Rest in peace, my Sweet Ellie Lou

Loved from day one.

 

 

 

 

 

(Sorry, the next few are too cute not to post but taken with a phone so pretty grainy)

 

 

 

Loved until the very end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loved always. We'll miss you, Gator.

A Wintry Evening Run

Guess what? It's ba-aack! That's right, the fourth snowfall of the season blanketed the front range this weekend and left Boulder under five or six inches of powder. "Powder." Hmm, this word is really misleading considering the battle I just ensued.  Tonight I found myself with no choice but to hit the roads in the dark. Okay, so there was another choice, but considering the race I'm attempting in March, the option was not an option at all.

Today, Ben and I woke early to take a scenic drive to Estes Park for a little breakfast and a lot of stunning views. The morning began with a quick stop at our favorite coffee shop and a slow, slippery drive through the Rockies to Estes. This quaint town butts up against Rocky Mountain National Park and, really, the drive from Boulder is quite convenient averaging less than an hour. But more on that topic when I have more time. When we returned home, it was nearly 2pm and I felt guilty enough for putting off studying that I hunkered down for a good four or five hours before the stress of memorizing alkene reactions, alkyne reactions, oxidation reactions - you understand by now - got the best of me. By the time I surfaced, daylight was long gone.

After tonight, I can say with confidence that Winter is on the way.  Why, you ask? Well, maybe it was the hard packed snow under my feet (curse the people who are too lazy to shovel!), the below-freezing temps nipping at my nose and cheeks and fingers and toes, maybe the hat and gloves and spandex and fleece I wore, or the patches of black ice that nearly swept me off my feet more than a dozen times. Maybe it was just the nostalgia of the countless times my feet traced the very same path they took tonight, whether that be in Boulder, Denver, La Crosse, Stevens Point or Green Bay. All I can say for certain is that a turn of the season is in the air. Please don't mistake this post, because tonight truly was refreshing and motivating, but darn if on days like today it doesn't take just a bit more effort to walk out that front door (especially when there's that cozy fireplace begging for attention)!

Some of the highlights of my evening run:
an owl's hoot
the abandoned roads (which, in Boulder, is actually pretty rare!)
my running partner faithfully trotting along my side
windows glowing in each house we pass
the snow-covered mountains, like great white beacons, filling the Western skyline
neighborhood dogs barking as we pass, putting my partner on alert
the feel of my body warming to the pace I dictate
the stars, clear, hard and bright

And, this is why I have a lifelong love affair with running.

Stifled

The best part of waking up

Is fresh-ground, fresh-brewed organic coffee from this new fella...

in your cup.

An Uncertain Path

Today, my sweet girl, Ellie Lou, is on my mind. I wanted to share with you this short hike we took together in early September.  This particular hike marked the beginning of our path down a difficult road. It was on this day we found out about the lymphoma.
 

I am thankful for the ability to find peace here, right outside my door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, Ellie was not at her best. It breaks my heart to admit that lately these days are coming all too often. I wanted to recall this day, and how easily the dogs fell into their usual pace with Byrdie out front bounding back and forth from one side of the trail to the other, and with Ellie pulling me along on her leash desperately trying to chase her pal only to be denied by that cursed length of rope, and all those inevitable feelings that flooded me out there. Love, sadness, anger, confusion and regret. And I also wanted to recall the sense of calm that came over me, knowing Ellie had a life most dogs only dream of (you know, the dreams you can practically see - legs moving and bodies twitching, finally catching that elusive squirrel/deer/cat...). She has been and continues to be loved and cuddled and spoiled rotten. I've been fortunate enough to spend 2 years and 9 months with this four year old pup and although the last leg of the journey is and will be trying I'll cherish every moment.

Here's to my little Ellie Lou, the Elliegator, the Gator, the Mamma, Mamma Lou... and every other pet name anyone has called her. I love you, sweet girl.

Boulder Farmers' Market

"Praise harvest, a pause and sigh on the breath of immortality."

Barbara Kingsolver (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life)

This past weekend, I wandered down to the Farmers' Market as I have come to do most Saturday mornings when I'm in town. I took a camera along, hoping to capture a bit of this place to which I am so drawn, hoping to share with you the enchantment that is the Boulder Farmers' Market. The day was picture perfect: the bluebird skies, the sun melting the snow to piles of nothing, the slant of light playing on the fall harvest.What's not to love?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this last photograph, well, really all of them are for my mom. I wished to capture the sun and send it home. And now, I hope that, in the very least, these photos will stave off that soon to come Midwest winter blues.