‘Twas the night before the First Average Frost, when all through the house All the creatures were stirring, even the mice, and the voles, and the spiders, and the… The tools were not hung in the shed with care, Someone was hoping for time to prepare; My family was all snug in their beds; While visions of no yardwork or gardening danced in their heads;... Read More
Senescence can be traced back to Latin senex, meaning “old.” There’s also the much rarer senectitude, which, like senescence, refers to the state of being old (specifically, to the final stage of the normal life span). This event happens every year – senescence – to the deciduous trees in Colorado, including the beautiful stands of Aspen at higher altitudes. The leaves have grown “old,” and... Read More
Looking forward in the calendar, Summer doesn’t really end until Autumn begins on September 22nd. So, why is Labor Day considered the “end of summer?” It could be a throwback to our agrarian society, a reason for the retail industry to hold another sale, end of summer break and beginning of a new school year…? Actually, the U.S. Department of Labor initiated the first... Read More
August 10th – It may not be the most historically important date, but it sure is a tasty one. “S’MORES,” named as such because everyone who enjoys the ooey, gooey snack asks for “some more.” S’mores have been around since the 19th century, and they’re everyone’s favorite camping staple. They are easy to assemble and they are made from inexpensive ingredients, so there’s no wondering... Read More
There is an old saying, “Stop, and smell the roses.” It’s a reminder to slow down and take a moment to breathe in the aroma of something beautiful. If you are not in close proximity to a rose garden, this can be a challenge. A similar experience to slowing down is to lie back and watch the clouds. The summertime sky in Colorado produces an... Read More
It is unclear exactly when “Hobo” first appeared on the American railroading scene. With the end of the American Civil War in the 1860s, many discharged veterans returning home began hopping freight trains. Others looking for work and no prospects at home followed the railways west aboard freight trains in the late 19th century to try their luck elsewhere. The origin of the word, Hobo, according... Read More
Along a quiet mountain trail nestled among the tangled weeds, lay hidden the wild strawberry. Wild strawberries are tiny but incredibly sweet and full of flavor nuances that are missing in the massive cultivated varieties available in grocery stores. The grocery store varieties were hybridized from wild strawberries; which are the common Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis. After farmers in Persia started cultivating this delicious... Read More
Fathers are unique. This certainly was a sentiment true for Sonora Louise Smart (Dodd) of Spokane, Washington in 1909. She witnessed the love and devotion of her father William, a Civil War Veteran raise a newborn and his five other children after the death of his wife. At the age 27, Sonora was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon and pondered why there wasn’t a... Read More
There is an ‘inner-child’ fascination with secret hide-outs, building blanket forts, and climbing into the canopy of a tree. All of these transport us into another space and time. As the summer months begin with long days stretching out ahead, we look for activities to intrigue and entertain. A good place to start is to read Johann David Wyss’ book, Swiss Family Robinson to spark... Read More
noun grad·u·a·tion \ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən\ “Is this the little girl [we] carried? Is this the little boy at play? [We] don’t remember growing older When did they? When did she get to be a beauty? When did he get to be so tall? Wasn’t it yesterday When they were small? ~Sunrise, sunset~ Swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, Blossoming even as we gaze. Swiftly... Read More
