Hope you all enjoyed your extra hour in bed!
Evening all:
Lynette: Geez; that's awful about the young woman and how sad for her fiance. What a shock for the poor fellow. I went back to the gym this week for the first time in almost four weeks and have the achy muscles to prove it; there's a point where you don't pick up where you left off so easily. :-) Do hope your leak gets sorted tomorrow.
Lindybird: A ghastly drive south by the sounds of it, and yes, I also also feel awful for folks caught in backups when I'm heading in the other direction. I always want to lean out of the window and yell "turn around" but often they're stuck on a highway with no such option. Do hope Matthew woke up in time to give everyone their chance for a photo and how sweet that Tomasz was so happy with "his" baby. I bet he'll be a great big brother.
Rita: Interesting pix of the much-discussed sisyerinchium. I have some heuchera (Wendy Coral Bells) that I have to divide and replant this year. Bought some lovely red Salvia at the nursery today, plus some Milkweed, which the nurseries are stocking due to recent concerns about dwindling numbers of Monarch butterflies, for which it's the host plant.
Margo: An Xmas outing with your dear sister and plans to make Christmas pudding too! What a lovely time ahead. Enjoy!
AQ: No idea how to tell the difference between ravens and crows, though I do know that we have a lot of the latter around here.
Off to find some photos to post!!
OK. shots from the train from Chicago en route home. These were taken at Denver, Colorado, one of several stops where we were able to leave the train for 30 minutes or so and explore the fabulously restored station and hotel - so elegant!
This last photo shows an apartment building under construction near Union Station and our train sitting under the new sculptured bridges and covered platforms outside the terminal.
Not too many more here: We're still in Colorado but have left Denver (the Mile High City) where we immediately start climbing into the Rockies. We passed the Continental Divide, where the continent's watersheds flow either East or West, while passing through the Moffat Tunnel (9,200 ft elevation). Here we meet the upper Colorado River, which flows alongside the train through the canyons and across the valleys.
Here, we've arrived at Glenwood Springs in the Rockies - a former Wild West town of gamblers, gunslingers, and naughty ladies; now a resort town known for its hot mineral springs. This was a stretch-your-legs stop. You get an idea of the size of the train, which has most of the sleepers, coach seating accommodation, the sightseeing and dining car on the upper level. Handicapped-accessible accommodations, showers, snack bar, and baggage storage are on the lower level.
Here's one of the famous old spas/hotels across the Colorado River from the station.
aquilareen said: I’m enjoying the pics posted by Annette & Rita. We saw this fine fellow posing in Albany. I shall claim it is an Australian raven, having found this quote online –“So what is the difference between ravens and crows? The correct answer at the end of the day appears to be 'nothing'. If you rephrase the question to 'how can you tell the difference between the different species?' the answer, at least in Australia, is 'not easily!'. Australian corvids are almost identical in appearance. The most reliable way of knowing is simply knowing which town you are in. In Melbourne and Adelaide your local 'crows' are Little Ravens. In Perth, Canberra and Sydney they are Australian Ravens. In Hobart, they are Forest ravens, and in Brisbane and Darwin they are Torresian Crows. Note, however, that there may be other species about, such as the elusive Australian Raven visitors in Melbourne.”
I’m enjoying the pics posted by Annette & Rita.
We saw this fine fellow posing in Albany. I shall claim it is an Australian raven, having found this quote online –“So what is the difference between ravens and crows? The correct answer at the end of the day appears to be 'nothing'. If you rephrase the question to 'how can you tell the difference between the different species?' the answer, at least in Australia, is 'not easily!'. Australian corvids are almost identical in appearance. The most reliable way of knowing is simply knowing which town you are in. In Melbourne and Adelaide your local 'crows' are Little Ravens. In Perth, Canberra and Sydney they are Australian Ravens. In Hobart, they are Forest ravens, and in Brisbane and Darwin they are Torresian Crows. Note, however, that there may be other species about, such as the elusive Australian Raven visitors in Melbourne.”
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Good morning!
Great pics,ANNETTE, what a wonderful journey, has your sister (or indeed, have you) done such a thing before? Friends of ours regularly go on trips called Great Railway Journeys of the World. I really envy them some of their trips.
LYNETTE - Such a tragedy,the sudden death of the bride to be. There is nothing more I can say except I can imagine the shock and grief her fiance,family and friends are suffering.
It's pouring with rain here,I was sailing around the Italian coast in my dreams,woke suddenly expecting to see blue skies etc and got a quick reorientation!
BTW I hope that LYNETTES leak is mended today. Maybe New taps are required as you say, LYNETTE. Not that I am any kind of plumber----
OG - I hope that you are getting through your seasonal chores and feeling a little less tired. I chuckled about the gravy/sauce thing, the opposite situation here, OH takes very little. His meals look so dry (to me) that I usually put some extra on the table - hardly ever used by him, though.
MARGO- lovely to see your posts! I'll be thinking of you at the weekend,stirring away at your cake mixture.
Safe journey LINDA at least your intrepid OH won't be digging out a hedge,maybe he'll take a seat and watch you working- or maybe not---
Regards to ALL.
Heather: I thought the same about Annette's railway journey, I would dearly love to go on one of the big trips on a special train. It sounds so adventurous and exciting!! My OH will be putting up a new shelf for me, in a wardrobe! He put one in last time, as an "extra" at the top where I thought it was wasted space - every inch in a caravan is precious. This one will match the first one, but on the other side of the wardrobe, so is exactly the same size and has already been cut to size etc so will not be a big job, only takes 15 minutes, then I will be able to store plenty of extra bedding. There are enough duvets, fleece blankets and pillows for 6 people, just in case anyone else in the family wants to stay, but two of them would have to sleep in a pull out bed in the living area, if they did.
Lynette: such a sad tale of the bride, taken so suddenly. Very tragic, especially when its a young person.
OG: I hope all your online purchases arrive OK - I've sent for several things recently which have not yet come due to "undue demand". Hope you continue to improve, healthwise.
Margo: Enjoy your Christmas shopping and preparations!
Rita: Love your flower pictures: I often take them of things in my garden, so that I can remember how colourful it was once, when in the depths of winter!!
I can't transer pics to here from my camera at the moment, as my PC is playing up, but my Son sent us a lot of the "First Pictures" taken in the hospital etc., by email, so here are a couple so that you can all meet young Matthew:
First hour or so in the hospital:
At home, being admired by Big Brother Tomasz:
his babygro is far too big for him LOL!! (look at all that hair!)
Ah,LINDA, the pic of Tomasz looking at his baby! It brought tears to my eyes.
Lindybird thanks for pics of Matthew and Tomasz admiring his baby Brother. Certainly has a lot of hair.
Enjoy your few days away. Know you are packing up,but hope you can also have some relaxation time.
Annette wonderful photos again and the scenery is just stunning.
Have a good day all and take care.