Milo, The wonder dog

I guess it is time to introduce Milo.  He is my constant companion.  My brother-in-law and his dog were staying with us for a few months.  His dog lived outside all year long.  She became pregnant and had her six puppies outside in the winter.  One was still born and the rest lived.  We fell in love with the little brown and white male.  My youngest son, Michael promised he would take care of the puppy so we kept him. He is 18 months old. 

His mother left with my brother-in-law and I don't know if Milo ever missed her.  He has bonded with the family and is a very lovable part of the family.  I have been asked why I call him my wonder dog.  If you look at his ears, one stands up and the other flops down.  I wonder why.  One of my sunshine neighbors has told us that the ones who made him forgot to put the wire in his ear.

He has a very keen sense of smell.  I have seen him pick up the sent of a bear long before I could see it.  I have another dog, Malcom.  I'll share some thoughts on her in a later blog.

"Morning Walk Oct3

It is a blustery morning in Sunshine today. The winds are blowing down from the continental divide.  Milo, the wonder dog  and I decided to take our walk on the treadmill today.  I know he misses the school bus when we stay indoors.  Bob, the school bus driver usually has a treat for Milo.  Milo even stops walking, sits and waits for the bus when he hears it coming.

I haven't seen any bears in some time now.  I would like to think they are hibernating but Milo lets me know otherwise.

For my friends who would like to know how my mother-in-law is doing, she is in good spirits.  I made a CD of her favorite country classics for her yesterday.  Before dinner we were all singing to David Frizzel, "I'm Going to Hire Me A Wino to Decorate My House".  She is undergoing her second Chemo treatment today.

My thoughts and prayers are with The Zwonitzer Family in Cheyenne, Wyoming today.  Chester was 88 when he passed away.

Saturday's walk in the park

Saturday, just after noon, I found myself in the park behind Boulder High School.  The Maple trees were holding onto their yellow, orange and red colors.  It was cool and overcast with a chance of rain in the forecast.  Walking on the creek path, going in the opposite direction, was my Sunshine neighbor, Jane.  She was wearing a light jacket and had her brunette hair tied back in a pony tail.  She had a rather strange look on her face.

            I asked her what she had been up to lately.  She said she had been fighting the computer system at the State Department of Transportation.  She had recently applied for a new driver’s license that had to be mailed to her.  When it arrived she looked at it for a quick review.  Jane told me that the giant electronic wizard, the know-it-all IBM master computer; the savior of the massive amounts of data that the state holds on us made a small mistake.  Her license had her date of birth correct, had her hair and eye color correct; even her weight and height correct.  Everything was correct except her name.  Her license called her John instead of Jane.

She immediately called the Department of Transportation and informed them of the mistake.  The person on the other end of the phone said she had the correct form to deal with the issue and would promptly mail it to Jane.  It arrived the next day.  Jane completed the form and returned it.  Two days later an envelope arrived.  Enclosed was a sticker to be attached to the back of thedriver’s license.  It states that, in the eyes of the state, her name has officially been changed from John to Joan.

Oktoberfest October 15

Today Wayne and Hildegard hosted Oktoberfest.  It is only fitting that they hosted as Hildegard is a native of Germany.  The local band, The Blowtorch Hillbillies played well into dark.  There was food and beer, more food and beer and yes, food and beer.

 

The next neighborhood event will be the Halloween party at the school house.  The event usually starts with a children’s party.  There are various stations with games for the children to participate in.  There has always been a haunted hayride up to the Sunshine Cemetery and back.  Two year in a row there was a play that the adults participated in reliving some old and factious Sunshine history.  For many years the children’s party was followed up by a pot-luck dinner and then an adult party.  This year, we are going to have an open microphone stage and adult party.  No talent is required to participate.

First snow of the season, 2005

5" of snow at first light this morning.  Needless to say, Milo and I took our walk on the treadmill.  The road has a tendancy to get rather muddy on days like this.  The TV news people make such a BIG DEAL over the first snow.  It's kind of funny to watch.  5" of snow in January will not be much of a story.  Oh well..........  It is a pretty sight.

Sunshine October 4 Morning walk

It was chilly this morning as Milo and I took our walk.  A cold front has moved in from the northeast.  Fingers of fog quietly moved up the foothills until it overcame the town of Sunshine.

I found a couple of interesting sites about Sunshine.

Colorado ghost towns:

http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/sunshine_colorado.htm

Sunshine Fire Protection District:

http://www.sunshine-fpd.org/

October 3 Morning walk

Spring and fall are short seasons at 7200’.   Today we are in the mid 80’s.  They are calling for a chance of snow on Wednesday.  The aspens and cottonwoods are all a bright yellow.  They add a splash of color to the green pine and spruce trees.  We usually have a pretty good cold snap and then move into a beautiful Indian summer.

 

Last year we completed the community volleyball court.  There is a small picnic area next to the court. We will be adding a horseshoe pit next year.  I don’t think we kept score at any of this year’s games.  We play for fun.  Mountain volleyball adds a new dimension to the game.  If anyone hits the ball out of play it could cause someone to chase the ball down the mountain.  That is usually one of the kids who is wearing shoes.  While the ball is being retrieved, most of the game participants leave the court and find their beverages.  We will be taking the net down in the next couple of weeks.

 

If you look real hard at the picture, you can see my buddy, Milo, the wonder dog.  He still can’t hold the flag while I fold it but he does keep the bears away.

 

The volleyball court is behind the new fire station and below the cemetery.  Speaking of the fire station, they installed the doors last week.  Hopefully we will be ready to occupy the building soon.

 

The next planned event is the Halloween party at the school house.  It will take place on October 29th.  More on that later.