"Gathering In" A Colorado Cornucopia

As I become more and more a part of life in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, I am again finding my place as part of the rhythm of the seasons and the natural (real) world. I find myself taking up and beginning again to weave the threads of meaningful life patterns that have always been most important to me.

October brought full and glorious manifestation of autumn throughout the 'Hills. The leaves were turning, wildlife was 'on the move. In the days when I had my NH farm, this would mean bringing in the garden harvest. This meant drying, and freezing, curing, and mulching the rows of vegetables- if they were going to winter over in the garden. There was always a lot to do during the fall harvest. And still- when the 'meadow grass is turnin' brown, I get the urge for-"gathering in".

Not yet having a garden of my own, this means attending the Farmer's Market. There are several in Rapid City, and they are growing every year. I gratefully support these, but- the restless winds of fall made me 'jones for an adventure. Who should I enlist in this but my favorite partner in excitement, JhonDuane! Of course, the chili pepper harvest and roasting was in progress at the Colorado Farmer's Markets, and so- he was quick to agree to the plan, and soon we were heading south.

This time we traveled to Boulder and there spent the night. JhonDuane took me to the Rio Grande- a wonderful Mexican restaurant, with a charming old stone exterior, and a very lively interior!

This was the view we enjoyed from the mezzanine as we waited for our table (which was the little table in the center, to the right).

The food was delicious, but the portions were so generous I just couldn't eat it all!



After we left, we took advantage of the beautiful night, which was generously warm for mid-October. We walked with the throngs of people down the brick-paved walks, resplendent with copious flowers, overflowing their beds everywhere I looked. Here and there we peeked into charming shops, but only got serious when we entered the bookstore, where-after a considerable browse- we both walked away with small treasures. After this the travel of the day caught up with us, and we gratefully sank into bed for the night.

Next morning, Jhon had a suggestion...since I had never been through the Rockies, why not take the Peak to Peak road south to Fort Collins? Great idea!

(Click on the map once to enlarge it, and once again to make it full-screen).

From this point on, the way became winding and narrow, as we worked our way down and out of the mountains, and on into Fort Collins, where the Farmer's Market was in full swing.

Let the Mystery Be

Lately I've been going through a phase. Perhaps this is partly to do with the tumultuous manner in which the year has unfolded from February onward. Since the house fire that burned down my former NH home- the Isaak Foster Homestead, there seems to have been some inner change going on behind the curtains that define my perceivable life.

tu·mul·tu·ous/t(y)o͞oˈməlCHo͞oəs/Adjective

1. Making a loud, confused noise; uproarious: "tumultuous applause".

2. Excited, confused, or disorderly.

Like the Phoenix, consumed in flames, a rebirth seems to be taking place... complete with labor pains- letting go of the old to allow room in for the new. It seems that I have been holding onto things that I don't need to.  Continuing along the same road is apparently no longer an option- the old is gone. It seems appropriate that- with Autumn season is upon us, and the trees gracefully shedding their no longer needed attire, that I shed a few things too.

One thing I am shedding is the need to know, well-  everything! Especially worry. All my life I have been watching and worrying about everything around me- trying to take into account every aspect of my reality, thinking that, if I can only- through diligence and concentration perceive every possible pothole in the road-  I can control my destiny. The harder I try to live in a mindful way (and I don't say that there is anything wrong with that) the more chaos is thrown in my path.

Recently, I have come to suspect the the Universe is laughing at me behind my back in that regard. Finally, I am beginning to get the joke, and am starting to laugh too! There is a message in here somewhere... lol!

I am reminded of the 1960's movie Inside Daisy Clover. In the last scene, Daisy- completely dis-infatuated with the film industry and the desire to be a star, has left the gas oven on, after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. She leaves her house to hitch a ride. As she is walking away, the house blows up behind her. She never even looks back. Like Daisy, I am walking away.

It is in this spirit that I went on a foliage tour through the Black Hills. It was a great day...

Labor (Not) Day

Labor Day weekend was pretty good this year...

In previous years it has buzzed by me with hardly a blink of my eye. When I lived in New Hampshire I was a mom, and so had no holidays or days off. Then- later, I was a freelancer, and had no holidays off.

After that I started to work full-time for someone other than myself, but couldn't afford to do anything. Finally, I have realized that- you don't have to spend a lot of $$$ to have fun on a holiday... so I did! On a beautiful sunny Saturday, I met JhonDuane in Hot Springs, and we traveled South to Chadron, Nebraska, for the yearly Chadron Rock Swap.
 
We arrived in Chadron in the late morning. The town was alive with yard sales, historic society open houses and bake ice cream socials. We took our time and enjoyed all the town had to offer before finally traveling on to the park.

There are all manner of vendors at this wonderful outdoor event, from raw material (ie rocks) for sale, to fossils, slabs, cabochons, jewelry and everything in-between!

Here Dale and JhonDuane visit with a Choctaw lady.

It's always fun to go around and see what folks have to offer. I usually go around once just to see what everyone has, doubling back if there is something in which I am really interested. That doesn't happen too often, so I am usually content to just admire the offerings, and move on.

JhonDuane however, almost always discovers great "finds"! He has a discerning eye, and so I am content to learn by watching him.

Sometimes the best viewings and transactions are made away from the main thoroughfare.

Here, Gary McFarlane- The Agate Works - tempts Jhon with his incredible cabs!

Once acquaintances were renewed and transactions completed, it was time to move on...

But not before stopping to view the park's unique offerings- such as early farming equipment...

But the original, and most significant reason for the park's existence is the monument to the Red Cloud's 1876 Treaty.

Once we had paid homage to this remarkable monument, we traveled North for a little rock hunting...

This is the famous Pasture 27, known for it's Fairburn finds.

See that blue strip on the horizon? That is where these rocks came from!

No Fairburns this time, but it was fun looking!

We continued Northward. The long, late day shadows looked beautiful to my Easterner's eyes.

By now we were hot and hungry.

So- first we sank into the cooling waters of Cascade Falls...

and then grilled our simple meal... and talked until a million stars came out...
... to light our way home.

Cascade Fall-ies

On Saturday I worked all day accomplishing Activities of Daily Living.

So, Sunday I reckoned to be a day of, well- leisure. When I talked to JhonDuane on Saturday evening, I lobbied hard for anything that would get me-

"Out of Dodge"! He being one to mull things over before speaking, offered that he would sleep on it. So did I.

Sunday dawned blazingly hot. As I lay in bed listening to the radio, SD-NPR affirmed that the temperature would be in the triple digits. I sat outside, sipping my coffee... for exactly 60 seconds... it was too damned HOT!

I was sure that JhonDuane would bow out in favor of staying cool- who could blame anyone with that forecast! But, when the phone rang, it was Jhon, saying that he had invited DJ and Austin to go to Cascade Falls for the day- and, could I meet them there? "Well, yes- of course!" I say. "Those two boys will be hungry, though- so I'll bring hot dogs!"  And- so it was. 

We all arrived at the same time- 2 PM. It was grindingly hot in the parking lot, and so- without further ado, we wasted no time traversing the stairs downward, and straight into the Cascade Falls.

I have mentioned Cascade Falls in previous blog entries. It is a lovely place to visit at any time of year. The water is a gorgeous deep blue-green, and it's sweet scent is a pleasure to experience.

Before I moved to the middle of the country, I had experienced swimming in the ocean, of course, and small town ponds. But this is far more enervating to all the senses.

It's a natural jacuzzi, sensuously sliding across skin in an almost decadent manner. Except for a few spots where the  current is strong, (requiring one to barnacle one's self to a rock!) one might almost be lulled to sleep with the gurgling sound of the water, gentle wind and surrounding birds' song.

JhonDuane has happy memories of swimming at the falls on hot summer days as a young boy. Once I had plunged in, I was quite happy to experience the falls up close and personal as well!

As it's name suggests, the falls "cascade downward, with pools of varying sizes-from ankle deep to well-over the head, so it makes the spot perfect for everyone from very small people to the end of the spectrum.

The water is refreshingly cool, but not nearly the numbing cold of the Atlantic that I endured at my family's cottage of Bethmere on the coast of Massachusetts.

DJ and Austin wasted no time plunging in...

yes- that is a picture of a SPLASH! (Austin)

...they swam and-

...got out...

...jumped in again...

...swam around some more- and...

...got out again...

... and so on... !

I was more leisurely...

much, much more leisurely!

... as was Jhon...

which was good- as it gave us the time to poke around, and take some photos!

Buffalo Berries...on the other side of the river- as was clearly pointed out to me!

When I figure out what these flowers are, I'll label them.

For now, just call 'em beautiful!

...you know what this is!

...meanwhile, the "water"-melon was cooled to just the right temperature!

...so, we left the guys to their own devices, and we migrated back up the hill to start the fire. It is amazing how a little time in the water can cause your eyes to want to close!

However, we managed to get an enormous amount of hot dogs cooked. We ate, and napped, ate a little more... napped again (well- I did, anyway).

Finally, the guys' "stomach-alarm" must have gone off- and they arrived in time for dinner...

...and to talk over the afternoon.

Finally, we headed back to Hot Springs, for some ice cream, and a few last precious moments to savor the day- before heading home...

by the light of "lochran ai nam bochd" (Lamp of the Poor).

...and the day became memory.

Addendum: Variegated Devil's Backbone, Japanese Poinsettia, Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus, Christmas Candle, Snow-On-the_Mountain
As happens in life, experiences are not linear. In fact they are multidimensional- as in interaction... that is- it is not over as long as the dialog is still continuing. 

I encountered an exquisite little plant just to the right of where you see the 'guys eating. A small little thing, yet it caught my attention with it's bold desire to 'announce with authority, its existence.

I have been hunting its name ever since. Funnily enough, I discovered it's name tonight... and- its name- is mine (sort of)!

* "form small white cups, known as cyathia,"

Do you suppose the strange and beautiful little flower recognized that we were sisters and spoke to me?

Euphorbia marginata
Snow-On-The-Mountain
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia marginata, or Snow-On-The-Mountain, is an erect annual native from Minnesota to Colorado and Texas. The light green leaves are ovate to oblong, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long. With broad variegated margins, the plants are conspicuous in the landscape, usually between 2-4 feet in height with a single stem. The latex is corrosive to the skin and may cause severe burns or dermatitis. As with all members of the Euphorbiaceae, plant parts should be handled with care, especially when sap is showing.

Blooming Time: Plants flower in early fall; the flowers (actually inflorescences and their showy bracts)form small white cups, known as cyathia, at the top and center of the plant. White and green bracts provide the coloring.

Native American Plants: An Ethnobotanical Dictionary, by Daniel E. Moerman; copyright 2009 by Daniel E. Moerman, All Rights Reserved;
Euphoria marginata, Snow on the Mountain, Lakota Antiheurmatic (External) Infusion of crushed leaves used as a liniment for swellings. Gynecological Aid Infusion of plant used by mothers without milk. (116:45)