I'm Back Bitches!

Wow! Nine months is way too long!  Where the fuck have I been you ask?  All kinds of places my darlings, all kinds of places. 

First of all, forgive me for running away.  Just to keep it real, however, I'm not gonna lie and say it won't happen again. 

In actuality this blog was never far from my mind because I have close to forty posts that I never published.  I know, that's not very nice.  I'll make it right though, especially if it was my fault, and it clearly was.

This first post may be a bit lengthy but its a compilation and summarization of many unpublished posts just to bring you somewhat up to speed.  My remix if you will.

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Many things have happened since my last post in March but starting with an Oscar update seems most fitting.  I believe I may have told you the particulars of the surgery so I'll skip on ahead to the post-op.

The surgery went well with no complications.  The first month was kind of brutal.  For all of us.  Ace and I pretty much watched him day and night.  Until the scar tissue that would eventually encase and strengthen the nylon ligament had a chance to form, his knee would be weak and any accidental jarring or bumping of it could re injure it.  We didn't take any chances of that happening so we were more diligent in our duties than we should have been but we didn't want to have to put him through more than we had to. Okay, well that and there was no way it was being paid for twice!

I spent a month on Ace's couch trying to keep Oscar from getting up and walking around too much.  Poor guy.  He absolutely hated his e-collar but trust me, it was necessary.

I am happy to report that by August our lil Ozzie had his "hops" back so the surgery was a success.  He will never be a hundred percent but at least he is no longer in pain.  The vet said there would always be a slight favoring of the leg but its only barely noticeable when he walks or sits.  When he's out running though, he looks like his old self again.

I learned quite a bit in the last nine months.  I learned about the Mayan Civilization, the Incas. 

I developed a strange obsessions with Japanese culture, fell in love with the history of the Geisha and devoured a good number of books about the subjects.  I was even a Geisha for Halloween. 

In my absence I became familiar  with and experimented with Tanka writing.  Tanka (formerly Waka) is a form of poem believed to have been developed in the seventh or eighth century.  The Tanka is very much like the Haiku because it only allows you a set number of lines and syllables in which to create.  5-7-5-7-7 is Tanka form whereas Haiku is 5-7-5.  I still very much love to write what I call my free form poetry, but I find Tanka a refreshing challenge and who doesn't want to be challenged?  Needless to say I've been a writing machine, not here obviously and I apologize but my creative process is finally flowing fiercely so you can be sure there's more to come. 

I read countless books, there were times when I was going through three or four books a week or was reading three or four simultaneously.  It was crazy and it felt great! 

I found a book written by Rita Marley about her life with Bob and I must say, that woman is truly remarkable.  In fact, I find the whole family to be extremely talented and humble.  I have always loved the music the Bob and his sons have been kind enough bestow upon us but this family is so much more than just that.  They are love, compassion, hardships, they are raw and they are real.  When I found out that Ziggy Marley would be playing at a local, I wasted no time getting us tickets.  We had a great night!

I had a plethora of new experiences including a most AMAZING night in Telluride.  *smile (littered with sadness but that story is for another day)*

I fell in love with the taste of a hand rolled cigar, reveled in the beauty of a harmonica, and felt the delicious heartbreak in the sound of a blues guitar.  I stepped out of my 60's music comfort zone and with much thanks to a special person, my play lists have probably quadrupled and all of it is beautiful. 

I got a new job at a resort in Gateway and I love it.  Some times its hard work and long days but I don't mind.  I have met some really wonderful people and for the first time in a long time I can honestly say I like everyone I work with.  How rare is that?  Going to work is no longer something I loathe, there's no drama, we all get along, we go in, we get it done, we get out, and we have fun doing it. 

The landscape is beautiful in Gateway so in my off time while I'm staying at the resort I take advantage of my camera.  Sometimes I get lucky and am able to capture some really nice shots.

This beautiful chuck of rock is called the Palisade

Moonrise at sunset in the canyon

A storm brewing on 4.1 road 



Fall Creek



Sunset at Fall Creek

 That's just a small teaser of the images I have captured, but I think you get the idea.  I love Colorado!

The resort also has stables but some of the horses hang out in a pasture behind the employee housing. It had been many years since I had touched a horse since I am highly allergic to them but I had to pet them anyway.  I broke out in a minor rash on my arms but not at all what I had expected so I made it a daily routine to bring them apples and scratch their ears. 

This unique fellow I have named Motley, and he quickly became my favorite.  His mane reminds me of Vince Neil's shag in the days when Dr. Feelgood was blaring loudly from just about every teenager's cassette player.  Don't be embarrassed to remember those days,  I'm not. 

These horses are wonderful and am so glad that I can enjoy them again.  Even if it is only for brief periods of time.  I'm not sure I will ever be able to ride (unless I purchase a bubble) but I know now that petting doesn't kill me so that's a step in the right direction.

I know that I am leaving quite a few things out but I feel that some of my reflections and memories of my time away may be better off as posts of their own.  We have much to catch up on and many things to look forward to. Happy December!