Happy 2010!

Denver is still in a deep-freeze.

Ice and snow make my 4 mile

exercise loop treacherous.

Cheesman Park is crisscrossed

with footprints, paw prints, and ski tracks.

From this tiny decorated tree,

I see the bench I photographed

in the falling snow a few days ago.

Since then, many people

have visited its red bow and swag.

Before, I hadn't noticed

the wreath to the side of the bench.

It was covered with snow

on my previous visit.

The bench is a Memorial.

Perhaps Family or Friends

lovingly decorated it

this Holiday season.

I've been running/walking

through the park for years.

Never before have I noticed the bench.

On that snowy day before Christmas,

the red bow caught my attention.

Now I realize it's a very special bench

- a tribute to Love -

I give it my attention and respect.

The Willow is gilt with morning sun.

There is a bench to one side.

Perhaps on a less frigid day,

 I'll sit awhile

in the tree's

graceful, golden presence.

Today, the distant mountains

are clearly visible from the Pavilion.

 

Sun slants through the trees

and slides onto the marble.

The sun is warm, but the marble remains icy cold.

I hurry home to warm my freezing hands.

Throughout the day,

I  think about the bench:

How beautiful it looked in the falling snow...

The meaning it holds and the memories it evokes

for those who know its story...

As 2009 nears an end:

I'm thankful

 for Family and Friends,

grateful

for Adventures and Memories

 and

hopeful

 that 2010 will provide

more opportunities

to discover

One Good Thing.

 Lucinda and I wish you

  A Very Happy New Year!

Snowfall - Cheesman Park, Denver, CO

Morning snow falls

silently on the city.

Lamps light a sepia scene.

 

Willows weep with joy.

Tree limbs wear filigree.

The Pavilion stands sentinel.

Snow sifts onto marble.

Benches transform

into sculptures.

Evergreens are dressed

in winter finery.

Be still.

Enjoy solitude.

Let Peace fill your heart.

Happy Holidays.

New Snow and Ski Touring

Hurray for snow!

Waldo is smiling.

He's wearing his new red scarf,

recently soaked in vinegar.

A little black squirrel

has been nibbling at the fringes.

We'll see if the vinegar stops him.

The snow clouds started

rolling in at twilight yesterday.

This morning, the bunny tracks

showed that we had gotten several inches.

Our back trail beckoned.

Can you hear the silence?

 

My husband and I

clicked into the touring skis.

The snow felt like silk as we glided upward.

 

Peak 10 on Breckenridge Ski Area

is disappearing in a snow cloud.

Going uphill is work,

but the downhill makes it all worthwhile!

Still climbing - we just crossed

a snow bridge over Lehman Creek.

Most of the creek is blanketed in snow,

but there are still areas of open water.

Yippee!

We're on Flapjack ski run

on Peak 10. After a breather,

we'll point the touring skis downhill.

Peak 10 isn't officially open,

so we're the only ones

enjoying the fresh powder.

Gangway!

We're swishing toward home.

Our swing is slowly disappearing.

I'll take some pictures throughout the season.

By spring, hopefully I'll be able

to sit on the top bar.

I'm doing my Snow Dance!

Making Memories - My World

We spent the weekend

with our twin Grandchildren (age 6)

at Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, CO.

The hotel was beautifully decorated

for the Holidays.

After a couple days with the children,

we gave them back to their parents.

(This is one of the perks of Granparents!)

We remained for an extra day - to rest!

Here are some of the adventures we had:

We skied.

The day was perfect -

sunny and not bitter cold.

Little kids like to go FAST!

Here's a view down the mountain.

Apres Ski, we were the only ones in the heated pool.

Roasting Marshmallows was a hit.

We visited Bachelor,

the hotel mascot,

whenever we passed through the lobby.

We got fancy for dinner.

A little dessert before bed

made us happy.

This Gingerbread Hotel smelled Heavenly.

But, we didn't touch!

Before leaving for home,

our Granddaughter wanted to know

where we would be when they grow up.

I told her that hopefully

we'll be inside their hearts and minds.

 

We're making special memories!

Happy Holidays!

 Enjoy the Magic of the Season.

To visit other worlds,

click here:

My World

Brrrrrr - Frigid Temperatures!

A cold front is moving through Colorado.

Last night, our temperature in Breckenridge

went to minus 10 degrees.

The wind chill at the top of the ski area

was recorded at minus 50 during the day.

(No - I didn't ski!)

With the wind howling and blowing snow,

it never warmed above 6 degrees all day.

We are encased in a wintery white deep-freeze.

 

This shark-like lichen

may wish it could swim to warmer climes.

Lucinda sees the bunny tracks in the snow.

 

She's glad she's snug inside,

wearing her new winter finery.

Three of my Grandsons smile from the hearth.

Jack is eating a gingerbread cookie,

J-P is holding a Holiday orange,

and Ben is posing with some Poinsettias.

The child's old leather ski boots

are from when my twin sons began skiing at age 3.

The boots are 38 years old!

I found this boot track on my back trail.

There was only one!

I'm hoping for lots more of those flakes

in the coming weeks.

I wish you all a warm and magical Holiday!

We leave on Friday with our twin Grandchildren (age 6)

for a weekend ski trip to Beaver Creek.