A poem-February 21, 2018

While cleaning out a closet and tossing old purses I found this poem and I wanted to share it.


If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart,
If someone's burden was lighter because you did your part,
If you caused a laugh that chased a tear away,
If tonight your name is mentioned in a prayer,
Then your day was well spent.

- Author unknown

Clouds-February 18, 2018

We are back in the swing of babysitting so my blog posts will go back to being fewer and farther apart. It's just how it is. We are here because of and for the girls so they come first.

Anyone who knows me knows I love clouds, all types of clouds. I am constantly looking at clouds. Today I happened to look up and see pink clouds for the second time in this state.

This is a lenticular cloud which means strong winds aloft.

I stood and looked at this pink cloud and drew a conclusion

that this must be the sun shining through ice crystals. Lenticulars

are not generally cold and made of ice crystals. But that's the only

way I can figure out where the pink came from. Otherwise, it is

yet another example of God's handiwork. I definitely appreciate how

pretty this was to see on a nice day of sunshine. Snow is predicted for

tomorrow so I appreciate this sight even more.

Colorado Springs-February 13, 2018

There is so much to tell about our trip to and from WinStar I don't think I have time to tell it all. So, I'll start with our trip TO WinStar. We checked weather forecasts for days on both routes we could take. We thought our best bet would be to go south out of Colorado and then on to Amarillo, from there to Gainesville, Texas and then across the border to WinStar. As it turned out there was no good route to take. We drove on ice with light snow flurries in the air all the way to Colorado Springs. There were at least 2 dozen vehicles that had flown off the road and rolled a number of times. People always drive too fast for conditions in this state. Some of the vehicles, many of which were 4 WD trucks, had doors and windows blown out they had hit so hard. Most were with all 4 wheels up. It was horrifying to see that and know we were on that same road. We finally got to Colorado Springs and like someone waved a magic wand the sun came out. For about 10 minutes we saw the sun and it was wonderful because it meant I could take pictures. So I did.

The cluster of buildings is the Air Force Academy. The trees

have grown so tall it is hard to see all of the Academy.

It is a beautiful scenic place.

 

Pikes Peak (the mountain on the left) is coming into view.

The fog was starting to lift. Lower right corner is the AF Academy

football stadium.

 

This is majestic Pikes Peak with the fog still lingering over

Colorado Springs. Elevation of Pikes Peak is 14,110 ft.

 

At this point we thought we were in the clear weather wise. How wrong we were. The roads remained icy. It was bitterly cold. The fog was a freezing fog. It was dark and dismal. If we were not headed to WinStar I think we might have stayed the night in Colorado Springs and gone back to Greeley the next day.

 

 

On a different topic but on the same trip.........

Remember all those Volkswagens that were recalled? Did you ever think about where they went? There are thousands and thousands of them south of Colorado Springs in what used to be Pikes Peak International Raceway that is no longer in business. I don't know if this parking lot is for VWs from Colorado only or if it covers other states. We had heard they were here and would be for quite some time because VW does have a way to dispose of them. It is mind boggling to see this many cars that are virtually worthless and cannot be sold again. They are junk. I can't imagine the tons of metal that must be disposed of eventually. One of these cars used to belong to our son.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow-February 10, 2017

We had to hunker down in Hays, Kanas while waiting for a snow storm to blow through. We left WinStar on Friday morning. We think we will be able to get back to the house by tomorrow afternoon. We figured it's better to be safe than sorry.

Before we left WinStar we went exploring. We found a beautiful resort/hotel/casino in Durant, Oklahoma. It is called Choctaw Nation Resort. WinStar is Chickasaw owned and operated. One thing I can tell you is that these Indian tribes know how to run a business and cater to its customers. It's fabulous.

This is a water fountain at the entrance. I am sure there is a story

behind this piece of art but I did not have time to explore. We do

plan to go back there. Maybe I can get the history and share it.

 

They had a Smashburger inside (along with a bowling alley).

We had to have The Oklahoma Smashburger. It was

delicious. We both loved fried dill pickles but have never

had them on a sandwich. Yummy.

 

You know those revolving door entries where you

jump in between doors and walk around? This arrangement

 was in the center of that door. I don't know how they got it in

there but it must be tough because this is a Christmas arrangement.

It's still unique and pretty.

 

The Choctaw Nation Resort is also celebrating the Chinese New Year.

This appears to be a stage of some sort but it is at one of the entrances

so I can't guess what kind of show they present. Still, it is very pretty.

 

This is a great resort we were happy to find. Though it is way smaller than WinStar which is the largest casino in the world, this is a beautiful place. We definitely hope to return one day soon.

 

 

 

 

Chinese New Year-February 7, 2018

WinStar is celebrating the Chinese New Year. I think it's the year of the dog but I am not even close to being sure about that. Right now I am preoccupied and will check into it later. I mainly wanted to share pictures of the display they have here. It is absolutely beautiful in person.

I am sorry these are so dark. The entire area is lit with bright pink and purple lights. The statues are either dark dragons or gold. Neither show up well in a picture. Use your imagination. This is a stunning display.

 

 

This is a huge dark green dragon. He is beautiful. If I can get better pictures

before we leave I will post them.

 

The celebration will be all day long on the 18th. So sorry we will miss it.

 

Welcome Center-February 6, 2018

 

As seen at a Welcome Center in Quanah, Texas

It may be a welcome center but this is not a welcoming sign.

My one hope was that it was way too cold for snakes to be out and about.

Still......I ran!

 

 

Daisy-February 3, 2018

Crazy Daisy aka Crinkle Nose. She makes this face often and it makes us

laugh. She is the only one of the three to make this face. In this case

her mouth was full of tiny vanilla wafers so I guess the crinkle nose

was better than a mouth full of food! You may put money on the fact that

she has her granddaddy wrapped around her little finger.

 

 

We are going to take a week or so off and head to our favorite place in Oklahoma. I do plan to post some pictures from there. But if I am offline for a few days I will be back.