Skip to main content

Posts

Grand Junction, Durango, Silverton, Colorado Springs, Denver

 The vacation continued because the posts can get way too long: Grand Junction was so fun. There was a lot to do, so we did some sightseeing. Nothing too crazy, but we did check out a winery, and then our hotel had a live band, so we went for a quick snack, which consisted of chips and salsa, along with more drinks.  Durango was our next stop. We had a ghost tour that met downtown, which was within walking distance from our hotel, but we didn't want to walk because we were both so exhausted. So there was a spot that is now a toy shop, but it used to be the morgue. They would prop the bodies along the walls outside to thaw so they could stick them into caskets. We took pictures, but we didn't go into the toy shop. We also saw the hanging tree. We went to a salon for drinks.... yes, we did this more than I thought we would, but we met the hotel manager, and he said he would give us a tour if we came back the next day. We got on the Silverton to Durango train. That was so much fu...
Read more
Recent posts

Denver, Boulder, Estes Park and Glenwood Springs

I got to spend a week in Colorado. I am so in love with the state, but I was told to come back when it snows. Apparently, black ice is a dangerous thing. We flew into Denver, and that was fantastic. We got to see the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Emory saw a few shows there in his teenage years. We also got to see Golden, which is a super cute little spot. That night, we got to do a Boozy Ghost Tour, and the other people on that tour really made it a blast! The teachers were so welcoming and funny, and there was one who was after my beating heart! We could totally be friends. We heard a ghost story, and I said, "Ohhh, creepy," and she said, "That's so awesome!" I just knew when we locked eyes that we were kindred spirits. She's getting married on Halloween. She stays in all the haunted hotels. All of those teachers made our ghost tour fun as heck! And the tour guide was very interactive, asking us stories. We drove to Boulder next. I had the brilliant idea to do a...
Read more

Halloween Horror Nights, Community Library Boxes and Writing

Watching: Timestalker  (so good and very artsy) Eating: BBQ Big Roll Grill Seaweed Rolls Mood: Antsy I JUST watched the opening ceremony for Halloween Horror Nights on YouTube! My heart started racing with excitement. I won't be going this year, but I can still watch and dream. I called Ann, and she was a little confused about the whole excitement thing. We talked about how expensive it is, but also, last time Emory and I went, we really felt it in our bodies. I don't know if this is what aging is like or if we're just not physically healthy enough to be standing for 8 hours straight on cement, but it was fun when we went last time. I'm cleaning like crazy. A few friends from the commune want to come over for coffee, and my place is cozy. I think I've mentioned that before. I can't do anything about the carpet spills, but this is a nice little setup.  Mozart took me for a walk today. Sadly, we have coyotes, and the coyotes have to eat, so we did see a spot where...
Read more

Road Traveled, September Theater and Writing

Sue packed up her bags and said she wanted to go to a new commune for a bit. So she called me when she hit the road and said goodbye for now. I'll miss the heck out of her, but I know she'll be back. She loves California a lot. Heck, maybe, just maybe she'll be back before the month is up. But you never know with the commune. They are the first ones to hit the road and call you later. 😊 Before Sue left, she gave me Spanish flashcards and a Spanish dictionary to help with my lessons. I'm excited to get this going. I feel like I understand a little, but still need the vocabulary. Steven asked if I could talk with the proper accent on the words. I can't. Crazy Cousin Nik said people would still understand me. I just feel like Peggy Hill from King of the Hill. She's so terrible at Spanish, and so am I, but I feel like I have the confidence to give it a try. My Spanish-speaking friends still ask what I'm trying to say, though. This is how I'm learning.  I fo...
Read more

Little Vacation, In Boom Bookery and Writing

We decided to take a little trip to Temecula and stayed in a hotel that was right near the downtown area, so we ended up walking to it. My only complaint came from the heat! Boy, was it hot walking, but it was probably not even a block to get there. We went into two olive oil shops. I love olive oil so much! We almost bought a black garlic olive oil and an Italian mix olive oil. They were both so delicious. You get a little tiny cup with some bread, but I can't eat regular bread, so I tried the oil by itself. Emory tried oils with bread. We just bought a gluten-free bread that I'm eager to use as a dipping bread.  We found this antique store, and someone made sunglasses so freaking adorable! I really wanted a pair, but sunglasses don't last very long with me. I actually just broke my pink flower ones on this trip, but I'd only paid $5 for them, so not a lot of money.  I found a little romance book store, and it was so neat. They had an LGBTQ section!!! I wanted so many ...
Read more

Arizona Dust Storms, Spider Tables and Writing

 I just got some pictures of the dust storm in Arizona. It looked pretty bad. Steven said that traffic had stopped on the freeway for about thirty minutes waiting for it to pass. I don't remember dust storms being that bad when I was a kid, but you could always see them coming because the sky would turn yellow in the distance, so you'd go inside at that point. I could be wrong, but these look like they are getting worse.  I've been online shopping. It looks like either Halloween things are now in the stores, or these are old pictures of last year products. I sent the picture of the spider table to the communes, (mass text message), and immediately got phone calls. I guess they thought I already bought the table. 👻😂 Steven said he'd skip coming over if this were my table. Darlene agreed. I love this table so much! I would die to have this in my living room. They did make me laugh and all the comments that followed were great. No one liked the table except Emory, Danne,...
Read more

California Heat Wave, Fancy Dinner and Writing

 There is a heat wave coming through. It's going to be as hot out here as it usually is in Arizona. I'm not excited by that.  I went to eat at Lemon Zest with Darlene and Mr. M. It was so fun. I told them I would walk because it's not far from my place, but as I was walking, they must have seen me because they swung by and picked me up. I wore a pretty dress not thinking I'd be sweating in it. The fabric was wet with my sweat. It was 97 degrees. Still not as bad as Arizona heat though. Rose and Matt got a dog!! It's so beautiful. They invited me over to play with it so I'm thinking I need to get a box of treats to bring to the puppy. It's only six months old and they are naming it Jones. Such a cute name for such a cute animal. Darlene wants to come over for coffee. I warned her that our place is a mess. Truthfully, I'd rather be writing than cleaning and I think that frustrates the sisters, because they're like, "you need to be cleaning too....
Read more

Moving Slowly, Murder Party the Movie and Writing

I really haven't been out of the house for a week due to my issue with walking on my broken toe. Fun. It's so swollen. I wonder if I broke the metatarsal phalangeal joint. Wearing shoes is uncomfortable. I made the mistake of walking a puzzle down to the community library box, which is down the street, and that was a painful little journey. I've been watching horror movies. I'll still watch it if the acting is bad but the script is interesting. I love stories.  I just watched a 2007 horror movie called "Murder Party" that was freaking hilarious and the characters were  interesting. I really liked how the story unfolded. It's about this guy who finds an invitation to a party and decides to go. It's very artsy and probably commentary on the art world.  Art is subjective. Artists.... yeah.  I'm an artist, so I'm probably pretty strange too. I talk for hours on characters. I listen to people's lives and say things like "what an interesting...
Read more

Zombie Dreams, Manic Superhero Lover and Writing

 I had this very vivid and weird dream that started out nicely at a restaurant and ended with zombies that came over from the zoo. I told my mom about it and her takeaway... mom: "You have no business at a restaurant with no prices on the menu." me: "But it was a nice restaurant!"  mom: "And how did that work out?" me: "It was a LOT of money." mom: "You never go to a restaurant that doesn't have prices." Seriously though, in my dream, the bill for three people was about $$$. That's what it's going to cost for Emory and me to go to Temecula Valley for a few days with the wine tour and the hotel. I should really bring my bathing suit. I love sitting in the hot tub.  I asked Sue if she had any small travel containers that I could put my hair cream in. I got this really great cream for curly hair and I've been really impressed with the curls lately. She showed up with a bag of stuff. If we were playing Dungeons and Dragons, ...
Read more

Holy Grail, Not a Wasp Whisperer and Writing

Monty Python and the Holy Grail says it all: King: "I am your king." Peasant Woman: "Well, I didn't vote for you." Well said Peasant Woman!! I didn't vote for this "king" either, so why are we folding? I never thought we'd be here, but here we are. I'm not folding, but I'm getting exhausted fighting. I'm also tired with the news. I can't stand hearing that disgusting "man" speak for even a second.  I didn't realize I had a different text notification for every person when a text comes through... But why did I choose a horn? The first text that came through for my sister-in-law scared the goosebumps out of me! I have a guitar for Emory. It's pretty cool. I always know he sent me a text. The wasps that came back are bloody huge! Yesterday I felt pretty invincible walking among them with no issues. Today, I saw the wasps lingering on the screen door and thought, "holy crap, I'm not getting near the door u...
Read more

Coyotes Run Wild, Building a New Commune and Writing

Sue just called to tell me that there are coyotes at the bottom of their hill that have formed a home pretty much in their backyard. The household babysits Mozart for us and we babysit their pets so this is a really good warning not to just let any of the animals run around the huge property.  I've been training for long distance walking because when we go to Colorado, there is going to be a great deal of hiking/biking and other touristy things. I still get tired after a couple miles. I don't know if that's normal.  I'm practicing my Spanish while watching horror movies in Spanish. I'm still not sure if I'm learning Spain Spanish or Latin America Spanish. I know Crazy Cousin Nik explained it to me, but I'm not there in my studies to know the difference yet. The commune speaks Latin American Spanish and that's what they want me to focus on, but I think my lessons are Spain Spanish given that it's the flag that I see on Duolingo.  I'm so proud of m...
Read more

Unwanted Pets, Crazy Cousin Nik and Writing

We got new pets! Six of them to be exact though this picture doesn't show all of them! Okay.... maybe they are unwanted by most people and if they weren't so aggressive we would gladly share a porch with them, but wasps are very territorial. They are supposed to be removed sometime soon. My sister-in-law suggested putting peppermint on their nest. She's so earthy. I love it. The news reported that it's advised that ten states don't drink coffee. Of course, we are one of those states so I had to click on the link to see why. What can I say, I was curious. So due to the heat, it's advised that we don't drink anything hot. I don't think California is bad compared to Arizona and Nevada. Ann says that no one is out during the day in Arizona. I remember those days. Who wants to be outside when the air conditioner just pushes hot air around the car. Nothing can break that heat once it hits.  Sue just asked me what languages I'm studying on Duolingo. I asked...
Read more

Charities with Beers, Airplane Tickets and Writing

We decided not to go to the event at the California Science Museum. I really wanted to go for the museum and it's a beer event so Emory could enjoy that aspect. I can't drink beer because I have celiac disease and well, that's not a fun thing to have symptoms for. I've been gluten-free for five years and haven't felt better. I don't mind being the sober driver for this event; however, I don't really drive that far because the California Freeway scares the heaven into me and the museum is 22 miles from our starting point. There is another event out here for an animal charity and it's much closer to home, about 5-7 miles maybe. I asked the Porter Commune to join us, but they are all so busy with golfing, theater, sailing, gardening.... Yeah, they are much busier than we are, but I did offer to be the sober driver because again, can't drink beer. That will be in August. We still haven't booked our hotels for Colorado. We have our flight and our rent...
Read more

Medical Appointments, Ventura Beach and Writing

Sue and I drove around trying to find this doctor's office that I'm supposed to go to. It's interesting because it's inside a store. I thought, "Great, do they even have an office" because last time we were told to go to a store for medical, there was just a alcove. We found the place that I'm going to and I am relieved to see that they have a hallway behind a closed door, so I can have some privacy. Not that there is a lot that I'm worried about admitting.  It's funny because Darlene and Sue are concerned that I have POTS, which is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, because I just faint. It's one of the reasons I try not to go anywhere by myself. To onlookers, it's super scary and for me.... well, I don't always wake up so nicely. I'm confused. And last time I got super sick and couldn't stop vomiting. I got tested for POTS and they deemed that wasn't what I had. Go figure. I call it my little mystery element.  I wa...
Read more

Hatch Pepper Chips, Day Out and Writing

We bought Hatch Pepper chips. So freaking good. They are vegan and not as hot as I expected them to be, but they do have a bite at the back of the tongue. So delicious!!! They remind me of a vegan alternative to Nachos Doritos.  Sue and I went shopping at Dollar Tree, and I got some oils for my hair. I am so thrilled to find new hair products. I love hair products, but I need to slow down my shopping. I was looking for travel oil items that I can throw into my travel bag.  Emory and I went to Ventura for the day. Darlene twisted her back while playing sports, so we had to go by one commune to get some medication that she left at that house and bring it to Oxnard for her. We stopped by for a second because the household was buzzing and busy, and Emory and I were on our way up the street to Ventura Main. I wore a sleeveless shirt and a small, fluffy skirt (the one I bought at Goodwill). I felt cute! I like the days when I feel the female charm. I don't get that feeling too often...
Read more

No Kings Protest, California

 No Kings Protest Today. I was out with Sue and we came across some protesters yesterday so they started early. I am so proud of America for standing up for this.  There are tons of issues that need to be addressed. Maybe we'll finally get to a place of understanding for one another. Maybe this will give us a mutual respect. I also ordered stickers for our journals so we don't have to take our journals on trips because my TSA experience taught me that they snoop in journals and for what? What are they looking for? My opinion on the government? It's not a positive one, my friends.  The closest protest to us is about 6 miles. Not that far. I don't have signs, but I have a voice. I can scream like everyone else.  People who oppose the government are being kept from entering America. I better not leave the country any time soon. I'm a little afraid of being in the wrong states too. 
Read more

Youth Theater, Terror Trader and Over Shopping

I'm BACK!! What a wonderful trip. It was pretty freaking hot as expected. I brought two pairs of shorts on my trip, but the inside of the buildings is pretty cool, except for the massage parlor. It was warm there. Okay, so the information on the Glendale commune. I thought I'd be bunking with someone because it's always pretty crowded there, but I had my own room, which was good because sometimes I need a "time out" where I can just be by myself. "Self" time at the commune is fairly rare. I got in pretty late, and Steven and Ann picked me up. There was a crash on the freeway which slowed traffic down, but the company I had on the journey to the commune was excellent. I gave Steven the cookies I bought him, and since they had wheat in them and I can't eat them, it was nice watching him enjoy the cookies. He said they were really good. I had a glass of wine that night and just stayed up until midnight with everyone just chatting away. I thought I would...
Read more

Arizona Vacation, Cakeverse Trope and Writing

By the time you read this, I will be enjoying Arizona at the Glendale Commune. Ann has so much planned, including going to theater shows, getting massages, and having pool parties. That will be a blast. I did promise I would shave since she isn't hip to my hippy lifestyle.  I should be getting ready. I have birthday cards to sign. I have bags to pack (dresses and shorts because it's hot in Arizona). Ann and Lucile want my Marvel puzzle, so I need to make sure I bring it. I just spoke with Sue, and two people from her commune are going out of state, so she said she would take Emory to go pick up her wines. I almost thought she said they would stop in Solvang, but she said they would stop in Oxnard. I think they'll have a really good time too.  I do feel guilty leaving Emory, but everyone says it's good for us. I don't know. He's my ride or die.   I just found out that there is a new trope called Cakeverse. I even skimmed to see what stories were made with this ha...
Read more

Fear Regulation, AZ Buddies and Writing

 Well, I have officially seen all the horror movie options on Tubi. I even tried watching the ones that were... well... harder to watch. I do have a squeamish side. That said, there is a new horror movie coming out called "The Fairest of Them All." I really like the premise, and the preview on YouTube made it look decent. It's about princesses being kidnapped by the Mad Hatter and forced to battle it out for survival. Crazy concept, and I'm here for the chaos. How do you have a "final girl" when you're part of the problem? This should be good.  I do like practicing fear regulation in a safe environment. 💕  I also sometimes feel so emotionally exhausted at the end of my day, so maybe this sort of spikes my emotions... Dude, I don't know if I can really psycho-analyze myself properly. That said! I'm going to Arizona to visit my commune buddies! I'll be out for a few days, and Ann has me booked! So do Steven and Jeffrey. It's going to be so...
Read more

Horror Prom Parties, Flowers and Writing

Emory and I finally bought a few things for our trip to Colorado. It might be a little chilly when we go, because it will be "autumn" by then, so the trees will start having beautiful colors. We plan to do a bit of hiking, so we got those big hiking hats. We might need new shoes, but by then... one word... tariffs.  I want to attend Shadyside High Senior Prom'88 Fear Street Experience: Netflix. It's next week, so we really need to get our tickets if we're going to go. It's a fake prom, but when I told Ann, she was really confused. I had to tell her it was a PR event for a movie coming out. This is California! We have events for movies. 😂 I went to a Mother's Day event that allowed us to make flower bouquets for our mothers. I'm so excited. I saw a preview a few days ago, and the flowers were beautiful!! The vase they gave us was glass, which was more than I expected from the event. I had a little help picking out flowers, and you can make your own car...
Read more