Latest news reports state that it blew up to over 5000 acres
by last evening.  Winds were expected to worsen and change direction
(which, I believe, they did last night -
a heavy cloud is now over my house in SE Fort Collins).

Not Me...

I don't know anyone like this... 

and I DO NOT alphabetize the spices... 

anymore...

Checking the Message Board

Daisy and I took a walk yesterday
before the storms got wild and crazy.
This is the hydrant on our street corner
where we always have to stop...

Troublesome Holiday

It is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, 

so let's do our best to honor it properly. 

It will be a tough challenge, I know!

There are several local sites willing and able

to help you out today...

Might I suggest Ben and Jerry's or Walrus?

What's Going Around the Internet: Helpful Hints

The final hint of this series...

This one is pretty self-explanatory and   

I think it would be particularly helpful as a space-saver.

June Birth Month Flower: Rose

This beautiful rose was photographed by my daughter and is part of the hedge that grows along our walkway.

The general meaning behind a rose is love and beauty; however, different meanings are assigned by color of rose if you are interested in sending a secret message with your bouquet...






Red - I love you
White - I am worthy of you or you are heavenly
Orange - You are my secret love, Desire
Yellow - I am not worthy of you love, Welcome back, I care
Red and White - We are inseperaable
Pink - Please believe me or Thank you

The list goes on...

The Pool Life

It's easy to see why the pool at Mirage
was voted the best in Las Vegas.
While there, you really did feel secluded
from the rest of the world!

Things You See in Vegas...

These happy buns were floating around
on the bar ceiling of Senor Frogs.
The tubes boasted other locations where
one can let it all hang out...
This one happens to be at Treasure Island.

The Moon over Venice

Okay, not quite.

How about the moon over the Venetian...

I loved the way the moon was

showing a shy face during late afternoon.