The Safest City

What a pleasure it is to rock away an un-seasonally warm afternoon on your neighbor’s front porch.

While admiring the flowers my new friend had just planted, we expressed hope that a late frost would not spoil her handiwork. We are very anxious for spring to arrive bringing both sunshine and rain to our gardens.

As we slowly sipped wine, and gazed around the neighborhood I was given a mini review of the people who live around us. As a homeowner of 20 years, on a street where most of the housing is rented by college students, my neighbor had a few colorful stories to share about the residents. As she spoke I began to realize that living in modern suburbia (my home in California) was far more colorful than the area I live in now.

My previous town was continually revered as one of the five safest cities in America. This being based on statistics of the ratio of violent crimes and felony crimes (against people) to the number of people living within the city. When I told my neighbor all the “colorful” events that had taken place on my tiny cul-de-sac she was shocked that we made the list. She compared my street to “Wisteria Lane”, of the popular television series, “Desperate Housewives”, and said I should write a book!

Oddly, when I lived in the “safest city” I still had fears of traveling through certain neighborhoods where I knew crime was high. There are no areas in this town where I fear to travel. No drive by shootings, no gangs walking their turf, no groups of drunken teens, hanging out in parking lots, behaving badly. I can walk my dogs day or night, relax in the park with a book, or stroll across Old Town and visit with strangers, all without trepidation.

Most of the crimes or “events” that took place in my suburban neighborhood where committed by people who were either crazy or executing acts against themselves or their families. Those crimes may not make the statistics, but the drama is the same. The crimes that take place in my current town don’t create a exhibition that has to be hashed over endlessly by its residents. Who needs such drama in their life? Not me, I am happy to give up “Wisteria Lane” any day for what I have now.

Ever Changing Weather

Weather; not even an expert can predict it accurately, especially in Colorado. Every day is different here, which is quite a change from California. In Colorado the sun shines 300 days a year but the temperatures rise and fall dramatically from day to day. Yesterday we enjoyed a warm sunny day and this morning I awoke to a winter wonderland! Four hours later the snow had melted and a fierce wind started blowing. Two hours after that it was back to sunshine and calm.

I love the ever changing weather. Learning to live with snow has created a few challenges, but I don't mind. It is so nice to experience the changing seasons. Each part of the year offers a different view of the world around me. I realize I haven't experienced any "extreme" weather here, but even extreme weather seems exciting to me.

Another thing I love about the weather here is being able to wear winter clothing. I have always been fond of comfy fabrics in fall colors and the layered look. Of course, red is one of those colors! I also enjoy curling up on the sofa with a fuzzy blanket or snuggling under layers of heavy bed covers. The best is being able to warm up by a fireplace in your favorite coffee house while sipping a hot latte.

Even my little dog, Niki, loves the snow. She runs and jumps and tosses the snow in the air with her nose. Beautiful gray geese gather together on the snow covered golf courses reminding me of a beautiful Christmas Card. My favorite is seeing the tree limbs heavily laden with snow out my bedroom window. I know it will all change soon but I am enjoying it while it lasts.

Home Sweet Home

Ever since I was a child I have loved turn-of the-century homes. Their cozy little rooms with ceilings stretched to the sky, claw-foot tubs and pedestal sinks, windows and walls adorned with moldings, and a covered porch where you can spend a lazy afternoon all evoke my idea of a real home. Growing up in apartments, I yearned desperately for such a place and spent hours designing my perfect house, complete with a family, a town and its people. At 10 years old I knew exactly where I wanted to be, I just didn’t know how to get there.

Now I am living in a house like I dreamed of, nestled in the foothills of the Northern Colorado Rockies. Life is much different here than in my native California town. The architecture is dated, the pace is slower, the people are friendlier and the seasons change.

Living in a vintage town has many advantages. The blocks are short and everything is close, which makes walking or bike riding preferred over driving. Shops, markets, banks, coffee houses, restaurants, even the post office, library and civic center are only a few minutes walk from my house. No matter what the weather, you will always find people on the streets, bringing the town to life. I could never be lonely here as there is always someone to strike up a conversation with. It's a comfortable town; like an overstuffed chair, it's easy to settle into.

A Whole New Year

I can't believe a whole year has passed since I last made an entry to my blog. Many things have transpired during this year, taking me down a path much different than I anticipated. While traveling along this path I came to a point where I felt it was time for me to choose between a life that was created for me, and a life that I wanted to create for myself. This decision surfaced after several years of self-absorbed contemplation and soul searching. I couldn't stop asking myself questions like "who am I" , "what do I think of the person I have become" and "what do I have to do to become the person I think I should be"?

Many people have these thoughts when they reach a certain age; but most are unable to take on the challenges and risks associated with making major changes at that stage of their life. Some just need a shove in the right direction to make the jump. This is what happened to me. In the midst of trying to create a future for myself and my family a big boot came and kicked that dream right out from under us. It was at that moment I knew it was time to take the jump.

Now I find myself living alone in another state, far from the life I had known for so long. This new life is definately filled with a myrid of trials and tribulations, but I am up for the challange. I am enjoying all the new experiences and feel a rejuvination of my soul. I don't know where I am headed, but I think I will like the ride.

I Love Buying Red Things

Busy, busy, busy is the bee that starts up her own business! It’s amazing how energizing the color red can be. I get so excited when I see red peaking out amongst white or other lifeless colors. I am drawn to it immediately. I can’t wait to touch it and take in the depth of its hue.
Oh the joy of buying red things; with hopes that someone will love them as much as I do.

Red things abound in My Little Red House; cluttering up tabletops, shelves, and walls. It’s funny how the color seems to comfort me when I’m home. Red blankets on the chair, red pillows on the sofa, red rugs on the floor; they warm me like a fire in the fireplace. I can’t imagine a world without red.

Red is the color of love

As Valentine's Day approaches, we are surrounded by the color red; the universal symbol of love for one another. Cards, balloons, heart shaped boxes of candy and cute little stuffed animals, all in red, adorn shop windows and grocery store isles. More red roses are purchased on Valentine's Day then any other day of the year.

The red rose represents the deepest, truest love of all. Red is the color of our heart, the part of us we share with others.

Other shades of red are related to love and romance as well. Pink says pretty, cute, soft, cuddly, innocent and pure. Purple says passion, seduction, erotic, secret and deep.

What is your favorite shade of red?