Tag: colorado

snow on lilacs in Colorado may 11, 2014

Snow or sun: Happy Mother’s Day!

On By Margie.MercIn Communication, happiness, Photography9 Comments

Snow on Mothers Day in Fort Collins - 5/10/14 snowy peony snowy purpleI had every intention of ‘sleeping in’ on Mother’s Day. Sleeping in means 7:30 a.m. or so. However, at 6:15 when I lifted my head from my pillow I saw one thing – the branches of my tree bent over. No dallying for me… I flew out of bed and into warm winter clothes. It was snowing – the wet heavy snow that is often the case in April and May snow in Colorado. The weight of the snow lands on the branches that are just budding out they break and are ruined forever…

So, after knocking snow off trees, bushes, flowers and tables – I walked around the neighborhood. When I finished my exploration, I was soaked! My heavy winter coat and ski gloves were no match for this weather.

A hot cup of tea, Sunday Morning CBS, the Sunday paper and soon it will be time to make my rounds again and free the branches and trees of the snow that continues to fall.

Happy Mother’s Day to all my sisters, cousins, friends, nieces, neighbors, fellow bloggers and to all those wonderful men who step in and fill the mother role when needed. And a special hello to my long departed Mom (aka Ma).

Blessings!

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Hail to Spring!

On By Margie.MercIn Write 31 Days Challenge3 Comments

I finally took the snow tires off my car yesterday because I was certain we were finished with winter weather. And then, the most aggressive hail storm hit the area – at least it hit my area and turned everything white.

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The baby leaves were torn off trees, flowers were knocked down, and sewers were clogged with the vast amount that fell.

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The green lawn was sprinkled with white balls giving it a texture and turning it into a canvas with unlimited possibilities.

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There were no high winds or tornadoes in the area unlike those in Platteville (Colorado) but it was quite a shocker to see the sky open up and sprinkle dime/nickel sized hail on us.

Then, Mother Nature decided to move on, turn the sun back on and take the hail storm to Kansas.

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Clueless, mindless and totally freaky…

On By Margie.MercIn Psychology17 Comments

I guess I’ve always had that special touch of cluelessness. You can only hope to have it!   I just dug up this short story I wrote in 2006. Clueless, mindless and totally freaky… read on!

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September 13, 2006 – Salida , CO

Image found on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/172825704420700521/
Image found on Pinterest

Today I arrived in this small mountain town to visit a friend. I had never been to her house but have had her address in my book for years. Jean told me where to locate the house key in case she wasn’t home.  When I got to this remote town, I called to invite her to lunch with me.  The house phone rang and rang.

As promised, she was out.  I ate lunch by myself and was at her house by 1:30 p.m. but still she wasn’t home.  There was no reason for me to locate the key, she’d be home soon.  To pass the time, I took a walk, taking in the view, talking to the cemetery caretaker and then walked back to the hwooden bearouse, through the backyard … and sat on the porch on one of the 4 wooden rocking chairs.

After 30 minutes, I decided to check the planter for the key and didn’t find it.  Then I went to the front door and looked in another planter, no luck. Then I moved the life size wooden bear ornament and sure enough – the house key was there! I entered the house and it was clean and tidy and quite beautiful.

I decided to look at photographs to make sure it was the right house – though the address was the same as the one in my address book.  Out of the house, back to my car (which was parked in the driveway) got my glasses and back inside the house again. There were some photographs here and there but was that Jean and her husband? What was I looking for?  Was this her daughter getting married in the photos? I kept looking for some sort of identification that spelled out I was in the right place.

A huge banner hung over the loft upstairs with the name Murray.  What was Jean’s maiden name anyhow?  I kept looking for more proof that this was Jean’s house – and finally in one far corner of the house was an email printed out and at the top was   To: Sue Murray.  Oh my god! I was in the wrong house!!!

I hurried out of the house, locked it, put the key back under the bear and drove to the middle of town where I was able to get phone connection and called Jean. She was home, waiting patiently for me.  My heart was still beating.  She had moved 2 years earlier. Didn’t she already give me her new address?  I could hardly hear her, my heart was still pumping blood into my ears.  Oh my god!

Feel free to tease me about this if you want.
And feel free to share this with someone that’s been having a hard day.

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Spring time in Fort Collins, Colorado - April 2014

Expect Snow in April

On By Margie.MercIn Photography6 Comments

Spring time in Colorado is about snow.

Spring time in Fort Collins, Colorado - April 2014

It’s the heavy and wet kind of snow that takes down branches that are just beginning to bud.

The state gets most of its snow accumulation during March and April.

Those are the Spring time in Fort Collins, Colorado - April 2014months when people get antsy to declare spring has arrived only to have their tree limbs fall, their tomato plants freeze and their lovely flowers droop with the early planting.

It’s wonderful and cyclical and predictable.

And it’s all ok. Because this little dose of Spring time in Colorado - April 2014winter will turn the lawns green and add some creative contrast to the dull brown colors that cover the area. The browns are leftover mulch, leaves, twigs and branches that have yet to be cleaned.

The snow makes for a lovely canvas that disappears as the sun warms the ground.

The best things about these last few storms is the hope they offer of spring. It’s here … well, almost.

I hope spring is unfolding ever so gently for you in your world as well.

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The Generations by Joe Mutasa

A beautiful day in my neighborhood!

On By Margie.MercIn Write 31 Days Challenge7 Comments

It’s amazing weather here on this lovely evening in Northern Colorado.

The birds are singing, the children next door are playing, geese are flying south and the sun is shining. My head cold is gone and my body is happy to be in motion again.

hotThe yard is raked, the bike ride is over and now with the daylight savings time in effect it is light and bright and warm outside.

How warm? Currently at 5:48 pm on this gorgeous Sunday March 9 evening it is 72 degrees!

Spring has sprung and it’s evident by the amount of people on their bikes, in their yards, on the trails and just outside. It’s a thing of beauty.

And this lovely weather will be here with us until Tuesday. Then more snow.

For now –true bliss!

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Cold days, Warm Hearts on Thanksgiving

On By Margie.MercIn No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge11 Comments

It’s cold here in Colorado. But it’s bearable because the sun is shining. It’s bearable because the sky is blue. It’s bearable because Thanksgiving is this week.

Lovely snowman found on the sidewalk in Estes Park, Colorado - Nov 2013

What is Thanksgiving about? I think it’s about friends checking in on each other. Families connecting. Cooking food. Making memories.

It’s not about shopping, hoarding, crowds, spending and traffic.

Call me old-fashioned but I like watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV. This year I plan to watch the Chicago’s 80th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Lots of real fun floats, bands, people and it’s closer to home.

What are your plans? If you don’t have family or friends nearby and you live in Northern Colorado, let me know and we can get together, eat turkey and make new memories!

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Goodbye Winter: Hello Drought!

On By Margie.MercIn Photography6 Comments

Alas, I think the snow is over. Sad to see it go because Colorado is so desperate for the moisture. The winter snows fill up our mountain lakes which feed our crops, water our lawns and quench our thirst. Rain would be a blessing too —

Send me some songs (maybe Youtube songs?) to play so I can dance, dance, dance and invite the rain to visit us!

Here’s a fun rain song — I hope it brings some raindrops to my roof. If so, I’ll be sure to stand outside and let it soak me to the skin!

flower basket in snow1
Flower basket in March in Colorado!