I don’t normally get sentimentally attached to “things”, unless they have a story. My coffee cup from Ouray Colorado had a story. On Friday, that mug hit the concrete floor and the story changed. In September of 2011, I went to Ouray Colorado for my first Imogene Pass Run. I arrived 10 days early and set up camp at the…
01.20.13 Free Spirit. It was my ticket out of the neighborhood…. White grips. Banana shaped seat. Chrome fenders with specks of rust. A red, white, and blue frame. A chain guard with the words FREE SPIRIT. Those red letters were intended to represent the manufacturer, SEARS; but in my mind, they told the world who I was… Initially this flashy…
The Paper Mate Erasermate pen was the single greatest invention during my childhood. I know that’s a bold statement, given that microwaves, cable TV, and computers came along, but the Paper Mate Erasermate pen was different. It said “You can make a bold choice. And you can change your mind.” You are probably wondering how many bold choices a young…
Pneumonia moved in with me about two weeks ago. Things got weird, I ask him to leave, and the eviction process is taking longer than expected. This led to “house arrest”, some pretty strict instructions on how to avoid the hospital (eat, sleep, go to bathroom), and a clear defintion of the phrase “do NOTHING “. My eternally optimistic sister says “It would be a…
Columbia, Mo At some point yesterday I realized that I had signed off with “thanks for riding along” but didn’t actually telling you HOW you could ride along. Are you ready? Ok, you are going to need a small bar stool (the kitchen kind, not the bar kind) and an oscillating fan. Place the stool and the fan about 3…
Estes Park, Colorado The most common question I have gotten is “When are you coming back?” The tone of this question has changed from one of inquisition to one of concern. The answer is I am coming back this week. The next most common question is “how long will it take you to transition?” Maybe the best answer is “I…
Estes Park, Colorado It has been nearly a month since I was here last. I am typing across the street from the infamous honeymoon suite motel (which has since changed names). I am under a different tree looking at the same mountains. Those amazing Rockies are showing subtle signs of transitioning. The sun sets a little earlier. The aspens have…
Glacier Basin Campground , RMNP, Colorado Today I spent the day scrambling. It started with scrambled eggs, spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese. And then I was scrambling to make the 8:12 am shuttle to Bear Lake Trail Head where we planned to hike to several alpine lakes. We walked with the bus load of people up a well-worn (actually paved)…
Golden, Colorado If you knew there was no way you could fail, what would you try? This was the front of a card that caught my attention in the book store on Washington Street. The inside of the card was appropriately blank. Enter here a brief moment for you to ponder that thought. What would you try? Now, when your…