Grateful for my faithful companion

This was taken on the last day of My Camino: walking 35 miles in 4 days before Thanksgiving. Kobi walked 27 of those miles with me! What a trooper.

The day I walked without him because dogs aren't allowed in the Heil Valley Ranch, I missed him.

I would talk to him along the way and often he led at his own pace, stopping to make sure I was coming. So sweet.

Posted to Mortal Muses: theme "Gratitude"

Everyone has a calling ...

"Everyone has a unique calling and it's really time to listen to that. That's what the future is going to be. It's time to get ready for it, and help contribute to it, and make it happen." ~ from the video


I've been saying for a long time, "If everyone were working at something they really love to do, we would be living in a very different world." One day I will be working at something I really love to do. Oh, I guess I am ... my photography! I'm just not making money at it ... yet. ;->

I first saw this video linked from Joelle Brandt's blog, An Artful Endeavor. Thanks Joelle.

Barn at Grasso Park in Superior, Colorado

One more from my short 3 mile stroll along Coal Creek from Superior, Colorado yesterday.

This is the barn at Grasso Park. "It is intended to illustrate a small family farm operation typical of the turn of the last century. A number of buildings used by long-time coal miner and farmer Frank Grasso are located on the site, including a small house, barn, root cellar, privy, woodshed and a bungalow. There are also three pieces of machinery all used in farming operations around Superior in the old days. Grasso Park is an inviting environment for all but it is especially attractive as a place for children to explore and for family picnics."  ~ description from Superior Historian, Volume 2, Issue 2 Summer, 2004 August, 2004

Textures thanks to Shadowhouse Creations: Stained5

Waning fall berries and such

A short 3 mile stroll along Coal Creek from Superior, Colorado yesterday. Some of this trail winds its way through high class residential and the Coal Creek Golf Course. It was interesting to see how the other half lives, but all I can think of when I see homes as large as those in this neighborhood is, "I'd hate to have to clean them!"

Pretty soon all the highlight colors of fall will be gone and we'll have to enjoy the muted greens, blues, grays of winter.

And yes, I'm in avoidance of culling 500+ photos from the four days of My Camino and getting serious about writing about the experience. Not sure I'll get to it this weekend, but hope to be able to report on it soon.

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: musiclovin and phoebe

Linked to Lisa Gordon's Creative Exchange.

Yummy abundance

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Post Thanksgiving dinner always provides for abundant meal options. This was tonight's dinner: baked butternut squash with butter, nutmeg, and cloves stuffed with turkey and peas in gravy. Yummy, yummy!

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: nutmeg, lyrical, cinnamon, brokenbook

Artsy Crows on Heil Valley Ranch

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I couldn't resist playing with the crows and make something a little artsy.

Had a blast showing Scott how to manipulate photographs. He thought this was pretty cool. And we're enjoying watching Tom Hanks in Big and Kobi is competing for time by throwing his red ball for me to play with him.

It's a great day!

One Crow 2x over Heil Valley Ranch

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I captured several photos of this crow in Heil Valley Ranch, Colorado. Superimposing one over another made for a nice image of flight and freedom. Kind of how my feet feel now that they're out of boots!!

What I know for sure after my trek -- I'm very grateful for comforts of home! A warm bed, electricity, and hot baths. Hot cocoa, homemade soup, and jammies.

I'm sure you're wondering if I made the 50 miles. Well, no. I did 35 in 4 days when my feet hurt so badly, I called Bill to pick me up (Tuesday 11/22). I was only ~1.5 to my car at the trailhead, but I had to make a choice.

Yesterday morning I discovered that I must have had a blister under my baby toe nail when I clipped it and suddenly it was seeping clear fluid. I know, nasty. Nevertheless, there was no way I was putting any more mileage on feet that couldn't walk in a shoe! Better today.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with Scott.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Textures thanks to Shadowhouse Creations

I'm Ready!

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The only thing missing is Kobi. I've got maps, food, clothing, and camera all ready for my trek. Will start My Camino tomorrow morning. If you've been following me, you know the plan is 50 miles in 5 days culminating in enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with my youngest son, Scott the day after I finish. Too bad I don't have a maid to fix the meal!

I'm really looking forward to this time to reconnect with my soul through the earth. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate -- well, in general. There are snow/rain showers forecast for tomorrow, but at the 50º temperature point, I don't see it as a real show stopper.

After Thanksgiving I plan to synthesize all my photos and create an extended Stroll with images, reflections, and inspiration. In the meantime, I will be signing off for the evening soon. Planning on no internet and no TV. I guess that leaves reading, writing, eating, and sleeping! Boy, life used to be so simple!!

I'll miss you all, but I'm so looking forward to this time.
Take care. I'll be back.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks for stopping by. ;->

Textures thanks to Pixel Dust: impressionist music and soft swirls texture 3

My Camino talisman

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I'm getting ready for the big trek -- aiming for 50 miles in 5 consecutive days (11/19 - 11/23). No overnights, but no TV and no internet, so I'll be out of pocket for a while.

The talisman for the pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago in Spain is the scallop shell. I have one, but couldn't figure out how to attach it to my pack, so I had this one that I like that I acquired a very long time ago -- worn by many tumbles in the sea and sand. I love how it looks like a "C," could be for Camino. Maybe it was waiting for just this event.

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: shadesofnovember

My Happy Boy - Texture Tuesday

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Kobi shows me there are lessons to be learned about hiking and life. He is happy just to be out walking this great land of ours. It doesn't matter if it's windy. He just trucks on down the path happy as a clam. And about that big dust devil in the distance; it looks like a big Kobi just walking along too, stirring up the path. ;->

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: phoebe and scriptedautumn

The Stroll November 13, 2011

Here is the November 13, 2011 issue of The Stroll: Observations While Out Walking (and sometimes driving).

My hike yesterday was a test of endurance and a testament of character (or sheer craziness!). When I got home, I learned on the news that the wind gusts were up to 75mph where I was! Nevertheless, as always, I found beauty. And Kobi is a real trooper for a little guy.

http://www.theelementalpress.com/The_Stroll_111311.pdf

Thanks so much for taking time to smell the roses and discover the open spaces with me. ;->

Veteran's Day Tribute

I'm late to the party at 8:17pm on Veteran's Day, but decided to post this archive photo in honor of my father Colonel Lawrence G. Forbes who graduatued from West Point with honors, served 27 years in the U.S. Army, and retired in 1966, and lived to be 90.

I was fortunate to receive one of two flags given to my brother and me at his funeral in 2008. He is buried at West Point Cemetery. It was the most moving funeral I have ever attended.

The Scotsman is a cologne decanter that I gave Dad for Christmas in the 70s. The books on the right were written by his father in the early 1900s. The dolls were gifts to me as an adult by way of his travels during his latter years. The tile is the family crest. Of course, a major part of Dad's life was his 56-year marriage to my Mom who died in 1996.

I miss them.

The Stroll November 6, 2011

Here is the November 6, 2011 issue of The Stroll: Observations While Out Walking (and sometimes driving). 

Yep, I’m late ... but I decided not to just skip an issue, so here you go.

I did two hikes last weekend totaling almost 8 miles. It feels good to be able to add the distance and it’s exciting to see the land that surrounds me from a different perspective as I stood far from the roads that carry me to work and back home.

http://www.theelementalpress.com/The_Stroll_110611.pdf

Thanks so much for taking time to smell the roses and wander this land of ours with me. ;->

Geese play with the moon

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For Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday: the number 2

I combined two photos (thanks to LeAnne at Photos by LeAnne). I got the idea from her blog post today. Just so happened I took separate pics of the moon through the tree branches and the flying geese yesterday on my 4.5 mile hike.

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: phoebe and cinnamon.

oooow aaaah ... love that new texture!

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I posted this almost SOOC image yesterday, but when I got Kim Klassen's shadesofnovember texture today, I couldn't resist trying it out on this image. I love it!

Second Snow

We got another snow last night just like last week although the damage of broken trees wasn't as extensive this time. I was too busy shoveling the driveway and a place for Kobi out back to take pictures this morning before I left for work, so I captured these when I returned home.

It's delightful to see the lingering color of autumn and sparkle of winter's arrival. Fortunately, for us in Colorado, the snow comes and goes quickly usually. It isn't that bone-chilling, teeth-chattering, finger-numbing perpetual cold as other parts of the country can get. Because of that, I've find I really don't mind when Old Man Winter comes to visit. I get to entertain myself with a cup of hot cocoa, curl up in my favorite spot on the couch with my sweet fluff-ball, play with pictures, and watch (really listen) to a movie on TV. Tonight is Jumping Jack Flash. Haven't seen Whoopi Goldberg so thin in a long time.

Time to go read more about Kevin Codd's adventure on the Camino de Santiago.