Foiled Again...

Ah, wily Spring - I could sense the green growing colors, taste your sweetness, sway with you in the warm breeze, feel the lift of my spirits - and BAM! Big storm bearing down hard - half a foot of heavy wet snow and blankness cloaked in white from horizon to the end...

Spring At Last!

So it's pretty much Spring around these parts - sort of. We call it "Mud Season" - and the latest challenge is getting in and out of a swampy sucking mud bog that was formerly the driveway. So far - so good - the 4 wheel drives may burn too much gas for my consumption guilt pangs, but they definitely work in "splashing through the mud and the muck". (Country music lyric there - appropriate.)

The bluebirds - harbingers of Spring - are back. Saw my first one today - and a red-winged blackbird as well. Small spurts of joy - and relief. Winter had to come to end - but not quite yet, my husband and native Coloradoan cautions. Get ready for the big dump in May - similar to a few years ago when Salida made national news with it's storm and five feet of heavy wet snow that collapsed the roof of the indoor hot springs pool. Then our pool went topless for the summer. How progressive.

I am craving COLOR! Vibrant hues of red, blue, green and orange. The most depressing aspect of living in the socked-in snowy landscape is the complete absence of color. Besides white, that is. As far as you can see - todos blanca. For months. I am thrilled to even see brown earth as mud appearing. Our house has yet to be stuccoed in color - sage green is my choice. Now it's just the off white/gray of papercrete - inside and out for the most part. Jack finished a few walls with colored limewash - they are pretty mellow shades. But nice.

The scary part of an extended winter is the pack of hungry coyotes coming closer and closer to our animals. Our neighbor's chickens were all slaughtered yesterday - very sad. I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of massacre. Push me right over the edge.

Compassionate Leadership 2010

Back from an inspiring 5 day seminar in Encino, CA - intense and full of insights and empathy - and surrounded by amazing like-minded individuals who thrive using non-violent communication NVC).

I returned home in a NVC "glow" and immediately missed our magical connections and strong sense of community. I am full of gratitude for my close friends - "Guardian Angel Girls" - who expressed their love and caring in generosity and kindness.

This "Baby Giraffe" is blessed.

Peace,
Patty