Returning to Aspen/Snowmass and Taos in August

I'm back out west! Flew from Nashville to Denver on Monday, July 28 to go stay with Sage in Old Snowmass. He's as loving as ever, and just a bit slower, but still in the game! He even ran with me when I biked around the neighborhood! I was fortunate to be here during the world renowned Aspen Music Festival, and was able to attend one of the performances of the Aspen Symphony....fantastic!

Tuesday, Aug 5 I took the CME shuttle back to Denver and flew to ABQ, where my car has been parked since June 2! And what a champ it is - started right up!

I have 2 new friends in Taos - Lucy, a chocolate Lab and Bobbi! They live in a great home on a rock cliff overlooking the confluence of the Rio Pueblo and Pot Creek. Magic!

Madeline worked her magic scissors again in Santa Fe and cut my hair - short...and do I see the resemblance between me and my mom now!

Meet my friends at 32 Katydid in Old Snowmass, CO

I'm back in Old Snowmass, CO,hanging out with my new friends. Bodhi is the smiling Golden, Keesha isthe beautiful long haired sheepdog, and Bailey is the golden puppy. And then there's Ace, the 28 year old mare, who was eating when I took this photo.

Today I experienced two firsts! I fed a horse, and repaired a fence. I felt like a real cowgirl! Ace, the mare, was really good about my not having any idea of where to put the hay and the food. I put the bucket in the corner, and looked at her. She looked at the bucket, looked at me, and then turn her head and looked very pointedly at the big, black, EMPTY container on the floor of the stall. Ah, it's amazing how the animals talk to us if we just listen. So that was my introduction to Ace and that she DOESN'T eat from a bucket, thank you very much. I don't think she cares where I put the hay. She was also really great about me walking behind her, before I recalled that it's not a good idea to walk and stand behind horses. As soon as it STOPS SNOWING I will take her for a walk.

And, speaking of horses and snow, I am really happy to have my new mud boots, the cute black and white polka dot ones .....I have no idea what I'm walking in when I enter Ace's area, and don't have to worry about ruining shoes!

I've included a photo of the fence repair...using the twine used to hold the hay bales together....

We (the dogs and I) just returned from a walk around the neighborhood, and then fed Ace.....we're hoping NOT to get the 12" of snow everyone is talking about!

The good news is that we only got about 4 inches....not 10.....and it may be over. I heard that it is supposed to be 70 degrees this Sunday!!

New moon, new location and a new quarter

Wow, where have these last 3 months gone?? I loved my time in Florida in January, and really appreciated the warmth AND humidity upon my return to Old Snowmass, CO in early February. My pal Sage, an 11 year old male yellow Lab, and I stayed warm and enjoyed the snow until I left for Taos in early March.

The March full moon and April 1 sunset photos were taken from Taos - these sunset photos don't give mother nature her due justice...but you at least get the idea of what I see every night here....unbelieveable!

I have a new client in Taos, a lovely couple who live on the south end of town, and have 2 great black cats and a wonderful female dog named Shug, who's a Pit Bull, Akita and Lab mix. A gentler, sweeter dog I've yet to meet.

I've been behind in everything due to some projects that have recently come my way, keeping me busy day and night, both in CO and here in Taos. However, last week my friend Deborah and I committed to hiking every day, and we've logged many a mile on the "old road to Santa Fe" trail, which follows the Rio Grande gorge all the way down to the water.....the walk back is a work out! It's still on the map as Highway 110. After a week of "training", we felt we were "ready" to take on Divisadero, and we did make it to the top of the peak...overlooking Taos and south, including the Rio Grande gorge.

I hope to have a new digital camera soon.....I am constantly reaching for it because the beauty surrounding me is incredible. I am "making do" with the camera in my cell phone for now.

Deborah called today from the south end of the canyon to tell me that just 25 miles south the forsythia is blooming!! Lilacs can't be far behind!

I'll be in CO till the end of April and will then return to Taos to stay with Shug, Chica and Paco.

It's 2008!

It's 2008! And none too soon! I found 2007 to be an exciting, trying, amazing year!

I worked in Taos, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Santa Fe, NM; Snowmass, CO and Las Vegas, NV.










Max visited me in Snowmass in December, I spent New Year's Eve in Aspen with Paula, pictured with me at the St. Regis Hotel, where her husband Chris and his band were the featured attraction! And they are a great jazz band! I visited Florida in early January....and none too soon, after the 20 below weather we had in Snowmass, as well as the many feet of snow that had already fallen! Great for the ski business! Even Sage, the beautiful yellow lab I'm staying with wouldn't walk in the 20 below weather!

January found me working in Florida and having the opportunity to visit Max in Orlando and my mom in West Palm Beach, as well as friends in Sarasota, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, and Naples. I had a blast! The sunset photo is in Ft. Lauderdale. My great and long time friend, Tari, (from 5th grade!!) were out and about in her golf cart, cruising her 'hood, and this is what we saw.....just another night in paradise!

Max's dog, Hurley, is shown here......he's just a great dog, and just turned a year old.

Viva Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas!

Was in Vegas working the week of Dec 10 and had a beautiful room at the Mirage hotel. I also loved The Wynn - quiet, elegant, understated, and just beautiful. This is now Steve Wynn's only property in Vegas after selling the Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio and whatever else he built and owned.

Also was given the gift of "Spamalot" - the hilarious broadway show by the Monty Python gang, based on their "Holy Grail" movies..... laugh out loud from start to finish! This show is at The Wynn.

Vegas is even more over the top than the last time I visited....you can definitely find anything and everything in Vegas!

Photos from The Venetian - the gondoliers sing Italian songs as part of the service and usually finish their big number right here at the turn around area for all to enjoy!

Max arrives in Snowmass, CO

Max arrived Saturday night, just in time to celebrate his 20th birthday! Sunday a.m. he was ready to hit the Snowmass slopes - his first board experience on a mountain in powder!

Marroon Bells Friday, Nov 2

Ahhh, Marroon Bells. The sign at the trailhead said they are the most photographed mountains in CO. The whole area looks completely different than when I last saw them in August of 1988, with Max in a pack on my back! And the area leading up to and surrounding the lake and peaks was nothing but wildflowers.

Still, it was a lovely hike and a must see when you visit.

Hiking Ajax Mountain Sunday, Nov 4

Ok, so now I've hiked half way up Ajax and literally walked over the various runs, gulleys, etc that cannot be covered with snow soon enough for Aspen folk. It was just a reminder that I'm hopeful that the same trail I walked today will be open for snow shoeing - cause there is NO WAY I have the nerve to ski down this mountain! I mean, I was thinking of taking a short cut and walking down the terrain between switchbacks.....too steep to walk......Whew, glad I got that out of my system, because I was actually thinking I might try skiing this year.......

the reason there is a photo of a chair is because between the bottom 2 cables is the thumbnail of what's left of the waning moon......just a beautiful sight!

Aspen - Saturday, Nov 3

It's 68 degrees in Aspen today -- I was totally overdressed and not prepared to hike Ajax when I stumbled upon the trail. Sitting at Starbucks (yes, just like all the other tourists!) having my first soy chi latte in months, I noticed people (in hiking attire) with dogs walking up the steps under the lift and disappearing. So, finally out of curiosity, I followed them, only to find the trail for the Ajax hike. No water, so i returned with the intention of coming to hike on Sunday.

Welcome to Aspen, CO

Welcome to Aspen! Here's a sampling of the ski runs, taken from my seat at the local coffee shop, Zele. Max will have a big time boarding on these runs!

Happy Birthday, Pam!

A view from the front porch .... Mt Sopris..... and a view from the back deck, the Capitol Mountain range of the Rockies, behind me in the photo.

October 29......my favorite day of the year! Followed closely by December 15, Max's birthday!

This was a birthday to remember....the first one EVER that I've spent alone.....well, ok, Sage was with me, but I refer to alone as no human company. Spent the day taking 2 hikes - one with Sage, one alone, and explored Basalt....where I found an excellent little locally owned bookstore, but they were, unfortunately, out of Eric Clapton's new book, so it will have to wait.....and received many cards, texts, emails, and phone calls......I am blessed to have so many people sending me this much love!

October Full Moon Rising in Old Snowmass, CO

Who can resist the beauty and romanticism of a moon like this?

Sage, the 10 year old yellow lab I'm sitting spent a few nights just sitting outside howling at it. Who can blame him? I know exactly how he feels!