Wow - We've Got Some Catching Up To Do...

This is crazy. I can't believe how long it has been since we've updated this thing. Yes, life gets in the way of blogging.

So much has happened since the tornado...so here's the Cliff's Notes version:

Weekend after the tornado, Kate's friend Meri came to visit for a long weekend. We drove up to Red Feather Lakes to see the Stupa. Walking back to the car I twisted my ankle in a rain crevice. I heard it. The girls heard it. I broke my ankle - specifically, I snapped the tip of my fibula off. Not a huge deal because it's only marginally weight-bearing but a huge bother all the same. And, had to wear a big, ugly grey plastic boot for eight weeks. Chic.

Attended the National Peforming Arts Conference in Denver for a week. Wearing my gross boot. Had an amazing time meeting people from all around the country. Attended a few fascinating workshops and performances. Mostly had a hard time navigating the Convention Center's escalators - no one seemed to know where the elevators were situated. Downtown Denver was great. But it was nice to be back in Fort Collins by the end of the week.




David's friend Andy spent the summer working and playing in Fort Collins before he had to return to Ohio for the new school year at BGSU.

We brought Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to town as the closing performance for the first jazz festival in Fort Collins. It sold out. It was amazing. They are incredible musicians and gentlemen. Saxophonist Walter Blanding was born in Cleveland where he lived until his family relocated to NYC. So that was pretty cool. Walter spoke to a group of star-struck student musicians studying jazz from town. Wynton was very soft-spoken but hysterically funny. I hope they come back when we open the amphitheater because it would be amazing in an open air venue and we wouldn't have to charge $85 a ticket.

Hosted a Peace Corps celebration the weekend before the Democratic National Convention. Not a sellout but was well-received. Highlights included Symphony for 1,000 Drums, an up-and-coming bluegrass act called Cadillac Sky and the Kingston Trio.

Jane started school at Putnam School of Science. She was a little worried about the "science" part but has really adapted well and is in the full swing of school. She's decided to become the valedictorian of 5th grade. Joe and I are both on board with that. She attended Eco-Week at Colorado State University's Pingree Park campus and returned a mountain-adventurer. They did a ropes course that included repelling, wall-climbing and a zip-line; hiked for miles in the mountains; camped out in cabins; journaled their scientific observations; and, learned approximately 7,000 camp songs. Not bad for a few days work. She came back with ten (or so) new best friends.

And, Halloween was a big deal at her school with a parade and classroom parties. Jane was Alice in Wonderland. [Check out the science teacher!]


Another Tour de Fat has come and gone. This time Kate and friends dressed as furry woodland creatures (skunk, squirrel, cat and yeti...don't ask) and rode in the parade. I received a text message from her mid-parade that said: "it's official. I love this place." She is also a reporter for the school daily news and finding her path as a writer and building her portfolio.

Jane's school had a skating party fund-raiser and it was the first time she had skated at a rink. Now she goes whenever we can work in an open skate - mostly with Kate and Kate's friends.

David is hard at work and still trying to decide what to study. He is sharing a house with a group of friends and learning to be self-sufficient. He has a nice group of friends - all quiet hardworking guys. A lot like Dave. He also rides his bike EVERYWHERE like a true Coloradoan.


This month we hosted a celebration of NASAs 50th anniversary with the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies, 4 astronauts, some of the 50,000 images taken from space, and a special viewing of In the Shadow of the Moon. Amazing documentary.

Our trivia team - the Creative Geniuses - won the 4th Annual Brainiac Bowl. That's right our motley team of artists, dancers, writers, marketing geniuses beat out tables of systems engineers from HP, surgeons, attorney, accountants, college professors, etc. Don't EVER doubt that the cultural arts makes you smarter...or that the wife of triv-guy will prevail. Our prize:


the coveted luminous brain trophy. (complete with pink and blue plasma action!)

And, house in Lakewood still not sold.

The Calm After the Storm

Morning after the tornadoes couldn't be more beautiful. Sunny, bright blue skies, everything is bright green following a day filled with so much rain and humidity and the temperatures are comfortable and crisp.

No indication or signs of the previous day's destruction.

c

Tornadoes Hit Mid-Afternoon Today

Apparently, tornadoes are a rare occurence so close to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In the "banana belt" where we live the really big storms that kick up in the high country (mountains) usually pass right over us at altitudes so high that we aren't affected.

Today, strange cloud activity combined with unusually high humidity for the region created the perfect conditions for SEVEN tornadoes. A few of which touched ground in Wellington (just north of us), Windsor (to the east of us on the other side of I-25) and Greeley (slightly to the south east of us and on the other side of I-25).

Lots of destruction, hail, rain and insane wind.

The tornado that passed through Windsor was estimated to be a mile wide.

The oddest part of the storm system experience was to see people in Old Town come outside to stare at the sky to watch and photograph cloud formations.

c

'Ello Guv-nah!

So Governor Ritter was in town to sign the bill that guarantees the construction of our amphitheater - all 4,000 seats of amphitheater!

The most amazing part of this was how relaxed and informal our legislators were: governor, senators, representatives. All cool and approachable.

I had the opportunity to thank the Governor in person for supporting the tax increment financing extension. We had a lovely chat in the morning sunshine.

c

Best. April Fools Day Prank. Ever.

These photos were taken at 5:30am on April Fools Day. Apparently the City parks crew arrived to powerwash the plaza only to find one of the best April Fools Day pranks ever. Someone decided to load the Old Town Square fountain with detergent overnight.

Yep. That's not snow. By 8:30 the suds had expanded to overtake the fountain - you couldn't see the boulders and geese in the center of the fountain. It tooks days to clean it up.

c

It's Been A While...

I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last entry. So much has been happening.

We just returned from spending our spring break week in Cleveland. Kate and David appeared to have a successful week - and are now in the negative reserves in the sleep department. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day - Bennis-style. Saw some interesting movies. Had a few dates. Packed a lot of boxes.

All three kids appear to be doing well in school. Jane was one of only three students in the fourth grade to be on the Honor Roll and will be in Alice in Wonderland as the Cheshire Cat for the Hayes School spring production.

Our programs are well-received so far.

All in all I'd have to say a successful first quarter of the new year. We are very blessed.

Photos of our Cleveland adventures to follow.

c

I Wish You Enough...

I found this among many old e-mails. It was from Dory. And, I just have a hard time parting with it so I thought I'd share. I hope you share it, too.

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough".

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom". They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated.

Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?". Yes, I have," I replied.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a ‘forever good-bye’?"

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them. Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....

To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

c