A Year of Change

After at least 3 long years, 4 for some, we’re all back together again. What a great first day of our get together. I flew in around 12:15 and was picked up by Robi and Robert and we headed off for lunch close to my villa. After a nice lunch we stopped at Fashion Square Mall where I found some new shoes to replace my old ones at home that are no longer wearable. Then they dropped me at the villa. It was great to see them both and they look great. Robi has so many mannerism’s that remind me so much of Mom. It’s like Mom still with us living through Robin. She’d be happy and proud of Robi who is doing well.

Jody, Greg, Tom and Dave were at the house when I arrived. Brian was out picking some other people up at the airport and Luisa and Hans were at lunch. Within about an hour everyone had arrived. There are about a dozen of us here for the next few days with people as far away as Italy as Antonio is here. It’s a short trip as in less than 48 hours I’ll be back on a plane.

For the rest of the day and night we mixed a little informal business and fun together. Antonio and Luisa hit the pool. It’s not as hot here as everyone says, even though it’s over 100. Personally, I didn’t notice the heat all. It’s super nice outside right now at 6:15 in the morning. This must be why people live down here. I could live down here, or at least have a place for in the winter. Now I see why Mom and Dad came down every winter.

Our place is in what they call Old Phoenix and was built by the owners of the Royal Palm Resort where Mom and Dad used to take us for special holidays like Easter brunch. My room must be 1200 square feet with a large bathroom, jacuzzi, sitting room, dressing room and bedroom. It’s upstairs in a tower with a private balcony and fireplace. Brian, my Partner and close friend, put me the best room of course, ha, and had an agenda and welcome gifts laid out for me on my bed.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up the hockey game. One of my guys figured out how to stream it on a large tv through his computer via a pirated web site. I missed a bit of action in the third period when we were down 4 to 2. Frankly I thought it was over until my phone started blowing up. Not only did we take the lead 5 to 4 but after they scored to tie it, we won in overtime! What a series and now we’re in the Stanley Cup Finals. Go Av’s!

Today we’ll have meetings from about 10 until 1 and then the afternoon will be spent trying new wines. Then a nice dinner and tomorrow more of the same. Everyone at home is fine. Ty called from Costco and ordered 4 new tires for his car. Lori is fine and so is Jag.

I did buy about $400 worth of cigars at a great cigar shop by the Biltmore yesterday. A bunch of us smoked some yesterday and it was quite the treat for the guys. Looking forward to the day, time to get moving. Think I’ll shower and take a walk. Hope everyone is well, God Bless.

Off in about 2 hours for Arizona. Think I’m there about 66 hours. It’ll be quick, which is good. A little cloudy this morning but nice. Should be warming up this week. Not sure what we’re doing this weekend. We have either Aspen Food and Wine or a bbq at Jeff and Tina’s in Denver.

Today Lori has a hair appointment in Glenwood at 10:30 and a nail appointment back in Vail at 3:30. Jag has a debate for school and Ty will be trying to get his tires replaced on his car as he had a flat that is not repairable.

Hockey tonight. Hope we wrap it up. Need to get moving so time to go. Make it a great day and week and stay safe. There are a lot of crazies out there. Keep your head on a swivel, God Bless.

Yesterday afternoon we figured out Ty had a flat tire on his car. It was a slow leak. After getting air I sent him to Costco to have it fixed but they called saying it can’t be repaired. So he has his donut spare on now. He’ll need to stay close to home until we can get some new tires. Ugh.

The Av’s won even though the other team knocked out one of our top guys with a cheap shot early in the game. No place for that in sports. Hope our guy is ok.

Ty went camping again for the night and Jag took off around 10 last night to go get Lexi from some party down here as she was too buzzed to drive. She slept here last night. We’re off to the gym and tomorrow I’m off to Arizona. Today we’ll hang around the house.

Time to go, enjoy the day, GB.

80 degrees today, nice. Everything is green up here. all the rain has really helped. Eagle Days is going on up here. They block off all the streets downtown and set up stages for music and have a bunch of other stuff going on. Think we’ll all go down and check it out.

Lori took her mom for a drive and then sat with her for dinner again yesterday. We are starting to call her at 7am to make sure she gets up for breakfast. She needs to get up and stay up during the day so she’s not up all night.

In 48 hours I’ll be on a plane here in Eagle headed to Arizona. can’t wait, should be fun. 110 degrees down there though, that’s hot. Hockey tonight, hope we win.

I read that yesterday for the first time history, you can say, “He’s an idiot” and 90% of the World knows who you’re talking about! WOW, true.

Have a great day, God Bless.

Today is Mom and Dad’s anniversary. Wonder what kind of nice restaurants are up in Heaven. I remember when they were married. They were married in Denver and then took, I think, a helicopter down to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Might have been a private plane.

Yesterday I was in and out of Denver by 10:30 in the morning. Made it home by 1. Great hockey game at 6 but first was a conference call at 3 and then a get together with the guys at 5 at James. It was a great game and we won 4 to 0. We scored 3 goals in about 2 minutes and it was over. No offensive blowout like the 8 to 6 game two days earlier. Next game is tomorrow.

I’m off to the farm today after hitting the gym at 7. Should be back by 2. Ty had friends over last night and three of them are still sleeping downstairs. Rather have them here instead of out partying and driving.

Dixie is wandering at night. So much that they asked if we wanted a memory care room that opened up. These rooms are not nice as they’re just a hospital bed and bathroom. Lori discovered they’ve messed up her medication a bunch in the past few weeks so we’re getting that straightened out. Hope that fixes the problem as Lori is freaking out.

I’m off Monday for Arizona and back at noon on Thursday. Jag is working away and doing well from what I know. Ty is looking for a job, hope he gets one today. Time to go, enjoy the day. GB

Ty, Izzy and some friends went on an impromptu camping trip right up the hill from the house last night. Wonder if they were cold, ha. Oh to be 18 again. Jag had his first day of work and second day of school. He gets up with no problem when he has a commitment. Good quality to have.

The Queen in London is celebrating 70 years on the throne today. Amazing when you think about it. That means since about 1952 she’s been in charge.

I’m off to Denver for a quick round trip. Need to pick up James’s shotgun and drop off some wine. Should be back by 1 or so. Tonight we have hockey and cigar night. Tomorrow it’s back down to the farm.

It’s getting so old that we’re all taking it for granted but God, Biden is an idiot. The amazing thing is it’s just not him but the people he has in charge that surround him. How can they be so stupid! Oh well, hopefully we’ll break this cycle soon.

Time to move and groove. Need to be on the road by 7. Have a great day, GB.

Last night I had a dream. It was clear as day with Mom and Dad sitting in the back of a car facing me as I was sitting backwards. Must have been some kind of limo. Next to me was a family friend or distant relative, maybe Auntie Dee, who was really upset that she was so old. In tears she said she felt great and felt young but was so so old. This was right before I woke up but I saw my Mom’s expression clear as day as she was looking straight at me. She was smiling yet in agreement with whoever was so upset. She seemed to be agreeing with the person who was upset but resigned to the fact that yes, you can’t do anything about getting old. Mom’s look said so many things without saying a word. It’s as if she was saying, don’t waste any time. Fill up each day with as much as possible. Each minute is precious. Now I know this is a manifestation of feelings of getting older that I have myself but what a vivid dream and more important, what a message. I could be wrong and it could have been Mom all along looking right at me as I slept, hmm.

Ok, on to the day. By 9 I was at the farm unloading jars and after an hour meeting, was headed home. I stopped and bought a dozen bags of mulch for the yard at Murdoch’s before I hit the highway. I was back by noon. After a few more errands it was almost 4 as the afternoon just got away from me. Jag had school and starts work today. Hard to believe it’s June 1st.

At 6 the hockey game started. We ended up winning 8 to 6 in a fast paced, high scoring game. Only thing that matters is we won! Game 2 is tomorrow. Off to the gym in a few minutes as we have the appliance guy coming to fix the display on the fridge between 9 and noon. Of course, he’ll show up around 11:55.

Nice outside, nice yesterday too. Warming up now with afternoon rain showers. All the rain is great, water is good. That’s it, be well, stay safe and live life! God Bless.

Tomorrow is June and of course last night we had a light freeze. I brought in all the hanging plants but the ones in the ground had to tough it out. Jag starts school today, Ty is looking for a job and I’m driving down to the farm. Not sure if Lori is going into work as Dr. B is off to the Bahamas for a lecture. He had covid but is now negative. Not sure if Molly, his wife, has tested negative yet, so she can go with him.

Yesterday our big party turned into us and Marty. James was sleeping all day and the kid’s friends turned out to be no shows. Ty went to the last grad party after dinner and will be home at 7am this morning.

In about 90 days it’ll be September, wow. I need to go load 100 dozen glass jars into the truck and then shower and head out to Grand Junction so time to go. take care, be safe and God Bless.

Today is the day to give thanks and to honor to all those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Without them, you would have had a very different life. It always amazes me how men (and women) step up in the face of adversity and death and put their lives on the line without even thinking about it. For those that do make it home, many are forgotten or ignored by society when what we should be doing is showing them gratitude and going out of our way to make sure they’re alright. It’s a fact that a high percentage of the homeless are veterans. I know it’s not Veterans Day today but many of those turn to suicide due to lack of care, which can and should be prevented. In any case, today is a day to remember all those that gave so you could live!

We’re having a bbq with friends and some of the kids friends. I’m firing up the smoker in a couple hours after a trip to the gym. Last Friday I was stung by a wasp and man does it itch. I have a big red circle on the inside of my bicep where the thing got me. Hard to believe such a little animal could have such a big bite. At least I now know I’m not one that’ll have a severe allergic reaction.

James finished a show in Boston around midnight last night and headed straight to his plane and landed about 3am here. I texted him and told him “I won’t be picking you up”, ha. Melanie had to go out of town for work this morning so Marty will come over too. We’ve had good rain the past few days. Lori and I said glad we didn’t go camping as this would have been a weekend where you just stayed in your tent.

Time to get going, make it a great day. Too bad you are not closer as we’ll be eating good this afternoon. Lori made cheesecake yesterday too! God Bless.

6am, everyone is sleeping. I woke to a light pattering of rain on the roof. Looking outside it’s so quiet and peaceful. Sort of like the mountains are covered with a blanket of mist and clouds oozing moisture. Reminds me of Italy in the Fall. I fed Harley, made my coffee and went and stood outside on the patio to take it all in. It’s not cold, but it is cool. It’s refreshing. It feels like waves of life move through your body and soul. It’s good to be alive. Weather will do that to you.

Lately we’ve been thinking about how our lives will change with both boys off to college. Some friends bought motorhomes, others downsized and moved. For some, life didn’t change. For us, it’s bigger than that. It’s more a question of what’s it all mean. Not to get too deep but what’s the meaning of it all? Can one feel more fulfilled, more full of life, more satisfied? Is there a higher meaning or consciousness? When you’re on the downhill side of life, I suppose it’s normal to think this way. We just have never had the time to stop and think we were on that side of the hill, ha. I know a guy in San Francisco who quit his job, sold his house and took his wife and moved to Maui where they bought a t-shirt shop. Now he spends his days in the sun and surf basically hanging out. One thing’s for sure, none of us are getting any younger, no matter how good we feel or how hard we try to stay young. You can’t stop time. So I guess the point of waking to the calm, serene World outside is to just embrace it. Or as they say, stop and smell the roses.

The boys were both out late, living the life. We try to remember when we were their age and what we did and cut them as much slack as possible. They too should be able to embrace these years and live life to the fullest. Especially these days when all seems to be changing, and not for the better. We’ll head to the gym as it makes us feel good. Then we’ll stop at our regular breakfast stop before heading home to do some things around the house. The Monaco Grand Prix is about to start in southern France. This is a big deal in Europe. European royalty is out in full force. The rain there is picking up, just like at our Kentucky Derby, Indy 500 or any other famous annual event. It’s like God always says, don’t forget about me!

Lee and Margaret came by last night and brought Ty a graduation card filled with money! They’re so nice and good to have close. The sky is turning blue with the sun kissing the tops of the mountains. The colors of green, blue and white are so bright it’s like the best painting you could ever imagine. Another reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. Time to get moving and get out there and embrace life. Enjoy the day and weekend. Don’t think too much, just do. God Bless.