Painting with my older daughter…so happy today!

“Daughter #1 and Me”

And…the final product!

“The Final Product!”

“Growing (B)older”

Aging isn’t for sissies. I have aches and pains in places I didn’t know I had a few years ago. My vision has changed…again. And I can remember conversations from high school but not what I came into the room for. I used to party till 3 and be at work at 7. Now I’m hard pressed to make it through a movie. I can’t hear what you’re saying half the time in normal conversation, yet get me in a room with more than three people talking and it sets my teeth on edge. What happened? I mean, one minute I was a nubile young co-ed and now I’m…not. Now…I’m so much MORE! Now, my bullshit detector is much more sensitive. Now, my ability to tolerate intolerance is virtually nonexistent. Now, I save my tears for when they count. I stopped counting my wrinkles and started counting the laughs that make them. I stopped caring what others think of me and caring more about others. I have become much bolder…fearless and strong. I have let life wash over me and like the stones in the river, my edges have become smoother. I’m rounded like a river rock. I’m softer and more flexible. I’m at ease in just about any situation. I have survived the death of my spouse. I am privileged to be this age. To become a crone…a wise one. I am free to be who and whatever I wish. Yes, this is a privilege I do not take lightly.

“Though she be but little…she is fierce.” William Shakespeare

Big strength can show up in small packages. This little girl is much bigger now and she faces competitive swimming with fierce determination. At 10 years old, she takes engineering classes…never letting the thought that she can’t succeed cross her mind. She’s small, but fierce and I admire her greatly. She is my first grandchild. My sweet, smart, fun, determined girl. I felt so bad for her last night. We were watching the fireworks. As a wise 10 year old, she was comforting her little sister and cousin when they were worried the fireworks might fall on their heads. She explained how they explode and burn up before they hit the ground. Not too long afterwards, someone set off a firework in the parking lot near us and sure enough, one of the sparkly bits burned all the way to the ground, shattering her sense of safety. It was painful to watch.

“God Bless America!”

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!!!

“Repurposed coal hod as hanging planter.”

I love taking something old a perhaps discarded or broken and make it into something beautiful. Here is an old coal hod repurposed as a hanging planter. SO cute!

I bought an old metal plunger kind of thing yesterday that is used to wash clothes in a tub and the gal checking me out asked if I was going to put rolls of toilet paper on it. Ummmm, no…when I have my tiny home all set up and have a clothes line, I’m going to use it to wash sheets and hang them outside to dry in the sun. There’s nothing like sun dried sheets for a good sound sleep. Sometimes good old things are supposed to be used as intended!

“An Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Freezer”

Three words….homemade ice cream!!!! Oh-Em-Geeeeeee!!!!!!!

Colorado Blue Spruce are majestic trees!

“Colorado Blue Spruce”

There are great stretches of dead Lodgepole Pine killed by a pine beetle infestation. These stands of dead trees are a tinderbox waiting for an errant campfire or bolt of lightning to start a wildfire that would be impossible to control. They also are a threat to campers or drivers as their shallow root system has died and even a small wind can bring them crashing down with deadly results. Some campgrounds in the Rockies have been closed because of the threat.

‘An employee of The Mixing Bowl poses in front of merchandise."

I just visited this delightful little kitchen store in Salida, CO. They have some very cute kitchen items that are small…perfect for travel trailer and tiny home kitchens. The bonus is, part of the proceeds go to support Starpoint, a program that assists special needs adults. They have over 15 employees from Starpoint that work in the store with their job coaches. For those who may not know, my brother has special needs and is a client with a wonderful program near me. They literally gave him a life, so I am passionate about supporting these earth angels who give of themselves so selflessly. If you find yourself in Salida, go see the beautiful people of The Mixing Bowl and drop some serious coin. Tell them Marshmallow Ranch sent you!!!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

I have been on retreat for the last few days with my dear sister/friend, Sue. I have also been struggling a little lately. Nothing major, just par for the course on the long road of life. A particularly bumpy spot but not totally unexpected given the stressors I’m working with.

The day I arrived, I walked through the midden pile and spotted a couple particularly beautiful painted potsherds on the ground. Even though I know better than to disturb them, I picked them up…marveling at the fact they were over 800 years old, hand built by the “Ancient Ones”. I slipped them in my pocket without thinking and at the end of the day, I found them resting on the counter of TOW-Wanda’s little kitchen.

“The Hot Springs at Pagosa Springs, Colorado”

Mr. Virgo and I lived in Pagosa Springs for a year. I’m sitting on the deck of my favorite Mexican restaurant enjoying a taco salad. What a beautiful place! You see mountains in every direction. This is a view of the hot springs pools across the river. The river is filled with tubers keeping cool. It’s the peak of tourist season here in Colorado. Perfect weather for summer fun!