Memorial Day There is a house in my neighborhood that flies six flags, including the American flag. The other flags sport political statements and symbols – not a flower or puppy in sight. (My gut tells me to steer clear of this house.) People do that – fly flags, I mean. The American flag isContinue reading “The War of Winds”
Author Archives: vanaltman
Moon Over Red Mountain
November 2022 My friends and I were driving from Silverton to Durango. It was dark, and it was snowing. There was a full moon, so naturally we howled. (Actually, we were singing, but who could tell the difference?) The moonlight illuminated the falling snow. We decided it would be cool if we drove through theContinue reading “Moon Over Red Mountain”
Mountain Clouds
November 2022 The last time I saw Yosemite looking like this I was on a bike in the pouring rain, wearing a blue rain slicker, watching the deer in the meadow. (Note to self: Rain is very noisy when it falls on plastic right next to your ear. ) I didn’t mind the rain makingContinue reading “Mountain Clouds”
Happy Birthday, December!
To Everyone Born in December May you always have a fire by which to sit and think. “I sit by the fire and think of all that I have seen, Of meadow-flower and butterflies in summers that have been; Of yellow leaves and gossamer in autumns that were there, With morning mist and silver sunContinue reading “Happy Birthday, December!”
The Wrath of Grapes
Clouds Over the Vineyard The sticker in the window stated “My Governor is an Idiot.” Sheesh! What kind of person puts that on display? What thoughts and feelings prompted someone to make that sticker, another person to sell it, and another person to buy it? I mean, what the hey? I guess there is nothingContinue reading “The Wrath of Grapes”
Windom Peak
July 2022 Windom Peak is the highest summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains, located approximately 28 miles north of Durango, Colorado. I did not know the name of Windom Peak growing up in Durango; I saw it whenever we drove to Grand Junction, and that was enough for me. I neverContinue reading “Windom Peak”
Santa Rosa Creek
October 2022 Claudia, June Bear, and I left Cambria and headed for Paso Robles via the Santa Rosa Creek road. Claudia was driving, which left me free to watch Santa Rosa Creek peek in and out of the trees. I was also free to get quite turned around in where I was on the planet.Continue reading “Santa Rosa Creek”
Happy Birthday, November!
To everyone born in November May your pilgrim soul have a “wanderful” day. June Bear and her friend agree with Oscar Wilde: “Life is too important to be taken seriously.”
Black Cat
Rocks or Sand Some people think you should take care of the big things first and the small things last. It’s like filling a jar with rocks first and then sand. Everything fits. If you put the sand in first, there isn’t enough room for all of the rocks. But what do the rocks andContinue reading “Black Cat”
The Air of the Fowls
Kings River at Cricket Hollow Park Although you may not see them, about a million birds hang out in the trees along Kings River. Occasionally a little fellow will flutter to the ground to check things out, but then he will head back to one of the branches. The grass is cool, the soil hasContinue reading “The Air of the Fowls”
Objects in a Bag 