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Published: June 28th 2010
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Rachel at Pinning
Rachel wearing her pin and special award. April 29—This weekend is reserved for Rachel. She is graduating from the Colorado State University in Pueblo with a BS in Nursing. Tonight is the pinning ceremony. In the cave days, when I went to college, graduating nurses had a capping ceremony. I always loved to see the nurses in their crisp white caps. I understand, however, that the caps were a pain in the neck to keep clean as well as on the head. So now, instead of getting capped, grads get pinned. Rachel chose her husband Julian to do the honors. It was a lovely ceremony which also included a candlelight service in which the class all recited the nurses' oath together. In addition to graduating cum laude and being selected as class marshal, our gal also got one of five special “C” awards. Hers was for commitment.
May 1—The big day is here—graduation. The huge university class of about 900 got their degrees in the gigantic field house at the fairgrounds. It was a long service, but it doesn't come often for family members, so we sat, took photos and busted our buttons along with families of all the other grads. Each graduate wore color-coded cords for
One Morning on Pikes Peak
The Peak changed its look daily. I love this one with the clouds. their school (i.e., nursing school) and any honors they had received. Rachel
looked like a rainbow with all of hers. (Don't mind me. I'm just a typical grandmother!!)
After the ceremony Susan and I drove back to Springs while Rachel went to parties.
May 2—Susan and I went to church this morning, then drove back to Pueblo for Rachel's graduation party. She elected to have an informal one at a tavern in old downtown Pueblo. We snacked on roasted peanuts, adding more peanut shells to the floor; then ate their signature dish of sloppy joes. I had forgotten how good those can be, haven't eaten one in years. It is also oddly satisfying to throw peanut shells on the floor and walk through them hearing them crunch!
I loved seeing Tim and Priscilla (with her little round tummy which they tell me is a boy) and meeting the good friends Rachel made at college. Priscilla did a bang up job decorating the place for the party.
May 3-16 I didn't do anything special in the way of sightseeing, etc. during this time. I would wake up to the changing faces of Pikes Peak, write, read, play
with photographs etc. Most evenings Susan would pick me up after she got off work and we would go to her apartment to eat dinner. I guess here is as good a place as any to say that she and Frank are getting divorced, hence her move to Springs.
On Mother's Day we went back to Pueblo for a family dinner. The whole clan was there and Larry, Bonnie and I reveled in our great kids and grandkids. It was a good day.
May 17—Bonnie found a day in her busy schedule to spend with me. We went to Manitou Springs. I love this town, situated on the Fountain River, next to Colorado Springs and at the foot of Pikes Peak. It has something for everyone. There is quite a variety of architecture including Victorian and Southwestern. It has a live “penny arcade” with many antique non-electronic games and rides, including pin-ball machines. Larry used to play those constantly when we were in college.
Manitou has nine natural, mineral springs in various places around the town and each one is marked with a sculpture. The spring water is considered very healthy to drink, but doesn't always taste
Penny Arcade
Just a small area of the arcade which covers a city block. A paradise for kids of all ages! good! People come from miles around to fill bottles at their favorite spring. There is even a hiking tour which goes to all the springs. Hikers are told to bring their own cup.
Bonnie and I explored all the neat specialty shops, looked at souvenirs and Native American arts and crafts, (lots of jewelry), ate ice cream and enjoyed the day immensely. She found an antique/junk store with reasonable prices! We probably spent an hour in that one! She bought a wire plant container she plans to use on her patio. We looked at the art galleries. I found one I loved and spent time talking to the owner. I found out she gives art classes and was having one tomorrow. I signed up on the spot!
May 18—I am so excited about the class. We were told to bring just the three primary colors to paint with—red, yellow and blue. We will practice mixing these colors to get all other colors, such as orange, green, purple, etc. The day started with a discussion about colors and the color wheel, then we started mixing and painting. I painted a poppy using my acrylic paint, but in a
Victorian Hotel
One of the big hotels in Manitou. water color wash method. I think it turned out pretty good myself. I sure had fun, anyway.
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Tray Conner
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Manitou
Good morning! I love Manitou. I lived there for one year and have many friends there. You would have passed right by my old apartment. It is the second building on the left on Ruxton Ave (the road that goes up to the Cog Depot) just behind "The Loop" Mexican restaurant. I never did ride the cog but I did climb the mountain. The Barr Trail starts at the cog parking lot. I am going back to Manitou in one month. I can't wait. Not sure if you made it into a shop called "Kinfolks" or not. It's a hiking gear store with a bar. It was my hangout. Played lots of darts and "tasted" many great beers there. They even let me sell my photography out of there. The owners, Fred and Sherry are awesome. My friend Mary owns the Thyme Keeper. It is great herbal shop. And the Penny Arcade is alot of fun. Thanks for the wonderful pics. Tray