Winter snow

Over the last few months we have had quite a bit of snow, for a change. Driving is dicey but I timed my trip to Denver to fall right between two storms. There was a little bit of snow on dead man's curve and a few other places and the sliding around was scary, but thanks to God I arrived safely. I'm 'on call' today and more snow is due later tonight. Luckily now calls yesterday and with new snow lets hope the same holds true for tonight.

It is so bright on the snow that I have to keep my blinds mostly closed but the meadow shows no evidence of tracks so I haven't missed anything. Hopefully the deer and elk are hiding well as it is hunting season. Scanner traffic said one herd lost four of six of it's big bulls. Damn hunters. Wildlife officers said the outfitters made more money the last few weeks than they make in a year. Wonderful. And we lose some of our beautiful wildlife and they don't have the opportunity to grow into large 'Sampsons'. Figures. It's understandable when they use the meat and ALL of the animal for survival purposes, but mostly it's for the sport and that just seems ugly.

I'll enjoy the beauty of the view from the window and not think of what is going on in the mountains around me.

gratitude list

This is just a list: My faith in God, the fact my parents gave me my faith, my belief in our Lord, Jesus Christ, what Christ did for us, for me; His dying for us, His example of how to live, forgive, love, care, be compassionate, be gentle, by attempts to be all the above.
David, his gentleness, kindness, Shannon, her peacemaking skills, her friendliness, Shaun, how he loves me, Tyler, his loving attitude.
Kris, how he cares for others, his compassion, his photography and massage skills.
Keri, her loving attitude, her beauty, her compassion,her caring attitude, her attempts to live the life I tried to instil in them.
Alicia, how she loves me, her laugh, her smile, how she wishes to make others smile, the fact her seizures aren't worse.
Char, how she has shown she loves me and that I was/am a good mom, her faith and how it has helped me with mine, her caring, her wisdom, her forwards, her kids, especially Marni, for taking care of mom's funeral expenses and the headstone.
Mason, his gentleness and caring attitude, (a trait that runs through our family)
Deb, that her and Bob's health hasn't taken her life, her love for dogs and caring for Tara
Tara that she is safe, I hope, her teaching skills that helped me with my kids and how she reached out to so many other kids.
Chuckie that he leaves me alone
that I live in Estes Park, on a meadow, that I see elk, deer, the birds especially the hawks and redwinged blackbirds, the mountains and that I have been blessed to live up here. The home I have, so blessed to have a nice place.
The food I have and the ability to get it from Crossroads, that I can help the girls get it.
Everything I need and more. Memories and items that stir good feelings in me when looking at them. Things to hopefully share with the kids and grandkids someday explaining how life used to be.
Hamilton and all the dogs that have blessed my life, his health. A car and that it is working. That when the car has problems it happens in safe places. The courage to become an advocate again. Janet, Gregg, Barb, Louise, many acquaintances and the memories from years gone by. That the bad times in life have made me more compassionate and caring and haven't been worse. For the health of my children and grandchildren and me and my loved ones. My illness is nothing next to so many others.
TV and lots of information and education and entertainment, fun. A computer and printer and money to spend. That I live in Colorado, the United States. The moon when full and the view of the meadow or being able to see better at night. The warm weather, the ability to walk, talk, hear, see, taste, smell, learn, remember, love, be loved.
God. Fr. Dwyer's influence. Mom and dad and that they are at peace and with God. That I can get my medications and health care, Alicia too, and Deb and Bob. That I'm not homeless. poor. crippled. loved. Books, the ability to read. the ability to communicate with those i care about. Miriam. The prayer chain. York Peppermint patties. steak. Greggs meats and turkeys for me. my days riding motorcycles. a refrigerator stove,microwave.Mase's saddle.bright Christmas, Jean Austin, blue Santa, schools, EVRPD Greg Farmer and the many scholarships, arts, paints,that my life has been so blessed in so many ways.

My girls

I'm visiting my girls, whom I love dearly. It can be hard not being in your own place to do your 'own thing' but I'm so grateful to be able to spend time with them. They are able to live their lives as if I'm one of them, not worried about entertaining me. That makes me feel good and like 'one of the girls'.

They are still so young. Sometimes they feel they are getting old to quick and haven't ackomplished what they wished they had by now, but so many have gone to college only to change their minds about this point in time. I wish the one had the courage to break out of the comfortable and go for her dreams but I understand leaving the financial security of her life for now. Maybe someday she'll 'get her act together' and start with writing her stories for her nephews!

I've been blessed to have the relationship I have with them. Thank you Lord for that blessing.

Mule deer bucks in full velvet

For the second time in a matter of days two gorgeous bucks have appeared out my window, enjoying the long, still green and fresh grasses. A rarity as this is more 'elk territory'. Last night they came at midnight and the growls of my dog were the only way I knew they were there. They are my spirit guides and messengers from above. I don't always understand their message and presence but I never for a minute fail to appreciate their blessing.

Thank you Lord Jesus for this blessing, especially this week. I love you and the beauty of your creations and the view from my window. Peace and joy flow with the blowing grasses. Life is good.

My life's blessings began 235 years ago

Our country is in such turmoil, such anger. This last Independence Day I was reminded of what it took to make this country a new nation. What it meant to break from the English rule and how much they were up against. The fact that those men of congress 235 years ago all agreed to commit treason for ideals, and they all lost so much because of it, leaves me in awe of just what it was that happened "back then".

There are those who totally misunderstand the concept of separation of church and state and are trying to omit God from all we hold dear, including our schools. Yet we would NEVER be where we are today, a strong respected country if it weren't for the blessings of Almighty God, whoever that is for you. If you don't believe in a higher power, that's your right, but the majority of us do, and that's how we rule, so leave it alone. If you don't want to learn the English language and follow the rules that this country has sacrificed much to establish, than change YOUR country as we did ours.

To be born an American has to be one of the first and foremost blessings I have been graced with. Second only to parents of strong faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and God. They go together. Living here allowed that faith, that freedom of faith. God, continue to bless us in the years ahead. Thank you for the men, (and their families) who gave up so much to break from the oppression of England and all those who came after to maintain our freedoms and continue to expand those freedoms to all. Don't let the misguided and the downright evil change that.

Joy

Joy is choosing to see the beauty and blessings no matter what comes our way in life. It doesn't disappear because of the circumstances. Happiness is circumstantial, but joy builds in your life over time.

—Ed Young, author

What is the message of this gift?

This morning following a call from my daughter rather early I was blessed to see a buck mule deer in the yard, large rack in velvet. I see elk fairly regularly in my meadow, and when I see the deer elsewhere in town, they are usually in small herds. To see one at this end of town is very rare.

The dog sitting on the porch didn't bother him as he just stood there and they watched each other in peace. The dog didn't even get up into a sit. Eventually he wandered on a short distance then turned and came back. Eventually, people walking had him trotting away but his visit was definitely a message from above.

God has always used deer to deliver special messages to us. Sometimes they represent a loved one passed on. My daughter had momentarily wanted to call her Mimi and tell her the good news of her job, then remembered she was no longer with us. Maybe this was Gods way of showing her HE is there, listening. When I called her to tell her she had just finished saying a prayer. Thank you for that Lord Jesus Christ. My God is so good. What a wonderful way to start the day.