Tales from Kobi: Sweet Innocence - Frisco, CO

Mom loves taking day trips ... and she's not an early riser except to get to work. It's good though because we miss all the holiday traffic ... especially when we travel on a Sunday on a three-day weekend. Yesterday we went to Frisco, Colorado.

Can you imagine a lighthouse in the middle of Colorado? I don't think it's a working lighthouse, but it looks pretty cool against the Rocky Mountains. And you know my mom, she can't resist clicking away while we're on our walks. That little girl ... pretty in pink ... she was eyeing me while mom was capturing her. A bit precocious she was ... her mom asked her to get her shoes that were lying on the walk beside the sand, each walking in a different direction. Ms. Pink answered, "I decided I don't need to do that right now." My mom giggled.

[Update: the Frisco Bay Lighthouse is a working lighthouse.
See: http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/ut.htm]

We walked and walked ... to the lake (Dillon Reservoir and Frisco Bay really) that was sadly low ... no sailboats in the slips since there was only sand ... no water at the landing to launch canoes and kayaks ... but there was a bit of blue glistening in the distance. We got several weeks of snow not long ago, but the runoff isn't accumulating here. Hope it does by summer as Frisco is a quaint tourist town that likely depends on the boating traffic.

But it didn't bother Mom ... we walked along Ten Mile Creek ... the water was rushing and roaring ... we stopped for a rest and sat on rocks nearby. Ahh, nice and cool on my tummy. After a brief stay we moved on ... back to Main Street. Mom had seen The Next Page Bookstore on the way to the Marina, but by the time we got back it was closed. Seems Frisco rolls up its sidewalks at 5:00 pm on Sundays.

And I know she would have loved to try some Thin Mint Green Tea at their Tea Bar. How could anyone resist this description: There’s no flavoring involved, but the peppermint leaves pull chocolate notes from the roasted green tea, resulting in a taste and aroma reminiscent of those cookies that we all know and love. I guess we'll have to go back!

Then we met Boone, a 12-week-old Goldendoodle, at the 5th Avenue Grill where Mom decided to have some dinner. He was about my size and oh, so playful. He kept dumping over the water bowl and chewing on my leash. Mom definitely got sidetracked. I wondered if she even knew I was still there. Boone is cute, but Mom loves me and I know it. I think he needs a bow tie, don't you?

"Mom, are you crazy? Taking pictures while driving!" Well, I guess she kept her eyes on the road, but even I know that's not so smart. That view is beautiful ... but I do think Mom should pull over next time.

Anyway, notice how little traffic there is? That road was probably bumper to bumper coming home this Memorial Day evening! But instead of sitting  in that craziness, Mom's home sharing her pictures with you.

Thanks for visiting ... Hope you had a super Memorial Day weekend and remembered someone who served our country. I know Mom remembered a few including her Dad, cousin, and several friends.

Stolen Moments: Five Little Piggies

Just a little flashback to a couple weeks ago when I chose to come home from work on the back road. I saw the babies ... baby piggies. I wasn't able to get the picture the first day when I only saw three little piggies. I had to go back a couple days later. Then there were five! I was so excited I pulled off the side of the road in go-home traffic.

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen: 2303
Click image to see larger view on Flickr

It's hard to see how small they are in this image as their parents are in a different plot. I actually walked in the field to get a closer shot ... brave ... or stupid ... I must admit I was a bit concerned that I'd be in trouble with Mama!

Yes, Spring is here ... babies and blooms ... but it feels like summer already here in Colorado at 87º - 90º.

Happy Memorial Day to all ... find something to enjoy ... family, friends, nature, quiet ... something!

Stolen Moments: Lily-flowered Tulips

As I left my book client's home yesterday after a consult, I couldn't help but notice these beautiful and unusual tulips beside the fence around his front yard ... the petals seemed luminescent in the sunlight.

Click on image to see larger view on Flickr

Sometimes there is only enough time and energy to capture a glimpse of specialness in this world. Occasionally, I will post my stolen moments as I stumble through this life. Post-processing allows me to slow down and appreciate these stolen moments for just a little while longer.

Floral Play Today

Kobi's waiting at home while I have a "working" visit with my friend, Shirley. I'm sure he can't wait for me to return, thinking he'll get to go walking, but I don't think that's going to happen. Not sure yet.

Last night I had a creative spurt and sewed a new top ... first sewing project in over 15 years!!! And I was up until 4:30 in the morning. Some might say, why bother going to bed ... but I just can't do all-nighters anymore and keep going during the following day.

So on only four and a half hours sleep, I only played with pictures while Shirley wrote. She was very productive. I played.

mouseover to see before image

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen: phoebe

The picture above is a composite of three floral pictures. It makes for a funky virtual garden, me-thinks.

mouseover to see before image

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen: bestill

I had fun making the yellow daisy-like chrysanthemum pink with blending modes, a texture, and gradient.

The foundation for both images is the floral arrangement on the table at the Red Frog.

I hope Kobi will take me out for a walk tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day to all my mom-friends.

And one more ... just learned about Shadowhouse Creations splatter masks ... how cool!

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: naturally, heartfelt
Splatter mask, thanks to Shadowhouse Creations

Tales from Kobi: The Flight of the Pelicans

Sometimes the week seems long. My mom goes off early in the morning for days in a row. She always pats my head before she leaves as she say, "I'll see you later ... be a good boy." And out she goes. I sleep and eat and drink my water. I watch the world go by from my chair beside the window. So, as you can imagine I'm anxious, and hopeful, when the weekend comes that Mom will take me for a walk.

She had lots of work to do yesterday and was gone most of the day, just like on her work days. When she got home she was really happy because she got a book project done she'd been working on for a long time.

I wondered if she would take me for one of those long walks we often take on weekends.

Yay! Today we went to Walden Ponds in Boulder.

We saw geese and goslings, ducks and other shore birds ...

... and on our way back she was a bit disappointed at not seeing much out of the ordinary ... then there they were ... the American White Pelicans and oh my, did they give an extraordinary air show.

It made Mom so happy to see these graceful birds glide through the air as if dancing on the wind. They circled for quite some time and her camera clicked continuously capturing their movement in seconds. We sat watching. As they hovered over the water their reflections followed them.

The pelicans come by again, and again ... there were five of them flying in formation ... synchronized .... Notice the funny growths on the bills of a couple of them (the left-most two). Look real close. They only have those during breeding season. It is shed after they lay their eggs.

Did you know pelicans can hold up to three gallons of water in their pouches? and their wing span is 8-9 feet! Wow, huge birds!!

I love to see my mom happy. And as she enjoys herself, I wait.
It was a fine day ...

Dreaming: Taking a Poll

Thank you all for your kind words about my transition with Walk and Click Wednesday. It was a fun ride and I'm glad you all joined me here. I have been remiss in commenting on your blogs and all your wonderful adventures, but trust me I have visited and enjoyed traveling the world vicariously. Please keep walking and clicking!

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I've been busy ...

Last night I uploaded my client book project files to Lightning Source! Yay ... this project is finished; my client should get his proof in the next 5-10 days; then I get my show and tell copies.

Homesteading the Soul: A Spiritual Apprenticeship with a Prairie Grandfather is a warm, expertly woven story of a young boy and his grandfather out on the eastern prairies of Colorado. I can't wait to announce that it is actually available for purchase. Terry Keepers has been a joy to work with and I'm delighted that I've been able to be part of his dream--publishing his life's work.

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Ok ... now on to what started this post ... dreaming about remodeling my kitchen! All manifestations begin with the dream. We know this. So I've collected a few sample chips that I liked and taped them to the edge of my counter so I can live with them for a bit. I'm struggling though with choosing just one. So I'm sharing with you, my peeps, and taking a poll. Let me know which one you like ... 1, 2, or 3.

I will probably be contracting the work sometime in the fall. In the meantime, it's good to have something to dream about.

Later today, I'll be taking myself out for an adventure to celebrate finishing my book project! Hopefully, I'll find something exciting to photograph.