A Year of Change

Yesterday afternoon after my errands, I decided to weed the backyard as we had some large sticker bushes next to the house. I filled up a trash bag full of them and have them all gone now. Lots going on at work. Hoping for some things to wrap up shortly. Tomorrow Shultz is coming up to stay at Gareth’s place at the Westin. They have some guy get together Friday. Gareth bought one of the top units at the Westin. He owned the top event company in Denver for years. He recently sold it for millions, He just bought himself a Bentley to. I’ve known him for 20 plus years too. Not sure if I’ll go Friday but it’s nice of them to invite me.

Lori works in Vail today. Tomorrow my topper gets put back on my truck and the Decked drawer system gets installed. Our neighbors two doors up have their movers coming today. My good buddy, Davy Gorsuch and his family will start moving in Sunday. Davy is going hunting with us this year in October. We’re really excited to be neighbors. Small World.

Humid outside as we’ve had good rain this week. I guess that stops tomorrow and the heat is back. Fall will be here soon enough.

Three people shot on the 16th Street Mall in Denver yesterday around 5pm. This is the main tourist area in all of Denver that downtown is built around, nice. That’s like a dozen people shot down there in the past three days or so. Tom is thinking about moving out of the city a little bit, to maybe Evergreen, where he can have some acreage. I’m glad he’s considering this as sadly, things are not going to get better, especially in a State run by Democrats. There are some great homes in Evergreen and prices always come down as we go into Fall. I did see a guy, his young wife, probably late 20’s, and their two kids in Costco yesterday, and he was open carrying his gun. Good for him. We’re not the city up here, and even though illegals that are criminals migrate out of the city, the further into the mountains they come, the less they get away with the crap they do in Denver. Still, it’s everywhere, thanks to the administrations open border policies. We just don’t understand how anyone can vote for a democrat, yet they do.

Even Taylor Swift had to cancel some shows in Austria due to a terrorist plot. Don’t get the Swifties mad! Have a great day, be safe and God Bless.

Today we have a dozen assorted pot pies being delivered. There’s a couple from Australia that moved to Ft. Collins in 2016 that supposedly makes the best pot pies there are. Of course there’s chicken pot pie, like when we were kids, but also ones like steak, or green curry, shepherd’s pie and a bunch of others. We’ll see how they are, but all reviews say they’re amazing. Tom, I’ll let you know.

I renewed the family brands yesterday. It’s not cheap, as you have to contact the State Brand Inspector Department, verify your info and pay the fee every few years or so to keep them active and registered. One is good until 2027 and the other was due and is now good to go until 2029. Last time we had to pay was 2022. I was thinking of it as I have a buddy in Laredo Texas putting our brand on a holster buckle for me. Glad I checked. They’ve been in the family for over 120 years according to the deeds and brand registrations I have. Dad would not want those to expire as you’d never get them back!

I was in and out of Denver by 11am. I picked up some more chicken and burger at Edwards Meats for the freezer and a nice rib eye for myself for dinner. I think Robi and Robert head home from Texas today. I have some stuff to do around the house and a few things to pick up at a few stores.

Jag is doing well. Guess he and Ava come back next Monday. Ty played paint ball yesterday out in Wolcott and had a blast. I geared him up with a bunch of hunting clothes and stuff. He works tomorrow.

A few scattered storms today and then the sunshine is back tomorrow. Won’t be long until Fall, and the leaves start changing.

That’s about it. Have a great day, be well, stay safe and God Bless.

By Thursday, half of the month of August will be over. Six weeks after that, and it’ll be October, and then, well you know, hold on tight.

It was a nice late summer day yesterday. Not too hot and not too cool, just right. I’m off to Denver this morning and should be back between noon and 1.

The big news of the day was that Billy’s wife, Valentina, had her baby. They named her Violet. Robi and Robert went over to meet her yesterday. Guess this makes Robi officially a grandma! After the gym, Lori and I met Eleni at Hovey (Ty’s place) for coffee. We hung out for about 45 minutes visiting. Eleni’s birthday is next week, and Lori invited her and Ben over for dinner for her birthday.

Lori is working in Vail today. I’ll be home the rest of the week, unless something comes up. The Broncos looked really good. Tom and I were texting during the game and are both happy with the way our new QB played. We’re hoping it’s a sign of things to come.

That’s it, time to get on the road. Have a great Monday and week. God Bless.

Looking good sis, love the hat!

Outside it’s cloudy and wet. The rain has been pretty much coming down steady since yesterday afternoon. Not super hard, but steady. Thunder and lightning were the theme of the night. Haven’t seen much lightning since last night, but the thunder has been booming on a regular basis. This was a big deal to the Plains Indians and had lots of meaning. I have tons of books on that if anyone is interested. Lori said there was even a high-altitude tornado in Colorado, down near Cripple Creek at 9000 feet. That’s rare.

Yesterday we deep cleaned the house. Our cleaners just are not that good or thorough. Think we’ll stop using them. I talked to Robin yesterday. They’re in Fort Worth staying at the Drover Hotel, which is a great place. It’s right in the middle of the Stock Yards which is where everything happens. They were headed to dinner and then the rodeo last night.

Today we’re going to the gym and then are having coffee with Eleni. At 11, the Broncos are on tv. Tom and I will for sure be watching. Not sure what else is going on.

Don’t be fooled by the Kamala hype. Turns out they’re hiring actors to come to their events. She also now says she’s in favor of no taxes on tips. Hmm, that was Trump’s idea about two months ago. What a mess, God help us if she wins. The media machine is doing all they can to promote and protect her. That should tell you who to vote for right there. People need to vote policy, not personality. All you have to do is decide which you liked best, the last 4 years, or the 4 years before that. Not that hard people.

Rain just stopped and a strong gust of wind blew the clouds out so now we have patches of blue lit up by the early morning sun. Love the mountains!

Time to go. 7am now. We slept in. There’s something about a good rainstorm and thunder that makes you sleep better. God Bless.

Made it back from the farm in Grand Junction right at 12 noon. Good to see Randy and the girls. When I say the girls, I mean Annie and Katie who must be in their 70’s. They pick the veggies at the farm and work tirelessly every day. They’re both permanently hunched over from bending over 8 to 10 hours a day. Annie needs back surgery but has been trying for 2 years to get her bones strong enough for surgery. I loaded up with two cases each of fresh Olathe corn, Palisades peaches, a bunch of strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, and more. We gave Dea next door a bunch and then went to work shucking corn and bagging it for the freezer. We did cook up half a dozen ears and boy was it good. It reminded me of when we were kids and Tommy and I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa’s in Wisconsin, and one night for dinner, Grandpa cooked up about 20 ears of corn, and nothing else. I can still smell the dirt floor of their basement and Grandpa’s tool shed in the garage. Also, Grandma’s leftover pie crust that she would bake with sugar on it. That was better than the pie itself!

Looks like we could be a new Aunt and Uncle officially today. Robi and Robert are in Texas waiting for violet to be born. This is Billy’s first child which is due anytime. Here’s Robi taking life seriously in Texas.

That’s my little sis, cowboy boots and hat, atta girl.

Clear and nice up here. Today we’ll peel peaches and get them in the freezer too. Lots going on at work. Nothing to talk about today but should have some news soon. James and the boys played Soldier Field last night in Chicago and have another show tomorrow. Then he’s home for 3 days before heading to Minneapolis, then Alberta Canada and then they’ll close things out in Seattle, at the end of the month.

I’m reading a great book by Joaquin Jackson. He actually signed it for me years ago. He was probably the most famous Texas Ranger in their history. The book is his autobiography called One Ranger. Joaquin died at his home in Alpine Texas in June of 2016, I think the 15th as I remember the day, but I never got around the reading the book until now. He was born in 1935 and lived a storied life until he passed at 81 years old. He was a cool guy who ended up starring in a bunch of movies and many actors from Nick Nolte to Jeff Bridges, Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, modeled characters they played in movies, after his life. I only mention this as reading his life story, it’s a tale of a time long gone. His last movie was with Robert Duvall in 2015! Wish I read it earlier so I could have told him what a great book it was. There were some strange similarities between him and the three of us kids growing up, both with abusive fathers. I’ll leave that alone, but if anyone wants to read a good book, let me know.

I received a call from another old timer in El Paso Texas yesterday. My friend, who I met through a close friend of many years (also older) is the man when it comes to crafting hand carved ivory grips for handguns. Paul doesn’t take on any new work these days except from close friends, and I only got in, due to my long-time buddy Bob, who lives back in Tennessee. Bob’s a story in his own right, but we’ll tackle that another time as well. We talk at least a few times a week. Anyhow, Paul is making me a set of one-piece ivory grips for my 3rd generation Colt Single Action Army made in 1979. When done, it’ll be a beauty and an heirloom, but also a shooter. It’ll take a couple months, so I’ll probably see it around November. Next week, Paul is sending me a couple sets of 1911 grips I said I’d take as you just can’t get ivory grips anymore. They were deemed illegal (importing ivory) decades ago to protect elephants or something. Paul is one of the only guys who had true ivory from years ago and can still legally craft grips. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Luckily for me, I still get 1980 prices too. Another example of a time long gone. What was common a short 30, 40 or 50 years ago, in our World, is now either illegal, immoral (not politically correct), or unavailable, due to the craftsman or artist, no longer around, or retired. Many of the old ways of doing things are dying with the folks that did them. Handmade quality products of the past are fading away. The lesson here is that new doesn’t always mean better, and that goes for our World too! Enough said.

Have a great weekend. take care, be safe and enjoy the day, they go fast. God Bless.

I’m headed to Grand Junction this morning to pick up a bunch of cases of vegetables. We’ll cook some up and freeze some, especially the corn. A little overcast up here this morning.

Last night, after a cigar with Mark and Marty, I headed down to meet Lori at Nate’s for his mini surprise birthday party. There were more kids than adults. We stayed an hour or so, and Dea did get some all-beef Nathan’s hot dogs! The kids sure are growing.

Lots going on at work. Lori is going into her office for a bit today. She has some research to do and an audit on Monday. Think it’s like an FDA audit. I have no idea what they have to do with medical practices. She does though, and that’s all that counts.

Time to get moving. My Texas trip has been postponed next week. It’s been moved to September 3rd and 4th. That’s good. Have a great day and weekend, God Bless.

Looks grey in Denver. Not so bad up here. Clear blue sky outside right now. We had a nice little storm last night with a huge rainbow right outside the front door. Rain is good. Supposedly the next 3 or 4 days will bring some kind of moisture. Fall is in the air.

Lori has a big call today and so do I. Mine is at 10 and I think hers is at noon. I might be in Dallas next Tuesday and Wednesday, should know on Saturday. If so, I’ll fly non-stop from Eagle to Dallas on American.

This morning we’ll head to the gym. Tomorrow Robi and Robert head to Texas as Billy’s wife is due to have their baby any day now. I’ll be headed to Grand Junction to the farm for corn, strawberries and peaches. All picked fresh today.

Dea is having a last-minute birthday party for Nate tonight at 5. She texted they’re having hot dogs and ice cream cake. They’re vegetarians so I was suspicious if they were having real hot dogs or that plant-based crap. Turns out they’re soy dogs, arrrgghh. I told Dea I’d bring buffalo brats. She asked what a brat is. I texted bratwurst, and get this, she has no idea what a bratwurst is. Unbelievable. She’ll learn what they are tonight!

That’s it, time to get moving. 6:30 now. Have a great Thursday. Football this weekend, whoo hoo! God Bless.

Tomorrow the rain comes. Bring it on. Lori is in Frisco today and Ty is off until tomorrow. Yesterday Ty cut all his hair off! He looks good, but we had no idea he wanted to do that. Good thing about hair is that it grows back. He says it feels so good and it’s now so easy to get ready for the day.

I have a call this afternoon and have some work around town today. Yesterday I picked up 5 giant chickens, probably 4 or 5 pounds each, and six dozen eggs from Kellie. The chickens almost look like turkeys.

Football starts this weekend, pre-season that is. Even so, it’s football! Tom and I always get excited for this time of the year.

Time to get moving, have a great day, be safe and God Bless.

Yesterday I picked up about 30 pounds of hamburger, 20 pounds of filets, 15 pounds of short ribs and 15 pounds of sausage. I also grabbed six logs of assorted summer sausage, all for the freezer. Today I’ll get the chickens. While in Denver, I stopped at Kings Soopers to get some canned foods that are much cheaper down there than at Whole Foods up here. Tomorrow I’m headed to the farm in Palisades to pick up a case of Olathe corn, strawberries and other vegetables. Mary, the 86-year-old neighbor at the farm, is canning about 24 jars of peaches for us. She’s a sweetheart and still going strong at 86!

Cooling down up here, and in Denver too. Looks like rain and the high 70’s and low 80’s starting Thursday. It’ll be 95 down there today though. Jag is doing well in California. We talked for about a half hour yesterday as Ava was getting fitted for her bridesmaid dress for a wedding next year. Ty is doing well too.

Lori works in Vail today and tomorrow in Frisco. No visible smoke outside this morning. That’s good news but there are a lot of fires out here in the West.

Thankfully the shine is coming off Kamala. The stock market crashed yesterday, and get this, they’re trying to blame Trump, ha ha. The silly season is in full swing.

Time to get moving, have a great Tuesday and God Bless.

The stock market opens in about an hour, and all signs point to not a good day. It’s been on a roll, for what seems like forever, always pretty much going up. By the time most of you read this, we’ll know what’s happening. Friday wasn’t a good day and then the market in Japan dropped almost 8% yesterday. If that happens here, that’s like almost a 3000 point drop! It wouldn’t surprise me if that happened as it’s been propped up and over valued for way too long. When Warren Buffet dumps Apple, (as he did Friday) you know something is up. This doesn’t affect most people on a daily basis, but a big drop will cause waves through the economy leading to huge price hikes on everything we buy. Hope I’m wrong.

Yesterday our neighbors made it back from Idaho where they’ve been for a month. It was a 16 hour drive and they drove straight thru the night. Lori made them a pan of cheese enchiladas (they don’t eat meat) and a chocolate cake as it was Nate’s birthday. Lori and I were talking and we’re now like the O’Connell’s (our old neighbors I talked about yesterday) to their kids. Oh brother.

Other than that, we went to the gym, went to Costco, I washed the truck, and we did some stuff around the house. When I was cleaning out the little freezer Friday morning, I set a frozen chicken on our Christmas tree box and somehow forgot about it. Well, I found it yesterday afternoon when I went into the garage. Needless to say, it thawed out and was not smelling good. Luckily, I went out and caught it. After some cleaning up with Clorox and Windex, everything is fine, but boy did it stink.

Time to keep getting ready for Fall and Winter. We had a heavy rainstorm last night. Intense lightening and big-time winds. Should be in the 80’s most of the week up here.

6:18 now so time to go. Lots to do around the house and for work. Have a great day and week, and God Bless.