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.

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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.

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'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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A quick afternoon skate

Jane and I spent the day together in her pre-determined order: sushi for lunch, shopping at the East West store, find presents for her favorite teachers and treats for her classmates, "see Mom's office", ice skating on the square, more shopping, and hot chocolate. Of all these - skating was clearly the most urgent.






Well. We did it. And, judging from her blurry, rosy-cheeked expression below - our outing was a success! If only the child would stand still long enough for a decent photo!

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