Yippee! Snow!!!

While we hiked in the storm I learned the beauty of having long tresses- they keep you warm! By tucking and wrapping my hair around my neck I was snuggly comfortable. On the subject of staying warm, my new down jacket kept me ultra toasty and with only a thin base layer under it, the chilly snowstorm was a cinch (thanks Sean!!!!).

I had to toss the snow around like a kid- it's so fluffy making it seam surreal compared to the wetness of Sierra snow.

If we're so busy living for the weekend, what then are we living for? What is the meaning behind the 100 some odd hours before the weekend hits? I can get so caught up in going to bed early and stressing about the daily grind of work, that I miss out on precious morsels of life hidden between the hours and minutes. They are the seconds that one captures when unconsumed by lifes furry, capsules and fragments that breath life into stale air. Moments when you look at your best friend still asleep, grateful for the companionship; putting dishes away thinking of the previous evenings conversation, of plans and dreams; letting the dog out for a water and break and absorbing the chill on your skin and bite in the air; catching an amazing sunset glow while picking up the mail....are you living today or just a shell?

If Only To Be Stronger

Why is it that our minds always convince us that we are, or were, stronger than we really are? So easily, hindsight strokes the ego more than anything. Recently I've been recounting my short life's journey. Though we are suppose to "humble ourselves" I find myself having such rosy visions of the not so distant past I have to constantly perform a reality check.

While sharing experiences with new friends, I noticed how easy it is to seem so much stronger than we were in the moment. This photo is a reflection of just that. A stranger may glance at it and think, "wow, hard core" when in reality, I struggled every moment (primarily maintaining moral). Naturally, when I think about the experience, I'd repeat the day without hesitation. My memory fades faster than a 99 year old person. Somehow, I've made this day to seem perfect, oh yes, there were troubles, but in my mind I seriously laugh at them and think I could do it again and it would be a cinch.

I can be like Jonah from the Old Testament who grumbled and complained at God about the journey he was to take. Just like Jonah, I find myself at the threshold where I was suppose to be in the first place- only it took painful blows to get me there. If only my attitude and resolve were steadfast, perhaps an honest look at memory lane could make me genuinely proud.

Elk Attract Crazy Tourists!

The craze of wildlife brought out the Yellowstone toursit in many people.

Christmas Time

Now that the feeding frenzy of Thanksgiving is over, we can settle into the calm, joyous, and tranquil time of year- the time of year where everyone becomes friendly and warm to one another and we all get together to visit with our friends and family around a warm fire and drink a cup o' Nog. Or not. Typically this time of year brings out the absolute worst in people. People rushing around, being not-to-friendly toward others, and buying, buying, buying. After all, as good Americans, we need to give the economy a good boost, right? Ready or not, Christmas time is here.

Isn't it a weird time of year? Maybe people get all grumpy and irritable during this time because they are out, spending their money on someone other than themselves...So much for the joyful giving spirit.


All grumpiness aside, I love Christmas: the cold weather, neat decorations all over the place, and most importantly, what it stands for. Since Julie and I are away from all of the great Christmas festivities that we have come to expect for the past 29 and 30 years we decided to make up for it here. The day after thanksgiving our neighbors, Julie and myself all headed to a tree farm in Evergreen CO. This place was really cool. Not only was this tree lot set up on the owners land which surround his house, it was all decked out in Christmas decor and could entertain a whole family.

Won't the tree skirt look great mom?