Almost a decade ago I had the great privilege of traveling to India. It literally blew my mind.

I’m back home in Denver for a while and sorting through old things, valianting trying to further down-size my possessions. Clothes can go, but pictures, books and mementos from my son’s childhood and my travels will be kept by me until my dying breath.

I came across these Indian pictures and relived my travels to this land of wonder.

Gone from this earth way too soon, Karen was a talented painter and a wonderful wife and mother. She honored me with this gorgeous watercolor for my birthday in 2006 and I have hung it proudly ever since.

Karen waited her whole life to make a trip to Italy, which she did with her family after her son was born in 1993. She took myriad pictures and this bridge in Rome became the subject of one of her amazing watercolors.

I miss you, Karen, and think of you every time I walk by your beautiful painting.

https://videopress.com/v/rBdwM5p2?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

…this year, with our unusually wet spring and cool temperatures. I love it.

All of the above are of the peony bouquet I brought into the house.

The pix below are in situ: peonies in the so-called wild of my neighborhood.

The wham-o sunvu from 1962. I was there then and I don’t remember seeing anyone using this contraption. But, as I am an avowed sun avoider nowadays, I wonder…did this weird thing work?!!

And much less common

Peonies in Denver. They are amazing this year! Must be the cool weather and the inches and inches of rain.

We were there just 3 months prior to the fateful September day when the terrorists hit the buildings with high jacked planes. Wow. Freaky to think about.