Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Play That Funky Music!
As mom mentioned, Friday was a little crazy as we oncee again saw a big plume of smoke coming over the ridge above Sanitas Valley and got the word that there was another wildfire burning- this time in the mouth of the canyon very close to town. The dry, windy conditions we've had this fall don't bode well for the rest of the winter. We went to the park in the afternoon to catch some photos of the smoke and sunset.
We're having a little 'quiet time' as we prepare for the candy gluttony and ensuing mayhem that will be coming later. Reid is going in Kate's Camplbell's soup can costume from a couple years ago when I was Andy Warhol, Boden has decided to be a witch, and Alden was going to be a butterfly, but changed her mind at the last minute and decided to go with the bee costume. I'm thinking she should have just gone as Muhammad Ali and covered both.
Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 29, 2010
More Gold!
At breakfast this am, Dad remarked that there was a peculiar golden light in the back yard, and when we looked out at the sun, it was a blurry orange ball. When we turned west toward Sanitas, the mountain was etched in white with an orange cast. Not the white of snow, but of smoke. Soon the smell of smoke was unmistakable, and we began to realize that we had another wildfire on our hands. From Weather Channel TV and city emergency postings on the computer, we learned that 130 some acres of open park land were ablaze, and this fire was near Boulder Canyon, much nearer to our house than the September one.
As the day progressed, (mostly windless, thankfully), the evacuation line edged closer and closer to both Kellogg houses. School was still in session at Foothill, and the Hallowe'en costume parade that was scheduled for 1:30pm went on, although in the gym instead of outdoors---smoke was the deterent. But Hallowe'en was not to be denied, and the kids were terrific in their costumes---Boden was a witch in red-collared long black cape with the requisite black pointed hat. There were room parties after the parade.
We had tickets for the symphony tonight, a special program of spooky music with acrobats from the Cirque de Soleil, and after we determined that it was still "on", we picked up Boden (still in his costume) and joined a full house celebrating this weird and wonderful holiday. On the way to and from the auditorium, passing North Boulder Park, we looked up and saw myriad little red-gold spots where normally the Christmas star shines in December. We know the firefighters are there, working, and it is a windless night at the moment, so we will turn in with faith that we will sleep well and be taken care of. Goodnight to all.
GOLD
First I have to say that opera today is nothing like what it was in my youth---a few fat people standing around, staring into space, and singing unintelligibly. Action and looks are right up at the top of the menu, and the singing is as glorious as ever. The words appear discretely in English at the bottom of the screen, and it's all happening right there in front of you, larger than life. And if you have the bladder of a camel, you don't miss a thing!
The set was amazing---some stage-sized panels that are turned in various directions to represent flowing water, (with undulations), stairs and pathways, buildings (like the palace of Valhalla) among other things; characters floating through space (thanks to thin strong wires);lighting that makes people look on fire and shows the gold at the bottom of the Rhine in cascades of molten yellow. The actors were realistically chosen, and in good voice. It was a fabulous show.
In April or May the next Ring opera (Die Walkure), will open---and we will be there!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October in Colorado

I wish I could remember what I pushed to drag pictures to different locations when I did my last entry! Can't get them to move today.

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Spring Has Sprung in Brisbane
Friday, October 22, 2010
Fruita Rocks
We (the boys and I) took a long weekend to go visit Fruita, a spot in the far west of the state that has gained a reputation as a must-do for mountain biking. Locals have built a huge network of trails on the rimrock above the Colorado River and in the desert mesas north of town that are designed to be fun and challenging to ride. Our crazy string of 5-day weeks mandated a hooky-day long weekend for mental regrouping. Reid has been working his butt off to keep on top of the middle school Spanish and bring his grades up from the basement. This trip was the carrot to motivate him- he loves to camp, he's gotten passionate about mountain biking and two of his friends who went off to other middle schools were signed up to come. He rode impressively (he's as fast as me on the downhills now!) and it turns out he made the honor roll for the 1st quarter. Boden came along with a 1st grade buddy and his dad, and they were as fired up about the riding as the rest of the crew- check out the face of pure aggro bliss! (He's going as fast as it looks!)
It was nice to be able to help dad through the operation and good that we left him feeling well and independent- very happy that it went well! It's a little overwhelming to realize that October is almost over and another school year is whipping by! So glad to hear that the Coburns are all behind the wheel and the Blackwells are safe and dry- although I'm sure that there is some more recent Blackwell news that we're not aware of yet ( a little blogging peer pressure even though it's been a scramble to get in the weekly post for me!)
Here's some more shots from the weekend:
A One handed week
I was vaguely aware during part of the operation hearing murmurs but seeing and feeling nothing. Then I was out and the next thing I knew it was 3 o'clock, I was awake, offered crackers and juice, and asked when my ride was coming. We'd arranged for a 4:30 pickup as Kate had a school appointment. I thought it had been put on my records but apparently not and they had called Kate saying I was ready for pickup at 3:15. Fortunately she said she'd be there at 4:30. They put me in a lounge chair where I snoozed until she arrived, signed me out, and took me home. She stayed around and I relaxed then Kate got dinner for herself, Boden, and me - a pleasant interlude in a hectic day. Rico came for the night and got me breakfast in the morning and Ann got home from Baltimore about 6:30 I was doing fine except one handed living takes adjustment.
I could move three fingers and the thumb a tiny bit. The fingers stayed numb for 36 hours - a bit of a worry. Once in a while I did a twisting move with my hands that gave a shock of pain but overall it went well except for the little things one cannot do with one hand. These included tying shoes, pulling the belt tight, fastening buttons, driving and washing the armpit on the side with a usable hand, and drying after a shower (showers were allowed without wetting the hand so a big plastic bag kept me dry - tied on by Ann!) Thank heavens for a partner. Ann was great and is still doing the driving and helping in the shower as I still shouldn't get the hand very wet.
Now I have a small bandage with a splint at night to keep the fingers straight. I am supposed to exercise hourly making fists and putting the hand flat on the table - it all hurts more than anytime last week but I'm assured I'm healing well and the goal is to keep a wound open so new skin will fill in and give me more hand flexibility in a few weeks. It will be good to be in Australia where I won't be tempted to drive.
Philosophically, I find it hard to adjust to being fine and active one moment then handicapped the next due to a conscious decision. Was the operation really needed? Did I have to put myself and others into this situation? Certainly last year's back surgery says it is worth it and I trust I'll feel the same about the hand in six weeks. In the meantime, I deeply appreciate the support from Kate, Rico and Ann. Without them it couldn't have happened in that tiny window of opportunity I had for the operation - one day Oct 14th - operation day for the second year in a row.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Washington & Lee Reading Days
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Graduation Plus 57
I have just returned from a fabulous get-together with six other of my 1953 Wellesley classmates. We spent last week in Chestertown, MD, on the Eastern Shore (of Chesapeake Bay) where the weather was fall-glorious and the marshes golden. There was only one day of Brisbane-type rain, and that did not dampen our spirits or activities.
We scrambled around in the mornings to get our own breakfasts, read the NY Times, took shopping trips and walks to town, assembled photo albums of previous reunions, wrote about our remembrances of college and dorm life, went out for dinners, took MORE photos, watched BBC movies in the evenings ("The Ladies Number 1 Detective Agency") and talked, and talked, and TALKED. We are so much more interesting people than we were in 1953, and even in 2009! It is good to be home, and to find Dad/Babbo in excellent recuperative shape, holding his arm up in the air, and still doing most everything for himself, but I am very grateful to have had this special time with special friends and find myself hoping that there will be many more in the future. So that's it from the Wellesley Geriatric Post!
Monday, October 11, 2010
From Fires to Floods

Ultimate Christmas Photo
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Reality Show Idea; Ultimate Photographic Challenge
Monday, October 4, 2010
WEEKEND AT HOME
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I'm taking my semi-fat-head to Maryland for four days next week, as one of my Wellesley classmates is opening her house for a Beebe reunion, and I think at least six of us will be there, including three of the four of us that went to Europe together after graduation. Will I get a swelled head??? Stay posted!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Welcome Back Babbo & Yia-Yia
Friday, October 1, 2010
Speaking of hair...


