Once Upon a Time

I thought I was in for a spectacular sunrise, the first one I got up in time to shoot in what felt like forever. The slightest pink highlights lasted less than 15 seconds. By the time I got out of my car, the sky was back to gray. We got rain later in the day, so that's worth it. But I was so bummed!

I decided to hike around for a while to see if there were any other good shots on the horizon. Or right in front of me...

There's still a bit of color. And, eventually, the sky did have another brief display of color.

Both Lizard and I (as well as most of the community) had been heartbroken over all the trees that were cut down.

Lizard and I learned about a year ago now this particular state park is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. More than a decade ago, the park (and most of the Front Range of Colorado) had experienced the opposite of what we face now. The park was closed for a while due to high water. The bike path I traversed when I commuted to work on two wheels was often closed due to high water. In addition, the reservoir's water levels were permanently raised by 12 feet in 2020-2022 to secure more municipal water, and the roots of thousands of shoreline trees were drowned under sustained high water.

Because dead hybrid poplars (cottonwoods) eventually rot and pose a safety risk to boaters and park visitors when strong winds hit, crews have been actively clearing thousands of these flooded "snags" over the past couple of years. The long-term goals for a state park and flood management are very different. It doesn't make it easier to swallow, but we did learn preservation has different meanings to different overseers.

I was most upset because eagle habitat was being decimated. Eagle sightings in the park have been dramatically reduced. However, water sports enthusiasts now won't be risking their lives beneath dead trees that could have fallen on them.

I have noticed many new little trees growing where the water used to be.

As they grow, some are going to really mess up the sidewalk/bike path that wraps around the reservoir. Potential tripping hazard for walkers, and wreck potential for cyclists. It seems like they are going to be continually fighting to keep the state park safe for humans while making it less attractive to wildlife.

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Snowflake Monday

I designed today's snowflake (with my own hand-dyed thread) in between Ride the Rockies and the MS-150 in 2013. (While Mrs. Micawber was visiting!) The weeklong tour was awesome, but gigantic things at my job had changed while I was riding my bike across Colorado during RtR. For a couple of days when I first returned, I didn't know if I would still have a job, and a couple of people who had been at my office longer than me were advising me to do something with which I did not feel comfortable doing at all.

I prayed about what I should do, and I received confirmation that I should follow my heart. That was 13 years ago. My lucky number! I no longer have my snowflake prototype, and I apparently never took a photo of it (I see it in my head as clearly as if I'd made it this week), but I did write the instructions. I no longer have the job; I do not regret at all retiring early to care for Lizard full time when he needed me most. I retired after 30 years and one month with the company, and I was able to spend Lizard's final year and a half with him, one on one, no distractions.

I giggled at the temporary name I gave the prototype back then: Blue/Green Triangle in the Middle. (Can you see a hint of an Enterprise outline in some of the stitching??? With a little imagination???) The thread dyeing was done in 2012 as one of my Star Fleet Fiber Arts Corp missions. I couldn't resist stepping back in time to fondly remember my Ravelry Star Trek days, given the recent passing of Walter Koenig and Patrick Stewart. Losing Jean-Luc Picard was as emotional for me as losing Spock 11 years ago, even though I have not watched any entertainment TV at all since the day Lizard went into the hospital last April. I wonder if he has met Chekov and the captain of the NCC-1701-D and NCC-1701-E yet. I know he would have wanted to be standing in line!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Enterprising Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: Ch 6 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 5), sk next sc, 1 sc in next sc] 2 times; ch 2, 1 tr in 1st ch of starting ch 6 to form 3rd ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, [ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, * in next ch 3 tip work (2 dc, ch 5, sl st in top of dc just made, 1 dc)] 3 times, ending * on final repeat; 1 dc next ch 3 tip, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, ch 2, 1 tr in same ch to form 3rd ch 5 tip of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, [[ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 2 times, ch 3, in next ch 5 tip work (2 dc, * ch 3, 2 dc)] 3 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 3rd ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 3, sk next ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 sp work (3 dtr, ch 3, 3 dtr), ch 3, sk next ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 3 times, omitting last 3 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip and 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 6: Ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and ch 3,) 1 dc over post of tr directly below, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 tr, ch 7, * 1 tr, ch 3, 1 dc] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 7; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Zombie Memories

Eleven years ago, Lizard and I embarked upon a Crested Butte wildflower tour. He used his helmet cam to walk through a beautiful meadow of flowers, while I used the only camera we had at the time besides the GoPro that would shoot movies. Lizard adopted that camera when I bought the point-and-shoot I still use, and he used it all the way up to about 2022, when he could no longer operate cameras, keyboards or phones.

Just last month, I gave that camera to one of our granddaughters, who wants to pursue photography, she says, because of me. I told her Grandpa would be very proud of her photography, and he would want her to have and use his camera.

But, back to Crested Butte, Lizard encountered a very unexpected nest of snakes while filming, and the resulting movie was a delight to both of us throughtout the rest of his life. He loved watching this video, along with all his helmet cam videos from so many of our cycling adventures.

Our date back in 2015 wasn't a Halloween outing, but I put the final edits to what, in my mind at the time, was very much a spooky song. It's the Halloweenest thing I can find in my collection to share prior to the big day tomorrow. This cute video can still put a huge smile in my heart when I view it now, even though I still miss Lizard so much.

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Tender Mercies

I was busy working on a project yesterday so I would have something for my blog today. But then I checked the mail. First time in more than a week.

Mostly junk mail, and mostly filed in the circular file (the trash). But, there was a check from some paperwork I had to process on behalf of Lizard back in July. I was excited because, for the first time since about July, I had some breathing room. I thanked God before opening the next envelope, which had a refund of $12 from the insurance company for overcharging me for Lizard's hospital stay. Every penny helps, right?

If this is beginning to sound like Jonathan Roumie's miracle, you must be feeling the Spirit.

The next envelope was from the state. They'd made a change to my 2022 taxes. I'd been hit with a big tax bill, plus four years' interest. I went into panic mode. I had no idea where I would get the money.

I had planned to decide if I should sell my house after the one-year anniversary of Lizard's death. Because they say you shouldn't make a decision like that until it's been a year. My first thought when I read the state's letter was I now had no choice. And then I prayed.

I still have a couple of medical bills to pay off. I'm still making payments on my car's surgery. I'm trying to finish the backyard so I CAN sell the house if I need to. The monthly HOA charge is going up. My semi-annual auto insurance is due in two weeks. And, I still haven't received my federal tax refund this year. (They asked me to resubmit my entire package in July because what I sent in April had been damaged.)

I tried to brainstorm how I would pay the tax bill before I accrue even more interest. I could sell one of Lizard's bikes. I've known for a couple of months I will probably need to get at least a part-time job in January, but I don't want to have to give up going to the temple during the week, during the day, and my heart ached as I felt that desire slipping away. I could drain my savings. I could close out a savings account I've held onto for an emergency. I was literally falling to pieces.

As I was typing in my journal late last night, I had a knock on the door. It literally scared the living daylights out of me. I cautiously opened the door and could hear someone running down the street. I could see someone running down the street, but I could not recognize the figure in the dark.

On my porch was a beautiful gift bag with an even more beautiful quilt card on the inside. On the front of the card, it says, "We are each a remarkable thing stitched together by all we have survived." On the inside is a handwritten note: "You've had a lot of stitches this year. Thank you for always shining the Light of Christ." The greeting is not signed. Tucked neatly inside the card was a thick wad of crisp $20 bills.

I have exactly enough money, to the penny, to pay the tax today before any more interest accrues.

When I prayed, Proverbs 3:5 came to mind. For the remainder of the afternoon, I tried as hard as I could to trust in the Lord with all my heart. But I was so worried. After my anonymous angel's visit, I prayed with such gratitude.

God is the only one who knew. Well, except for the state. God knew the exact amount. He really does see the big picture.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Oh, Winter, Where Be Thy Sting?

I knew better than to get my hopes up early in October, when the ten-day forecast predicted our first snow. By the time that storm rolled through, it didn't. Our lowest overnight low was 43.

I told my mom I might be able to visit after the next week's next overnight freeze forecast. I've been waiting for the garden to be done so I can make a road trip to visit my mom. That ten-day forecast didn't materialize, either.

Now we have another 10-day forecast that makes the snowflake shooter in me come alive. It's actually in November, so it COULD happen. But I don't know if I'm going to get my hopes up yet. Maybe if the forecast is still calling for flakes by next Sunday...

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Snowflake Monday

Today's snowflake began as a rock covering. I suppose I should write another rock covering pattern... It's been WAY too long. I think the lacy tips on the snowflake look like a bow, don't you? Or a heart! How I love incorporating hearts into snowflakes!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 4.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Coquette Snowflake Instructions

Special Stitches

Popcorn Stitch (pc): Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: 1 pc into same sc as sl st, [ch 12, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 2, sk next sc, 1 pc into next sc] 5 times; ch 2, 1 dc in top of starting pc to form 6th ch 4 sp of Round, ch 4, 1 dtr in top of dc just worked to form 6th ch 9 tip of Round.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), over post of dtr directly below work (1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dtr), [in next ch 9 tip work (1 dtr, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dtr] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; sl st in starting ch 1.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in each of next 8 ch, in next sc work (1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in each of next 9, ch 5, sk over next ch 5 tip, 1 dc in next dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in each of next 9, ch 5, ch 4, 1 sc over Round 4 and Round 5 ch 5 sp, ch 4, 1 dc in next dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 4, Rock Covering: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), 1 dc in gap between next 2 dtr, * ch 5, 1 dc in next sc] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 12th ch 5 sp of Round.
NOTE: My pendant rock is small. My next Round for the pendant was the same as Final Round below. For larger rocks, go on to Round 5.

Rounds 5-?, Rock Covering: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 11 times; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 18th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 8 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on the back or bottom side. If your rock is too big to fit in this, either use a smaller rock, OR, work up to 6 increases on Round 5, evenly spaced.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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