July, 1999

Saturday there was a Rhythm on the River festival in Longmont. One of the items of interest to me was a pottery exhibition. It is fascinating to watch and I believe I would like to take it up. This fellow and his wife have classes starting August 5 or 7 in the evenings on Tuesdays for about 2 hours. One of the items I would like to eventually be able to create would be pots for my plants. They also teach a course in waterfalls – that too sounds interesting.

This past Thursday we went hiking at Chautauqua Park in Boulder. Most of the hikes begin on the main trail out of the parking lot. After about ¼ mile you come to a junction with signs giving you the option of hiking to a number of the flatirons, or Bluebird, which eventually brings you to signs for Royal Arch. The culmination of this hike is a natural stone arch with enormous boulders you can scramble up and rest upon after your hiking uphill and view the city of Boulder. I also enjoyed turning around and looking at the royal arch and the view of the flatirons…truly spectacular. The trail had a lot of poison ivy and you had to watch for this hazard along the way.

We are going to a Ragtime Concert on Monday night in Niwot (a quaint little town with a shop called Miss Kitty’s). (Miss Kitty’s is like stepping back into the old western days with long dresses and lace, high button shoes, feather fans – just a neat place.) Anyway I got off track from the concert. This event will take place in Chris Finger Piano Company. They clear their show room of pianos and the performing artists and patrons are in a wonderfully close environment where you can talk to the performers and be up close to them during the performance. You have to get you tickets early, because it sells out fast.

About 10 years ago, Ken had a business meeting in New Orleans and I went along with him. About 10 a.m. in the morning one day in St. James Square I heard this wonderful Joplin ragtime and was drawn to it. There in the square was a young man in his later 20’s playing an upright piano on wheels and he was sitting at this piano atop 3 milk crates. After listening to him for 20 minutes I said whenever you take a break I’d like to buy one of your CD’s. He hopped off his crates and said “It’s been slow all morning – it’s break time now”.

Well, this same man, Scott Kirby, is the director of the ragtime festival. He was extremely talented when I saw and heard him and it is wonderful that he is receiving recognition for his talents. I can’t wait till I can talk to him about New Orleans.

Friday we are going to a potluck supper which the Newcomers Club is organizing. We have to meet people and develop friendships and this is one of the ways we are attempting to do this.

A week ago I visited the Roosevelt Recreation Department to find out what programs they offered. They have quite an athletic program, yoga, jazzercise, organized rafting trips, pottery classes, etc. Also, I must call Colorado University’s Extension Program as I have been told they have some very interesting courses available fall/winter and summer.