Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Seven Stones and a Necklace

"the place to be" #sevenstones
I've driven by a spot of land nearly every day since we've lived here in Roxborough.  The signage I can see from the road has always confused me a little.  It says "Seven Stones- A Botanical Gardens Cemetery".  That's been confusing to me for a few reasons.  One, it doesn't look anything like a cemetery.  At all.  And two, usually a botanical garden isn't also a cemetery.  I wondered, "Is this where good plants go to die?"

A few weeks ago, I noticed another sign advertising an event they were having at Seven Stones.  "Rox and Stones" they were calling it, saying that there would be local artists, live music and a food truck. I told Fermin we had to go. And so, we did!

And now, as morbid as this sounds, I know where I'd like to be buried.  (Although, honestly, I don't really plan on being buried.  I'm probably down for cremation.  But for the sake of expressing how much I loved this place, let's just say I want to be buried.)

Like I said before, Seven Stones doesn't look like a cemetery at all.  It looks like a park, with lots of pretty stone walkways, and a beautiful view of the mountains.  There are benches and lots of flowers. And I think my favorite thing was the sculptures.


They had metal sculptures like these that people had written messages on- So sweet...

There weren't many vendors, which seemed more tasteful when there are too may, and I really loved the few that were there. In one vendor's booth, I noticed this necklace, with a charm on it with a bird (as a rule, I love all things birds) that said "hold it closer"- I didn't know exactly what was meant by that little phrase, but it made me feel emotional.  As I was weirdly tearing up, I asked the astist what she meant by those words and she told me that she just meant, whatever it is that you love, hold it closer. And so, that necklace is now mine.  I've worn it each day since I bought it and I just adore it.

I still have some questions about this place, but now, I at least have an idea of what it is, and I love it.  I wonder why it's called "seven stones".  I wonder who's idea this was.  I wonder how many of the people there that day had a loved one in that cemetery. I wonder how often they have events there.  Because I'd like to go back.  And often. But long before I die.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

These Are the Good Old Days

I'm so out of the habit of writing in my blog, but this week, I'm jump starting things and I intend to write a few posts just to get back into the swing of it.

So often, I'll think, "OH!  I wanna blog about this!" I'll feel excited about it, and I'll think about what I plan to say and what photos I plan to use for illustration, but then, a day or two passes, and then whatever I was going to write about seems like old news.

Blog procrastination is a bad habit I'm ready to break.  NOW.

There are so many good things happening around me, and I want to write about as much of it as I can so that I can remember it that much better. I know this time, right here, right now, is the good old days.
THESE are the good old days
Ok, so....

This past Friday night, Fermin and I went to our first neighborhood party.  There's a couple that lives on our street that I've met a few time on the walking trail, and they told me about it about a week ago.  It was one of those things Fermin and I knew we should do, but it felt a little awkward as we were walking up the steps to the house- We didn't know anyone there.

There were a lot of people there, more than I expected. It felt friendly and welcoming from the second we walked in!  Everyone brought appetizers and whatever they wanted to drink.  There was tons of good food- tamales, dumplings, chili, cookies... the greatest hodge podge ever!

We stayed pretty late- in fact- we were some of the very last people to leave the party which is SO like Fermin, but really NOT like me at all.  But there was never really a point when I wanted to get home and take a bath, like I so often feel when I'm out socializing and hit my limit within a few hours in. And that really says a lot!

One couple we talked with invited us to go hiking the next morning...

And so we did!  Jim and Carolyn showed us trails in our neighborhood that lead to other, bigger trails... Some, that lead into Pike's Peak.  So within about 10 minutes of walking, it felt like we were in a totally different area.  We could no longer see the red rocks that so define our neighborhood, but instead, there were so many pine trees.
just a few minutes up the trail from our neighborhood

timber!

trees and more trees

I was a little worried about poison ivy, and mad at myself for wearing shorts instead of long pants.  But Carolyn loaned me some special soap I showered off with after we got home.  And either it worked well, or (more likely) I somehow dodged a poison ivy bullet.  Because so far, so good- No rash whatsoever.
And now that I know about that trail, I've got endless new miles I can walk with the dogs. And I WILL wear long pants next time, for sure.

Later that afternoon, after going out for tacos (which has become a Saturday ritual) and running lots of errands, we stopped by an event I had seen advertised called "Rox and Stones"- It was at Seven Stones Botanical Cemetery.  I have been so curious about this "cemetery" because I drive past it nearly every day.  All I knew was what the advertisement had said.  That Rox and Stones is "a Festival of Art, Music and Nature, showcases local artists on Seven Stones’ ever-changing grounds".

I loved it so much, that I plan on writing more about it tomorrow, before it becomes old news.  (*Remember, this is the new me! Procrastination no more!)

We came home and cooked a fine meal- seriously better than anything we could have gone out for- Fermin made the steak, and we had sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts, with a honey/balsamic coating and candied walnuts.  Oh. My. God.

Today, more hiking- We took Lucy to a new area, but we didn't get very far before we saw a sign telling us the trail was closed but not telling us why. :(

It was a hot day and we had gotten a late start anyway, so we went to the Chatfield Dog Park and let Lucy splash around in the water just long enough to lose her ball.  And then...tacos again!  Because every day is a great day for tacos!
Lucy, awaiting her breakfast taco at R Taco- YUM.

And now, I'm about to make dinner- So that's it for now, for my weekend recap.

Next up, I'll be writing more about the Rox and Stones event we got to go to yesterday, because it really deserves it's own dedicated blog post.

Monday, August 20, 2018

Music Monday is Back

Fermin and I have been listening to an "oldies" radio station since we've moved to Colorado.  Mainly because we've been too lazy to program in other stations, but also because admittedly, we like it.

They play old music (obviously!- it's an oldies station) but also pretty current stuff like Katie Perry.  Whatever.

Anyway, over the weekend we heard this song on that station.  It caught my ear because I thought I heard the lyrics right, but wasn't sure because they didn't match the upbeat sound of the song. And they were just so ridiculous. So, I looked it up on Apple Music.  And yep, I was right about the lyrics.  We then went on to listen to that song over and over.  And over and over.  Throughout the whole weekend.  Anytime we needed a little pick me up! Anytime we got in the car to go somewhere! While we were cooking! When we were getting up and starting our day! If You Wanna Be Happy worked for every scenario.

So here it is.  "If You Wanna Be Happy" performed by Jimmy Soul.  Wow. Today, this song would be banned for it's sexism, but back in the day, I guess the sentiment was okay.

I'm going to write out the lyrics below the video, because they're worth reading.  Just hilarious. And as ridiculous as the song is, it makes me extremely happy.  And his falsetto voice towards the end of the song always makes me laugh. Enjoy!

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall
As soon as he marries her then she starts
To do the things that will break his heart

But if you make an ugly woman your wife
You'll be happy for the rest of your life
An ugly woman cooks meals on time
And she'll always give you peace of mind

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Sax solo

Don't let your friends say you have no taste
Go ahead and marry anyway
Though her face is ugly, her eyes don't match
Take it from me, she's a better catch

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Spoken:
Say man!
Hey baby!
I saw your wife the other day!
Yeah?
Yeah, an' she's ug-leeee!                                            

Yeah, she's ugly, but she sure can cook, baby!              
Yeah, alright!                                                                 

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Friday, August 3, 2018

The Neighborhood Zumba

Although I used to go the the gym to work out all the time, I haven't been a fan of that in years.  I'd much rather do my cardio outside, and using bands and a few free weights is enough for "sculpting" for me.  The last gym I belonged to, I only went for yoga.  And now, even that I prefer doing at home using the Asana Rebel app.

Here in Colorado, I have even less reason to ever go to the gym because I love being outside so much and there's plenty of ways to get a good work out.

So the fact that there isn't a good gym near our house doesn't bother me at all.  I told Fermin just a few weeks ago, that the only reason I might join a gym (if he does, because he would like to find one) is if it had Zumba.  I have no idea why lately I've decided Zumba would be a good idea, but for some reason, it has occurred to me.


I feel stupid in any dancing situation, but it looks so fun when other people do it.  I've been thinking that I don't know anyone here yet, so who cares.  I can look as stupid as I want.  So maybe that's why lately, Zumba's been on my mind.

Last week, I met a couple ladies on a trail in my neighborhood.  I have no idea how it came up during our very short conversation, but they told me there's a Zumba class twice a week in our community center.  They were super friendly and encouraged me to try it.

So yesterday, I did. 

And yes, I felt stupid.  But it was pretty fun.  And in a fast hour, I got a decent cardio workout.  Something totally different.

It was free, since it was my first time.  And from here on out, it's still only $5!  It's in my neighborhood, so I don't even have to drive to a gym.  And it's a way for me to meet some of the neighborhood ladies. I feel so lucky to have found exactly what I was looking for!