Beautiful Durango

The La Plata Mountains, Southwest Colorado

I've been looking at the majestic La Plata mountains from the deck of my house-stay position for the past several weeks.  I'm here in Durango, Colorado 6512 feet in elevation with over 300 sunny days a year, more than Orlando, Florida or Hollywood, California!  My charges have been two lovable doggies, Crash and Ebby and Clyde the Killing Cat.  Their "Mom and Dad" (Karen and Todd) went on a trip to Panama for two weeks, leaving the biting cold behind for us ~ in the past few days the temperature dropped  below zero, but that's mild compared to the rest of the country caught in this latest storm.

Crash & Ebby

Everyday the boys and I would take two walks, one in the morning, one in the afternoon or evening...and on occasion, a night time walk with blinking collars.  The walks gave me a lot of time to think about the many changes taking place in my life... and to be grateful for them.  Challenges never leave us where they found us and I'm finding that I am acquiring confidence and clarity to move forward - whatever may come.

Will, Maria, Clint & Kari at Snowdown

 

Me & Maria

So.... the big Snowdown celebration came and went through downtown Durango.  Snowdown is a  wacky, crazy themed party that's carries on for a  week with more than 80 contests and events including follies, costume contests, a fashion show, night parade, underwater poker tournament and too many more to mention.  You can check it out if you like here ~ http://www.snowdown.org/  

Sam holding Franklin's quilt

Mom (Grandma), Maresa & Sam

I thought I might have had time to plow through my costume boxes for a Snowdown cosutme... no such luck, but I did take a moment to recall how Mom could create functional and fun attire for any occasion.  She was a great creator of home-made costumes and encouraged creativity during Halloween and other events involving unusual garb.  Mom made all my dance costumes as well as dresses, skirts, tops, and even a bathing suit or two.  Fortunately for me, she had the patience to pass some of her sewing skills on to me starting with darning socks (a defunct need) and mending jeans.  Most of my sewing has been for others like the foofie apron Mom is wearing or the baby quilt for my great-nephew Franklin... it is something I love to do to this day so thank you Mom! 

woodpecker outside the window

It's time to get some rest for the early morning departure to California tomorrow.  First thing I'll need to pick up  several more chickens and some home-made tamales of Victor's.  The extra forty minutes it will take will be worth it!  It's different here in this rural community where a longer commute to the store or work or the cafe is standard, but living on the outskirts has it's advantages...  You can actually listen and hear nothing but birds singing, the drip-drip of snow melting or an icicle shattering as it hits a rock; the air moving through trees with an occasional squirrel chattering.  It's absolute bliss and I'll miss that almost as much as dear friends.  So long for now Durango... I'll hold you all close in my heart!