Saturday, September 29, 2007

Family and Cliff Dwellings

I just got a phone call from my daughter-in-law, Mary, saying that she and my son are coming down with what seems to be the flu. They won't be here tomorrow for Sunday dinner. The grandsons aren't feeling well either. That means that for Sunday dinner we'll be 4 folks short. If the grandsons aren't running fever I may pick them up for the afternoon so their parents can rest. Bummer that they are sick.

Speaking of my daughter-in-law, Mary. She is one in a million and I couldn't love her more if she was my own daughter. Since my sons are from my first marriage she has the same last name that I had for years. Not only that but we have the same first AND second name. For almost 8 years our names were identical. We really enjoyed confusing folks when we were shopping together. It was a real conversation starter. We have the same ideas and no problem is so great that we can't solve it together. Lucky, lucky me.

Something about the weather - or maybe it's my mood - has me thinking about a particular work-related trip (Before I retired I was in travel status a lot of my work time). It was a two week trip to Colorado Springs at about this time of year. The aspens were quaking golden, the air was crisp and clear, and the Great Divide. . . .well, I haven't adequate words to describe it. Right outside Colorado Springs driving towards Pike's Peak off to the right are some ancient cliff dwellings. During my travel I saw cliff dwellings in various places but somehow those captured me. They didn't appear to have any real significance; they were just there - a testament to a time and people long forgotten. Do you ever stare at places long forgotten and wonder about the people. Were they happy? Were they alone or with family and friends? Did they have the necessities of life? Would they be my friends if they were here now?

Enough of my rambling. I'm off to bed and hopefully to dream-land. My best to my new found friends. Thank you for visiting.

6 comments:

Cheryl said...

Hi Mary,

I lost the link to your site...that's why you haven't heard from me. I'm all caught up now. I love the things you write about, and I'll be a regular reader. Have a great weekend.

Summer said...

When I finally get a daughter in law, I hope I have the same relationship that you have with yours.

C.A. said...

Mary: God bless you for being such a wonderful Mother In Law. I wish you were MINE!

I was in Colorado this time last year, also, training for work. My homebase was in Pueblo, but I got up to Garden of the Gods in the area you described. This year also has me missing the golden aspens and snow capped mountain tops I found so peaceful. This year I look at pictures and remember....


Happy Sunday...

C.

SOUL said...

hey i used to live there! right at the foot of pikes peak in manitou springs. it was really pretty.. but i hate to be cold! so i didnt stay long.

anyhow..did you go to garden of the gods?

sorry your day fell thru.. hopefully you salvaged what you could and had a great day anyways?

laterz

Mary said...

Soul, I liked the whole area. I'm familiar with Manitu Springs and I did visit the Garden of the Gods. Will write more later.

SOUL said...

hmmm i just noticed.. you been ..so far.. manitou, and san diego too.. any more places that i've lived? i wonder if i know you. that'd be weird.