St. George Marathon, Pomegranates & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Memories

For the past 6 months I have been training for the St. George Marathon. Actually, 4 of us guys from here set out, but injuries prevented 2 of the 4 from going. I nearly made that 3 out of 4 when in early August I sustained Achilles Tendon injuries, so I had to back off the rigerous training I so needed just to be able to be healthy enough to race. It paid off. I'm glad I was able to go. My wife and I traveled to Albuquerque on our 27th Wedding Anniversary, awaking the next morning before our flight to Vegas to see a few of the 800+ hot air balloons at the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. When the kids were small we use to take them there. The early morning mass ascending balloons in waves, was cold, but fun. As the kids got older, they didn't care for the cold mornings, so I began going alone. On this recent brisk Albuquerque morning, we learned that our temperature back here at home in Colorado had been 15. So long yard and garden. As we drove to the Alb. Sunport, 2 or 3 large, brightly colored balloons and their camera crews loomed largely over Interstate 25. It was cool.
Arriving in Vegas, we rented a car and drove then to St. George, Utah. My first time there, I was amazed at the beauty. We met up with the other couple from home, and together drove the 26.2 miles north of St. George to where the race was to begin. The following morning, our wives drove us to a bus pick up, and by 5 a.m. we 2 mid-life crisis runners were en route to that very spot. At 38 degrees, it was cold and dark. Large bon fires by the score were set up to warm runners. At 6:45 all 6,500+ runners began. Thereafter, hour after hour, as the daylight lite the way and heat warmed the 26.2 mile course, I enjoyed the scenery and landscape of that beautiful area. I crossed the finish line with a time of 4 hours, 17 minutes, sore and tired. My best hope was to complete it in 4 hours, but I had set a goal of completing it before 4.5, so I attained my goal. Of all the races I have ran in my life, unquestionably, this was the most professionally executed. I can't begin to explain how they pay attention to details so that participants are insured a first rate quality race experience! The crowds are amazingly supportive, the aid stations are well manned and supplied with oranges& bananas, medications, hydration aids, etc.

After the race, we walked around a bit, and I saw another first: I merely asked out loud, "What kind of fruit is that?" as we passed a someone's yard. I was taken in by the unique texture, color, and shape of the leaves as much as the color of the fruit. I left the group briefly and hobbled into the yard, and recognized the fruit: pomegranates! I've been so taken by this unique discovery that since my return home, I'm researching and reading about this unique plant and it's origins. While some people might be impressed during this trip by Las Vegas, I was firstly, much more impressed with the red soil and rock of the St. George area, and 2ndly, by this amazing fruit tree.
The Saturday night Priesthood Session of our Church semi-annual conference was the evening after the run. Sore and somewhat crippled, my running buddy and I attended while our wives spent time shopping at Mormon Handicraft, Deseret Book, and JoAnn Fabrics. We met up with them afterwards and enjoyed time together for a much relaxed meal and conversation. It was a nice anniversary weekend. I'm still sore, hobbling even, but I'm glad I was able to meet this goal.
Be well, do good...

Seasons of Change

Fall was never one of my favorite times of the year: garden and yard dying, colder temperatures, etc. But a few years ago I was told by someone that loves Autumn to embrace it, learn to like it. So I've been doing that. While Spring is still my favorite season, I guess I'm okay with a Harvest Full Moon, burning leaves, and changing colors. But this year, we find ourselves unexpectantly as "empty nesters", something we weren't planning on just yet.

We're now grandparents! Lexie is our first grandchild, she's perfect. Born by C-Section in Portland, Oregon, she is healthy and beautiful. We've been to Oregon to see her and again recently to Utah to her Christening. We're pleased to have her in our lives! About what we've all heard about grandchildren: she's all that and more! We just love her, she's really a great kid! When she smiles it's like fireworks at Disneyland's Magic Castle on New Years Eve, and more. She's so pleasant and so easy to get along with: a real "just add water and stir" kind of easy kid. She's absolutely amazing. Portland is beautiful. They live in a beautiful suburb, Lake Oswego. I had a great time picking ripe Oregon Blackberries, they grow everywhere!
Our 2nd child has likewise moved. She's 5 hours away. Teaching 5th graders, she's doing an amazing job. 1st year teaching is always tough, but she's doing great. She lives in a beautiful area, high on a mesa in a beautifully furnished home.
Our son, a senior in High School & 18, wanted his independence, and freedom from our rules, so he's moved out. That happens sometimes I suspect. We miss our kids, but we're doing well and enjoying having time together. We've recently taken the tram to the top of Albuquerque's Sandia Mountain and we love driving to Pueblo and walking along their beautiful River Walk. "Change" is the only continual constant. We count our blessings and adapt. A sense of humor helps too, :)
Be well, do good...

Votive Ships, a Blue Bear, Danish Furniture, & Summertime in general...

One of my favorite things about Denmark is their amazing Votive Ships. You can google "Danish Church Ships" or "Danish Votive Ships" to see photographs of some. Two can be seen in the United States: one, at the Brooklyn Seaman's Church in New York City and another in Annapolis at the Naval Academy Chapel. This summer I've been sketching ideas for drawings to work on during the upcoming winter. One idea is a triptych featuring 3 different Danish themes. A votive ship against a Gothic lead-glass window is one of those ideas.

My son auditioned for American Idol in Denver this summer. While there with him, I enjoyed time at the Colorado Convention Center, new Denver Art Museum, and best of all, I found an amazing Danish Furniture business. I spent hours in there, had a great time, and really fell for an amazing piece of furniture: made from teakwood, and hand oil-rubbed, was an amazing secretary desk that was a work of perfection. Built by a Copenhagen family business that goes back to the 1800's, but expensive at $3600, still, I enjoyed sitting at it, lifting it's rolling top, observing and feeling the intricate compartments inside, and rubbing it's smooth side panels. What a great place to hang out. If in Denver, The Copenhagen Furniture Store is on West Colfax, just west of Wadsworth, not far from the Denver Bronco's Invesco Field at Mile High.

A few years ago my son, then young, and I were in New York City. It was Memorial Day. We stumbled upon St. John the Divine Cathedral, the 2nd largest Gothic Cathedral in the World. The New York Philharmonic was performing a free concert there that night. I became an instant fan of both St. Johns (this stone edifice is amazing, it's still a work in progress on New York's Upper West Side) as well as the Philharmonic. In recent summers, the NY Philharmonic has been coming to Vail, Colorado. Again this summer I made the trip to Vail and enjoyed a reprise of one of their New York concerts in Central Park just the week before. Baritone Nathan Gunn was the featured guest. He sang from Aaron Copeland's "American Songs" works as well as an encore selection from Camelot. As always, the concert was held at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, adjacent to the world's highest alpine botanical garden, the Betty Ford Alpine Botanical Garden. Both places are personal favorites!

I've ran some fun races this summer, taken in a few local parades with beautiful floats,with my son, gathered/cut/chopped/stacked firewood for the upcoming winter (a favorite summer tradition of mine), and after teaching summer school, have enjoyed working in our yard and my Danish Garden. I have the most amazing melons from Israel growing. This is the 1st year that I have had raspberries plants produce as well. I hope to get enough to make homemade Frozen Custard Ice Cream with them this fall. "Leon's Frozen Custard" in Milwaukee makes the best Raspberry Frozen Custard. I hope to replicate it.

Finally, I just returned from a short, but enjoyable camping trip in the mountains. And I've enjoyed some great books this summer, sitting on my Adirondack chair under a shade tree covered with soon-to-ripe red Jonathan apples, or in my white Carolina rocker in the greenhouse, I've enjoyed reading three new-to-me David Baldacci's books. I seldom take time to read fiction, but this has been a nice reprieve. Before the regular school year begins soon, I have a few more "summer things" on my "To-Do" list,including getting in some fishing, but for the most part, I've enjoyed this wetter-than-usual summer thus far.
Be well, do good...

New Chapters.....Graduations & Gardens; Books, BirdRace & Breakfasts

I'm at a crossroads of sorts: my adult children are moving on. Both daughters, and son-in-law, have recently graduated from college. I'm extremely pleased. My oldest daughter received her B.A. degree, and her husband received both his B.A. and M.A. degrees from BYU. My other daughter received her B.A., graduating with honors, from Adams State. In these turbulent financial times, where so many college graduates cannot find employment, I feel it a blessing that these kids have found good jobs. It means, however, that they are moving farther away. The married couple, soon to make me a grandpa, now live in lush Portland, Oregon. I never anticipated our oldest living this far away, but I'm proud of her as she has taken on life in a new, large, busy city. (I love Portland.) He's working for a solid company that recognizes his integrity and computer talents. And our single daughter has taken a job teaching in an excellent school five hours from here on Colorado's Western slope. Currently, before she moves, I have the unique opportunity of teaching summer school with her. We teach next door to one another. It's fun to see her as a competent, energized young teacher. My high school age son likewise finished his junior year with great grades in some really tough classes, receiving an academic award for his work in his Pre-Calculus class and having the lead role in his annual high school musical. He played on keyboard Pomp & Circumstance and performed at yet a different college graduation as well. It's been a busy but fun Springtime. I enjoyed a day at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point north of Provo. I hope to return there again and again. Great place.
I too stay busy, training now for a fall marathon, performed in a local college/community orchestral symphony Spring concert, have written two new short stories, and put in my summer Danish garden. I've written two original new compostions for cello/piano and am working on a third based upon the Naval War Hymn, which accompanies the next story I'll write. I'm excited about both, inspired by the Navy Academy at Annapolis, one of my favorite places. The crypt of John Paul Jones is beneath the Chapel there, and one of my favorite things hanges in the Naval chapel: a model sailing ship in full mast, circa early 1800's. I first saw these ships in a 12th Century Lutheran Church in St. Magley, Denmark, a few years ago, and have since then, researched and read of these amazing model ships and their contribution to a God-fearing, sea-faring people. They represent the faith of not only the sailors on violent seas, but also, the faith and prayers of their families back home on the mainland. It's unique to Danes, so I was pleased to see it in the Naval Academy Chapel as well as the Danish Seaman's Church in Brooklyn, New York.
Additionally, I've read some amazing books. I continually read and re-read two great books by Stephen Robinson. And I've enjoyed a couple of fine history treatments of the American Revolution as well as a fun historical fiction piece about the Hindenburg. I highly recommend them all, especially Gordon Woods title, "The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin". A great read!
I wanted to run again the annual Bolder Boulder 10K Race in Boulder, Colorado on Memorial Day. But the thought of fighting traffic and the crowds of runners, coupled with holiday driving and expensive hotel costs, led me to a different choice: I hosted a little 5K Run/Walk/Bike race of my own. The Flamingo-to-Flamingo 5K Memorial Day Race, followed by a traditional Danish Breakfast buffet in our backyard patio, was a lot of fun. The weather was great, the company even better. Friends and family came, I'm getting to know my great-nephews and great-nieces, all fun kids.

New chapters, next chapters.... time marches on, the clock is ticking.
Be well, do good...

Chicago at Easter time

Long held as my favorite holiday, I awoke to 2 inches of snow on Easter morning. Raspberry Danish Kringle from Racine, Wisconsin was a great way to begin the day! I had just been in Chicago where it was likewise cold, windy, and wet. In fact,the Magnificient Mile was supposed to be flanked in Tulips, as was the Chicago Botanical Garden, but the midwest had experienced a long, cold winter. Macy's on State Street (formally Marshall Fields) was hosting it's annual Flower Show, which was impressive. However, cold weather didn't stop me from enjoying a great performance at Chicago Symphony Hall of the famed Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony of Venezuela. Amazing performance!
Upon returning home, an invitation to dinner a few nights later, at the home of a talented musician from our local symphony, was wisely and gratefully accepted. My wife, son, and I enjoyed an evening in her home with an accomplished cellist visiting, as well as her professional violinist daughter/family visiting from Paris, France. Both mother (who was the principal violist in the Houston Symphony until retirement a few years ago) and daughter, could have been evasive and elusive, as they certainly are accomplished and talented people. But, on the contrary, both are extremely warm and welcoming. I've appreciated this in the mom whom I have come to enjoy working with in rehearsals, and I found her daughter to be equally gracious, kind, and sincere. Then last night I attended a concert featuring these fine string musicians. I enjoyed both of these recent concerts: one large and very impressive, the other small and intimate, yet equally impressive.
However, what has been most touching is a recent You-Tube 7-minute presentation of Susan Boyle this week, as seen on Britain Has Talent. Her story is heart-warming: the youngest/last of 9 children, she has, until her mother's recent passing, stayed home tending to an aging parent. Her father, long ago deceased, was a coal miner. She's lived in the same small village in Scotland all of her life, the mine is now closed, the economy poor. She lives alone with her cat, Pebbles. "Never been kissed" and never been married, she appears to be the stereotype of a graying, middle-aged, frumpy woman. The judges and the audience, upon seeing her/hearing her self-introduction, were sceptical, if not out-right rude. But then the opening chords to "I Had a Dream" from Les Miserables (a personal favorite) were heard, and she soon after began to sing. What an impeccable voice~she is the real deal. I've so enjoyed this 7-minute video over and over again. I commend it to anyone reading this.
I typically plant Sweet Peas on Good Friday afternoon, but this year at that time I was at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at the Navy Pier in Chicago. (Pleasantly surprised, I found a large collection of original works designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I've loved his architecture since I was college age, and then when we had young children, taking them to Washington D.C., I stumbled upon his Stained Glass work at the National Building Museum. Ever since then, I've taken an interest in his stained glass designs as well.)But the seeds got planted none-the-less, giving me something to look forward to in my Danish Garden.
Finally, I mention yet another unexpected pleasantry of my Chicago trip: Thursday evenings from 5-9 is free admission night at the Chicago Art Institute. Of course I went. Where I spent most my time was in a lower level section called The Thorne Miniatures Musuem. What a great way to learn about both 18th century European Estates & affluent American13-Colonies Revolutionary War Era homes. Room-by-room, scaled to perfection in minute detail in miniature, were drawing rooms, libraries, dinning rooms, etc. I took several photographs as a way of reminding myself what I was experiencing. If interested, google Thorne Miniature Rooms The Art Institute of Chicago. You can then click the link to show these amazing rooms, enlarge on your screen to optimize the experience. The Chicago Art Institute is, like the National Art Galleries in Washington D.C. and Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, one of the many fine places I hope to enjoy again. Until then, I'm thankful the internet allows me to visit them on line. One of the best on line visitations is the Springville Art Museum in Springville, Utah. It, and the BYU outdoor track, are a couple of my favorite places on the planet. Just google Springville Art Museum. Go to it's site, and explore the links on the left hand side. They host an amazing feature: a magnifying glass that allows one to look up close and in detail at fine works of art. It's an amazing place to visit, in person and on line.

As always, I'm glad to be home. I enjoy the quiet, peaceful evenings here with my family. I enjoy reading in the hot tub out in the patio in the back yard. I enjoy working in my greenhouse, yard, and garden. On my flight from Albuquerque to Denver to Chicago we flew over this valley where I reside, I could see my little town and surrounding towns from high above. They really are very small. But I'm okay with that. Regardless the cultural advantages of an urban area,.... given the meanness, crime, and drama of city streets, I'll take "home" any day!
Be well, do good...

January: Freeze Your Buns Fun Run

30 years ago today the temperature was -40 degrees. So today's 5K race was, by comparison, a tropical breeze. Still cold, it's been a much milder winter than anticipated. I'm glad.
The day was made especially memorable by a string quartet rehearsal after the run. New music, preparing for an upcoming performance, it was relaxing and fun. My family and I then drove to Pueblo, enjoyed time together getting a framed picture that was ready, shopping, eating at Applebee's, and a nice walk along the beautiful Pueblo River Walk. I awoke this morning not wanting to leave the house, wishing I hadn't registered for that race, wishing I weren't going to be performing soon, wishing I didn't have to feel so rushed from race to rehearsal, wishing we hadn't planned on this trip to Pueblo. I realized that in my past I would have actually been excited about this, but that now, I've relinquished these kinds of things in favor of the security and warmth of home, a good book, and some quiet time. I'm not sure what the change has been, nor when it happened. I find myself looking towards retirement, in 4 or 5 years, with excitement. I still enjoy teaching, I have a great job, I'm just tired of the social problems of our society and having students with such difficulties. I find that much of the time I am tired. My health is good, a blessing I'm thankful for, but still, I'm tired much of time. Perhaps getting older has something to do with it? And perhaps anxiety and taking some gut punches the past months has had something to do with it. I know I'm glad I've traveled a lot, seen what I've seen, learned what I've learned. No regrets. But I'm somewhat tired of travel. Perhaps with Springtime coming I'll revert to more optimistism. I've learned that I'm to become a grandfather at summer's end. I look forward to that, although I worry about the health of our daughter, the pressures our son in law faces and his health, and what kind of a future they'll face given global economic concerns. Times are tenuous. What was it Dicken's wrote? "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, .... we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..." I suspect this has always been the case. Just now, however, at age 50, with our family nearly grown and soon empty nesters, I find that I have concerns for our children, and their children. Typical, I suspect.
So, despite the cold January day, this 1st race of the year was good. I'm glad I did it. Glad too that it's over. :)
Be well, do good...

Summer's Done, Fall's Begun

I have a great group of kids that I'm teaching this year. It makes going to work most enjoyable.

But to summarize the past few weeks......We had a busy summer. My fellowship award took me to Philadelphia, we all worked summer jobs, we had a family vacation, we trekked part of a pioneer trail, and I grew a garden. With the harvest in, yard and garden beds put to rest for winter, the house painted (I did it with a 2 inch brush, I'm a stickler for detail, but it took forever), we're ready for winter.
Last April, after an unusually long and colder-than-usual winter, we ran out of firewood. It was still cold in April. To insure that this didn't happen again, I began my firewood project in June. Gas prices were high and so going to the mountains didn't make sense. For years I've scrounged around for firewood, but this year, it was more difficult. However, scrounging and working on weekends, by the end of July I had enough for the upcoming winter. It was at this time that I noticed that the roof of the school where I teach was having a new roof installed. All the metal came on wooden crates from Wisconsin. Having lived there two years in my early 20's, I know something about the fabulous hard woods of Wisconsin. I asked the construction crew if I could have this wood that they were throwing away in huge dumpsters. They readily agreed, but warned me that it would take a lot of work, getting nails out, etc. So from August until now, the middle of October, I've been going out nearly daily after school, and harvesting wood. Yellow pine to be specific. Transporting it 15 miles home, it then needed more nails bent and/or removed before we cut it up and stacked it. It's taken a long time, but we now have 2 years of firewood! Teachers watching me would sometimes laugh when I told them I was using this for firewood storeage. Some teased me calling me Noah. I laughed back, remembering that the real Noah took some kidding too, but in the final outcome, he had the last laugh. :) Anyway, it's done. Whew. There was even enough higher grade 2X4's available in the salvaged wood that my son and I are building a small structure to be used as my studio for writing, artwork, stained glass, and practicing the cello. We actually started that project just today.

I'm currently involved with a local community and college string instruments ensemble. My cello playing still isn't great, but membership in this group affords me the chance to work and get better. We're currently working on our Thanksgiving Concert repertoire, including works by Bach and Mozart. Additionally, I likewise belong to a fine Chorale, directed by an amazing director from New York City. We too are working on different Mozart piece, in Latin, for our Christmas Concert. I enjoy working/performing with this group as well.

I'm still working on learning Danish. My "Rosetta Stone" software program is good. I spend 20 minutes a day on it, not a lot I know, but enough to help me move closer to my goal of at least reading Danish better. Speaking it? The Rosetta Stone program has a great component to it that does that too, but it's a difficult language to speak, at least for me. Still, I'm having fun.

My children's book, "The Chicken Soup Gargoyles" has been picked up by an agent that is representing me. At present, four different publishers in New York City have the manuscript. I'm learning that publishing happens at a glacier-like pace. I had hoped by now to have had an illustrator on board, etc., but as it is, I'm still waiting. I'm currently writing a sequel to this, dealing with the same Upper West Side New York City neighborhood, (my favorite part of the city,) titled "Phil, Phil: the Real Deal". It's about a real albino peacock that resides at St. John the Divine Cathedral. He was named Phil (after white-haired t.v. celebrity Phil Donahue) by the ground crew of this amazing Cathedral. My son and I saw the New York Philharmonic Orchestra perform there a few years ago, the night before we went to a great New York Yankees game. It was a great trip. These two books are written and inspired by that 1st trip, of many since, to NYC.

I'm recently completed an original stained glass design. I'll now begin the actual stained glass piece titled: Raven. It's a totempole image based on the numerous various Pacific Northwest Native American tribes relationship to the Raven. The Makaw Tribe of the Olympic National Forest area, specifically Neah Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, influenced my work. My son and I visited the Makah a few years back. A whaling tribe, I found them to be extremely interesting. The ferry trip from Port Angeles to Victoria, British Columbia was fun, and Butchard Gardens and Victoria were equally enjoyable. Hence, I'm currently doing stained glass and Prismacolor pencil drawings/paintings reminiscent of that time & place.

Finally, I ran a great race recently in near-by Pagosa Springs (Colorado). The Mountain Chili Cha Cha was a fun, but difficult all-mountian trail race. I ran it with my good friend, the Bishop of my Ward, we had a great time! I found it difficult running uphill, but managed to keep up at my goal pace. To my surprise, going downhill was the part I had the most trouble with however. I had a difficult time controlling my speed, grabbing on to Aspen trees to slow me down. The ruts in the trail could have easily caused a twisted ankle, and had I fallen onto boulders I could have broken bones. So at age 50, I've decided to stick with flat road races. Safer at this point. But then, safety is relative, having recently gotten bucked off our faltering 10-year old tread mill. (We just got a new one to avoid this happening again.)

So that's a run down of what I've been doing, am doing, and hope to continue to do. Rather than hate Fall the way I use to, I've learned to embrace it. About 3 or 4 years ago now I traveled to New England. There in New Hampshire, on Squam Lake, where "On Golden Pond" was filmed, I boat-toured that magnificient lake with Loons nearby and decided that Fall was a pretty time of the year. The reds, purples, oranges, and burgandy Fall colors of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire trees were beautiful. But none compared to the vivid, bright yellows of our Colorado and New Mexico Aspen and Cottonwoods here at home. I've not taken them for granted since.

On the lamptable......... I'm reading "The Best of James Herriot" again. These Yorkshire/Dales vet stories of the 1930's/40's/& 50's are heartwarming. It's a fine read. I recommend it to anyone that enjoys animal stories.
Be well, do good...