After the foxes...

I walked down the hill back towards our house.

The snowies weren't really visible then, but this view never ceases to amaze me--the snow capped snowies and the always magnificent Wyoming sky and clouds.

Only wish I could I capture and share the beauty I see every time I drive--or walk--down the hill.

Can you see them?

They're really there...

The newest bummer crop of black stockinged baby foxes. 

They live and frolic in the field just down the street from the house.  

The mama fox is keeping watch up there near the house.

The four little kiddies are frolicking down the hill--on the left--but you can't see them because their coats are the same color as the earth.

Every now and again some mama or papa fox will come up and walk across our front porch but alas, they never stop to visit...

Clown Rodeo Boots—for my dad, the color man

This past week we used acrylic paint to create swatches to match all the colors on the color wheel.

Once we accomplished that feat, we were charged with designing a creative and non-standard Color Wheel with said paint swatches.

My classmates created some beautiful and intricate designs, cutting and piecing some stunning and creative wheels.

I went with something less intricate (and more boring) because the craft knife and I are not yet bosom buddies. 

My design is, however, near and dear to my heart—western boots of course!—and my Prof liked the fact that it’s not a circle or a wheel, which I’m hoping means it’s creative!

Once I get it back though I’m gonna get out that little ‘ole craft knife and tool some creative designs in them there boots…

A classmate said they remind him of clown rodeo boots. 

I like that…

Art Foundations 2—Color

So I’m taking a condensed art class this first summer session.

Four weeks of intense—and I mean Intense—class time and projects.

Class begins at 9 a.m. and all this past week I’ve stayed in the art lab until 3 or 4 p.m. diligently working until the late afternoon class comes in and kicks me out.

Then I come home and work all night on my project and sketchbook.

I completely forgot about a lunch date with a friend—what a jerk I am—because I was so intent on my project.

My Prof said it’s hard, if not impossible, to get A’s and I’m trying my darnedest not to screw up my perfect GPA!

I have no idea how some of my classmates are managing two art classes—with double the projects.

I'm not an art student so it should take me longer.

Right?

Yeah, that’s what I say! 

“Teen” Tweet of the Day…

So…the teenager just came home and called out, “I can’t believe we’re having such crappie weather in May!”  (It started snowing again.)

“You’re not going to live here forever, so just embrace the adventure!” I called back in return.  

(He’s already claimed: “No way, no how am I going to University here!”)

“So if you like it so much, maybe I’ll just buy you a home here when you’re old and make you live in it!” he retorted.  

Yowza! Out of the mouths' of babes—yet again!

At least his statement indicates that he plans to take care of us in our senior years!

Besides, I snapped back: “I might actually like that!”

So now I don’t have to feel guilty about not going for a walk, or to the gym, because whenever the teenager provokes these really good belly laughs—like today—it turns out to be excellent abdominal exercise!

Teenagers:  Never a dull moment when they’re around…

Spring Storm

It was snowing this morning—tiny moist flakes that stick to the grass but not to the sidewalks or the roads.

It's now turned into a chilly rain/snow mix, so different from yesterday when I took this photo at the end of a walk...

Both of my men were depressed upon waking this morning.

“Who would expect snow in May?” the teenager demanded as I admonished him for leaving his jackets in his locker and wearing only a t-shirt to walk to school.

“We live in Wyoming!!!” I retorted.

Gees!

One would “think” that they would have finally realized by now what living at 72,000 plus feet means: We get weather that is totally out of sync with the seasons!

(Then again, maybe it’s us, and not the weather, that are out of sync given that this is 72,000 plus feet after all.)

Yeees…snow in May can be “ugh” mumbling inducing I will admit.

Living here, however, at this juncture—at least for me—is still very much an adventure.

And if it weren’t, I might be right there with my men—whining. 

Despite my "adventurous" outlook, I think I'll keep this going while working here at home this afternoon... 

Hope your weather is not inclement...

What’s wrong with this photo?

Speaking of Passover…

 I did a double take as I strolled through Albertson's a few weeks ago—during Passover—and saw this...

Unlike the Safeway, which maintains a small kosher food section all year round, Albertson's has never carried any Jewish comestibles.  

I was happy to grab a few extra items and then paused...

The flour and matzo juxtaposition was too much, so I flipped open the phone camera for a photo shoot.

Hey, they’re trying!  

I didn’t get to post photos of Passover in Atlanta at my SIL’s, who always sets a fabulous table and cooks a wonderful meal!

First though, this is what my car looked like the morning we left—I was teaching a lesson at the preschool where I was doing my practicum. 

This fell in a period of three hours—on April 14^th!

I-287 had closed earlier that morning and we were worried I-80 would close too, effectively making it impossible to leave town or get to the airport.  

I-80 did close, behind us about 40 minutes after we left! 

What a harrowing, white knuckle drive from Laramie and up through the pass—with rollovers and Big Mac’s off the side of the road—facing the opposite direction!

In Atlanta, however, it was a different story--warm air and lots of blooming trees and green grass.

The teenager, helping his aunt to fill the Seder plates...

 

 

The grown-up table…

 The young people’s table…

 

The soup, with lots of delicious matzo balls…

A wonderful time was had by all!

Food for the soul…

I finished my last paper of the semester on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

At 6:47 we walked into our friends’, T & J’s, home for a delightful evening of wonderfully delicious food, outstanding wine, and lots of laughter and talk with good friends that can only be classified as “food for the soul.”

Just what I, and no doubt the legal dude (who has put up with me this past semester), was very much in need of.

It was the second such delightful evening in a week.  Too bad I didn’t think to capture that first evening in photos.

I didn’t have my camera with me on Saturday, but remembered my phone camera.

Too bad it didn’t take better photos, but I think it captured the tone of the evening...

The Negronis

 

  The appetizers—Bruschetta with homemade bread,

homemade tapenade and homemade Italian pickled peppers 

 

 The Pasta—Bucatini with asparagus

 

The Salad

The Pork Loin

The Soffrrito

Getting coffee and Moscato ready, with strawberries and 
a homemade Italian cream, the name of which I can't remember

Deliciously Delectable Italian Cookies--all homemade

il Fine —full but happy stomachs (but no photo)

What does one do...

When the school year is over.

One shelves the books...

puts their feet up...

and relaxes!

At least until the next semester starts in seven days.