Tuesday, 28 November 2006 - One more November climbing adventure

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one more November climbing adventure.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~John Muir

It's a simply glorious morning. The kind of morning that tricks one into believing that the widely anticipated cold front won't arrive today after all.

Bright sunshine. Clear blue skies. Temperatures in the mid-40s. Southerly breezes with occasional gusts.

We rush to Red Rock Canyon for one more November climbing adventure. It's a good one, too. We bask in the autumn sun and climb on the Solar Slab to our hearts' content. By 1:45 PM, we're finally done - sore feet with endorphin-charged, tired bodies.

Excellent timing on our part! Just as S takes down the top rope and finishes his final descent, the cold front arrives. The temperature drops quickly - must be at least 10 degrees colder than it was a few minutes ago. And that's not factoring in the wind chill.

Brrrrrr. It is really, really cold. We quickly pack the rope and gear. After S and I don our warmest jackets, we begin the hike to the parking area. Only T doesn't seem to mind the half-mile-plus jog into the arctic headwind.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photos: Red Rock Canyon - our final November climbing adventure - ideal conditions prevail as we hike to the Solar Slab.

Monday, 27 November 2006 - A fair warning

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a fair warning: wintry weather ahead.

While a major winter storm from the Northwest advances towards the Rocky Mountain region, I am preparing mentally for the change in weather. Yesterday's ideal 50-something daytime high will soon plummet to the frigid teens (with single digit temperatures at night).

I shouldn't complain. We are, after all, less than a month from the official start of winter. What else should I expect from Mother Nature and her menopausal mood swings?

For the next several days, I'll reluctantly say good-bye to pleasant temperatures, rock climbing adventures and open doors and windows. Then, I'll force myself to say hello to bitter cold, snow and indoor workouts.

We'll try to keep the house thermostat at 63 degrees during the day, 60 degrees at night.

"Put on a heavier jacket," I'll urge S when he wants to turn up the heat. I will be wearing three or four layers of clothing myself.

I don't know where I stored the space heater that warms my feet as I work in my chilly studio/office - will check the basement tomorrow morning.

T won't mind the cooler weather as long as he gets to stay inside the house (spoiled fellow!). His energy level usually rises as the temperature drops. I'm planning to take him on extra long hikes so he'll get enough exercise (remind me to wear heavy gloves, a warm hat and insulated boots).

Winter. Winter. Winter.

I guess it's time to begin dreaming of a white Christmas.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: Red Rock Canyon - Leafless aspen trees decorate the meadow that lies above the east climbing wall

Sunday, 26 November 2006 - A simple walk in the park

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a simple walk in the park.

S and I are too tired from yesterday's rock climbing efforts. So, we decide to hike around Red Rock Canyon. Nothing strenuous. Just enough of an outing to get some exercise and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. The hike will also give T an excellent opportunity to sniff and trailblaze to his heart's content.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photos: Red Rock Canyon

S pauses while T investigates a good sniff.

T and I head up the trail.

Garden of the Gods and its fascinating rock formations loom to the north.

View of Pikes Peak

A climber ascends a route on Coyote Wall

S and T head down the trail towards the main canyon.

Saturday, 25 November 2006 - Fast recovery times

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for fast recovery times - we've climbed 6 days out of the last 10. When you're 50-something, the bruised knees and sore muscles don't recover overnight.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photos: Red Rock Canyon - we enjoyed a fabulous day climbing on the Whale (bottom photo, wall on the left) - S completed his first 5.10c climb (I didn't try this one - will give it a go next time)

Friday, 24 November 2006 - Black Friday

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a non-shopping day (Black Friday).

I didn't have time to shop anyway - on or off-line. Since we went to Tom's for Thanksgiving dinner, I cooked our own feast today.

The menu: 25.5 pound organic turkey (T guarded the oven for the duration), bread dressing (this year I added buffalo Italian sausage and dried cranberries), yams with rum and maple syrup, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce with a shot of whiskey, steamed green beans, gravy and pumpkin pie. The wine - an Australian shiraz.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 23 November 2006 - Thanksgiving

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a simply glorious Thanksgiving Day!

S, T and I spent the morning rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon. Then we raced home to get ready to join a small group of cycling friends for a delicious potluck turkey dinner and football (I made the cranberry sauce and sweet potato/yam side dish).

Yes, I complain about this and that and wish we had a larger bank account. But, after considering other alternatives, I am satisfied that, in my very small corner of the earth, I continue to live a rich and interesting life.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 22 November 2006 - Caution

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for extra caution when driving.

Someone ran a red light in front of us this evening - a very blatant act of wreckless driving. My husband is a cautious driver and, fortunately, hesitated a few seconds before entering the intersection to make a left hand turn. Those few seconds probably saved our lives.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 21 November 2006 - Success

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my first successful 5.10 climb ever! I liked the climb so much, I did it twice.

I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: Red Rock Canyon - a beautiful fall day - warm and clear - perfect for rock climbing

Monday, 20 November 2006 - Yarn stash

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my yarn stash.

I'm behind in my knitting due to too many distractions and my goal of cutting down on the time I spend watching television. It's a little late to order new yarn, even though I'm tempted by a silk yarn listed on Artfiber.com. So, I'm very thankful for my large stash of yarn - skeins and skeins of handspun/handdyed treasures just begging to be knit into a one-of-a-kind scarf.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 19 November 2006 - Sharing our passion

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a chance to share our passion.

S, T and I periodically join Dr. Warwick in his continuing effort to get young people interested in climbing. This time, we belayed and coached a group of kids at Kindergarten Rock. We knew Matt and Ashley from a previous outing - were happy to see them again and note their progress.

Of course, T received lots of attention and affection from the young climbers. We rewarded his very good behavior with a 3-mile apres-climbing hike.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.


Photos:
Garden of the Gods

(top) Noon - Today's climb - note the brilliant blue sky.

(bottom) 3:30 PM - view from the trail as we took T on his apres-climbing hike.

Saturday, 18 November 2006 - The Salvation Army

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for The Salvation Army.

While running errands, I notice that the Salvation Army bellringers and red kettles are already stationed at popular shopping venues. They remind me that others desperately need help with the basics of life, and that I am a very fortunate person.

This year, I won't walk the other way when I see a bellringer. True, I don't have a wad of cash in my pocket. Still, I promise to give something each time I pass a red kettle.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.


Photo: Red Rock Canyon - T and I pause on the trail while S takes our picture. Despite the cool weather, we managed to climb for a few hours this afternoon.

Friday, 17 November 2006 - One mom, back at home

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful that my mother is home from the hospital and on her way to a complete recovery.

For this blessing, I am very grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 16 November 2006 - A break in the cold weather

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a break in the cold weather.

The National Weather Service forecast a high of 59 degrees. We have our doubts. The morning is cold and frosty. A thick mass of clouds blocks the sun. We anxiously await the arrival of some sunshine and warm air.

Around noon, a warm Chinook wind picks up, sweeping the low pressure system out of the area. Guess it's a good climbing day after all.

We reach Red Rock Canyon around 1 PM - better late than never. We hike to the our favorite canyon wall, the Whale. S leads a 5.7 (we warm up on this climb) before leading the neighboring 5.8. We both climb well and enjoy the strenuous workout. Next time, we'll try the 5.9.

Three hours later, S takes down the rope. We pack our gear and hike out of the canyon just as the winds begin to gust. The temperature must have dropped at least 10 degrees (not including the wind chill). I'm glad I brought a warm hat and gloves.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: Red Rock Canyon - S (with our climbing gear and rope in his backpack) and T pause on the trail that leads to our favorite climbing wall.

Wednesday, 15 November 2006 - A bowl of oatmeal

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a bowl of oatmeal for dinner.

Hunger is the best sauce in the world. ~Cervantes

This month, we are eating down the freezer and pantry - something we do periodically to avoid wasting food.

I've also been cooking every day for nearly three years (ever since S lost his last corporate America job). I like to cook and don't mind the task. Just not today.

Unfortunately, we have no leftovers. My husband ate the last bit of yesterday's stir fry for lunch. I ate the last slice of homemade bread for my lunch - toasted and spread with chunky peanut butter and raspberry jam. I shared the crust with T.

Darn it. Now, I don't have anything to eat for dinner.

I rummage through the refrigerator and notice the bags of sliced almonds and dried cranberries. I also check to see if we have any oatmeal in the pantry. Yes!

So, my dinner is a big bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal topped with almonds, dried cranberries and a drizzle of maple syrup. Perfect for a nippy November evening!

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.