Thanksgiving in Denver

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to Thanksgiving in Parker to celebrate with Diana and Daniel, and we had a wonderful time. The Stuckys surely know how to put on a spread, and it was so wonderful to use my mother's china and silver once again. It had been since 2004 - just after Mom died - that I have eaten from that china and it felt so good. Besides the wonderful food we shared, we put up Christmas lights outside, tried out their Solo Stove, helped water their grass, and played with Eliza - as much as she could be played with. Although it was a short trip, it was a memorable one.

The Visions of Fall

We spent plenty of time in Holy Ghost this summer and fall. Besides making terrific progress on the Ranch, we cherished the beautiful trees and the wonderful rains. We hosted many wonderful guests, took long walks up the Canyon, visited with our Canyon friends, and had a blessedly beautiful summer. A few pictures encapsulate our summer better than words.

Coincidences of the Interesting Kind

We had a very interesting football season, all with our tailgating friends. But the most fun day was the first game. We had arrived the night before, and after many of our guests arrived, the party to the west of us arrived. Since they give their tickets away a lot, we had no idea who would be there. When the black SUV drove in, we waved to the occupants and went on with our tailgating. Not long after they got set up, Don walked out of our RV to see Gene Taylor, our AD, standing there. Don commented to him that he (Gene) was currently being interviewed on the radio - ah the marvels of technology - and although we had no idea why Gene was there, Don took it stride. But then we noticed that Kevin Lockett was at the tailgate; and Darnell McDonald; and several other KSU players. And then it dawned on us. Our new neighbor for the day was Jordy Nelson. We introduced our dogs to his daughter, Adda, who said to us, "That's my daddy's name." And soon we introduced the dogs to Jordy who kindly allowed us to take a picture with him.

We thought that his crew was only there for the day, but we found out later that he would be there all year. We hope we didn't scare him off with our crazy crew and that he will be back next year :)

Memories and "Stuff"

Back in the day, before children, I subscribed to Better Homes and Gardens. I kept the subscription for many years, and one of my favorite parts of the magazine was a page called The Man Next Door by Burton Hillis. He always had a series of fun comments, and then he followed with a short story or philosophical discussion that seemed to always hit the spot. One of my favorites was about the value of good neighbors, but I am not sure where that one is. Today I came across the following one, which hit me hard, as I have been trying to clean out my house. I thought I would share it (and save it here so I can throw away the July, 1985, piece of paper): I sometimes wonder if other people have as much trouble getting rid of things as we do. Typically, Chris and I will dig in with a will to clean out a closet or empty a room, only to give up the job in frustration in a few hours. "Can't get rid of that," one of us will say. "It might come in handy." The "that" might be a crate of canning jars, or a book we've been meaning to read, or a broken lawn mower. Just the other day, Chris appeared with a boxful of old snapshots she'd found deep in a closet. "We haven't looked at these in years," she said. "I'll bet we can throw most of them away." Sure. We spent two hours going over those pictures, and managed to throw away 13 photographs of people we didn't recognize. It was almost as bad as the time we spent most of a day going over old clothing. At the end, I caught Chris slipping a tattered and faded swatch of flannel into a drawer. I smile, but said nothing. It was all that was left of the security blanket our Rosemary had dragged around the first three years of her life. It's hard to throw away memories. Burton Hillis It's hard to throw away memories. And with every Daulton Doll, Hummel, depression-glass bowl, or salt cellar I try to give to DAV, I put it back because I can't stand to dispense with it. How do I send the dancing Marilyn Monroe statue that my grandmother had in the kid's room and lighted with blue Christmas lights? I don't. And the baptismal gowns we wore oh so many years ago? They are still with me. We are getting to the age where we need to come to terms with all of our collections . . . but it is hard to throw away memories.

Celebrating Diana and Daniel

 When Daniel and Diana were married last year, we had always planned to have a reception this year.  We hoped and hoped that we would be able to fit it in with Covid beginning to erupt again, and luckily we did.

First, the weather last year was hot, hot . . . so hot . . . 105 degrees hot.  This year the high was 88, and though it was very rainy, it was far better than last year.  The only bad part about the rain was that it poured right after we had gotten our hair done, but oh well!

Barr Mansion had responded well to the rains Austin had been having.  Green gardens and flowers rimmed the pecan tree, but we decided to have the ceremony inside because the promise of rain was too great.  The ceremony began a little after five with the flower girls and Caleb leading the ceremony.  Daniel's nieces, Harper and Claire, led the way - perfectly.  Then Tessa and Caleb began walking up the aisle.  Tessa threw some petals on the ground, and then she stopped to pick them up.  "No, Tessa, you're doing it wrong," wailed Caleb.  "Don't do it that way.  Tessa . . . " and then he ran the vows to Max, the celebrant, and came back to grab Tessa.  In the meantime, Tessa continued to pick up the petals, just like she had practiced at home.  She threw them on the floor at home . . . and then picked them up and put them back in the basket.  Eventually, her daddy went to get her, and the ceremony continued.

No, Tessa!

 

We dismissed to the barn for the cocktail hour, and while Di and Daniel were taking pictures, the guests ate delicious snacks and were treated to a few surprises.  Diana had arranged a Bingo game for everyone to play - we had to find different people who had been to one of the places on the Bingo card - from Indonesia to Iceland to Florida to Texas.  It promoted discussion among all of the guests, which added to the festivities. Also, we had arranged for Ears with Beers to bring their miniature burro to the reception.  Each burro had two baskets filled with ice, pop, and beer.  They were quite the hit!  And Caleb had his first taste of root beer.

Friends at the Party!

Barr Mansion is a farm-to-table event center, and much of the food was grown onsite.  The dinner included beef tenderloin, barbecued chicken, baked carrots, potatoes, bread, and they made the wedding cake and macaroons.  They had special settings for Di and Daniel, a bar for everyone, and Di and Daniel hired a fabulous DJ.  

 

After the toasts and the Father/Daughter dance, we had the Anniversary Dance, where people sat down as the number of years they had been married was called.  The final two couples standing were the Gaskills and the Nuttalls - both married 48 years and married on the same day - June 2, 1973.

After much dancing, the Electric Slide, and many laughs, the night ended with a final dance by Daniel and Di and an exit through a line of sparklers.  It was a wonderful evening, and we feel so lucky that we were able to experience it, albeit a year late!

Interesting Visitors

 When we arrived back at the cabin on May 21, we were greeted with an interesting sight.

First we saw one hummingbird feeder on the ground; then we saw the second one on the ground, too.  The finch feeder dragged up the hill was a clue, and the muddy footprints on the window confirmed that we had had a bear visit us.  Over the 60+ years we have been going to the cabin, never once has a bear come near our cabins, so this was quite the event.

We went to bed that evening, and at about 2:00 a.m. I heard something in the kitchen.  Thinking it was the dogs, I reached down to see which one of them it was.  But both of them were in bed with us.  Then I heard another sound, much like a dog getting ready to vomit.  Again, I checked the dogs, but they were both sleeping away.  Then I heard another sound, and perhaps it was Don rattling around in the kitchen.  But no, he was sleeping away, too.  "Don," I said quietly.  "I think someone is in the house."  He woke up in time to hear something else that made him jump out of bed . . . "No, that's a bear," and he yelled in his loudest airplane voice, "Get out of here."  

We opened the blinds to the patio to see Mr. Bear standing there.  He quickly hightailed it behind the barn, and we went back to bed.  Interestingly, the dogs never did awaken until Don yelled.  They bark at everything . . . except bears!

We talked to Katie, my game-warden sister, and she was much more concerned than we were.  Bears who are becoming habituated are nothing to play with, she warned, and since she was coming up that day, she brought my brother's turkey gun and some rubber bbs to shoot in the air - and at the bear, if we had to.  Saturday night/Sunday were calm, and we guessed that Mr. Bear had left the Canyon.

Monday morning, Don awakened early and was sitting at the table.  He had opened the blinds so that he could see outside, but it was still fairly dark, since it was 5:45 a.m.  He looked up, and to his surprise there was a bear right up against the house.  "Katie, he's back," Don yelled, and Katie, in her satin, lime-green shortie pajamas and "bare" feet, jumped into action. By the time she grabbed the gun (which Don had loaded), and headed out in the 32 degree morning, the bear had again run away.  

Luckily, we had placed a game camera on the patio, hoping to catch a picture of whatever might be there throughout the night.  Mr. Bear must have seen the LED light, and we think he came to see what it was.  Before he came to the patio, however, he took a terrific picture:

Such a photogenic guy.  We feel very fortunate that this was the only encounter we had with him, and he appears to have left the area . . . we hope!

Falling Trees

 Many trees have died in the Holy Ghost Canyon, and falling trees are certainly one hazard we face.

I was sitting at the table at The Ranch working on the computer when I heard a very loud sound.  I had no idea what it was until I looked outside at the tennis court and saw a tree on the ground - that wasn't there a minute ago.  Because it was in an area where Don had been working, I raced outside to make sure he was ok.  He had been using the blower and didn't hear a thing . . . but when we looked at the tree, we realized how lucky we were.  The tree hit the fence surrounding the tennis court, but it missed the corner of the house by what Don calculated was 1 degree.  If it had fallen even two inches over, it would have caught the house and caused much damage.

We were so lucky Don or Chris were not there - they could have been badly hurt - and that the tree only created an unsightly fence.

Cabin Adventures

 Although a lot has happened between Christmas and now, nothing was noteworthy . . . well almost nothing.  The fact that we were excited to receive our vaccinations - and had no reactions - says something about how Covid-19 has affected us and our lives.  We were then able to go visit our kids a little more easily, which made it all worth it, and we celebrated Caleb's and Tessa's birthdays in KC.  But in mid-April we decided to go to the cabin to get a jump on cleaning and preparing for the summer - both with the cabin and with the Ranch.

Don has been doing a lot of planning and thinking, including creating a brand and signage for the Ranch.  He made a sign, put the logo on towels, and if he had his way, we would have branded towels, bath mats, and who knows what else!

 

During the month of April and May, new windows were installed in all of the bedrooms.  Not only will they insulate the building better, they will keep the flies and bugs out.  By the time our first visitors arrived, the windows were installed and finished out inside . . . and the crew began working on the exterior.  We added one set of windows to the northernmost bedroom, and what a huge difference it makes in the room. Now those in the bedroom can watch the goings-on on the tennis court and beyond!

Before the window

After the window

By the time we returned on June 20, we had had four sets of visitors, including Daniel and his friends, Diana and her friends, and Kenneth and Caleb.  I made rhubarb and strawberry jelly for all of them, which was great fun for me, and I have perfected Spirit Ranch Coffee Cake.  My plan is to greet every group with their own coffee cake . . . that is the plan, but we will see.

Don and I worked very hard over the two months, but it has paid off.  The Ranch looks wonderful, and we anticipate that we will enjoy it for many years.

Christmas Covidly

 What to expect for Christmas kept Don and me guessing.  Diana and Daniel were planning to come down, but they didn't know for sure.

What we knew for sure was that Daniel's dad, Mark, would be bringing a car to them.  He drove up from Houston, only to turn around and go home the next day.  The weather was picture perfect, so we had a meal outside on the deck.  Mark brought us some gorgeous lemons from their lemon tree in their backyard.  They were the biggest lemons I have ever seen, certainly the yellowest ones I have ever seen, and the juiciest, most delightfully tart ones ever.  What a delightful time we had!

 As we neared Christmas, Di and Daniel decided that they could arrive on Christmas Eve and leave the day after Christmas.  It was going to be quick.  But it was going to be perfect!

When they arrived, the luminarias were already set, and I was beginning to light them.  Although it was a bit windy, we were able to keep them going.  Although they are short-lived, luminarias are the prettiest Christmas decorations.  Christmas Eve in Albuquerque never leaves one's soul, but my luminarias help bring me the memories.

 

After a steak dinner, complete with twice-baked potatoes and asparagus, we spent the evening talking and opening our Christmas Eve books. The next day was a typical Christmas - opening gifts, zooming with family, and figuring out what Di and Daniel are going to take back to Colorado.  Then at 2, we went to the Gaskills for hot chocolate and cookies - outside and socially distanced.  The perfect weather enhanced the day, and we hated for it to end.  

On Saturday the kids left for Denver . . . their car filled with gifts and "stuff" that I needed to get out of the house!  Diana's stuff.  Lucky Daniel!

We had a very Merry Christmas . . . one that only a pandemic can bring.

Earthquakes

 Kansas is not normally known for its earthquakes, and I have always said I prefer tornadoes to earthquakes because at least we know tornadoes are coming.

After we had finished our Thanksgiving dinner, we heard a huge crack and felt the house shake.  Oh dear - an earthquake.  We were surprised by how loud it was, and it seemed unusual.  Turns out it was about a 2.8 magnitude - not bad, but certainly something we felt.  The city was abuzz, because it was the strongest earthquake we had felt.

We had a few aftershocks, and then things settled down . . . until about two weeks later when we had 8 or 9 earthquakes in one day.  A few of them were in the 2.8 range again, and they all began just about a mile or two from our house.  Disconcerting?  Yes.

They settled down after that day, and we have not had one through today, which is February 13, 2021, but who knows when they will strike again.  We found for a few weeks, we were all jumpy - a large truck roaring down the street would surprise us.

For Christmas we received a bottle of wine called Earthquake.  Very appropriate!

A Different Thanksgiving

We so wanted to go to Kansas City for Thanksgiving, but with Covid running rampant, Don and I just stayed home.  So it was just the two of us, and it didn't feel right.  But . . . doing dishes and cooking was a breeze.

 The thought of not decorating the table, skipping the stuffed turkey, and bailing on the persimmon pudding was just not of interest to me, so we did the whole shabang.  I did skip the potatoes and sweet potatoes, as neither of us need those calories, but we made up for it with the dressing.  Oh my - it was extra good this year.

When I was growing up, we always dressed for Thanksgiving dinner, and we usually do at our house, too - though sometimes it just doesn't work out.  This year, however, since it was just the two of us, we did.  Before Mom passed away, she had woven some white material for me to make a dress.  I was not comfortable sewing such beautifully woven cloth, so before she died, I found a seamstress to begin the dress.  Unfortunately, it did not get done for a number of years, because I kept putting on weight, taking off weight, putting on weight, the seamstress moved . . . a whole host of things.  But about five years ago, we managed to finish the dress.  And it was beautiful.  But the lining felt wonky because I had put on a few pounds, and I never wore it.

Since I have lost quite a bit of weight, I decided to try the dress on to see how it fit.  And it was perfect.  So I knew what I was going to wear for Thanksgiving dinner.  With my mom's turquoise necklace, it was just the thing.  I made sure not to spill gravy on it, and before I did the dishes, I changed out of it.  It is the first dress I have worn in way too long, but I really liked it.

Don and I are so grateful for the many blessings we have, and Thanksgiving Day was another one of those.