Still Here

I admire people who can keep up a blog on a regular basis. For some reason, it just seems easier to pick up the phone and call someone, or send them an e-mail. And there is always the possibility of posting something that shouldn't be posted. In the near future I plan to post some things I have written just for fun. Check back in a few weeks.

Delayed Gratification-About Forty Years Worth!

Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair. When you are young and just starting a family, everything is put on hold. Nights are interrupted, diapers need to be changed, little ones soak up every free moment you have. There never seems to be any time to relax, certainly not to indulge yourself in personal pampering.

Getting started in the work-a-day world means starting on the bottom rung and working up from there. So when your expenses are the greatest, your income is the least. Hopefully income will increase as the kids progress through school and go on to college. The ideal situation would be that income increases enough to cover the increased cost. Then-before you know it, the young ones are off on their own. Now it is time to start saving that money that once went for their expenses.

I have learned through the years to take pleasure in the small things, things I could afford! My mind was not even allowed to wander into previously forbidden areas. Every effort was focused on the family and the future. Now, I am on the downhill side, approaching the end of my work-a-day life. My family has grown up and are doing fine, for that I am grateful and thank the Lord. There are no overhanging worries. So once in a while I let my mind wander---

When Rachel and I moved out here, we enjoyed short motorcycle rides in the foothills. The feeling of freedom, the smell of crisp mountain air, and the sensation of speed, all added up to a pleasurable experience. After my little mishap a couple of years ago, it didn't seem prudent to keep riding a motorcycle. But we both missed the fun. To replace that with something safer, I decided to get something sporty, but that had 4 wheels.

After doing a lot of reading and research, I settled on a 20 year old Chevy. It was old enough that I could do some of the simpler maintenance, and its value had nearly bottomed out. Insurance was cheap, but parts were still available. I started looking for something in the '86 to '88 year range, and settled on a '87. It was well within a good price range, and appeared to be well taken care of. It has turned into my entertainment when at home. It is what I work on when the chores are done and the lawn is mowed.

We look forward to taking some short trips soon, like up to Estes Park for ice cream, or maybe just for fun.

Our Funny Valentines

As some of you fellows may know, Valentines day can pose a problem. We know we have to give a gift to our lady, but the dilemma is knowing what. After a few years, flowers are passe', candy is good, (especially if they share!) but can be problematic. So what to do?

This year, I thought I would give Rachel something special. Something she has never had before, but she would have to pay attention to get it! This would be the most special gift I have ever given her. What was it?

Along Eisenhower Blvd, the main east-west street through Loveland, there are lamp posts that have sign brackets on them. Since Loveland is the "City of Love," each year in February you can arrange to have a heart shaped sign hung with a message on it. I thought it would be unique to put the message, "Aaron loves Rachel" on a heart for all to see. So early in February the signs went up, and I waited for her to see it. It was going to be my special surprise!


I watched the signs go up, hers was the second one. Surely she would see it. But she never said a word. Then I saw one that looked peculiar. Was it what I thought it was?

It was almost Valentines Day, but she never said a word. How could she miss it?

So I decided to write her a personal card, sort of a hint, you see. And I wanted to clear something up about another sign, so here is what I wrote and printed in a card for her:


Special days are hard for guys,
To find a gift that satisfies.
One that's proof of loving thought,
A gift like one they've never bought.

How can I show my love for you
In a way that you'll find fresh and new?
This year I want my gift to be
One for all the world to see.

A heart on Loveland's thoroughfare
Will tell the world how much I care.
Would you notice, would you see?
Would you suspect it came from me?

There it was to my satisfaction--
I couldn't wait for your reaction!
But you said nothing--I began to doubt.
Was this idea too far out?

Then I saw it--could it be?
Had you put up a heart for me?
The names were right--the years were too.
I choked back tears--could this be true?

How likely is it you would try

To show your love the same as I?

But there,--It's proof for all to see

That I Love You and You Love Me!!



So there you have it. I thought I was going to give her a gift she would never think of, and she gave the same gift to me!



Happy Valentines Day, Dear!

LOTS OF SNOW!!!

After two snow storms back to back, this is what our drive looked like. It took most of the morning to clear the area in front of the garage and plow the driveway. We were forecast to get more snow, but the sun is shining now, and I think that is all for a while. Denver's official snowfall was 29.4" this week. We didn't get quite that much, but it was piled pretty high on the deck furniture. Wish the grandkids were here, this is the first time in several years we have had enough snow to sled almost anywhere without having to worry about the rocks. The rocks are well covered by this snow.

Grandpa's Latest (Mis?)Adventure

Well, elk hunting season is almost over, but yesterday was free so I decided to give it a go. I packed up the truck and headed for a high mountain park, one that we had hiked to several years ago. It has a stream-fed meadow, (called a Park), lots of grass, and just the kind of place where elk would like to hang out. My plan was to hunt for the rest of the day, pitch a tent and stay for the night, and hunt back to the truck today. The ideal outcome would include bringing back an elk to put in the freezer.
I packed a tent, bedroll, sleeping bag, some extra long johns, some jerky, bags and sheets for wrapping meat, and of course my rifle. That is more than I can carry, so I packed it on a sled. That would make it easier to pack out the elk as well.



When I got to the trailhead, it was snowing and blowing, but the snow was only 6-8" deep, so I started out. The further into the forrest and the higher in elevation I got, the worse it became. Pretty soon it was blowing and snowing till who laid the chunk, but I wasn't giving up now.

Eventually the snow ended, but as I got higher and higher, the snow got deeper and deeper. Draging the sled became a real effort. My goal was to reach the park where the elk may be bedded down. (Hey, who took that picture?)

By the time I reached the west end of the park, the snow was belly deep on a horse, (knee deep on me), and it was starting to get dark. I had seen no elk tracks or sign of any kind that elk were in the area. The truth is, the snow was so deep no self respecting elk would paw his way down in that much snow to get a mouthful of grass. Any elk with a brain would be down in Estes Park munching grass from someone's lawn!

By now reality was sinking in. There were no elk in the area, it was getting dark and cold, and I really did not want to spend the night if there were no chances of getting an elk to bring home. After thinking about it for a while, I turned around and started back to the truck. Evening was setting on, I had walked and drug the sled uphill for four hours, and now I had to find my way back to the truck in the dark. It was a good thing that the return was more downhill than uphill.

It was late when I got home, but it sure felt good to crawl into my soft, warm bed. Hunters have to be optimists to work that hard for nothing but their health. There's always next year!

Brace Yourselves, Winter Is Coming!

This is the view of our home this morning. We have at least 6" of snow and it is forecast to snow off and on all day. Tomorrow is supposed to be clear, but colder. Travel is treacherous right now, but they are pretty good about clearing the roads out here.

I was in Orlando and Fort Meyers, Florida yesterday. It was hot and humid. Their weather there is so predictable (and boring).

If I were 5 years old, I would be out rolling in the snow and enjoying the fresh air. But inside and warm sounds good to me today. Eventually, guilt will force me to get busy with something productive, like paying bills or working on this years' taxes. (How is that for an ugly reminder?) Oh, and Christmas is coming, so I'd better get busy.

Have a Great Day!

A little snow yesterday, beautiful blue skies today. This was actually our second snow of the season. Wish you were here to enjoy it with us.