Ginger

We're testing to see if we can transfer a picture from my camera to my blog for use on our trip.

Colorado National Monument

This is a picture of Independence Rock located inside the Colorado National Monument outside of Grand Junction, Colorado.  If you are ever in the area the Colorado National Monument is a great park to drive through and take some short hikes.  The drive through the park is about 20 miles of fantastic scenery of red rock cliff faces and deep river canyons.  Steve and I recently enjoyed the drive through the area on our last trip to Telluride.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I want to celebrate my Mom’s life and to thank her for just a few of the many qualities she has imparted to me.  First of all I want to thank my Mom for teaching me how to walk in the woods and enjoy the beauty of nature.  Because of my Mom I have learned to walk many places and have enjoyed the beautiful nature God has given us.  Thanks to my Mom I have hiked to the top of mountains and deep into great canyons and have seen many of God’s wonders.   

I want to thank my Mom for teaching me how to be creative and how to work with my hands.  My Mom taught me how to sew and how to do macrame.  Because of my Mom I started a business with my sister Pat and learned how to do many different arts and crafts and enjoyed a profitable and fulfilling career for many years.  I was able to teach others how to be creative.

I also want to thank my Mom for teaching me how to work and accomplish goals without giving up or getting discouraged.  I want to thank my Mom for teaching me how to give of myself and my time to others.  As a young child I remember taking meals to older persons and helping them with their housework.  I remember my Mom being a Girl Scout leader, an active member in our church and a teacher.  I remember my Mom making making more pies than anyone could count for church functions.  Even when she started forgetting things she still tried to tutor young children and encouraged them to learn.

Finally I want to thank my Mom for teaching me how to grow old gracefully - how to hold on to your independence as long as you can and when it finally becomes necessary to give up that independence; how to do it with grace.  She has shown me that you can be cooperative and cheerful even when you would rather be cranky and irritable.  Spending these last few years with my Mom has taught me that you can still live with dignity and spirit even when you can no longer feed or dress yourself.   Thank you Mom for being my Mom.

Spring in Telluride

May in Telluride is referred to as mud season.  The snow is melting in the mountains and creating lots of water run off and "mud".  This picture is of Cornet Falls which is a 1/4 mile hike at the top of Aspen Street.  In Telluride you typically just walk to the end of a street and find a trail to start hiking.  I'm not sure why but this year the falls is surrounded half way around by a cone shape of ice.  It's quite magnificent!

Elton John Concert

Last Sunday night Steve and went to see Elton John in concert at Caesar's.  This was one of his last performances for the Red Piano Concert Tour at Caesar's Palace.  It was a terrific concert with a lot of energy and favorite songs; such as "Tiny Dancer", "Bennie and the Jets", "Crocodile Rock", "Levon", "Candle in the Wind", and many others.  Justin Timberlake played a young Elton in a great video to accompany "Rocket Man".  We have unique opportunity in Las Vegas to see many wonderful performers and right now many places are offering half price tickets to locals.

Steve's Retirement Party

These are pictures of Steve's retirement party at Maggiano's at the Fashion Show Mall.  We had 60 friends, family, business associates and ex-employees help us celebrate Steve's retirement.  Maggiano's did a great job with the food and bar and even sent an accordion player in to play a few tunes including; "For he's a golly good fellow".   Several people asked to speak and said some really nice things about Steve.  Steve's in the middle of the picture on the left.   

FIRST Las Vegas Regional

Sorry I wasn't closer when I took this picture but this is the winning match for the FIRST Robotic Competition Las Vegas Regional.  50 high school teams showed and competed over a three day period.  The competition was based on robots collecting moon rocks and loading them into their opponent's pod trailing behind the robots.  Each match took two minutes and it was best two out of three matches to advance.  Competition was fierce and the over all winner was an alliance including Cimmaron High School.  I volunteer for the event and learn how to run the pit administration desk.  It was a lot of fun working with these very motivated high school students.