A weekend that feels like a vacation

I have talked to people who would like to visit me but can't get away from Denver for longer than a weekend. A weekend coming to Montrose is too far to come for a Saturday and leave on a Sunday, so I suggest that Glenwood Springs be a perfect place to meet. It is about the same time for people from Denver to get to Glenwood as it is for me from Montrose so it is the perfect place to meet. Robert and I met in Glenwood today and we had a lovely time! It truly felt like we were on vacation. We didn't go to the pool or anything like that. We got a coffee, walked around town, had lunch, took a walk down the Rio Grande path, and just talked and hung out. It was super fun! I am staying the night tonight and he left around 2:30 to head home. I went to the pool for an hour and it felt so good-cool enough outside to really feel the heat of the pool. And then, my friend Kate came up to hang out tonight and she is staying the night. We met up around 5pm and walked into town. We just finished up a delicious dinner at The Riviera-it is a restaurant I never went to before and was so worth the wait! We talked for hours. We are staying in different hotels so we decided neither of us will put on our alarm clocks and will meet at 9am to see what the morning will bring. It has been a really relaxing day and will probably end up that way tomorrow, too!

Craft Fair Season

Craft fairs in small towns are a little more interesting than those in big cities. It seems as though people in small towns have the time to dig out gourd innards and make bowls; or melt wine glasses in a kiln to create cheese plates; or concoct their own fresh salsas, jams, vinegars...you name it. Mom and I go to craft shows in Denver every year, and of course this year is different with me being here and Mom being in Denver. Yesterday, I attended two interesting events. The first was the Montrose craft show that was pretty big and full of lots of different vendors. I found a few things here and there to enjoy.

The second interesting event was in a little place called "Pea Green." In the 1800's a little schoolhouse, store and community center was built west of Olathe and the area got its name "Pea Green" because someone painted the buildings that color. The event was an antique show and it was super quaint and country-ish. The drive to "Pea Green" as well was really beautiful. The fall colors are really hanging around out here this season. I stopped at a local farm that sells cheese and milk from its cows. It is a small farm and I am not sure how many cows on the farm. There is one picture of their heads peeping out of a stall while they nibble on grass along a country road.

 I ended my outing with a stop at a local art gallery. I made my first friend here in Montrose...her name is Robin and she works part time at this art gallery. I went in there one day and she was really nice to me. Then I saw her at City Market a few weeks later and she gave me her card. I finally called her Friday night and we had a nice long chat. Her birthday is Monday so yesterday when I saw her we decided to have a birthday dinner together. As my friend Kate put it..."Even though it took a while to find a friend, sounds like you went for quality." I think so...Robin is a thoughtful and artistic spirit. I think we will have some fun together!

More of fall

The fall here is so beautiful. I am now bringing my camera in my car, taking shots when I can of the trees changing. Mostly the trees are yellows and oranges, but I do see some red here and there.

The weekend has been busy. Friday night I stayed in a hotel in Grand Junction. A few people from the GJ office were meeting at The Paletter-one of those drink wine and paint a picture places. I stayed right downtown and met one gal for dinner at a really good little bistro on Main street. We walked over to The Palette and everyone else joined us. It was really fun! We painted a bridge picture, sipped wine, and checked out everyone's paintings. It is fun to see how they are all different. Here is mine:

Saturday I went to a training on working with people in their grief at the Grand Junction hospice office. I met some really interesting people and enjoyed the training very much. I got home in the afternoon and decompressed. Today I ran my errands and am going to take the boys for a walk. I think a nap is in order as well. I am getting ready for a busy week. My boss and other social worker is out of town for 5 weeks starting tomorrow. I will have some people to help me, but otherwise I will be holding the social work part of the hospice together. Wish me luck!!

Fall and Frost

Have I written enough about where I live, the drive to my house, the fact that finding my house can be challenging because getting there feels like forever when it is only 10 minutes from town?

Let me first say I LOVE where I live. It has taken me a bit of time to say that, not that my place isn't nice but I have been reconciling the whole "work in Delta live in Montrose" thing. But I have finally accepted I don't want to live in Delta. In Delta, I don't get this view. In Delta, I don't get the same amenities. In Delta, I am too close to patients and co-workers. In Montrose, however, I get to be on my own terms; I don't have to worry about seeing a hospice colleague at Safeway or Walmart...Both s/he and I wanting anonymity but we can't escape. In Montrose I have my little routine-walk to the mailbox, walk the boys in the morning, go to City Market or Target. It is a simple life but it is MY simple life. I lay in bed, watch movies from Netflix, make dinners from my previously neglected cookbooks. The boys feel loved and safe. I feel loved and safe.

Fall in my neck of the woods is beautiful. I drive by a sign everyday: "Pumpkins at the covered bridge". Where is this covered bridge? What are these pumpkins? Maybe tomorrow I will drive by.

Here are some pictures from my porch,  including that of our recent frost. I have been giving so much thought lately to my life out here. Shouldn't I have a boatload of friends, going to this event or that? Being just so busy? I didn't move out here to be busy, though. I moved out here to be quiet. To get to know the horses, cows, sheep that live in the area. To read more. To rest more. To not feel the obligations. And all of those expectations are coming true, to my delight.

M&D

I had my first visitors stay with me this weekend! Mom and Dad came to see me in Montrose. They visited me in Grand Junction back at the end of July at the "hospice house" which was delightful but they didn't stay with me. This time, I have my own "rental" place with a guest room and bath. So staying with me is no problem...I am prepared, clean sheets, food stocked, towels, and all.

They came on Saturday afternoon. Poor folks, they got lost, which is easy to do when you come visit me. You have to be very specific when you visit me...Mapquest, call me to double check, call me when you hit the Montrose sign...just call me. It is so funny...I complain about seeing my patients in Paonia or Crawford...trying to find them...but trying to find ME is a challenge! They finally did around 2:30. We had tea, snacks, and then Dad wanted a tour of his old stomping ground (years ago he used to visit banks in the area) which we did. Mom and Dad went to church; I made dinner. We talked, played games on the kindle, went to bed early. On Sunday we had a nice morning. The Cedaredge Applefest was happening and we went. If you live on the Western Slope you must go to Applefest at least once, so we fulfilled that obligation. It was the best festival I have ever been to! A good balance of food, crafts, music. We were there early enough that the crowd was manageable. We ate, Mom and Dad bought some art for their mantel, we found the apples. It was so much fun. We came back to the house and Dad prepared apple strudel he purchased along with ice cream and coffee. After a food revival we drove to Ridgeway, still my most favorite town in the area. The day ended with dinner at The Red Barn, jammies in front of a jimmied TV so we could watch a channel or two, and a visit from the neighbors who finally came by to bring baked goods.

Monday morning I had to be off for work and they had to be off home. I must admit, the thought of slashing tires was more than just fleeting : )

Just Breathe

It has been over a week since I have written. I went to Denver over the weekend after a stressful work week. Jessica had a baby shower for her third child, a GIRL finally!, and I wanted to have an opportunity to see friends and spend time with family. The drive to Denver was stressful Friday night when I hit Vail Pass and all the ice that blanketed it. The night was dark and I couldn't see...I had a panic attack and decided to stay at the Frisco Best Western. I was all revved up and frustrated, but in the morning it was clear and beautiful. The weather was sunny and I was able to see the colors changing. It was a reminder to just breathe and everything will be okay.

I forgot my camera, of course. I got to Mom and Dad's around 11 and had an extended lunch. Mom and I went to the shower and it was sooooo good to be around such great people. Jessica is always a beautiful pregnant lady, and her family/friends are so kind and loving. The evening was busy...I had dinner with Jen and met my friend Kristin and her husband Greg at a local brewpub. She did take a picture which I will share...

Sunday morning I met Meg and Susan for coffee. We talked about work/life balance and stress...Susan said, "I think the key is to find the silver lining in everything." Words of wisdom, something I know but need to be reminded of now and again. I drove home and took the Grand Mesa exit. The colors on top of the Mesa were spectacular...and though I am kicking myself for not having my camera I at least have the experience and pictures in my head.

Being with friends and family reminds me to just breathe...and everything will seem a little more enjoyable!