A Sad Farewell...

It's a bit of a difficult day for Colorado, and for the world of journalism. I have no idea what the longest running newspaper in the nation is, but the Rocky Mountain News was one of the longest. Now this 4-time Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper who was just 55 days shy of its 150th anniversary has died.

It was announced to us all yesterday that today, the 27th of February, 2009, would be the very last and final printing of this longstanding newspaper. It came as a shock to everyone, including the entire journalistic staff. The local news showed the printing live at the end of the 10pm newscast. People all over the state of Colorado have flocked to gas stations, newsstands, and various other places that sell periodicals to obtain this very last issue today. Believe me when I say that it was difficult to find a single copy by the afternoon, unless you knew where to look.

I am among those who have been saddened by this loss. It is due, in part, to the fact I have always wished to be a journalist. I even pulled a short stint in the military as a reporter, somehow managing to have a number of articles published in various Air Force publications. Despite my desire and love for this particular career, I declined to work toward it because I know full well how difficult a business it can be. I want to be able to support my family should the need arise....and journalism is a dying world. Maybe not the world of televised journalism, but I simply do not have the looks to be in front of a camera each day. Besides, even that world is difficult and you can be cut from it in a nanosecond.

The other part of this sadness for me is the fact I have periodically referenced this news source in my adult life. I was able to get my hands on copies of it in a lot of places, including Washington, D.C. That speaks volumes. It was a publication that was revered for its fair reporting, including spectacular sports reports and editorials that could make a sailor blush. Fair, blunt, and not always politically correct. All the things I love. I will no longer be able to refer to this media source when I want to put a particular subject square in the front of those I'm aiming to reach.

I haven't read all of the articles, editorials, memoirs, and eulogies yet, but I've scanned through. It brought tears. Perhaps what is the most clear thought is that it's not just the end of a very long running era, it is the death of one. It's a sentiment repeated multiple times. Interesting.

The Denver Post is taking over the subscriptions, has hired a number of the employees and journalists, and had their own poignant monument:

(Today Denver is at a loss for words. Farewell, Rocky)

Two political cartoons stand loud and clear amid the print. One highlights the thoughts and feelings of the Mile High City, the other echoes the feelings of the Colorado readers:

The edition is full of articles and thoughts over the last 150-years. I am sharing a few that were of more recent history, the ones people may remember most. The Columbine High School shootings.

The worst fire season in Colorado history, which included the largest fire in the state's history: the Hayman Fire. Started by a Forest Service employee and burned thousands of acres, homes included, in an area that was very close to Colorado Springs AND Denver.

And a story that reached across email inboxes throughout the world. That of a Marine who was killed in Iraq, who's coffin was unloaded from the belly of a commercial airliner while passengers stayed on board and watched, and who's wife spent one final night beside her husband's body while it laid in state before the funeral. Though he was from the Reno area, and the funeral took place there, she was from the suburbs of Denver. The photos and written story that became famous were done by a Rocky Mountain News photojournalist.

Perhaps the final page holds the words that are the most true. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it is still remarkable.

So long, Rocky Mountain News. May journalism do you proud and be fair....

The Ghost Light....

A little while back I let Luke choose a book while we were shopping. I figured I could reward him once in a while, and books are something he loves. The book he chose is about "Mater," the tow truck from the movie Cars. He has yet to see the movie, but the book was interesting enough for him to pick out. It's titled "Mater and the Ghost Light."

He LOVES this book! Frankly, I'm a little tired of it, but reading something 4 or 5 times a day will do that to a person. Who cares? My boy's enjoyment of reading is what really matters! Anyway, this is also his top choice when it comes time to go to bed.

The other day Luke decided to read his Mater book to the dog. I didn't actually see it because I didn't want to ruin the moment, but I heard it. It was very cute. Red, of course, probably didn't give two hoots, but he also didn't go downstairs. Luke was happy.

Last night was the big surprise for us. We were reading for bedtime when Luke said "Mommai, I do." Okay, what's this? Next thing we know he tells us exactly what the page says: "OH NO! It's the Ghost Light!" Plain as day, with enthusiasm, and extreme pride!

Needless to say, we were also extremely proud and let him know. So, no matter what, I will forever be keeping this book. There's no way I can resist!

Spring Has Sprung...

Luke and I spent a fair amount of time outside yesterday. Why not? We may both be hacking and coughing every few seconds, but the weather was warm, sunny, and virtually now wind. A little sun was sure to do us some good. And since the weather was so nice, we also tackled the task of watering the lawn.....again. I know other parts of the country are socked in with tons of snow, but we've missed out and will be paying for it come summer.

A few weeks ago I had mentioned that my crocuses and daffodils were coming up. Six weeks early for them to be poking out of the ground. Looking around one could also see the trees were starting to bud, the most obvious being the globe willows and their green tips. Well, yesterday was even more evidence of our early spring. The crocuses are blooming!



Okay, so it's only a couple of them, but I can see the heads on all of them and expect my full garden's worth to be in bloom by this time next week.

My lilacs have buds, my cottonwood tree is really budding...I suppose we'll have actual leaves within a few weeks. The sap has moved to the ends of the branches on the maple trees, and they have little buds, too. It's good to know they survived winter, but good grief! We shouldn't be seeing this stuff for another four weeks! March is our snowiest month, so the thought of that being ahead is a good one. I just seriously doubt we'll be seeing a whole lot.

I believe those in PA and the rest of the Northeast will be sticking with another 4 weeks of winter, but those of us in Eastern Colorado thought Punxatawny Phil was smoking crack. It appears he was right on for those in his area, but for us? Nope! Spring has sprung...

Trotting Along...

I took these videos the day of my big incident. It was maybe two hours before, to be exact. Luke stated he wanted to trot during his ride, so I grabbed the camera as we set out. Bearing in mind this is only the second time he's trotted, he did really well! Jack, being the wonderful pony that he is, was trying very hard to just take care of the precious cargo on his back. You can see he was less than thrilled that I kicked some sand at him to make him move forward in the first video, but it did work! He's not a lazy pony, just well aware of the little one his back and very, very careful. I appreciate that, and Luke feels safe with him. At this time, Jack is the only pony that Luke will stand in his stirrups on. You can see he tried a bit to stand in the trot in the second video.

Obviously he didn't go further than a few steps, but it's a start! I mean, I don't want to terrify the child, or risk having him fall off right away. No matter what, I'm very proud of him.....

Harsh...

To say it's been a long and somewhat stressful week would be an understatement. To say that I am so tired of seeing and having much of anything to do with the medical community would be dead on. Maybe I shouldn't be using the word "dead." It's amazing how quickly things can go from great and happy to horribly wrong in a matter of a second.

I spent the better part of 2 days in the hospital at the beginning of the week. Monday was a usual day. Great ride on a wonderful pony, playtime with my boy, and enjoyment of some wonderful, yet worrisome weather. Our neighbor was injured over the weekend, so I worked on cooking him dinner. That's when things changed...

I felt like someone rammed a freight train into my chest. It was sudden, not a buildup. I wasn't worried, figured I had to lay down while the lasagna cooked. Luke very cutely lay down next to me. Then he got bored and took off...I did the same, it wasn't helping me. In fact, it was worsening. I took an aspirin. Dinner being done for the neighbor, I took the dish down the street. On the way back I said hi to another neighbor. It was moments after that I knew, without a doubt, that I actually was in trouble. I called Jeff, who was still at work, and said I was going to Urgent Care. I wasn't even out of the driveway before I changed my mind and headed for the ER the local hospital put in my community. Just a few minutes later I was contemplating calling an ambulance....but being the stubborn person I am, I refused to let 1/4 mile get the better of me and force me to leave my son sitting in his carseat in a busy intersection while I let go and closed my eyes. Had I realized how bad the shape I was, I wouldn't have tried to drive myself, but that didn't come to light until I was so close to the ER. By then I was sure I was going to die. Hindsight is 20/20.

It took a few hours and a number of tests, but it was determined I was to be transferred and admitted to the hospital. It was 9pm Tuesday evening before I was sent home.

Nobody knows for sure what happened. Right on par for myself, every single test, even the "fancy" ones (as my doctor calls them) came back inconclusive. My bloodwork was really weird, and there is definite evidence there that SOMETHING happened, but nothing is concrete enough to tell us. The best, and most accepted guess is that I suffered a pulmonary embolism, based strictly on my symptoms and bodily reaction.

No matter what, this has been a harsh moment for us. I look forward to getting back to "normal," whatever that may be, but am glad to have this moment of rest. Afterall, I am still here! Now it is off to sleep again.....

Beautiful Boy...

Just a couple I wanted to share....they capture his personality well.

Ponies Rock....

Jack was very tired this day(he was dozing while I tacked up for MY ride!), but he loves Luke and takes good care of him. Don't mind the mondo-belly on this wonderful (and fancy!) pony....he's an easy keeper who went over-the-top during his "vacation" from November-January. I can't wait to see them together at a show! They're just so cute! (I need to get ground shots of them....it's absolutely adorable!)

Surprise, surprise....

Don't you just love it when people seem to just disappear for a while, but you have no clue why? Well, in my case, it's just been being busy with school and uninspired to write anything other than psychology papers, sociology papers, and the starts of a research report in response to a research project for psychology. While that may seem boring to others, I have been having a ball doing it. I never had any idea my mind would take to the "soft" sciences like this! I guess it makes sense, given that I'm one who loves to pour over history books just to learn more about the people of our past, how they lived, and what lessons we can learn from them. If you think about it, when one does that they are also rolling the psychology and sociology of that time into the mix.

Luke seems to be enjoying the schedule we have this semester, as well. He gets to play with his friends two days each week: once for a half-day, once for the whole day. He knows when those days fall and starts talking about the fun he'll have the day before he goes. Two more days are spent with the ponies. He loves helping me groom them, plays with his toys and the dogs when I'm handling a difficult or very young pony, and rides the ponies he gets to show this summer. Beyond that, he goes for a run or long walk with me nearly each day...sometimes in the neighborhood, sometimes at the lake to gaze at the bald eagles. I think he likes that time most. But he tells me what he wants to do each day and looks for opportunities to learn around each corner. It's amazing!

We also spend at least an hour each day to read books. He loves his books! Not only do we read a story or two each evening before he goes to sleep, he brings random books to us throughout the day. Everything stops and we read. I figure it's a good thing to encourage. Thank goodness his Aunt Lisa is a librarian!

We're still kind of waiting for winter. The temperatures have called for a light coat, but I'm getting really tired of watering the lawn each week! I'm glad other parts of the country are getting the white stuff and some rain, but it'd sure be nice if some of you would share it! Still, it's made for a nice, active winter out of doors! There's nothing like being an active family who gets bored staying indoors....

IT'S A GIRL!

Congratulations to Chris and Ginny on the birth of their baby girl just a few minutes ago. I'll provide details when I get them, but for now I'm glad Ginny didn't have to deal with a marathon labor!

ETA:
Brooke Taylor
6 lbs 6 oz
Born 3 Feb 09 at 1646 (4:46pm)
Mom had 16 hours of labor and only had to push 16 minutes!! Everyone is great, and the baby is beautiful.

Gung Ho!!