Golden

Everything is upside down and backwards. More senseless horrifying shootings in a quiet town in Oregon, the East Coast is being hammered once again w/ a slow moving, flood bearing hurricane. It is October 3, and Autumn has arrived w/ a fury. My nieces turn 27 today...where has the time gone? I pray. I walk, I swim, I bike, I cook, I sew, I garden, I harvest, I take pics, I pray. 

We had an opportunity to visit w/ some Friends who live in Golden. Yes, there is a city/town named Golden! Golden lies along Clear Creek at the base of the Front Range of the Rockies. It is less that an hour due West of us. The challenge, if you will, was are we 'okay enough' to go to a higher elevation. We doubled up on our Advocare O2Gold supplements, we added extra coconut water to our fluids which have electrolytes. We put Mom's portable oxygen in the car, just in case. The ride headed toward to Rockies is beautiful. I have to pinch myself sometimes that we are living in a place of such beauty. Once we finally found their house, we stayed a while enjoying the views we have heard so much about, listened to their many stories of moose, deer, elk, which are normal daily sightings for them. They have bird feeders all around their deck which is colored, still, w/ their Summer annuals. They were itching to take us to Lookout Mountain. It turns out that Golden is not as high as I thought. It sits @ around 5600 feet in elevation. Centennial, where we live sits @ around 5300 feet. Colorado Springs, which almost did me in completely, is @ 7000 feet in elevation @ its highest point.  This is where we lived. Well, Lookout Mountain, I discovered is almost @ 7400 feet in the sky. Everyone was feeling fine, so off we went. The Autumn foliage is always a big draw across the country, and it is certainly no different here. I think I took over 100 pics by the time the day was over. This is their place, their park, their stomping grounds, so every rock and tree is familiar to them. For me, w/ my trustee little camera in tow, this was yet another playground, another deep feast for the eyes, quiet moments to soak in this new vista, God's mighty handiwork @ play once again. They loved pointing out some of the special places they have found along the way. There is a 5 mile trail which they are totally blessed to have traversed, and, often. We walked a much shorter distance, (they didn't want anybody to keel over...) but the beauty, the majesty, the big skies, the foliage just starting to say 'Autumn', such a gift. As it turns out, I was totally fine by the time the day was over. Lo and behold! But, Jimmy was definitely feeling the effects of the higher altitude. We kissed our Friends good-bye, and left the lovely place called Golden and Lookout Mountain, feeling well fed on every level, grateful, knowing we could go up to a higher elevation (and come back down) w/out being plagued w/ altitude sickness. Baby steps.

With this world still spinning on its axis, even w/ the madness we all see on a daily basis, I/we remain grateful beyond words that we can find quiet moments. I pray. I walk, I swim, I bike, I cook, I sew, I garden, I harvest, I take pics. I pray.

We are greeted up on Lookout Mountain..

More, 'hello's'...Jimmy and Edward, tiny, tiny blending in w/ the trees...

The Aspens, looking up...

A 'lean-to', hidden away in the thicket...

Some riders along the way...

Father and Son...

Driving down from Lookout Mountain, taken from the car...

A moment captured...if I had wings!!!

'You shall call upon me, and you shall go: and you shall pray to me, and I will hear you. You shall seek me, and shall find me, when you shall seek me with all your heart.'

                                                      Jeremiah 29:12-14

We Are Soaking it All In...

Looking into Garden of the Gods Park from the outer walking/bike path...

A very small portion of the damage from the recent floods...the water carved out a new river bed...

 We are soaking in as much as we can of this colorful Autumn. Last week, Mueller State Park. Yesterday, one of our many walks in Garden of the Gods National Park. It was a beautiful day. The sun is still warm and with barely a cloud in the sky, it was a great day to be outside. We stayed on the outer perimeter of the park, which is good for bikers and is not 'in the woods'. We are still seeing some incredible damage from the floods. The powerful force of the water carved out a new terrain in the lower outer edge of the park, and clean-up continues. Jimmy is used to me lagging behind to take photos as we go, and the space we give one another is appreciated. We are still walking together. I never quite know what the pics will look like until I get them up on the computer at which point I can see the vistas with a fresh eye and awe strikes my soul yet again. I am grateful that my range has broadened from so many macro shots to the expansive landscape set before me.

'Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy.'

Psalm 98:8

Wordless Wednesday

This one is for Yo Mama...here's to a mighty gorgeous Autumn!!
(Miss Seven-Striper and Lilley-hope and Yo Mama)
Schartner Farms, RI

And They Grew....

Late May planting...will they actually grow??

Late September...YES...and to overflowing!!!

Hostas filling out more and more every Summer..

Late Summer blooms..ahhhhh

As Summer (sadly) draws to a close (sigh), I simply had to show you what happened to the deep pink colored Impatience I planted in the three window boxes. They did not disappoint, as they grew up, and then flowed over, making a beautiful carpet of color. Their rich color was such a great contrast with the forest green of the boxes and shutters, all highlighted by the pale green of the house. They usually grow their own pods full of seeds which can be saved for the next Summer, although I have yet to see one, which is strange. Today, I started to dismantle the garden, as it never quite recovered from the hurricane, but is still giving me some Roma and Cherry tomatoes. I also cut back some of the Greek Oregano and made two big bouquets for drying. I have stored alot away already, which should carry me through the Winter and into next Spring/early Summer. There is still time for the oregano to grow!!

I'm beginning to think 'decorative cabbages' now, as Summer ebbs (again, sigh), and Autumn makes her cool entrance.

Gifts in November...

Yesterday it was 64 degrees at the shore in Rhode Island...my husband and I we thrilled to visit our friend, Miss Ocean and enjoy the warmth of the sun, the loud crashing waves, the high tide, the cloudless skies and the long walk which we so love during the summer months...I even came home with some excellent rocks.

We have also seen a colorful autumn, albeit, somewhat late, because of the brutally hot summer we just experienced.

The bottom 4 photos are from the Stillhouse and Pawtuxet Coves, respectively. New England 'charming', at it's best!!

Wordless Wednesday

...and for a floral autumnal finale...
'White on White'

Autumn Hydrangea

Autumn is in full swing in New England. Although, I have to say, my impatience, my overflowing impatience in my window boxes, are still hanging on. These are photos of the same hydrangea which I took during the summer. Their deep purples, blue tones and green hues make for quite an eye full. I have cut them back and have them hanging upside down on the wall right above my computer. For me, a very symbolic sign of entering into the new season!

My Mom is doing better and is in a brand new wing of the hospital for pulmonary/cardiac rehabilitation. She thinks it is so beautiful, that she may not mind staying for 2 weeks! Sense of humor, still intact!. Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers for her. I simply cannot thank you enough.