August 12-19, 2022 Fort Collins, Colorado

 Been in the high 90's and somewhat humid, with dark clouds in the afternoon, but very little rain.

A couple scenes from our evening stroll around old town. Some break dancing on the stage at the square and children running through the fountain when it was hot. Sunset.

John and Mandy came over for dinner. John served smoked ribs, butternut bisque, and grilled peaches with ice cream for dessert. Mandy brought a yummy salad with tomatoes from their garden. Dinner was wonderful and so was the company. Sunset was brief and not very colorful before the rain chased us inside.

I went down to Denver to the Glass Artist Fellowship meeting. It was fun to see everyone and to tour the new 40W Galleries. Laurie and Deb framed. The galleries are by Casa Bonita. The new management has painted it Pepto-Bismol pink. There is heavy equipment in front, they are doing extensive remodeling. Word has it when they reopen they will even have editable food. The inside is very unique, but the old owners sold the worst food possible. 

This piece is in the kiln ready for firing. It took forever to choose the colors, and then to line up all those little pieces. The second piece is still in progress, but getting close. 

The bike path on my evening ride. The colors are so much brighter  and richer to me since my cataract surgery. I can't stop just looking around in awe. Tues I drove down to Denver again for my check up on my eye surgery. It rained the whole way down. Downtown shrouded in clouds and rain. My eyes are now 20/20 without glasses. It is a miracle. Omni Eye Specialists did the surgery and I highly recommend them. 

Sunset. One of the picturesque alleys in old town Fort Collins. 

A couple of the latest steps in the current masterpieces. All three are each 10 inches across. The top left one, I did not put enough fiber paper in the mold and it is fused to the stainless steel casting ring. It is currently in the kiln again seeing if it will melt out of it, will see when it cools down tonight. 

We went up to Cameron Pass and hiked the Michigan Ditch trail. It runs along a canal that moves water over the divide into the Poudre River drainage. I have not hiked since before I injured my back, so wanted to go on a scenic easy hike. It was lovely. It rained, sun shined, hailed, grappled and thundered. 

Flowers seen today. 

More flowers seen today,

Noku Crags seen from the trail. I was taking this photo of the black cloud and this butterfly flew in front of the camera.. 

Creek draining in. More flowers along the canal.

My tomato plants are now taller than the fence. The cherry tomatoes are starting to turn red now. I only planted these on June 29, they are doing well. I dyed a big box of ponderosa pine needles I had to use this winter in baskets. Shown in the sun and the shade.

I made this 4 sided jewel, but last night made it into an 8 sided one, it is really sparkly as an 8 sided one.