Wyoming Breezes

Giant Jacks and Ball sculpture  by Christopher Weed Douglas County Library Parker, CO I have fond memories of playing Jacks at recess and lunch during my elementary school years. The giant jacks and ball in front of the Parker Library triggered those memories.  Do you remember playing Jacks?

near Parker, CO December 2021   My niece sees the funniest things on her morning walks around her neighborhood. Last year it was a  HUGE reindeer  reindeer, but the photo she took last week made me laugh out loud! 

sign on a Colorado golf course June 2020 I'm grateful my niece Brenda has a sharp eye and shares photos of the crazy things she spots.  I can't believe no one checks signs for errors before they are posted. 

backyard sign post Fort Collins, CO May 2020

Houses in the Snow Norway 1895 Claude Monet as seen at the Denver Art Museum November 2019 In an earlier post , I mentioned being surprised that Monet had painted Winter scenes. The bleak landscape in this image reminds me isolated Wyoming ranches. Those who live in such areas are hardy and have a work ethic that is hard to match. They know that the animals come before their own creature comforts. They don't have set schedules for meals or bedtime: they work until the work is done - period. They work in miserable conditions, and the pay is minimal; yet it's a lifestyle they will fiercely defend. photo courtesy of WYDOT

decorated tree Main Street, Parker, CO December 2019 I have always loved large trees. They have so much character, and they have many stories to tell. I often take photos of dead trees because their gnarled branches are beautiful. Today, I'm sharing a few photos of some large and elaborately lit trees in two states. The town of Parker, CO has many large trees decorated on Main Street, and on Christmas Eve, my brother-in-law pulled over so I could take some photos. Several years ago, my family went to the Denver Zoo, and many of the trees were similarly lit. I can't imagine how long it takes to put the lights on the individual limbs. The decorated trees are simply gorgeous. photo by Vicki K. (a friend of my sister, Marilyn) Cottonwood Drive and Parker Road Parker, CO December 2019 I failed miserably when I attempted to take a decent photo of this tree, so I borrowed a photo taken by Marilyn's friend, Vicki. West Fargo, ND February 2016 These blue trees w...

close-up "Butterfly" by Marie Watt Denver Art Museum November 2019 "Butterfly" by Marie Watt was an interesting piece of textile art. I was amazed at the sheer number of jingles that it had attached. zooming out to include part of the textile section of "Butterfly" by Marie Watt "Butterfly" was constructed of reclaimed wool blankets, satin binding, thread, cotton twill tape, and thousands of tin jingles. It was created in 2015. "Butterfly" by Marie Watt Isn't this an interesting and unique piece. I can't imagine making all those jingles. Traditionally, jingles are made from chewing tobacco lids and adorn Native American jingle dresses. If you want more information on jingles and jingle dresses:           Jingle Dress Dancing          Jingle Dress - Wikipedia         Jingles & Lids (for those who don't want to chew the tobacco)

cast of the musical 9 to 5 take a bow at curtain call PACE Center, Parker, CO September 2019 I spent the last week in Colorado visiting family: my sister and I try to have a quilting retreat each year. I took three QOV quilt kits to work on, and Marilyn finished a project that she had started and began another one. The last evening of my visit, Marilyn, her husband, and her daughter, and I attended the stage performance of 9 to 5. It was very well done, and we all enjoyed ourselves. (The photo was snapped during curtain call - no photos were allowed during the performance) Photos of our finished quilt tops will be posted soon.

Up close, these items appear to be randomly placed, but step back and suddenly their placement makes sense.  horse sculpture by Terry Jones Southlands Shopping Center Aurora, CO July 2019 Photos of the artist's other work can be seen here .

Zeke W. Grand Lake, CO July 2019 I returned home on Friday after spending two weeks in Colorado with family. We (my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, niece-in-law, great-niece and her husband and her son) rented a home in Grand Lake, CO for the Fourth of July weekend and had a great time. The little one kept us entertained. The house was lovely, and we saw several deer, a bull moose, a cow elk with her calf all from the deck/yard around the house. When we returned to the Denver area, I stayed with my niece for several days. We played cards, did some crafting, and caught up on each other's lives. I treasure spending time with family.

a glass full of reading glasses Loveland, CO May 2019 The first thing I noticed in the restaurant was the glass full of "cheaters" at the register. I asked the hostess if they had been left by patrons, and she said, "Yes." However, no one has inquired about retrieving the reading glasses they've left behind. The cheaters are often loaned to customers who have difficulty reading the menu.

Brenda found another interesting sign on a Denver-area street. Brenda has a sharp eye and snaps photos of the unusual things she sees and shares them for "Blog Fodder." Other photos Brenda has shared can be found here .

Little Free Library Parker, CO August 2018 Brenda shared a photo of the Little Free Library she found in her neighborhood. I love the Swedish flag on the side and the bright and fun, paint colors.

near Parker, CO June 2018 Brenda (my niece) snapped this photo on her daily walk. It appears that someone in the sign department failed spelling. . . Other humorous things that Brenda has spotted:           Stop sign with speed monitor           Free parking sign           Unusual drain spout

Rancher's Wife Antiques Berthod, CO April 2018 Isn't this a cool mural? Since I was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, I didn't see the mural until I walked across the street. The mural was impressive, and it was fun to see all the antiques in the building. A ponderable: If you can recognize and identify the items in an antique shop, does that mean you are also an antique?

A Prosperous Past - A Bright Future by Gary Alsum Brighton, CO April 2018 another angle of A Prosperous Past - A Bright Future April 2018 So many fun details were included on this sculpture. I didn't notice the jet contrail until I was preparing this post, but I love how the boy's plane seems to be following the same path. The lunch box the farmer is carrying is like the one my brother used.

crabapple blooms Tree Farm Longmont, CO April 2018 Happy May Day!

Parker, CO Autumn 2017 Brenda sent me this photo a couple of months ago, and I forgot to post it. Notice the information is repeated on an additional sign in the background on the left. Obviously, they want their customers to know that FREE is free.

two women and three dogs wear the same sweater designs Fort Collins, CO November 2017 Sitting in the outside beer garden at Odell Brewing Company , we noticed two women walking three dogs. What set these women apart from all the others with dogs were the holiday sweaters they and their four-legged companions were wearing. As we were leaving, we noticed a man and another woman wearing the same sweater: the family of four and their three dogs were decked out in matching holiday sweaters. Have you and your pet ever worn matching outfits?

Easy Street - light ale Odell Brewery Fort Collins, CO November 2017 Instead of shopping on Friday, we went to a couple of micro breweries in Fort Collins, CO. At the Odell Brewing Company, I enjoyed Easy Street , a nice light-colored ale. Maria enjoyed a glass of Pineapple Cake  and shared a couple of sips with me. It was tasty. Odell Brewing Company Fort Collins, CO November 2017 It was a gorgeous day, so we sat outside and enjoyed the drinks we had selected. Some favored dark ales; others preferred light ones.  The temperature on Thanksgiving was nearly 70 degrees, and Friday was in the mid-60s. It was too nice to stay inside. Cheers from Dwight, Harold, Marilyn, Justin, Stephanie, Maria, and me (the shadow) After Odell's, we went to Snow Bank Brewery , and there had an interesting ale called Cranknbrew - a crisp and clean pale ale infused with a powerful dose of fresh, locally roasted coffee. I liked it. Do you like to visit micro-breweries?