Hello everyone,

Hope you are all fine and enjoying this lovely spring weather.

I was lucky enough to get into a couple of important art shows. The Fort Collins Art Show is a National Show and just to get in is an honor. Out of 1000 entries only 150 are chosen to be in the show. I was fortunate to have had two of my three entries accepted. One of my paintings was strategically positioned so that it was in view of everyone who entered the show. The reception was a sit down affair with buffet stations of food. The crowning glory was a chocolate fountain which was continually cascading. You speared strawberries, cake, bananas, etc. and dipped them into this chocolate. Sinfully delicious!

The Greeley 42^nd Annual National Show took place during this same period of time and again I was most fortunate to have had two entries accepted for the show. The show is held in a large beautifully decorated bank with a wonderful choice of food.

Driving home for lunch a few weeks ago I noticed all sorts of vehicles lining St. Vrain Road at our driveway including a couple of fire engines, ambulance and police. A small home built craft airplane had just crashed. The pilot was flying from Salt Lake City and had intended to land at the nearby Vance Brand Airport when he experienced engine failure. He transmitted “May Day May Day” and touched down first in a pasture and crashed thru the barbed wire fence and into our drive. The pilot was 86 years old and we figured he must have been an aviator in World War II. I pulled into my driveway and asked one of the rescue people how I could get home. They asked isn’t there another road and I told them no. So a policeman escorted me around the crash through the field and back onto the road. The next day the front page of the local newspaper had a photo of our 6914 number sign in front of the crashed plane.

Early April I received a call from a fellow who was promoting a pianist Calvin Jones. He wanted me to hold a home concert. Not knowing anything about this pianist I arranged to meet this fellow at a local coffee shop. We then went to the Longmont theatre where a video he produced was playing. His video shots which accompanied the music were really premium quality. One scene was a series of waterfalls located on the Montana/Canadian border. Unfortunately I have not been able to find the exact location of these falls.

I listened to the piano CD’s he loaned me, but I decided I did not really enjoy the music, so no home concert.

Friday May 6, 2005

Today I embark on my longest solo journey. The route is from Denver to Newark, NJ to Lima, Peru and finally to Cusco, Peru. In Cusco I will meet my son Scott for a Peruvian adventure to Machu Picchu and other places in Peru.

Upon arriving in Lima I was advised that they had cancelled my flight to Cusco and replaced it with one which was 2 ½ hrs later. So, tired and bleary eyed I waited for the final portion of flight. It was about 11 am Saturday, May 7 when I arrived in Cusco (began my journey from home at 9:15 am May 6). Walking into the baggage claim area I heard Peruvian music playing quite loudly. They had a 4 piece band playing traditional music as loud and fast as they could. Welcome to Cusco!

Saturday May 7, 2005

Scott was waiting outside the airport with Sr. Carlos Rojas. Carlos proclaimed to be with the Ministry of Promotion of Tourism. (He had a laminated badge and all.) He had a taxi cab driver who drove us to his office (a small hole in the wall with a step up from the sidewalk that was at least 18” up. He sold us a tour package. He told us that he would be at our hotel the next day to make sure we were picked up by the bus driver and tour guide.

We checked into the Orquedea Real Hostal which was up 45 steps and then more steps into the hostal and of course our room was on the second floor. Cusco is over 8,000 ft. elevation and there is much uphill walking.

Let me tell you a little something about the Orquedea. The walls in the hall slanted inward at the top, the hot water and cold water spigots were reversed, they had the world’s tiniest pillows and the blankets were 4 ply thick and felt like 90 pounds on you. However the staff was very helpful and courteous.

Scott had found this pastry shop and we stopped by. There were some interesting items that were not all sweet pastry. I had a spinach square that was sweetly coated but the filling was spinach with an herb I couldn’t identify.

The main square in Cusco is Plaza de Armas and it is where everyone congregates. There are children and adults selling their wares. They come up to you with postcards, finger puppets, dolls, painting, shoe shining, etc. I wore Merrill shoes which are a suede exterior. They wanted to shine these shoes and were so aggressive you have to really accentuate the “NO”. Every Sunday they have a ceremony of raising the Cusco and Peruvian flags. Military troops goose step around the square and they usually have some local children’s group marching and some fireworks. Fireworks go off throughout the day as they are legal in Peru.

We wanted to see the Cathedral on Sunday. We walked in the door and were immediately pinned with a religious symbol and asked for money – a donation. We gave them all the change we had and it didn’t reach the requested amount, but they let us in anyway.

Back on the street you can see children in their native dress carrying either a baby llama or puppy. The puppies are so listless you know they have been taken from their mother and probably not fed and will quickly die. But these children approach you to take their picture for a Sol. The currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol.

We walked to the Plaza of the Nazarene, small and quaint and visited the pre-Columbian museum. They had artifacts dating back to 1400 BC.

In the squares you see women weaving and carrying their children on their backs. The family is out on the street and in the squares selling their wares.

Back at the Orquedea Real we waited for Senior Carlos Rojas. He met us with a red rose and heart shaped balloon for mother’s day.

The first stop on the tour was Qorikancha, the House Temple of the Sun built by the Incas. The Spanish claimed it and destroyed some of the Inca building and rebuilt it. In the 1600’s there was a serious earth quake and just about everything in the city of Cusco was leveled except the Inca built portion of Qorikancha. The Inca’s knew about earthquakes and built doorways in a trapezoidal scheme. They cut rock by making a crack and driving a wooden wedge in and then wetting the wood. The expansion of the wood cracked the rock. They did not use any mortar in their superior buildings. Betty, our tour guide kept reminding us that Cusco was the “navel of the universe”. It comprised Brazil, Nothern Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

After the tour, a woman I had seen before came up to me holding a llama rug with a pattern of a Peruvian man with a reed instrument, a llama and the sun. She must have known she had a live one who wanted the rug. We asked how much, and before we said ok in agreement, she had it rolled and stuffed into a plastic bag and shoved it into my arms. We did not bargain as the bus was leaving, but the rug was worth what we paid…170 soles which is approximately $60 US. Well worth it.

We next visited the Cathedral we were in this morning. Mass was going on in the morning and we couldn’t walk the entire church. Women attending mass had gold sprinkles in their hair. To the left of the cathedral was a building where they held the Spanish Inquisition.

The cathedral was very ornate with an alter of gold and silver. One of the most interesting paintings was of the Last Supper by a local artist Marcos Zapata. The table held delicious Peruvian specialties with the center entrée being roast Guinea Pig with its legs sticking straight up into the air.

Next stop was “Saxywoman”, tourists call it Sexy Woman. It is really an Inca Defense structure that once was three times the size it is today. The Spanish reduced it in size and local residents took what was needed for gravel, building, etc. As expected with a tour group, you had to wait for people who just kind of putz around.

Next was the Temple of the Puma. We walked into the underground portions and found the sacrificial alter. We were running short on time and it was almost dark when we stopped and just got a fast look at our next stop. We then proceeded to the Holy Water Spring; cold, cold, cold. Put my hands into the water and got chilled to the bone.

On our return to Cusco, we stopped at a shop with scarves, tablecloths, hats, etc. I think the tour guide must get a cut for stopping with a bus load of tourists. I bought a baby Alpaca hat for about $15 and a tablecloth for $10.

Arriving back in Cusco, we are hawked into a restaurant called Manso America. They had a Peruvian band. Service was slow and my food was terribly chewy. I could not eat the meat. Soup was good. After dinner we walked back to the hotel. It was cold outside. Later that night I started coughing and shivering, my body was actually shaking and it developed into more than a cold. When I returned home the doctor told me it was more likely a pneumonia type problem. As a result of this illness I did not have my usual energy during our travels. I did a lot of walking, hiking, etc. but tired faster.

Monday, May 9, 2005

At 4:30 am Carlos Rojas is to meet us to take us to the train station for our journey to Aquas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The train ride was interesting. We started out from the station – saw some very poor slum like housing. After three miles going uphill our train stopped and then backed up for at least a mile. We started up again and at the same point stopped and backed up. I think the train couldn’t climb the grade. I said to Scott, this doesn’t look good, but we started up again and then continued past that holdup point. There are 3 trains in Peru, the Backpacker, the cheapest travel, the Vistadome and the Hiram Bingham, the most expensive. We took the Vistadome.

Arriving in Aguas Caliente was quite confusing. We had to have our luggage taken to Gringo Bills. We got there and the reservation I had made could not be found. I had written and called. They said come, just come, but really they wanted a deposit. We left our baggage with them and sought out a bus and traveled to Machu Picchu. The road is a single lane, with an occasional pull out. Buses travel at a good speed and passing is always a thrill as they come within 1 or 2 inches of each other. On the way up I noticed a young woman rolling her own cigarettes. Marijuana is legal in Peru and she was openly rolling a joint.

Cocoa tea is available on the menus and is complimentary at each hostel/hotel. This is cocaine-related tea from the cocoa leaf. We did not try this.

We met our tour guide, “Super Mario” as he called himself, and proceeded into Machu Picchu. It is an up and down tour; literally. One section is called the “Gringo Killer” a long super-steep section that goes straight up. You have to admire the Incas. They were great builders, knew about earthquakes and even had their own type of ‘cell’ phones; a really amazing people.

We were taken to the three temples, Sun, Earth and Water. These temples are very symbolic of the Inca beliefs and culture. Everything is in threes, sun-earth-water, condor-puma-snake and it goes on. Many features of the Inca buildings incorporate the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross plays an important part in their culture.

We visited the Inca king’s residence. He had his own bathroom that was simply a couple of vertical recessed areas in the wall. Again there are trapezoidal doorways as everything was built to withstand earthquakes. After the tour we had lunch in the famously expensive hotel at the base of Machu Picchu. This hotel charges close to $1000 per person per night. Believe me it is not a 5 star hotel. It may be at the level of a good motel chain.

Heading back to town we went directly to Gringo Bills and were very disappointed to find that they did not have the room reservations we requested. I had even written to confirm and ask if they would like a deposit. The response I received was come, just come. So they put us in touch with the Pequina Casita, which is located directly at the bus stop for Machu Picchu. You did not need an alarm clock to wake as the buses start up their engines at about 5:40 am and start honking their horns before 6am.

The Urubamba River flows into the Amazon and is very impressive with white caps and large rocks. It would make for extreme kayaking although we did not see any kayaks.

At night we had dinner at Indio Feliz, a French/Peruvian restaurant where they collect business cards and tack them on the wall and ceilings. My artists card is up there now. Food is excellent with their flan rivaling any I have had in various countries.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

We took the early bus up to Machu Picchu. Our plan was to spend the day there and explore by ourselves. We arrived a little after 6am and were able to climb up to the fort area in darkness and watch the sun rise. The sunrise scene was complete with llamas but, fortunately, very few people. While standing there a couple of trekking groups arrived with noisy gusto after hiking 4 days. They took over the area, but I did not relinquish my coveted spot. I stand my ground.

We decided to hike up Waynupicchu, an incredible mountain that at first look appears impossible because of its steepness. The Incas had a lookout fortress on top of this mountain. Before starting the hike you must check in with an attendant at the trailhead. You register name, address, age, and time. After logging in, the fellow asked if I were really 67. At first we both thought he would not let me in to hike, but he said you really are 67 and gave me the thumbs up signal. So off we went. At many areas there were ropes and chains to hold onto. One upper section was one way only and was hand over hand on countless steep steps. We reached the summit and there was just a final little portion of slick rock to explore. I told Scott to go ahead and I did not feel that well and was just going to lie down on a large rock to rest. (When I was at the doctor’s office back in the states and told him this tale, his comment was you came down with this illness on the 7^th and did this hike on the 10^th. He rolled his eyes to indicate that was why I did not have the energy.)

On our descent we stopped in what had probably been living quarters for the military and I sat down on one of the window sills. A young Brazilian, age about 20 and very friendly, came up and started animatedly speaking in Spanish. Scott and he conversed. He asked if he could take a photo of me and we asked why. He said he father was too lazy to hike up. When we told him how old I was he took another picture.

After this hike we had lunch at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s dining buffet area. Great buffet and much needed after a long morning of hiking.

I had a chance to paint in the afternoon before descending from Machu Picchu. There were many Japanese tourists. I’m probably in some of the Japanese visitor photographs.

May 11, 2005

We didn’t have to wake as early as yesterday. However, the buses honk and rev their engines just outside our window. I forgot to mention the church bells are rung everywhere at 5:40 am calling people to mass. They are not always the loveliest sounding bells and clang at first slowly and then increase in speed as if to say, come on get it in here now.

We met a nice couple from England touring Peru. I told them Ken was in London on business and the fellow’s comment was “oh, that’s a terrible city”. They evidently avoid London.

We took the bus to Machu Picchu one more time and while Scott was taking photos, I found a quiet place and did some painting.

The bus area at Machu Picchu was like a congested city when we left. There were buses lined up on this one lane road waiting to get into queue and pick up passengers for the return trip. After four buses passed us and managed to find someplace to pull off and park, we started our descent only to encounter yet another bus. Our bus driver had to back up between large vehicles and let this determined bus driver in. We finally started down. At the bottom of the mountain the driver stopped to advise the keepers of the gate of the congested condition up at Machu Picchu.

Scott and I wandered through tent stalls and shops. They had placemats, sweaters, carvings, jewelry, etc. I picked up a woven satchel for 30 soles or approximately $10. These bags are brightly colored and quite attractive.

Getting on the train was quite an adventure. We were walking to the spot where we got off the train only to be motioned up a long flight of stairs by the train police. A local woman kindly showed us a way up the hill without climbing the stairs. We were entering a formal train courtyard where security checked out ticket information. After a bit, we were advised to line up at the letter signs that matched our tickets. We were in car F. The unusual thing was A and F were at the beginning of the lines. We had to work our way up to our letter car. We were now at the top of the stairway that the train police motioned us to climb up; bizarre. We now had to walk down the stairway (not trivial) to the railway tracks.

Trains are prompt and we left the station at 3:30pm; right on time. Our next destination was Ollantaytambo. At Ollantaytambo we had to find our luggage to disembark the train. My small piece of luggage was buried in a pile of luggage covered by fishsnet (to prevent the baggage falling into the aisle). We finally found it and detrained. This little village is very small and we made our way to the exit area to be met by at least six cab drivers hawking us to take us to where we were next headed. They were bouncing up and down with enthusiasm for a fare. At the side of this hubbub was a fellow with a sign with my son’s name and the hostel we were to stay at. He took my large piece of luggage in one hand, carrying the sign in the other and off we went on this deteriorating cobblestone street with grey dust. I thought the wheels on my luggage would come off. On our ¼ mile walk to the hostel we passed the nicest resort area that we had seen in our travels (Hotel Pakaritampu). This resort was built by a former Olympic volley ball athlete. (Peru’s most notable athlete) It was a beautiful oasis in the midst of this little village with its cobblestone streets.

I failed to mention that up and down the street little 3-wheeled vehicles roared with the greatest speed they could muster, teetering and tottering over the rough road. They were the local taxis. I expected Inspector Clusoe, Peter Sellers, to hop out at any minute.

Our Hotel Muney Tika is small, clean and quiet except for the barking dogs.

We went off to the Hotel Pakaritampu for dinner. It was excellent. The building was done beautifully in everyway and grounds were equally as beautiful.

After dinner we walked to the town square to view the Inca Fortress ruins which are lighted at night. It is a beautiful and eerie sight.

Everywhere in Peru dogs run free. Some are very thin.

May 12, 2005 Thursday

We have a different style breakfast in Hostel Muney Tika consisting of fruit, Peruvian cereal and a pancake with juice and coffee, or tea. They also had the same traditional rolls that were served at our other hostels. After breakfast we visited the fortress ruins.

Marvelous aqueducts! Incas never short change themselves on stairs; you always have many to climb up.

I bought some embroidery work from a lovely young woman with a child. She was preparing for a celebration on the weekend and had this tall white hat with a pink band. The pink matched a pink skirt with a white blouse with embroidered sequins. She was dancing around in the shop and was truly a hot ticket.

There is an old section of town where residents still live in the old Inca homes. They are laid out with narrow and steep cobbled walkway. There is a channel filled with water running down one side of the walkway and a sign saying that no urinating is allowed. If a person is caught urinating they are fined and imprisoned. A minute or two after I read the sign a woman came out her doorway and scooped up a bucket of water. This was their water supply.

A bit further down the street was an open air market for the local folk. I noticed the yellow flag flying indicating yellow maize beer (served warm). After seeing the water supply and how it was served, I decided to stick to bottled drinks.

We were invited into a home and courtyard, but my camera needed recharging and we knew this would not be a free invitation and you would have to pay a few soles to the resident of the house. We declined the invitation and the fellow looked disappointed.

We returned to the lovely resort complex and had lunch and then headed off with our luggage. We were to catch a bus to Pisac and were told that they left every 15 minutes.

I must mention that the illness I came down with four day ago has resulted in a racking cough and occasional fits of coughing.

The bus to Pisac is really just a standard size van. The luggage rack on top the van is overloaded with assorted luggage, bundles of crops, etc. When you think the van is full of people, it isn’t. Children were squeezed in leaning against the sliding door and window. It was “in your face” like you wouldn’t believe. I counted 23 people in this standard size van. We took this van from Ollyantaytambo to Urubamba where we had to run across a courtyard to catch the next bus which really was a bus. I had a sol to pay the van driver and he wouldn’t accept it. It appeared that I was given a counterfeit coin in some money exchange.

Again, our luggage was on the rooftop and this segment of journey to Pisac cost 3.5 soles. We were let off at the bus stop and had to find our way to Hostel Pisac in the downtown square. A market was in full swing in the square with bright colored tents and a farmers market for the locals.

The hotel did not have our room accommodations, so I took a single bed room and Scott took another with a bathroom off the inside courtyard.

We did find an ATM and I was finally able to get some money. We also found an internet cafe in literally a “hole in the wall”. The Web comes to Pisac.

We took a cab to Hotel Inca Pisac where we had dinner. This did not compare to Ollyantaytambo.

May 13, 2005, Friday

One does not sleep late in this town. At 5:40 am the church bells start ringing, or I should say clanging, and then they intensify in speed as if to say: “Get going and come in for mass”.

Where we are staying there is a very small mother cat with one kitten. I sat down for breakfast and the cat immediately jumped in my lap burrowing into my warm fleece jacket doing a kneading motion with her paws. Every so often she would raise her head very alert and check out where her baby was.

Breakfast wasn’t until 7:10 am so I amused myself with the cat and kitten. Here you paid for breakfast, but it was worth it.

Next we took a cab to the upper level of the Pisac ruins. The driver was Richard and we made arrangements for him to pick us up at 1pm. We proceeded to hike along the trail and were accosted by several people selling their wares. A fellow with calloused hands was selling wind chimes symbolizing the sun, moon and condor and the marriage of the Inca sun and moon.

We met Simon, or rather he picked us out to become our guide. He had been studying English in Cusco. He and Scott got along well and each learned from each other. Simon practiced his English and Scott practiced his Spanish. Simon pointed out many things that we would otherwise have missed. One such example was in the military portion of the ruins they raised guinea pigs and Simon pointed out the areas where they were raised. We would not have had any idea that this was significant.

There were three levels of status in Inca society: The Inca King, The Royal Family and the common people. The Southern Cross symbolizes the sun, moon and stars; heaven, earth and underworld; condor, puma and snake. (Again, everything in threes)

Simon was very gracious and helped me up and down some extremely steep sections.

We returned to the taxi area about 12:30 pm and Richard the taxi driver was there waiting for us.

Scott and I went back to the Inca Gallery where he was interested in purchasing a painting. We were in this gallery twice. After Scott concluded his negotiation, I told him to tell the artist that I too was an artist and as such really appreciated his talent. This meeting and appreciation of Renato Valdivia’s work has created a friendship. After finding out that I was from Colorado, they asked if I would possibly contact some people and possibly arrange a show for Renato. Through Scott I agreed that I would contact some venues but could not promise anything. Most probably I will contact the Denver Art Museum, Loveland Museum, Longmont Museum and Foothills Art Center. (I have done this and the reviewing committees will have to decide.)

By agreement we were met at the Orquidea Hotel by the artist and his wife to show us more of his paintings. Renato’s expertise is in all mediums: oil, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, charcoal. He cannot speak nor hear, but his paintings speak for him.

They took digital pictures of Scott and me with them and put these together in a brochure for me to bring back to the states. I was given a small watercolor painting and Scott was given the Machu Picchu painting, which is beautiful. We were over whelmed. There were tears in everyones eyes.

I invited them to stay with us should they come to the United States. We’ll probably have to have an interpreter as Irma, Renato’s wife does not speak English and I don’t speak Spanish.

We went back to the Hostel Pisac to get a bit of rest as Simon, the guide at the ruins, and his brother would be at our hotel at 6:00 pm to show us his brother’s paintings. The fellow is at the academy in Calca and is a first year student. I did not really want to buy a painting, but seemed to be committed and did so.

May 14, 2005, Saturday

The natives of Pisac were noisy last night preparing for a trip to sell their wares somewhere. At 5:40 am the church bells began clanging again.

By arrangement Richard, the taxi cab driver, will pick us up at the Hostel Pisac and drive us to Cusco. He is there early, 6:15 am, and we too were early and waiting for him with baggage. He had the music of the morning mass service playing loudly on the radio. It was a 37 minute ride to our next hostel location and the cab fare was 12 soles which would be the equivalent of $4. We gave him a good tip.

After dropping our luggage off at the Hotel Orquidea we headed for this little pastry shop to have breakfast. You walk up an incredibly steep street. The sidewalks are so narrow that cars only inches from you rush past. You do not want to step off the sidewalk at the wrong moment. There are only two small tables in the shop. You can watch the baking of breads and pastries and the warmth from the oven takes the chill off of the cool morning air.

After breakfast we visited the Museum of Religious Art that housed many Baroque paintings by unknown artists. This building was a nun’s convent and one of the rooms showed the style that the nuns lived in.

We next walked up, up, up into the San Blais district to an overlook of the city. This view is quite impressive.

On the return trip we met three women with llamas begging us to take their picture. I did and Scott gave one woman a 5 soles coin and told her to split it between them. She would not. It was everyone for themselves. The other two women were not happy and Scott, speaking Spanish, told them she had to share and if she did not she was a thief. He was not happy about this incident. It left a sour taste with him.

We visited the Monesteria again. This was originally a monestary. What a fantastic place – so plush with art, beautiful stone walkways a flowering courtyard, just lovely.

We walked to a nearby shopping area and picked up a few more purchases and then back to the hotel room to pack our pottery.

Our last evening in Cusco and we will head off to a very nice restaurant, La Mason in Plaza de Armas. The food was good and we had a window overlooking the square which was lit up nicely. People and dog watching was interesting.

We had a space heater in our room and kept it running while we were out. It took the chill off. I can’t wait to get home to my pillow.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

There was a power outage in Cusco and we awoke to a very cold room.

There were some U.S. people in the dining room about to embark on the trek to Machu Picchu. One fellow said “I have never hiked”. He was in his 20’s, but still 4 days of hiking several miles a day with the last two days really gaining elevation was not going to be easy for him.

Irma and Renato, the artist I mentioned earlier were to visit us at our hotel at 8am. They were not able to find our hotel and were a few minutes late. They visited for at least one hour during which I reaffirmed I would present his brochure to a few places for a possible show in the future. I also invited them to visit and stay with us should them come to Colorado. Of course, we would have to have an interpretor. Renato through his wife told me he would like to paint with me.

Irma will be off to London on the 24^th of May as Renato has a show there. Renato brought the painting he had just finished of Machu Picchu and the Hitching Post to the Sun. He gave it to Scott. We all had tears in our eyes as it was a very emotional time. On the back of this painting he wrote a beautiful inscription to Scott.

They also invited us to stay at one of their houses should we visit Peru/Cusco area again.

We then walked to the Plaza de Armas and had a bite to eat and watched the raising of the Cusco and Peru flags, the marching troops doing the goose step, local children groups, about fifty people pushing vending carts. These were new carts and they had a dedication ceremony after the parade.

Sitting at the restaurant we are, of course, accosted by children, men and women, all selling something, or just begging. Those shoe shiners definitely wanted to polish my suede shoes. You have to shoo them away.

We found a park bench and relaxed in the sun and did people and dog watching.

Back at the hotel we picked up our luggage and got a cab to the airport. Our hotel found a safe cab for us. Once at the airport, we started the long wait for departure to Lima. Once in Lima, (6:20 pm) we had to find the check-in for Continental. Scott was on LAN to the states and did not have to go thru the same ritual.

We were told the check-in would begin at 8 pm so we pulled up a seat and waited. A group of perhaps 20 people began to sit beside us. These were not travelers, but airport personnel. At a few minutes before 8pm I got in line and stood until 9:15 pm with a line gaining in length behind me.

During this time (9pm) the airport personnel stood up hugging each other, shaking hands, etc. The group leader gave them what must have been a pep talk after which they headed to their posts to start the check in procedure. This really began the zoo-like procedure. My luggage was over weight because of purchases and I had to pay extra, more than I ever thought.

Scott and I had not had dinner so we went up to the 2^nd floor, said goodbye to the good food we were having, and got a McDonalds meal. We had to pay to leave the country, then go through security, then through customs, with announcements that we should be at the boarding gate as they were now ready to board. This resulted in lots of anxious people and flaring tempers.

At the Continental boarding gate they did a strange thing announcing we had to go through a last security check. This turned out to be just their checking our tickets and pulling the segment off that they needed to keep. I kissed Scott good bye and got in line. A fellow came up to me and said “did you see me standing here”. Since he was not there when I was, I said no. He said he was there and now must be in front of me. Well, my temper blew at this moment and I said then get the hell in front of me and added “I hope I don’t sit next to you on the plane.” I might add that there were only two people behind me in line.

On the plane this same fellow made a nuisance of himself with the flight attendants. He was just that kind of a fellow. I was lucky to have three seats to myself on the plane and was able to sleep a few hours.

Back home I looked around at our home, our wonderful pillows and bed and was truly appreciative of what we have here. It was a wonderful experience but it sure is good to be back home. We are truly fortunate.

The gardens desperately needed attention. But first I had to take it easy as the illness had not yet left me.

On Friday, May 19, we brought paintings into the Strawberry Day Festival and set up for an art show. Saturday I sat the show from 10:00 am to 12 noon, went back home and took a nap. That evening Ken’s bicycle club came over for beer and barbeque; about 40 people with several babies.

Sunday, May 21^st I sat the art show for 4 hours. A busy weekend, but very successful.

On the 25^th about 8 artists came over for plein aire painting in our yard, It was a nice group with special artsy camaraderie.

This past Sunday, June 5^th, I did my usual walk/workout around Golden Pond. It had just snowed in the mountains and Mount Meeker and Long’s Peak were glistening white. The ponds had great reflections of the mountains and I enjoyed taking several photos. At one point there were more than 25 geese on the path with mid-sized goslings. Walking through this pack, one of the parents threateningly opened its beak. I decided to walk quietly, speak softly and pass through.

Hope I haven’t bored you, but there was a lot to talk about.

Love, Diane and Ken