February 18, 2001

Hope you are well and enjoying life. I just took the dogs for a short walk around the pond and we stopped by the sleeping vegetable garden to think about planning for this coming spring. Can’t wait for the Burpee seeds to arrive. It is always wonderful to look through the packets of seed; checking to see how long a growth period is needed before harvest. It is just great to anticipate working the soil again. There are some things that are inherent in us and make us long for certain seasons, activities, etc.

In January I visited Nancy and Chuck Hevenor, dear friends of ours, in Siesta Key, Florida, adjacent to Sarasota. What a beautiful location right on the beach with the finest white sand you can imagine. The weather was cold, colder than back home in Colorado, but morning walk/runs and fresh fish made up for the lack of warm weather. The first full day on Siesta Key I brought my paints outdoors and painted while seated on the grass. (I was a bit timid to sit in the traffic flow and have people watch me paint.) However, the next day I moved to a bench and had some interesting and exciting conversations with a couple of families from London, England. One of the young daughters was interested in art and we had a conversation regarding painting, etc. I encouraged her to pursue her interest in painting. One of the fathers came by and asked if I sold my paintings and I replied that I really painted because I enjoyed it. He further asked, “don’t you sell your paintings” and I replied, “do you want to buy one”. He said yes and since I had finished one painting and was almost finished with another, they wanted those and commissioned me for and additional two of the sea. They gave me money and told me that “granny” would contact me and pick up the paintings to bring back to London. What a thrill! I called Ken right after lunch, almost levitating as I spoke to him. So now at this time, my work is hanging in a couple of London flats.

While away in Florida, our dog Samson, who has lost much of the use of his hind legs, decided to start chasing coyotes. He got bit in the rear right leg. Ken did not know that this happened. When Samson did not move for a full day, Ken took him to the veterinarian. They identified the bite wounds and put Samson on antibiotics. His leg was greatly swollen. In a few days Ken had to return to the vets because the wound was not healing. Since then, we have taken him to the doctor every 4 to 5 days for rebandaging. At this time, he is back on antibiotics. Although the wound has healed considerably, there is till a portion that is not yet closed, and they are thinking it might be necessary to graft some skin onto this area.

The interesting thing about Samson is that every so often you can see this gleam in his eye. It is as if he knows this is one of his last hurrahs and he goes off in pursuit of adventure. He is twice as big as a coyote. However, coyotes know when an animal is weak and will work as a group. I don’t want Samson to meet his end being torn apart by the coyotes. Now we keep a closer watch on him.

While I was in Florida Ken installed a new sink and garbage disposal in the kitchen. When I arrived home, he had a red bow on the spigot. I noticed this and immediately admired my new sink and workable garbage disposal. To install this new cast iron sink, Ken asked the assistance of our neighbor, Sheldon, who ended up spending a couple of hours over here helping. They are in the process of major renovations on their home including a new barn, new garage, etc on their property and are now without a kitchen, as it is being 100 % rebuilt, so I sent over a couple of dinners and soups, to them.

Before leaving for Florida, I received a call from the Longmont Newcomers Club selection committee for officers for the coming year. They asked that I serve as President. I drew in a deep audible breath and said I must talk with the existing president to determine if I would be able to devote enough time to this office to do it justice. After speaking with Shirley, a good salesperson, I accepted. The new officers are installed at the March luncheon. This group was so friendly and helpful, I figure if I can give back something to the club and new members, it will be a very worthwhile endeavor.

Ken had a VCA meeting in Aspen from February 6 through the 11^th and I was able to attend with him. Prior to going, we both skied at nearby Eldora, just to remember how to ski again. In Aspen we skied at Snow Mass in 8 to 12 inches of fresh powder. This was our first time in real powder. We had been used to skiing in the Northeast on blue ice and death cookies. You had to remind yourself in the deep powder that your skis would go through this and don’t be disturbed by not seeing them.

One of the things I wanted to do in Aspen was to take advantage of one of the events offered by VCA: dog sledding at Krabloonik lodge. Krabloonik is a business in the Snow Mass area where at least 150 dogs are kept and trained for dog sledding. In addition to this business, they run a restaurant, which is rustic and serves wonderful wild game cuisine. Well, we went to sign up for this dog sled ride and when the person signing us up said, you are in luck there are a couple of slots open and that will be $255 per person, we looked at each other with mouths a gape and said I don’t think so. This was for just 2 hours and we thought it pretty steep in price. But all of Aspen was very steep in price. People working at the local shops, restaurants and hotels cannot afford to live in Aspen.

One of the events I did take advantage of was a morning at the Spa. We entered the Spa building and were working our way toward the reception desk when two people approached us. I thought it was a woman and man, but it was in fact two women. One woman had a small dog in her arm. When they turned the corner, one of the VCA staff just about was jumping up and down saying “do you know who that was, do you know who that was, it was the famous tennis star, Martina Navratilova. Well, I saw her dog. I must admit, I probably wouldn’t have recognized her if she stopped directly in front of me.

In Aspen we stayed at the St. Regis, formerly the Ritz Carlton. During various seasons the rate chart in our room advised the rates could go as high as $1500 a night. Our room was $350 per night and luckily the company picked up the tab for this. $350 is still very high.

Ken just signed up for the Iron Horse Bicycle Race which takes place May 26 in Durango. It is a 47-mile race between man on his bike and the Durango-Silverton scenic railroad and climbs over a mile in altitude on the way to Silverton. We will travel to Durango May 24 and return home May 27. I have already booked passage on the Silverton Railroad and intend to take plenty of film. This is a very scenic and popular thing to do in Colorado.

The latest news on Sarah Land: The engineering report required to address the many objections to this new pond shows that it is to be reduced to less then one acre. This is within agricultural limits and Boulder County has no problem with that and no further interest. However, we must write to Boulder County Land Use asking if they will be monitoring restoration of the property as it has become quite an eye sore with enormous piles of soil. We also still must pursue this project with Water Court because the initial excavation damaged the drain pipe supplying our pond.

Also, news flash! Sarah Al Jamaz has her home on St. Vrain Rd. up for sale for 1.8 million dollars and a 35-acre parcel adjacent to this property for sale for ¾ of a million. The land she owns adjacent to our property is not for sale. We are just very curious as to why she is selling her home and adjacent land. Ken was talking to a fellow who lived in Saudi Arabia for several years and in their conversation Sarah and her land investments came up. He said it was most unusual for Saudi women to control any of the money and investments. So curiosity is getting the better of us. Is her son taking control of the financial interest? Sarah’s husband, although never seen, is said to be living in Boulder and has a severe heart condition requiring a heart transplant.

We have had several sightings of bald eagles on our private road. This is very exciting to us and we do so enjoy the wild life around our home.

Last night Ken worked at the Hygiene Fire Department on their famous annual Pancake Supper. What an event! I never would have believed so many people would attend this dinner. Ken said they must have feed at least 1000 people. As soon as people finished eating and gave up their seats, someone else filled them. People enjoy getting back to rural farm town to experience an authentic small community happening. It was a neat experience.

Well, I’ve jawed to the point where I might lose your interest, so until the next Tale. Take care and enjoy.

Love, Diane and Ken