Life is quite the trip…I finally got a blog post out after 6 months because the last 6 months had been too sad…we can’t compare our journey to anyone else’s but there is grace, smiles, beauty in nature, accomplishments with our work and meaningful connections to make with people and canine companions! that overall, make us glad to be alive.
“Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” – Aretha Franklin
My husband celebrates me: a love letter, presents, cards, cake, a pasta with shrimp dinner, and a movie…
As do other family members and friends: text messages, cards, calls, gifts…
My requested birthday hike! Making memories…always!
Beautiful Bliss 9 months old
9-month-old Faith is so photogenic when her white shows
Vibrant autumn…
A colorful autumn field filled with geese
Simple pleasure of lunch on the back deck overlooking our stunning autumn
Autumn where we live is postcard pretty – it makes me smile – a lot!
Hiking in the mountains with my husband and our dogs makes me feel so alive!
The puppies are always making us laugh
Watching the goldfinch get sunflower seeds from the garden
It makes me happy to see bees, birds, butterflies, hummingbird moths enjoying our garden
Hummingbird
Hummingbird moth
The scent of lined dried laundry…delicious!
Or 2!
Fun natural fetchers!
My writing being recognized
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” —Mignon McLaughlin
Anniversary dinner out
Good to see Yunior again as he comes to St Rose to celebrate Mass
Socializing… Erin and her granddaughter Kaylah enjoy the puppies
Socializing…Kate and Bliss
Socializing…Elsa and Faith
Taking delight in my silly garden bird, my grandchildren’s artwork and colorful flowers
Colorado columbines and poppies
Family visiting…the river draws us together…
Children…puppies…wide open safe spaces…
What a fun, close game!
Fuchsia
Purple panisse caged to keep two little diggers out
Faith socializing with Aunt Judy
The purple wild iris arrive for a moment every June
Bliss learns about tai chi as she keeps us entertained
Pansies! Purple pansies! I plant them in May and (as long as the deer don’t get them)
They last and last and last…until constant below freezing morning temperatures – maybe Oct.
Beautiful, tasty omelet for dinner – thank you Bruce
Erin and I went to Yunior’s ordination.
As Erin and I drove to and from Colorado Springs for Yunior’s
ordination the mountains change
Erin helps with socializing the puppies
The puppies explore…learn about the river
A picnic by the river with the puppies. Simple pleasures…being together.
Celebrating my husband!
“Love doesn’t make the world go round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning
My cup runneth over with love – with blessings – with gratitude
What’s good going on with you?
What do you take pictures of?
What makes you happy to be alive?
“Walks in nature are hugs for my soul.” Julie A R Stephens
julie@handsbestrong.com
I surely enjoyed the pictures, Julie, including the beautiful Fuchsias. Glad you had a nice birthday.
Tom!
Wonderful to hear from you! Thank you for reading and responding. Yes! Birthdays are for celebrating! Life is for celebrating!
Fuchsia plants are magical looking aren’t they – like something out of a fairytale! I was so excited to get that picture of the hummingbird moth on the fuchsia! Do you enjoy putting plants out in the summer?
Love, love, love all of the pictures!!! I was going to email you today because I had heard from you for a while. I am happy you are both doing well.
We are looking at doing another Rick Steves trip in 2026.
Roxie!
Thank you! You are so kind. So good to hear from you! Yes, life had been very sad (as written about in the last blog post 6 month earlier) so there was, gratefully, MUCH to celebrate and take pleasure in these 6 months!
Where are you going on your Rick Steves tour in 2026? We were set to go on a RS tour to Holland and Belgium in the spring of 2025 but then Hope passed and these 2 new puppies were set to come home to us a few weeks before that trip…I talked over my feelings with Bruce and he was fine with us just concentrating on getting the puppies and setting up some new RS travels in 2026.
So….in the spring of 2026 we are on track to go to Scotland through RS and then in the autumn to take a RS tour in a different part of France than we have visited!!
So grateful.
Oh, Jules, my joy these days is found just where I find myself. Today, DC. Next week, Oceanside. End of the month, Oregon City. Connecting with people & nature makes me happy to be alive. I like to revisit moments of intimacy. I love to take pictures of nature, up close and far away. Thank you for asking. And, yes. My hair.
Glenna! Thank you for taking the time to read & post my friend! We have a connection with nature, for sure! Enjoy your travels – journeying mercies. *I get that hair thing – always – hugs – jules