Face it, we have all become members of the over-the hill gang. These past few years have changed our lives in one way or another. There was a time in this valley when only the old-timers among us seemed to use that phrase to describe their trips outside of the[Read More…]
Tag: Dolly’s Column
Loose Ends: Christmas traditions
While every family celebrates the yuletide differently, there are cultural traditions that some families continue to keep passing on over the years. They can be centered around food, gift-giving, or participating in once-a-year family activities. These traditions were originally passed down from their ancestors and shaped into a version of[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Wildflowers
MEEKER | The first Colorado wildflower I fell in love with was the columbine. Often during long tedious hikes, I would catch a glimpse of a bunch of them taking a little shade underneath the soaring, slim aspen trees and change my outlook. My backpacking trips in the Flat Tops,[Read More…]
Loose Ends: ‘I love this place’
MEEKER | What is it about a location that makes one blurt out, “I love this place”? It pops up in conversation time and again, particularly if the individual saying it is revisiting an old favorite spot after a long absence. Holidays and three-day weekends lend themselves to traveling to[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Teacher appreciation
MEEKER | We are quickly approaching the end of another school year. Recently the celebration of teacher appreciation week took place in schools across the country. A national news story about one teacher in Texas reminded me of so many of my fellow teachers over the years. It featured a[Read More…]
A place at the table
MEEKER | Finding a “place at the table” in participating in Colorado’s legislative process was all important at the beginning of our conversations about finding solutions to statewide issues. Eventually how that place was occupied became even more important. Each representative’s actions became the essential components to ensuring that the[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Hospitality
MEEKER | Ever find yourself stranded on the highway late at night and more than one person stops to lend a hand? Stuck without a ride to go to an appointment in the neighboring community? Suddenly someone remembers that they just happened to be going your way. These are what[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Civility
MEEKER | Unfortunately, it appears that we are long past the age of civility. Public and private discourse alike show numerous signs foretelling the extinction of manners. Using some restraint after a heated argument, as well as resisting the urge toward slinging sarcasm are not communication skills we see very[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Water Rights
MEEKER | “You don’t understand. My grandfather lost his life over who owns the water from the river.” Listening to a friend’s story about her grandfather’s struggles to get enough water to his crops and cattle to survive struck a chord with me. While we no longer hear of someone[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Safety and security
MEEKER | While living in Meeker away from the crowds appeals to most long- term residents for a wide variety of reasons, one of the most frequently cited is safety. The events of this past year have threatened that sense of security. While on the surface, the rancorous disagreements between[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Safety and security
MEEKER | While living in Meeker away from the crowds appeals to most long- term residents for a wide variety of reasons, one of the most frequently cited is safety. The events of this past year have threatened that sense of security. While on the surface, the rancorous disagreements between[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Weather Conversations
MEEKER | Tall tales of the winter-that-was abound this time of year. It is the time that people of all ages seem to dredge up their old stories. The mention of “Fool’s Spring” describing the mild temperatures and the long days filled with sunshine brings to mind all of the[Read More…]
