Family members gathered the last few days for my grandson’s college graduation. And oh what a celebratory gathering it was!
The first evening those who had already arrived dined at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The drive to the restaurant was 45 minutes or so, requiring two cars. I suggested the two grandmothers ride with Jack. Nana (me) and Mimi.
Oh, what a ride it was. We three talked. And listened. And talked some more. I find it hard to describe the richness, the profoundness, the warmth and love that was spoken and heard.
Food is often the center of celebrations. It surely was this evening.
After dining we three – Jack and his grandmothers – continued our special conversation as we returned home.
Throughout the graduation weekend I reflected on that drive with Jack and his grandmothers. I suspect Jack did as well. And Mimi too.
“Jack you are a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington. Now go forth and thrive! Your grandmothers are so very proud!”
The Fall grandchildren tour is complete! I visited Georgia, Jack, Valerie and Nathan.
I’ve had great joy visiting each one.
As I awaited my flight home, I thought about my time with Nathan.
The drive to Fort Collins, where CSU is located, was filled with winter expectation.
We were both on time! We met in the campus parking lot where he keeps the Swagon.
Walking a short distance across the campus, we arrived at his dorm.
He has a single room and it’s almost spacious. His bed is essentially a top bunk, with space underneath for a desk. Instead, the desk is across the room. Recently he and a friend drove the Swagon to pick up the leather couch he had found on Craig’s list. It fit inside the Swagon! And now sits under the top bunk. We sat in this cosy space and I listened to all the goings on of Nathan’s freshman year of college. What an interesting and invigorating time he’s having!
Then it was time for lunch. As we walked to the parking lot, it was clear that some trees just DUMP their leaves all at once. It grabbed my attention.
Nathan had decided on a French Crapery for our lunch. It was really fun to sit up at a high table and enjoy our meal. It was a delicious meal of crepes and conversation.
Then it was time for class for Nathan and the drive to Denver for me.
The evening rumor of substantial snow with the possibility of canceled flights swept through me, grabbing my attention. At the recommendation of the hotel front desk people, I turned my rental car in then and there. I got up at 3am so I could be sure to get to the airport as it had begun to snow.
Several hours later, wonder of wonders – the aircraft coming from Atlanta to Denver for the return trip, made it! Turn around was faster than usual, with a not so quick de-icing, followed by a take-off into nothing but white.
With a medical emergency onboard, the captain put the pedal to the medal and we blew home!
Now awakening safely at home, I’m thinking about the Fall grandchildren tour just completed. I am SO grateful to Nathan, Valerie, Jack, and Georgia for welcoming me when I visit. Each one is so unique, so interesting, and so generous with their time they spend with me.
I’ve been on a Fall grandchildren tour the last few months.
To date I have visited three grandkids, with one more to go.
I’m on my way to snowy Colorado! The forecast is for 5”-6” of snow today. In theory all the inches will have fallen before I land.
As I took my chair in the sky, reality hit: so much for my snow theory. My planned lunch today with my sister-in-law is now reset for Spring 2025 due to the amount of snowfall. It’s been a long time since I last visited with her, and I was so looking forward to time with her.
She sent me the snowy scene outside her window.
Beautiful sky outside my window.
Fortunately the snow is not expected to move any further north of Denver. So I will drive north ASAP. I’ll have some snow on the road challenges: slow as I go will guide me.
Located in Fort Collins, Colorado State University is where my grandson is a freshman.
CSU Rams
CSU is about an hour’s drive north of the Denver airport. I have lodging tonight along the way to CSU. Tomorrow morning I’ll drive the remaining 45 minutes to meet up with Nathan. I’ll have a few hours with him to walk around the campus and then have lunch, all the while hearing about his freshman life here. Then he will be off to class and I’ll be off to the Denver airport hotel for my flight home the next morning.
While my trip to Taos, NM came to an end, my travel continued on.
Instead of returning home, I flew home with my traveling friend to Texas. She lives in Houston, and my granddaughter is a Rice U student in Houston. It made sense to continue on for a few days so I could visit her.
For our time together, I suggested an exhibit at the renowned Menil Museum. With dinner to follow.
I Uburred to her apartment and from there we traveled on to the Menil.
The exhibit took up significant space in the museum. Some of the images were huge. Others tiny. While my granddaughter and I really tried hard to learn more about the pieces, knowledge eluded us.
The Wreck of Hope – Photo, Lauren MarekPhoto, Paul Hester
Though eluded, we entertained ourselves with some of our own interpretations.
The Menil is a real treasure, always free,; it is a huge contribution to the city.
My art as expressed in a photograph.
We dined just across the street at the Bistro Menil.
Reverse Uber route return. This time with a retired respiratory therapist who talked women’s basketball from the early days of the WNBA. The Houston Comets!
I loved being with my granddaughter. I loved hearing about her life. It was precious time.
The following morning at dawn, I flew home. I’ll be back in the air again soon, as I head off to Colorado to complete the grandkids Fall visit tour.
The remaining days in Taos were filled with sights of gold and yellow, the colors of Aspen and Cottonwood.
Studio Santiago, home of TJ Mabrey, international artist and master sculptor. Rancho de Taos Grill withfriends; San Francisco de Asis Church in the backgroundI stepped into Colorado!Valle VidalHilaryTaos Welcome Tree
There’s gold in themthar hills…
Originally used in the phrase “there’s gold in them thar hills”, possibly a misquote of the phrase “there’s millions in it” (meaning. the North Georgia mountains) uttered in Mark Twain’s 1892 novel The American Claimant by Colinel MulberrySellers, a character though to be based on Dahlonegal Mint assayer M. F Stephenson.
After coffee we were off to the Empty Bowl event at St. James Episcopal Church – in support of the St. James Food Pantry
Over 300 tickets were sold
For $25, you received a ceramic bowl crafted by a local potter. Lunch consisted of soups, accompanied by bread made by local chefs, and cake or ice cream.
Taos Cow Ice Cream was my choice of soup
After lunch we decided to drive up to the Taos ski area. It appeared to be snowing up on high.
Just north of Taos – fields of gold
As we drove up to the ski area, we caught glimpses of aspen gold.
Im traveling to Taos, New Mexico, today. I haven’t been in New Mexico during Fall for many years. Too many years.
I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of Aspen, though it’s more likely I’ll see Cottonwood. The Aspen trees may have dropped most of their leaves by now.
Aspen
Cottonwood is a good substitute tree when you can’t have Aspen. I’m talking about scenic beauty. Often found alongside streams and rivers, they are beautiful in their own right.
Cottonwood
My hope is to visit The Valley Vidal. “The Valle Vidal (which is Spanish for “Valley of Life”) is a 101,794 acre area on the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains”.
It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The land with the stream running through it, the meadows, the distant timber, the winding road, mule deer, elk, birds and fish! Altitude varies, 8,000’ to 12,000’. Gasp. Gasp.
“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream.”
The celebration of my traveling friend’s birthday was just as I hoped it would be – activities she would love. First and foremost was the Karin Larson exhibit.
Breakfast goodies at the American Swedish Institute to begin the day.
Cardamom bun with latte. Cinnamon bun with shrub.
We stepped into the exhibit as it opened.
We struck up a conversation with two delightful women. Our mutual delight made my friend and I want to return one day and take them up on their offer to join them for Morning Prayer which they conduct each morning.
Phyllis (Phil) and Eloise
We enjoyed lunch at the FIKA Café.
Later in the day we Ubered to the MinneapolisSculpture Garden.
Such fun to “run” from one piece to another.
I gathered seeds for my garden next year.
The James Turrel Sky Pesher was located at the Walker Art Center, adjacent to the sculpture garden.
The day ended with a late meal at CARDAMOM. Celebration ice cream!
Cometsgirl 