nells ventures

Calving Season

2012-02-17T07:03:00.004-07:00

I was out on a walk and happened to see this taking place in a field. Absolutely made my day!

I Carry Your Heart

2012-02-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

- e. e. cummings ~

Sunday Morning Walk

2012-02-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. Henry David Thoreau

Saturday Morning Coffee

2012-02-11T08:47:00.002-07:00

Learning to Fly!

2012-02-10T08:50:00.002-07:00

Alex had the opportunity to fly with a friend in a Cessna Thursday afternoon. Lucky dog!

14 Years

2012-02-07T12:50:00.001-07:00

Have passed since my Pop's passing. There's a lot I would have loved to have shared with him during those years.

Here he is with my sister Terri to his right, my brother Timmy and my Mom, who is holding my sister Shelly so this was taken in 1964. Three more children would come in the 5 years that followed.

Busy guy!

UpSlope

2012-02-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today it's back to school and work for all of us. The upslope storm that unloaded 3-4' on the foothills of the Front Range has long moved out and dissipated. Our snowiest month, March, is yet to come. We have that to look forward to!

Playing on the hill.

Skies clearing to blue and a blanket of white across the land.

Thankful for incredible mountain neighbors! Brad and Hitch came over and helped us clear the driveway. Think we need to get one of these, soon!

Day 2: 36"

2012-02-04T08:26:00.003-07:00

“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.”

― Markus Zusak

Lots of snow play in the plans for today!

Snow Day: Coal Creek Canyon

2012-02-03T18:59:00.003-07:00

Snow Day by matt pond PA on Grooveshark

We went to bed with the flakes gently falling and woke to 18". We currently have 24"+ and it's still coming. That makes for a snow day from school and work= many happy people+1 stoked Brown Dog.

What happened to the Rav?

No snow day is complete without hot massage rocks and bath water heated on the wood stove.

A sweet, relaxing tub and a delicious "Nellarita".

Ok, that's our snow day!

He's Free!

2012-01-31T14:18:00.002-07:00

Alex and I happily met at noon today with Brown Dog at Boulder Natural Animal. We have been anticipating this day! Dudley Brown has healed his tendons from the snowboarding accident on December 23, 2011. I cannot tell you what this means to us. We are so thankful for Dr. Liv Brockmann and the entire staff of Boulder Natural Animal for taking such incredible care of D. Brown, and us. Each week for the past 6 weeks they have been a welcome part of our routine. Helping Brownie all along the way, and showing us how best we could support his healing process to ensure no long term issues. I am grateful for their expertise, concern, kindness and support.

It will take sometime before he makes a full recovery, but we are out of the woods! And DB is free from that stinky cast!

Something's Brewing

2012-01-30T08:00:00.002-07:00

People often reach an age when they begin to think about all the things they've wanted to do in their life, and for whatever reason they haven't. Perhaps the opportunity hasn't presented itself, the desire hasn't truly been sparked or it just wasn't the time. Take Alex for instance, who is currently working on his RC Plane and hopes to someday pursue his pilots license. Pretty exciting! Or my sister Terri who is finally taking piano lessons at 63-she's been talking about doing that for over 20 years.

All my life I have been interested in falconry. When I lived back east I would attend Falconry Displays whenever I could. A couple months back I attended a talk and display on raptors. I was introduced to the woman who organized this event. She hunts rabbits with her falcon. This got my brain churning! And I was recently introduced via the internet to some folks who live across the pond and hunt with their Wire-Haired Vizsla and their falcon or other raptors. This is getting even better. Now my dream is getting BIGGER!
Picture this: Nell on her horse, with her falcon perched on her arm and Brown Dog running by our side, flushing pheasants and rabbits.

from Reddit

It may be years away as there is a lot that goes into falconry but sure does get me excited to think about!

Life As A Student

2012-01-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

I knew I was going to have to be prepared to hit the ground running when classes began last week. I'm taking classes which are very challenging for me. Classes I need for my program and one's I know I'm going to have to work at. One of my instructor's announced "most people should plan to put in 20 hours outside the 6 hours of lab time and lecture in order to just pass". Just pass...that's 26 hours for just this one class each week. And I'm taking 15 credits...So, needless to say I'm back at it: working by 6:30 each morning until 8 or 9 each evening. With only one day off on the weekends. Alex keeps reminding me it'll all be worth it...
I've noticed something interesting each semester: using my noggin this much makes me hungry. Not just hungry but famished! I need to snack constantly. How is it that I feel as though I've burned so many calories learning and studying? Being the researcher that I am, I had to find a study. Turns out most students only burn an extra 50 calories/hour studying and "students who performed the strenuous mental tasks, particularly the one on the computer, consumed significantly more calories than those who relaxed. The researchers hypothesized that this discrepancy could lead to weight gain." Uh-oh!

I guess it doesn't help when I come home famished, bake corn bread and proceed to eat two pieces...with butter and honey. Better make time to get on my bike more!

Expect Nothing~Alice Walker

2012-01-25T07:42:00.001-07:00

Expect Nothing

Expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
Become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.

Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.

Discover the reason why
So tiny a human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.

~Alice Walker~

Diversity

2012-01-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Alex is making a lot of progress on his first RC airplane lately. It's a lot work, that he is really good at and is enjoying! The kit came with a little man, who is the pilot. It's a generic, white plastic man:

that most people paint to look something like this:

Those seemed way too boring and really not our style. Most of the flying I've done in small planes has been in the Caribbean. A magical, beautiful place with so much culture and diversity. I hope to take Alex there someday. So this is how we made the pilot for Alex's plane:

If you see a Rastafari in a RC flying over Colorado, chances are Alex is at the controls.

Simplicity by Sizzla on Grooveshark

Green River, Utah: Watercolor By Alex

2012-01-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent watercolor Alex did from our float trip down the Green River. I can't wait to put this one in a frame. For some reason all of my favorite paintings of his are from trips to Utah.
Alex worked from two photographs. Here is one of the original photo's:

15 Days Seems Like Eternity

2012-01-19T07:36:00.005-07:00

I got the go ahead from my Doc this week that I could start getting back at "it". The it is my life, the way I typically live. She said "Do what you can do, when you feel up to it. You are not going to tear your insides apart. If you need to rest, rest, but otherwise you are good to go!" Ok, I like those words! LOVE those words, actually! Everyone around me knew this would be a challenging time for me. I am not a sitter, I am a doer and a mover. And being confined to the the inside of a house obviously doesn't even come close to what I imagine being confined to a cell at a State Penitentiary might be like (we have beautiful homes after all, filled with art supplies, books, and people and animals I adore). But it was starting to feel like that in my head, and my body. Not being able to move my body, feel my heart rate increase, feel my lungs expand, experience nature and all that comes with it, observe unbelievably, breath taking beauty is pure torture for me. It was OK at first, or perhaps it was the numbing, pain meds that made me feel like it was OK to be laying around. But yesterday I was ready to be outside! I had my mind set to get on my bike. Just get on it, see how the insides felt about that and move my legs. Well, we had 94 mile/hour winds-which normally wouldn't bother me- but considering I hadn't been on my bike for 15 days I decided a walk on the Mesa would do.

And this is what presented itself:

It felt like a gift, just for me, a welcoming back in a way. One I easily accepted and very much appreciated.

Meet Ruby

2012-01-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Doug stopped by yesterday with this new little friend, a Miniature Dachshund. Ok, I'm a softy for any animal, so my heart just sank, I started talking in that annoying baby voice and I was down on the floor playing with her instantly as I was telling him everything he needed to do as far as crating, house training and nutrition. As well as all the things he should't do with her....because I'm the Dog Expert, right? No, I'm not...But I have had dogs my entire life and strongly feel they deserve, like any being, the absolutely best life possible. Especially something so delicate that weighs 3 pounds.
I am stoked to have a puppy around!

Just Wondering?

2012-01-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

If you visit here frequently you've noticed I keep changing my blog design. I fluctuate between this simple design and other templates which allow me to have gadgets available. A big part of me likes this format much better. It is clean and simple. Simplify is my word for this year 2012. I will write more about that later. I also enjoy how you can choose to view this blog in a variety of formats. This is honestly the least of my concerns but I am curious what do you think?

Doggles For Brown Dog

2012-01-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

As people who thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the outdoors, we don't skimp on gear, or quality of gear. And safety is a key element in our trip preparations. We have pretty much everything we need for being in the backcountry. And if we don't have it, we buy it. Well, I broke in and bought Brown Dog a pair of Doggles ILS (interchangeable lens system) for Christmas. Does a dog really need protective eyewear? We learned the hard way, that yes, in certain circumstances they do!

We discovered during our August 2011 Green River canoe trip that August summer heat and 3 days of constant sun glare from the water affect a Brown Dog's eyes. When we arrived at camp on day 2, we had a night of lethargy, swollen, squinty eyes and uncomfortableness. I stayed up with him that night on the mosquito infested sandbar and kept his eyes flushed with water and saline solution. He rebounded and was good to go the next day, but we had to get creative in keeping his eyes covered the rest of the trip.
I figure the $15.00 I invested in these goggles is well worth it! They will also come in handy when we are at altitude to prevent Snow Glare and for a trips to the desert when the sand storms kick up.

Holding On

2012-01-13T12:24:00.001-07:00

I can tell I'm feeling better. I'm down to 1-2 naps a day instead of sleeping more hours than being awake. Brown Dog is wondering why this change has occurred. He keeps enticing me to lay on the soft blankets that cover our bed. Another sign I'm recovering is that it feels like time to put the holiday trinkets away and get a little more organized before I'm back to school next week. One of the ways it helps me feel like I'm on top of things and I can proceed in my life is cleaning the house. Sounds boring, I know. I started putzing around this morning after I had coffee with Alex and he and Trax left for work and school: washing bedding, dusting, cleaning out food in the fridge that no one cares to eat. I had my rag in my hand and started wiping down a mirror. This mirror covered in smudges:

I realized those were Emme's smudges and there was a reason this mirror is still so dirty. He used to sit on the mirror everyday admiring his gorgeous self asking: Hey Baby, What Are You Doing? I can't bring myself to wipe away anything that reminds me of him. I have a vase full of the beautiful green and blue feather's he dropped as he molted over the course of his ten years. The sit gathering Dust.

This got me thinking: Why do I hold on to "things" that remind me of people or animals I have cared about. What exactly does this mean?? I have every collar and tag from every dog I've had as an adult. I have an old flannel shirt of my Dad's hanging in my closet. I put it on sometimes when I feel alone or need some reassurance.

I have photograph's of my Dad and I have no idea what they mean or where they were taken. But they sit on my mantle. And I couldn't bear putting them away. Other than these items, a few other trinkets and 29 years of memories with him, I don't have much else from when he was alive.

My Dad is the man on the left, handing the stack of hockey pucks to the young boy. My Dad LOVED hockey.

I have a bracelet from a cyclist, Scott Kornfield who was killed in a cycling accident years ago. Many of my friends knew Scott personally. I only actually rode with Scott once. But he was so encouraging and friendly on that ride and he left me with fond memories from a summer evening ride to Eldorado Springs.

I know all these things aren't these people or these animals. Why then, do I hold on to them so dearly??

Regular Occurrence: Urban Coyotes

2012-01-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Sadly, this is becoming a regular occurrence at our downtown Louisville house. This healthy, beautiful coyote prances by our yard, right down the side walk, right in the middle of the day on a regular basis. On one occasion Brown Dog was out back barking and carrying on and I walked out and this coyote was peeing on our fence, with Brown on the other side of it. I'm sure this confused (and pissed-off ) our young, intact male dog.

In any case, these now habituated, urbanized animals have become a part of our urban ecosystem. I'm in no way angry that they are here. It's quite the opposite for me. There is a m/sadness that they have had to adapt to cities as we continue to take away their open spaces and prairies. Living within a few surrounding blocks of us are this coyote, at least two active fox dens and a resident Great Horned Owl (who helps keep the squirrel population down). It will be interesting to see how this ecosystem changes as Louisville and the Front Range Urban Corridor continues to grow.

From the Division of Wildlife:

The Cunning Coyote

Perhaps no other wild animal has endured the wrath of humans–while evoking such genuine heartfelt admiration–than the coyote. Some people curse their existence; Native Americans consider them to be the smartest animal on earth ("God’s dog"), and many urbanites revel in opportunities to see and hear these vocal predators.

Coyotes are extremely adaptable animals and rapidly adjust to changing conditions. In the past, wildlife managers have found that coyote populations can actually expand rather than decline in response to eradication attempts. As a result, a variety of lethal and non-lethal control methods are used to manage populations and control damage.
Coyotes (described by Mark Twain as "a living, breathing allegory of want") are found in most of North America, but are most abundant on the open prairie and deserts. They are comfortable in the country, mountains, or in cities, as long as there is appropriate shelter and food. As a result, people must be aware of their presence and take precautions to avoid conflict with them. With a better understanding of coyotes and their habitat, humans can coexist with these adaptable and "cunning" animals.

I Could Get Used To This...

2012-01-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

There haven't been an endless amount of days in the last 17 years to sit around, enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up on Ithaca happenings. Life as a parent doesn't work that way very often. Now that I'm healing and feeling better, and my son is old enough and responsible enough to get up on his own, get himself to school, take care of his life happenings without me micro managing every step of the way, I'm going to enjoy this next week before the flurry of my semester begins. I'm still moving slower, dealing with fluctuating blood pressure and require naps. So for the next week I am going to sleep until my body says its time to wake, enjoy my coffee, read, listen to Barrington Levy, work on those art projects I've been putting off, have a deli sandwich with Alex at The Porch Deli, perhaps see a $5 matinee of War Horse, take a stroll with our rehabing Brown Dog...who knows. I could get used to this life style. But I won't. Next Tuesday it all starts again. What I will do is relish every unplanned moment of this next seven days to its fullest!

Feeling Human Again

2012-01-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

Until last week I never really knew what blood pressure was. I would vaguely listen to those numbers when I was at the doctors office. I knew I had relatively low blood pressure, but nothing of concern. I attribute that to being active and a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, which has been scientifically proven to improve health, including cardiovascular health.

Last week after my surgery my blood pressure was low. During recovery in the hospital it was critically low. But I was drugged and sleepy and tired from the surgery and I couldn't really tell the difference. I'd had general anestesia and a spinal block and couldn't get out of bed at first. But as things began to wear off I was able to get out of bed with the help of two nurses. There was concern I was going to hit the floor because my blood pressure was so low. I took my time and slowly acclimated to being vertical. When I got home from the hospital I was definitely in recovery mode and basically ate and slept the first couple days. I do remember taking a short walk with Alex and DB my first day home. I was craving fresh air! But much of the first few days are a blur. Did I dream that "so and so" called or was that real?

Alex and Trax were awesome through all of this. But I'm not the best patient and by day three I was ready to get out of the house. Alex took me to Guiry's to get supplies for a project I was looking forward to getting started.

Saturday we headed up the mountain where I was planning on resting in the quiet, solitude and natural surroundings at 9,000'. In theory it was a great idea, but my body felt otherwise about 1/3 of the way up the canyon. I became nauseous, my peripheral vision became white and fuzzy and my hands felt tingly with pins and needles. Something was not right, and it was very scary. These symptoms worsened the higher we went and then fear set in. What was happening?? Just a couple miles from the house Alex turned the car around. And I counted the minutes until I knew we would reach the mouth of the canyon and I would hopefully feel better. Which I did. But I was exhausted. I felt as though I had been hit by a truck and crawled into bed as soon as we got back to our Louisville house. What just happened? We don't really know but our best guess is my body was reacting to the low blood pressure and high altitude, resulting in altitude sickness, obviously not a good combination.

Today I woke feeling the best I have felt all week. My blood pressure is normal which I know makes a world of difference. Who knew?

Man Cave

2012-01-06T09:49:00.001-07:00

Alex has been busy converting the basement into a man cave:

"A room, space, corner or area of a dwelling that is specifically reserved for a male person to be in a solitary condition, away from the rest of the household in order to work, play, involve himself in certain hobbies, activities without interruption. "

He's putting a workshop, bike repair station and workout space down there. Its coming along nicely. It's great to see this space being utilized for creativity! I can see this is going to be the perfect place for us to have projects left out to work on when ever the time presents itself. He's currently working on a remote controlled airplane. There's so much detail in this plane! I'm excited to see this thing fly!

Recovery

2012-01-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

I joined our Brown Dog on the recovery road after a small surgery I had on Tuesday. Nothing major, but something that has needed to be addressed for a year now. Something the size of a quarter had decided to plant itself inside me and cause me some grief. Literally cramping my style. My backcountry adventures had become very limited, if at all, because of this intruder. That just doesn't work very well for this family!

The surgery went perfectly and I was home the next day. Now the recovery begins. Being down is hard for both me and Brown Dog. Especially when its nearly 70* outside and we'd both LOVE to be hiking or biking. I promised Alex I would take it easy today while he was at work. And in all honesty, I should take it easy for a couple weeks so everything heals properly. So, I will do just that. Take it easy. I will write, do art, rest with our Brown Dog and enjoy the peacefulness before the semester begins again and life will be back to its usual fullness.

New Year's Toast

2012-01-01T09:56:00.001-07:00

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.

New Neighbors

2011-12-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

A house in the neighborhood has been empty for a couple years now. But a few weeks ago some people bought it and moved in. I was excited to meet them so I baked some goodies to deliver after they were settled. Well, lets just say things did not go as I had expected. Our dogs, both 2 year old intact males, decided they were going to be dogs. Our introductions lasted merely seconds before the dogs put an end to any visiting. I was bummed.

Last night as we were finishing up dinner there was a knock at the door. We don't get very many knocks up here, there just aren't that many people around. I was delighted when I saw it was our new neighbors. They were delivering some treats they had baked and brought fixings for an after dinner drink. We sat by the fire, enjoyed the lights of the city below and got to know each other. Before we knew it, four hours had passed! It's so nice to have some spontaneity once in awhile in a life that often seems too planned. They are a great young couple and we have similar interests. And although our dogs may not want to be friends (yet) I feel like a little girl who has a new friend in the neighborhood! Now we have wonderful neighbors all around us. Something I feel grateful for.

That Moon

2011-12-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

All my life I've been a wanderlust. My first real taste of traveling freedom was when I was young and traveled to small, less developed islands in the Caribbean. I immediately felt like I was home. I remember carrying on and throwing a tantrum the day we were heading back to N.Y. There's just something about living on a sail boat that brings to me a sense of peace. The lulling water, the salty breezy air, being completely immersed in and a part of your surroundings, not to mention the absolutely amazing wildlife. I never felt alone or lonely. How I wound up landlocked living on a massive mound of Precambrian metamorphic rock is beyond me. But I love these mountains just the same. And I have the same sense of connectedness here. And when I am walking at night and look into a sky like this I am reminded its the same sky no matter where I am. The Rocky Mountains or Montserrat. It's very humbling.

Poor Brown Dog

2011-12-28T09:29:00.001-07:00

Well, our winter break took a detour on Friday 12/23 at noon. While the boys were out enjoying the ski hill and the 30 inches of fresh snow that had fallen the day before, there was a freak accident. Dudley Brown was running down the hill and cut infront of a rider. The metal edge of the board cut his leg very deeply. I knew something was pretty bad by the way he was holding it. We got him in the car and headed to our vet, who luckily had time to see him. Upon examination she found he had two severed tendons and a deeply lacerated muscle. She performed surgery and made the necessary repairs. We picked him up a few hours later. Boy, did he look pretty bad. And he sure was happy to see us! He's expected to make a full recovery after 6 weeks in a spoon splint that will need to be changed weekly. He'll lose some muscle and need some rehab but luckily he should make a full recovery. We are very fortunate! It could have been so much worse!

The first night was the worst. He was coming off the morphine and didn't understand what was going on. He was disoriented and whined much of the night. I slept with him on the floor and tried to comfort him as much as possible. It was hard for us to see him like this. We all felt awful. We've canceled our New Years ski trip because he can't travel yet. Luckily we are on winter break and can care for him without having to leave him much. He's already healing well and improving each day!

Dudley Brown hass been getting a lot of extra love! I'm not sure how that's possible for a dog who already gets so much attention!

By the night after surgery he had already broke his splint! Yesterday he got this new and improved stronger splint! Which by the way is made for a Great Dane! This one looks like it will work just fine!

Wind

2011-12-27T08:48:00.002-07:00

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

~ Albert Einstein

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T11:17:00.002-07:00

Happy Holidays! Nell, Trax, Alex and Dudley Brown!

Day 10: Bake Holiday Treats

2011-12-23T09:37:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite traditions is baking holiday treats for friends and family. This year we made a family favorite:
Honey Roasted Almonds.

Seriously, if I don't package these and distribute them immediately, they'll "disappear". Ahem...Alex.

Another favorite is Macaroons.

I like to drizzle them with semi-sweet chocolate.

I tried a new treat this year after being inspired by my friend Corinna's photo of the Buckeye's she was making.

They are creamy, peanut buttery, chocolatey, delicious and rich! One at a time for me please.

Day:9 Deck The Halls

2011-12-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Let It Snow by Christmas Music on Grooveshark

We have a tradition of hiking into the forest and cutting down our Christmas tree. Something I wish more people would do. This thinning greatly helps the forest to maintain its health. Which in all honesty, the Rocky Mountain forests have been suffering for many years because people don't thin them anymore. This year we did something a little different. We decided with all the blowdown that occurred this fall we would just cut the top off of one of those. So, under the nearly full December "Long Nights Moon" we happily found our perfect tree.

I can't help but share these images of Christmas Past...

So many fantastic memories!

Day 8: Time With Family

2011-12-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I feel fortunate that at nearly 17, a full on teen, Trax still wants to hang out with me. Perhaps its because we are not the typical Boulder County family. Yes I meditate, yes I have a yoga practice I tend to, yes I feel "fullest" when I am at Kirtan, and yes I ride a road bike. All very Boulder. And all very me. Trax could care less about yoga or meditation and especially Kirtan, but certainly doesn't judge those aspects of me. Perhaps that is because I also fully enjoy snowmobiles, race cars, 4 wheeling in a Jeep, chainsaws and shooting guns. Does that mean I'm balanced? Yin Yang? Who knows. What I do know is all of those aspects are me. I also know for certain if I ask him if he'd like to join me for a yoga class his response will be a resounding NO. On the other hand, if I ask him if he wants to go to the shooting range and a pheasant hunt, he will likely say YES! So that's what we did.

I cannot imagine ever needing to use a gun like this, but it sure was fun to shoot! I was surprised at how little recoil it had for its size.

Trax on the other hand declared this was his favorite yet.

I prefer this CZ over under break action. It's old school, beautifully crafted and much more my speed. And, I have a pretty good shot with it! Even the DOW Officer's were impressed.

The end of the day was a pheasant hunt. Trax had the opportunity to to be in the field with the DOW Officers and a trained bird-dog handler. He got his first bird! What an awesome day! Alex said it best while he sat back and observed us: "You are so in your element".

Day 7: Accept Gifts Graciously

2011-12-19T20:27:00.002-07:00

I have a difficult time accepting gifts. I'm often uncomfortable receiving and much prefer to give. It was high on my winter break "to-do" list to work on accepting gifts so I don't come across like a dork this year. My typical response when I receive something is to ask questions about it. Not very appropriate. But that's what I've done all of my life do in various life. I ask a lot of questions.
Then this arrived Friday:

Ms. Jordan:

It is with great pleasure that I would like to inform you that you have been selected to receive the Mark Oetting-Passion for the Environment-Scholarship for Spring 2012! Congratulations! Your application packet was reviewed by a Selection Committee and your unmistakable passion and extensive actions made you a clear choice among several competitive applicants.

The Foundation, the Natural Resources Program, and Mark Oetting’s family would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment. I sincerely hope that this scholarship will help you pursue your education in natural resources as your enthusiasm for the environment embodies the meaning behind this scholarship and Mark’s life. Within the next several weeks you will receive more information on the date the scholarship will be paid.

Thank you for applying. We appreciate the person you are, your positive actions, and your passion for the environment. Keep up the great work!

Sincerely,

Program Coordinator

Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources

And Alex gave me my early holiday gift today: A MacBook Air. Something I really wasn't expecting.
Question: Are tears and being speechless considered accepting gifts with grace?
I best keep working on it.
Update: I am REALLY enjoying this machine! So elegant and user friendly. I have been wanting to become a Mac family since I was pregnant with Trax in 1994. We are almost there! He's next...maybe graduation next year?

Day 6: Coffee With A Friend

2011-12-18T13:26:00.002-07:00

C'mon Boulder, CO...I'd prefer a real plate to "save" the environment. As it was I had to ask for a real mug!

Stacey and I have been trying to connect for months. Almost 4 months! We finally met for coffee (and a gluten free Macaroon!) There's bitter sweetness to getting together with someone you haven't seen in so long. A lot happens in a life during that amount of time. We've both lost pets, we've both had our moments with our children and we both had many celebrations to share. I can't imagine waiting another 4 months to see her again. I can say with most certainty there won't be that much time in between seeing each other again.

Day 5: Observe, Listen and Learn

2011-12-16T10:04:00.001-07:00

Deer Teachings: Be gentle with yourself and offer kindness to all living things.

One of the neighborhood deer stops to nibble on what's left of our raspberry bushes.

In Native American Medicine the deer represents compassion and kindness towards others and yourself. Don't drive yourself so harshly! Be gentle with yourself and you will cease to project your fears onto others. Deer are a powerful animal that direct you toward a serenity of heart.

Gentleness has the power to melt a heart of stone.

Day 4: Put Color on Paper

2011-12-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

"I am open to the guidance of synchronicity and do not let expectations hinder my path."

Dalai Lama

For the first time in months I had zero thoughts of achieving an "A". I sat down with some paints in the art room. No expectations of what would happen. The snow and wintry cold visible through the windows, while the warm colors of the desert presented themselves on the paper. Nothing impressive, but a fun process nonetheless.

Living without expectations is difficult for me at times. A practice I struggle with daily. I've realized this past week I'm way too hard on myself. I'm finding it easier to let go of expectations of myself while I'm on winter break and have considerably less constructed days. The expectations I have of my teenage son, well, that's an entirely different story...

Day 3: Bath, Candles, Wine & Holiday Music

2011-12-14T09:08:00.001-07:00

I'm beginning to notice a welcomed theme to my break...relaxation.

A Mighty Fortress by Trace Bundy on Grooveshark

Day 2: Eat Great Food! A lot of it!

2011-12-13T08:23:00.001-07:00

Alex's Mom made us Pozole. Damn, was it good! I doubt this is the exact recipe she uses. In fact, she probably doesn't even use a recipe anymore. She's been making it for years. But it hit the spot on Saturday in between a late breakfast, an afternoon nap, and dinner at a local brewery with friends.

Yes, this break is going very well indeed!

Winter Break List: Day 1

2011-12-12T09:20:00.004-07:00

Made a list of things I wanted to do while I am on my break from school.
First thing: Spend time sitting in the Hammock Chair Swing right by a fire.
Done!

photo by Alex

Although I plan to spend a lot of time there over the next couple weeks...

Laugh

2011-12-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

The Earth laughs in flowers. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Closed For Business

2011-12-09T07:57:00.001-07:00

Sadly, our local, seasonal Italian Ice & Gelato shop closed its doors for good this fall. We have been regular customers at Paulie's for many years.

The Lemon Italian Ice was my favorite.

And I could happily enjoy any of their homemade gelato flavors.

Dang! I'd love some right now!

Harper and Trax in 2008

Everyone loved Paulie's!

Need. Rest. Soon.

2011-12-08T06:54:00.001-07:00

Pride

2011-12-07T08:26:00.001-07:00

There has been a lot of pride around here as the semester comes to an end for everyone!

Beautiful flowers from Alex.

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us. ~Jane Austin

Thresholds

2011-12-06T06:56:00.001-07:00

At heart, hospitality is a helping across a threshold. ~Ivan Illich

Almost There

2011-12-05T07:52:00.001-07:00

I was bogged down with a paper I could not wrap my head around this weekend. I spent way too much time on it, with very little productivity. When I found myself in tears on Saturday with computer issues I threw Dudley Brown into the car and we went to visit Santa. Yes, Santa. We happily had our picture taken with Santa to benefit the SAINTS fund. Did it shift things for me? Sure did! On Sunday when I just couldn't write anymore, and I actually hadn't even written the required amount, (which is very unlike me), I pushed send, put on my snow pants and joined the boys who were outside playing on the ski hill. Did I let go of an A? Yes, as soon as I saw this I did:

photo by Trax

Sometimes you just need a new perspective.

photo by Alex

And I let go even more when Trax and Eliza decided to watch Elf and make Sugar Cookies.

WOW! Am I ready for winter break!

Fantastic Festive Friends Frolicking on Friday

2011-12-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

Out of the Clear Blue Sky

2011-12-02T07:24:00.001-07:00

I got out for a mountain bike ride with Brown Dog before I went to class Wednesday . It was 61*. Perfect blue, Colorado skies. I was wearing shorts. Thursday we woke to some of the fluffy, white stuff. Changed mountain biking gear for cross country skis and off we went.

Sun sets at our secret spot.

Felt good to do some gliding!

And nice to sit by the fire and warm up.

Holidaze

2011-12-01T10:17:00.001-07:00

I have my old standbys, traditional foods and gifts I enjoy making each year. But once the space opens up in my life to attempt some new creative adventures I am going to make this:

I'll let you know how it goes!
It's December 1st, now I can officially listen to some holiday music! Enjoy!
Christmas Reggae by Bob Marley on Grooveshark

Color of Truth

2011-12-01T06:33:00.001-07:00

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched...but are felt in the heart. ~ Helen Keller

If ATree Falls In The Forest...

2011-11-30T07:28:00.001-07:00

Parts of the Front Range experienced 100 mile winds on several different occasions during November. The United States Forest Service issued warnings about the downed, and partially downed trees called Widowmaker in Southern Boulder and Gilpin counties. We recently took a walk and saw first hand the distruction these hurricane strength winds caused.

What was most ironic is that the majority of these trees did not have the tell tale signs of Mountain Pine Beetle. Most of these trees appeared to be healthy.

This forest in southwest Boulder county looked as though a hurricane had come through. Intense!

I realize this is a natural event for a forest. But these trees are old and if only they could tell their stories of hunters, campers, and previous storms they had survived through. There is a sadness that comes to me when I see something like this. It seems they've made ultimate sacrifice. And now there will be room for the new growth and saplings to reach their limbs high to the light in the skies.

Peaceful Moment

2011-11-29T06:51:00.001-07:00

by Trax

My head is reeling at the thought of the next two weeks with finals, labs, papers and presentations. Glad I got a few napping minutes in last week while I could!

Thankful Weekend

2011-11-27T18:02:00.001-07:00

I continue to be Thankful for what seems to be simplicity: Our little family. Friends who generously invited us to their mountain home for the weekend.

Playing in the gorgeous mountain snow.

Soaking in therapeutic hot springs.

The best Brown Dog ever.

An abundance of delicious foods.

A cup or two of coffee on a crisp, snowy morning.

All this makes Monday seem much more do~able.

Window to the Soul

2011-11-24T08:10:00.001-07:00

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Matthew 6:22

Walt Whitman on Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

Walt Whitman From the Philadelphia Press~ November 27, 1884

“We Americans devote an official day to it every year; yet I sometimes fear the real article is almost dead or dying in our self-sufficient, independent Republic. Gratitude, anyhow, has never been made half enough of by the moralists; it is indispensable to a complete character, man’s or woman’s—the disposition to be appreciative, thankful. That is the main matter, the element, inclination—what geologists call the trend. Of my own life and writings I estimate the giving thanks part, with what it infers, as essentially the best item. I should say the quality of gratitude rounds the whole emotional nature; I should say love and faith would quite lack vitality without it. There are people—shall I call them even religious people, as things go?—who have no such trend to their disposition.”

A Day at the Shooting Range

2011-11-23T08:35:00.001-07:00

We had the opportunity to participate in a shooting training with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. I did not want to pass that up! Gun safety, education and shooting sports were the focus. Trax and I had so much fun and learned a lot from these officers.

Trax has a great eye! He really excelled at the clay pigeon's.

Trax, on the far right, with two other high school students.

This officer watched carefully and let me know how to correct my shot.

This officer told me I would love this shotgun. She was right! It was the perfect shotgun for me.

But I was smiling so much when I shot it, my cheekbone was sticking out and I got a little bruise from the kickback.

An awesome day at the shooting range!

I Dream Of Japan

2011-11-21T18:37:00.001-07:00

I dream of traveling to Japan someday. I want to work under a Master Japanese Chef and learn to cook sushi and other Japanese delights, while Alex is off shralping the Japanese Backcountry. In my dream we are there for a year, traveling, cooking, eating, learning about the country's wildlife, and culture. Perhaps we love it there so much we extend our visit.

For now I'll just have to make the best of it and keep practicing here, with Alex's awesome culinary assistance.

Another Milestone

2011-11-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

We crossed into lands unknown yesterday. Trax got his drivers license! It's a milestone I've been excitedly waiting for. Quite possibly with as much anticipation as when I no longer needed to carry around diapers (which by the way, I got lucky with. He was completely out of those things by 20 months!) Or maybe not needing a car seat anymore...Or perhaps when he learned to ride on two wheels...so many big moments in a lifetime!

What does this mean for Trax?

Freedom...Adventure...Friends...Excitement..Responsibility

What does it mean for me?

Letting go: It's a constant practice to let go of your child. It starts at the beginning of the relationship when you have no other choice but to let go of your expectations of what you thought your pregnancy and birth were going to be like. But letting go really gets into full swing when they are "tweens" trying out their wings without you by their side for the first time. Trust: of him and mostly of the idiots I know are out there driving and shouldn't be...Freedom: no more carpooling all around Colorado...Excitement: my boy is becoming a young man...Love: I obviously love him and have happily celebrated ALL the firsts along the way with him.

Keep your fingers crossed!

There he goes, behind the wheel, solo,for the very first time. I'll patiently await the text when he has arrived to school safely.

Delish! and feeling grateful...

2011-11-17T09:05:00.001-07:00

A few months ago I was feeling unheard and unseen. Something I take full responsibility for. Something I think a lot of moms feel, especially those who have raised their children single-handedly. It took a lot of courage but I let the people around me know that I was feeling invisible, and quite frankly it was a terrible feeling. We all shifted some things. One of the areas in my life I felt needed more attention was making time for myself. I needed one night a week that didn't involve my school books, carpools, shopping for, preparing and cleaning up after a meal. I've happily set aside that one night each week and have enjoyed almost 2 months of Thursday date nights with friends. It has made an unbelievable difference. Something so simple. Who knew??
So when I walked into the house last night and was unexpectedly overwhelmed by the savory-ness wafting out of the kitchen I was pleasantly surprised. What a treat for midweek! A double bonus week. I have an amazing man to thank for "hearing" me a couple months ago, and getting it, and for supporting me in creating the transitions I feel are necessary to feeling more complete. And also for making Mediterranean Chicken for dinner. And even better yet, there's enough left over for lunch today!

Monarch Bike Club Year End Slideshow

2011-11-15T06:25:00.001-07:00

Alex and I had fun putting this together for the Monarch Mountain Bike Club dinner. Enjoy!

Ridgeline Rally: State Championships, CO

2011-11-13T19:01:00.001-07:00

Awesome mountain bike racing in cold 40 mph wind gusts!

I am stoked Colorado has this sport to offer to its high school students. Thank you everyone who made this possible to all these young racers! It was a great season!

Watercolor Painting

2011-11-11T21:35:00.001-07:00

Ready to get some paints, paper and brushes out.

Short-tailed Albatross

2011-11-10T14:05:00.001-07:00

From Los Farallones

On 6 November, 2011, PRBO biologists documented the first Short-tailed Albatross from the Farallon Islands in 124 years. This species used to be the most common albatross seen along California’s shoreline. Historical accounts mention that it was “numerous” in nearshore waters, including around the FarallonIslands. Short-tailed Albatrosses, however, did not breed on the Farallones or anywhere near the California Coast. In fact, its primary breeding grounds were located on islands scattered across the western Pacific Ocean south of Japan and in the East China Sea.

Short-tailed Albatrosses make an amazing 2,500 mile migration from their breeding grounds off Japan to the California Current and the Gulf of Alaska to take advantage of the nutrient-rich upwellings in these regions. They feed largely on squid and fish on the surface of the ocean, and are often found feeding on the offal discharged by fishing boats. They are truly impressive birds, with a wingspan of seven and a half feet, making it the largest albatross regularly occurring in the northern hemisphere. Juvenile Short-tailed Albatrosses are solidly dark brown and take an estimated six years to attain the largely white plumage and golden head of a breeding adult.

The majority of these birds breed on the Torishima and Mukojima islands off Japan, but in the last ten years a few individuals have shown signs of breeding on Kure and Midway Atolls in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and just last year a pair successfully fledged a chick on Midway. Despite these successes, Short-tailed Albatrosses are particularly susceptible to becoming by-catch in the long-line fishing industry and consuming plastics that they mistake for food, which can directly kill them or cause them to die from malnutrition. Both of these threats are hampering efforts by conservationists to recover this species.

As a result of the population increase over the last 60 years, Short-tailed Albatross has slowly started to reappear in California waters, with the first record since about 1900 being a bird seen 40 miles west of San Clemente Island on 28 August 1977. Since that date there have been a total of 33 records inCalifornia waters, 15 of which have occurred since 2007, and two of which were seen in San Francisco County waters. However, the last time that a Short-tailed Albatross was seen at Southeast Farallon Island was when one individual was collected by an ornithologist on 20 March 1887.

Words for Guidance

2011-11-09T08:48:00.002-07:00

You are that which you are seeking. ~ Saint Francis

Another Transition

2011-11-08T07:24:00.002-07:00

This one is much easier to accept.

Transition

2011-11-06T19:09:00.003-07:00

passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another.
a movement, development or evolution from one form, stage or style to another.
an abrupt change in energy state or level usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy.

Emerald aka Emme on left, Mango on the right.

I believe life is all about transition. After-all, what it really means is movement and change, right? That's how I am trying to make peace with my little world being rocked on Friday morning when I lifted Emme's (our Indian ringneck) blanket and there he was on the bottom of his cage, dead. The sweet, little, soft green bird, with the magnificent tail, pink neck feathers and vibrant red bill. Always so happy, so concerned and always asking: "What are you doing?" I knew this day was inevitable. But seeing he was only 10 years young, with a life expectancy of 25-30, I figured I'd be grey and much more wrinkled by the time it was his turn. So, honestly I was shocked. And very sad. And that sadness keeps transitioning over the past few days. But my heart and home miss that little guy.

R.I.P.

It doesn't matter how many animals you lose in your life time. I honestly don't think these transitions ever get any easier.

Woman's Best Friend

2011-11-04T17:04:00.001-06:00

Thankful this dog was by my side today, knowing my heart was open and wounded. How do they know that just their presence and warmth at times like these is all you need?

Head Above the Clouds

2011-11-03T06:59:00.001-06:00

Dark-eyed Junco singing his song.

I spend much of my time with my eyes directed at the skies. Sometimes I'm just wandering along, daydreaming, noticing all the details that lie in the bark of the tree, the edges of the leaves, the color of a blossom, the way the clouds glide by.

Other times I am searching the skies for birds. When I am nestled in at 9100' I have this amazing opportunity to actually be at the height of the tree tops that are growing on the mountain-side. The deck is placed perfectly at the height of our pines, firs and aspen. I don't have to look up to the skies. I am in the skies, with the birds. I love and savor that feeling.

Day Full of Surprises!

2011-11-02T11:09:00.004-06:00

We woke this morning to about 8" of fresh snow! The second Wednesday in a row! That was the first surprise. The second surprise was an email from my brother, Mark Jordan, who is an amazing photographer in NYC. Here's what it said: "Funny story: I was down at Occupy Wall Street a couple weeks ago taking pictures. Came up on the drum circle, guys and girls dancing. Guess who I ran into after 15/20 years?" Interestingly enough, I knew immediately who the pictures would be of. Our friend Dawn Z.

photo credit goes to my fantastically talented brother Mark Jordan

Holy Crap! My mind is reeling through years of film and footage from our years together. The three of us were best of friends in high school. You name it, we experienced it! Dawn and I lived together when we were just 16 or so years old and our parents could no longer control/handle us. We were free spirits making our way in the world. I told Alex this morning, when I think back to what we were up to in those long-gone days, I truly am surprised we all survived!

Dawn eventually left the east coast and headed to the San Francisco area, where she continued to explore her path in life. She even "settled down" there in a hippie bus. And actually in true Dawn style, breech- birthed her daughter in that bus! She is brave and very trusting. She came back to the east coast 10 months later while I was having my son. Her presence during his birth and the weeks following are unforgettable. She will always have a special place in my heart.

It's been a few years since I've seen Dawn. And these pictures capture everything that I remember about her that is "Dawn". She is free, always involved with the "right" things, passionate, beautiful, lives a simple yet very meaningful life. Oh and seriously, she has not aged a day! I hope to be in contact with her again soon.

phew!

2011-10-31T07:59:00.002-06:00

I wasn't sure we were going to get carving in this year. It would have been a first. But we managed to do it! And make these lovely, delicious apples to boot! Pumpkin seeds will be roasted today.

I have mentioned Eliza in previous adventures. She is our longtime friend from Ithaca, who planted herself at CU Boulder for her studies. We are so lucky! We get to see her typically a couple times a week. This weekend she joined us for a movie, Chinese food and even pumpkin carving. Trax would like to possibly study at CU when his time comes. I asked him if he would come and carve with me then, he said probably not. But I'm sure I could entice him with caramel apples and a delicious meal. What college student would turn that down?

Trick or Treat

2011-10-30T13:19:00.004-06:00

"I'll do a variety at tricks for a dog treat! Even wear this terrible costume my Mom got me".

charity:water

2011-10-29T08:18:00.004-06:00

There are a few non-profit organizations that I wish I could somehow be more involved with. For instance volunteer my time for huge projects, or have enough $ to just write a check to fund an entire project. Well, that's not the position I'm in at this point in my life. I donate annually to some bigger non-profits and I volunteer for a few local non-profits and always wish I could do more. That's just how I've been for most of my life. charity:water is one of those organizations I hope to be in a position to someday help more. I dream of traveling to Africa with them one day on a water project.

When Alex gifted me with a charity:water shirt this week during our snow storm, I actually cried. The words printed on it "one in every six people on the planet doesn't have access to safe, clean drinking water" really hits home. I have worn it everyday since he gave it to me. I want to spread the word! I want people to realize how many people on our planet don't have something as simple as drinking water. I also want people to realize how they too can help! It might be all I can do right now is to spread the word.
It's the weekend, grab a cup of joe and sit back and read some amazing stories here and let me know what you think. What organizations do believe in? How are you involved? Just remember that every little bit helps!

Stay Focused, nell

2011-10-27T22:08:00.003-06:00

I couldn't help but stop all along the way on my commute today. Everywhere I looked, the images around me were breath taking.

I was late to class and ridiculed, and didn't even mind it. I stopped to appreciate what was taking place at that particular place in time and that meant more to me.

Perhaps something my instructor needs to do more of.

Oh, and by the way, the presence of raptors was unbelievable after this storm. I didn't have the proper lens. But I'm stoked we are moving into that season of birds!

The beauty is sometimes too overwhelming to ignore.

Colorado October Snow Storm

2011-10-26T18:55:00.002-06:00

We had an "unofficial" snow day today with over a foot of freshness! It was too snowy to make my way to Fort Collins so I stayed home and did school work instead. What a treat! Gotta love seeing the white stuff in October.

Alex kept me fed and happy with bacon and eggs cooked on the wood stove!

and 76* in the house with this roastin' fire!

Prius aint going anywhere for awhile!

Patterns & Texture Along the Way

2011-10-25T07:13:00.001-06:00

Noticing

2011-10-24T08:13:00.001-06:00

"All there is to thinking is seeing something noticeable, which makes you see something you weren't noticing, which makes you see something that isn't even visible." ~Leo Strauss

Weekend at Home

2011-10-23T11:13:00.001-06:00

It's always nice to be home.

Relaxing morning with the family...

Eating Mendoza~ pork~ green~ chili with over easy eggs and fresh tortillas...

Knowing we'll be Skamping again next weekend.

Levi and Thunder

2011-10-22T09:58:00.000-06:00

There's just something I love about seeing these two together every time I drive by this stable. Thunder, on the left, being dwarfed by Levi. They seem to get along fabulously in spite of their obvious differences.

Grace

2011-10-20T16:41:00.002-06:00

elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion or action
pleasing or attractive quality
favor or goodwill

Future Engineers

2011-10-19T08:29:00.002-06:00

Since Trax was 4 he has wanted to be an engineer. Now, I understand most boys love building and constructing with Legos and K'nex and anything else they can get their little hands on. But Trax announced one day shortly after turning 4 that he wanted to turn garbage into energy. Well, here we are 12 years later and he is attending an Engineering program for high school. It's a very impressive program! During their four years in the program they study bio-medical engineering; civil and architectural engineering; robotics and manufacturing as well as engineering in a global society. They certainly did not have anything this impressive when I was in high school!

Last year I had the opportunity to join them on a few field trips. This one was to the Valmont Power Plant in Boulder, CO owned by Xcel Energy. There is some controversy with the plant because it is a coal generated plant.

Students in front of the mound of coal used to generate electricity.

90% of the electricity for the city of Boulder comes from fossil fuels. How could it be that only 10% comes from renewable resources?? This baffles me!

One of three reservoirs used to cool the plant.

I dont know how many of these kids will seriously want to pursue a career in engineering. But we all know a lot has to change-the planet will not withstand much more. And the future is theirs. If these students stay focused and continue expanding their horizons and move forward, I have a lot of hope they can change things! The alternative is _________________.

Night Shot

2011-10-18T12:32:00.002-06:00

by Alex

I love this photo. It's beautiful and feels warm even in the crisp fall night air. And it also captures a place and feeling where I love to be. A place where I am most relaxed and at peace. Outdoors surrounded by healthy, sturdy Ponderosa Pine, under a zillion stars and a waning moon.

Alex is great at night time photography. Something I marvel at. Since I began taking pictures I've avoided it. Which is something I tend to do when I encounter struggle or frustration. But actually seeing the stars in his pictures, which I know are always there even during the day time shots, makes me want to finally give it a try.

So, perhaps I will try it, soon.

Fun For All

2011-10-17T13:35:00.004-06:00

We spent the weekend in the Black Forest at a mountain bike race. What other high school sport allows you the opportunity to camp with so many athletes from all around the state in such awesome locations? Only one more race left for the season. I'm going to miss all the camaraderie and fun we've been having! Definitely looking forward to more next year.

Trax takes the most difficult
downhill corner on the course.

Wyatt with Griff on his tail.

Griff coming through a downhill corner.

Home.

2011-10-14T20:17:00.003-06:00

For best results and to get the full effect, hit play buttons of slideshow and song.

WHV's

2011-10-13T13:22:00.001-06:00

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love our Brown Dog. And you know how much of my time is devoted to that darn dog. And you know, even though I am a busy person, my days practically revolve around that dog.

Well, I recently joined a Wirehaired Vizsla internet based social group, (just because I have so much time to talk about WHV's). In all honesty its because I have so many beautiful pictures of Dudley Brown and I wanted to show him off. I submitted the following pictures for a calendar they were organizing and this one got the most votes of the pictures I submitted and won a spot in it:

Brown sporting an ice beard.

Runner's up were:

Brown Dog watching Alex fish.

Colorful in Colorado.

I guess it pays to be the most photographed WHV!

Live the Questions Now

2011-10-13T07:16:00.008-06:00

...have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.
Don't search for the answers which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything.
Live the questions now.
~Rainer Maria Rilke~

Pink-sided Junco

2011-10-12T09:14:00.002-06:00

I love a Junco. They spend a lot of time on the ground and in shrubs foraging for seeds. They are simple, yet beautiful. A bird we can see a lot of around here. This is an "Oregon" type Pink-sided Junco, named so for its broad, pinkish cinnamon sides that sometimes meet across the breast. Also identifiable by its blue-grey hood and blackish lores. It mainly winters in the west from the Great Plains to the Foothills of the Southwest and Northern Mexico.

This week will be the last week the Bird Banding Station is open for the fall migration and already I miss it. But lucky for me the birds will be back in the spring!

Logging Lessons

2011-10-11T07:32:00.003-06:00

If you know anyone who lives in the mountains of Colorado, chances are they've been dealing with the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestation plaguing much of the west. As I stated in an earlier post, we have a few dead red trees on the property. Two which sat between power lines.
A few weeks ago Alex had the opportunity to learn from a professional logger, who just so happens to be our friends' Dad, how to properly limb, fell and buck trees.This passed weekend Alex was able to put all of his new skills to work.

Wedges are placed after the undercuts have been made.

They both came down without any issues. Blue stain is a dead give away that the MPB had been there.

Power lines still standing!

Those trees have already been split and have already provided heat in the wood stove! As always, I continue to be impressed by this man.

Foo Fighter's

2011-10-10T13:45:00.007-06:00

I think I have seen more music in the past month than I normally see in a year. I decided when leaving the Foo Fighter's performance late last night, that if I don't see anymore music this year, I'll be ok, I'm set. I have seen it all! The show was everything I had heard it would be: great (loud) sound, long, energetic, interactive, visually stimulating (not just talking about the awesome light show either!) and the perfect blend of old tunes mixed with new tunes from the latest album Wasting Light. This band continues to be amazing!

Dave Grohl ACL 2008

Drummer Taylor Hawkins at 2008 ACL

During last night's performance the Foo's played These Days. Dave Grohl shared with the audience that this was his favorite song he had ever written. Here's a version of it I really like:

There's something about seeing a rocker you have listened to and whose music you have loved for twenty years. Not much sleep took place last night and the songs from the show are still happily playing in my head today.

It Snowed!

2011-10-09T10:10:00.001-06:00

Fall In Contrast

2011-10-08T09:26:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was perfect: 64 degrees, clear skies, breezy. I was motivated and crossed a lot off my list.

Today is perfect too: overcast, rainy, cold. Although, I think I left my motivation someplace Friday and therefore my list for Saturday sits ignored.

Plentiful

2011-10-07T09:20:00.000-06:00

I've never figured out why being a Pisces means having so many Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius in my life. There is not a shortage of celebrating in the Fall! Happy Birthday to y'all!

My Element

2011-10-06T06:52:00.005-06:00

I recently read a book called The Element:How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, by Ken Robinson. I was first introduced to Ken Robinson years ago when I was teaching. His goal is to improve the quality of education and he has some amazing insights. I feel as though I am finding my passion through going back to school. I am doing work that I have dreamed of my entire life! When I am working with birds, or doing mountain lion research, memorizing scientific names of plants, trees and animals or doing transects in the forest, I am truly in my element! There is another place I have always felt in my element. And that's in a stable or on the back of a horse. I took a little time this past weekend and did just that...and man did it feel good!

photo provided by Alex.

From The Element: Finding your Element is essential to your well-being and ultimate success and by implication, to the health of our organizations and the effectiveness of our educational systems.

The Element is a meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion. When you are in your Element time passes differently and you are more alive, centered and vibrant than at any other time.

The Element has two main features and two conditions for being in it. The features are aptitude and passion. The conditions are attitude and opportunity.

I believe it is possible for everyone to discover their Element.

Race Face

2011-10-04T07:09:00.001-06:00

He kicks my ass at everything now...except Scrabble anyway.

Glorious In Gold

2011-10-02T19:57:00.001-06:00

Sometimes when I get home from being away for the weekend I think, Did all of that really just happen in the past 55 hours?? This weekend we headed up to Snow Mountain Ranch with 250+ rider's from all over Colorado for Trax's Colorado High School Cycling League mountain bike race. But in classic Jordan-Mendoza style, in addition to the race, we packed the weekend with camping, hiking, biking and even some horse back riding.

It's a lot to share in one post, and the unpacking is calling me, but I will leave you with some Fall Colorado Color.

I couldn't get enough of the Aspen stands.

An old, loyal friend, River.

Our sweet camp spot.

Brownie resting during a hike.

It's days like these that make me not long for the fall colors of the east coast.

What a treat to have the Aspen in full glorious gold, perfect 70 degree temperatures accompanied by crystal clear blue skies. I'll take that weather next weekend too please!

Birds This Week

2011-09-30T08:04:00.002-06:00

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) Distinguishable broad, blackish tail.

It has been so bloody hot here in Colorado. 10 degrees above average for most of September. Just yesterday we experienced "normal" temperatures for the first time in awhile. This heat has effected the bird banding because by 10:00 a.m. it's so uncomfortably hot, the birds no longer move. They are hunkering down for the afternoon at a much earlier time each day. And the migration seems very different this year. I have several theories on that: the late, wet, snowy spring we had; the extreme heat we continue to have; the severe drought in areas of the US on the migration path down to Central America.

When it comes to identification, the Sparrows continue to cause me headaches. Held up close their coloration, size, eye patterns and overall markings are distinguishable. But boy, when they are in flight I can't tell any of them apart!

Green -tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) Reddish crown and white throat are distinguishable.

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Probably a favorite for me this week was this Downy. There is something noticeably interesting with the Downy's in this area. Three that have been captured and banded have all been one-legged. One was captured two years in a row so it obviously is doing just fine. Hmmmmmm...can't figure that one out but boy would I love to draw some blood and do some genetic testing! In any case, they are quite feisty! And you would never know if you saw one climbing the trunk of a tree that it was physically at a disadvantage. They have compensated wonderfully!

Besides the Johnny Rotten 'do, I love the wing markings of this bird.

Mountain Lions on the Front Range

2011-09-28T16:12:00.007-06:00

Since I went back to school in January I have had the opportunity to work with mountain lion biologists on the Front Range of Colorado. The work is very exciting! Primarily because I often wonder about the impact humans are having on these amazing animals as the population in Colorado continues to grow. The picture's below were taken in a highly trafficked natural area in Northern Colorado. The lion print photo's were taken on the same trails that people hike on. It's safe to say that lion-human interactions will only continue to become more frequent. We will have to see how this all unfolds.

Using equipment to track collared cats.

Some track comparisons.

A coyote's track in the mud. Notice the nail.

A lion's on the same muddy trail. Notice the width.

To learn more, read some recent Mountain Lion news and learn about local research.

Clark's Nutcracker

2011-09-27T07:45:00.006-06:00

This Clark's Nutcracker is collecting seeds in its pouch to cache. Notice the bulge on its neck.

The Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana )were out in full force this past weekend. A pair of them spent much of Saturday high in the pine trees collecting seeds. This is a sure sign that these warmer than average temperatures will eventually give way to cooler days and soon snow. The Clark's Nutcracker lives in the high mountainous regions of the west. Basically, its entire existence relies on pine seeds. This causes great concern for me with the pine-beetle-kill epidemic covering much of the western states.

Some cool facts about Clark's Nutcracker:

They carry up to 150 seeds at a time in a special pouch under their tongue.
They store the seeds in a cache.
They cache thousands and thousands of seeds each year for themselves and their nestlings.
They have excellent spatial memory and are able to locate a cache months after having stored them.
The male takes his turn incubating the eggs while the female goes off to her cache.
They appear to be monogamous.

Fall Shadow's

2011-09-26T07:57:00.006-06:00

I love the subtle~ness of the fall morning sun as it creeps up each day.

My, My, My It's A Beautiful World

2011-09-25T10:01:00.005-06:00

Musical performances have always been a way for me get lost and forget about the day to day. A way for me to connect to words and sound and be engaged in a deep way. I haven't been to church since I was a young girl, but when I am at an intimate music venue, I feel full and complete. The way I imagine some church-goer's feel on Sunday morning.

This week has been an incredible music week for me! I have had the opportunity to see several performers whose music has touched me for many years. Some, such as Stevie Wonder, for all of my life. I often wonder when I finally have the chance to hear and see such an iconic performer, if they realize how awesome it is for the audience!

Last night I had the opportunity to see Colin Hay in a sold out, standing room only, small church built in 1925. Simple, beautiful and acoustically perfect! I have been a fan of Colin Hay's for nearly 30 years. As a young teenager I loved Men at Work during the '80's. And as the band moved on, I saw Colin's song writing progress and he became one of my favorite all time song writer's. I have a couple favorite's that bring tears to my eye's each time I hear them. So, you can imagine how I felt last night sitting in the front row listening to a man who not only has an amazing voice, but is personable and hysterical! There were times I was laughing so hard I forgot I was at a music performance and thought I was at a comedy club.

His new album, Gathering Mercury, was written recently after his Dad passed on. Having lost my Dad 13 years I ago, I can relate to how difficult a time that is. Many of the words struck me deep in my heart. I highly recommend checking it out!

I drove home from Denver late last night, with the warm fall air streaming into the car, Colin Hay blaring on my ipod, feeling so content and complete and grateful for all the music I took in this past week.