Living transpirators

I got these African violets 3 years ago. They have not bloomed once since then. Finally I figured out they needed more light and put them in a window sill. Voila, blooms!

Crystal gave me this clemantis for Mother's day. We promptly planted it outside in May. Now in late August, 3 months later, it gives us one beautiful bloom.


I love Aspens!! Summer is winding down.

Our "new" look for the front step. Gary did all the prep work and the finishing, but I helped with the fun part. We broke up some tiles, then randomly and fairly quickly (one must work fast before the cement hardens) made this design together.

River People

This picture is taken near the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers in Grand Junction (thus the name).

It took me a few years to figure this out, if one lives near a couple of big rivers, then one should float them in the summer. We began floating this year in August as the river was so high for so long. This week, I thought we should go since we are still having 90-degree days and summer is winding up. Yesterday and today for lunch break we (Gary and I) floated down the river, yesterday the Gunnison River and today the Colorado River. We went about 1-1/2 miles yesterday on the Gunnison and it took about 2 hours. We figure we traveled at about 1-1/2 mile per hour. We took 3 dogs with us yesterday, and they had no problem keeping up with us by swimming a little and running alongside the river. Today we went on the Colorado River for 5 miles sans dogs, and it took us about 2-1/2 hours, so a little faster rate on the Colorado. There were a few radical rapids on the Colorado. We went a couple of weeks ago with Crystal along. While floating we chatted about river therapy. It is so relaxing. You forget about everything else, even that you are in a city. All there is a river and sky and mountains in the distance and just floating along... What an awesome lunch break! River therapy is great!

Life is like a river...just relax and go with the flow, everything needed will flow to you via the river of life. I find this to be truth.

Hiking with Mary and family

Crystal, Lucy, Ibby, Ellen, Mary, Phin, Charles, and Ella.
Phin miraculously takes a nap while his mom hikes.

While in Utah, we hiked up Rock Canyon with all present members of Mary's family visiting from Illinois. What a bunch of troopers! Crystal and I had a fun walk in the rain with Charles one night too. Charles wanted to know why we got so excited when it rains in the summer in Utah as they are from Illinois and it rains all the time there. I told him we are from the desert, so we celebrate rain in the mountain west in the summertime. We really enjoyed our visit with Mary and her kids. We played games and went shopping together. They are each good friends.

Mini Family Reunion slash 50th Birthday Party!

For my 50th birthday party, we traveled to Utah to visit with my little sister, Mary, and her family visiting from Illinois (and everyone else in Utah). My birthday is a holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day, so it is always fun to celebrate in Utah. There were 4 of us siblings out of 10 who were there, but that still makes for a big group! I missed those not present, especially Janis, who is in Florida.

This is me on my 50th Birthday and the newest edition (addition), nephew, darling Phin, to the family.

My granddaughter Kate discovers swings! She literally stayed on the swing for hours, hanging on nice and tight.

This is me with daughter, Crystal, and son, Austin. I found out my fanny pack is not so attractive in this dress.

Crystal and me (I know, Crystal and I) in front (back) of parents' house before we returned home.

Get-together at Paul and Rebecca's lovely home. Granddaughter Kate is sitting with them. Kate just loves Rebecca. I can see why. Rebecca is so bright!!