Under a Red Roof

Such a Good Feeling

March 8, 2010 in Admiring, Remembering by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello Neighbors.

Ahh, Fred Rogers. I once won a scoop of ice cream for knowing his first name. I think I chose cinnamon. Another time, at the same scoop shop, I knew that “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first song played on MTV. See Darin, trivia can serve a very special purpose, beyond board games. Though, of course, the name of the ice cream shop escapes me. It was on 15th and Market in Denver. Anyone else remember? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyway, my fondness for the man goes beyond the fact that he helped me score delicious ice cream. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is about him. His sweaters were pretty terrific, all knitted by his mother, by the way. One is even hanging in the Smithsonian. I made a special trip to see it when I was there and was surprised by it’s size. It’s funny, most people I have heard are surprised by how petite famous people are in person (We saw Kelly Ripa in New York, and she was tiny), but I had the opposite reaction. For such a soft spoken man, his sweater seemed huge. Which, I suppose, is appropriate, considering the impact he’s had on the lives of so many, including me.

Perhaps, it is the fact that he truly believed in children, and adults, too. He loved people, kindness, music, and the joy of discovery (did you ever see him tour a factory?). He was never embarrassed either, willingly admitting when he didn’t know or understand something. A model citizen in blue sneakers.

p.s. The story floating around the interwebs about him being a war hero aren’t true, nor are the tattoos. Though wouldn’t it be cool if he had one of a zip-up cardigan?!

Bird Watching

February 10, 2010 in Admiring, Celebrating, Inspiring by Colleen | 2 comments

Look at my sweet Birdie. Doesn’t she have a fine profile? I love the curve of her nose, her enormous ears, and all that soft, silky fur. She is a fine specimen indeed. It’s funny, too, even after nearly fifteen years (her birthday is March 4th!), I never grow tired of watching her. Playing, sleeping, running in the yard, it’s always a pleasure to see her happy. Unhappy is quite another matter, but I won’t get into that!

In other bird watching news, I had the FINEST (all caps for serious emphasis) sighting from my back window this past Thursday afternoon. I was walking by and saw something high in a treetop, a slight white glimmer of movement. My heart leapt! Could it be? I turned back and stopped, focusing my eyes. It sure looked like it.

I whooped and hollered down the stairs, “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!” I grabbed the phone and the binoculars as fast as humanly possible and bolted back up the stairs. Imagine my excitement when I learned my hunch was absolutely correct. There was indeed a Bald Eagle atop a tree, no more than a hundred yards from me. I could see its regal gaze scanning the horizon, the beautiful white feathers, the golden beak, the lovely eyes. I called the hubster, and I spent the next few minutes detailing the eagle’s every move.

“It’s turning his head, yikes almost 360 degrees!”

“It’s moving it’s wings. Wow, it’s so big!”

“I think it’s looking right at me.”

“The crows are coming! They’re cawing, but this guy isn’t paying one iota of attention to them, no matter how close they get!”

“Oh my goodness, Buddy, I’m watching a Bald Eagle from our back window!”

In all, I probably watched it for ten joyful minutes, repeating that last sentence about five times. It then left it’s perch and flew right over our house, so close I could see individual feathers. I’d like to think it was a “Hello Colleen, I saw you, too,” gesture. Whatever it was, I could not have been happier (well, maybe if I could have taken a photo, but our camera cannot zoom like that), and I certainly won’t ever look at that tree in the same way again.

Nineteen

February 9, 2010 in Admiring, Being, Celebrating, Quoting, Remembering by Colleen | 2 comments

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

Nineteen years ago today, I went on my very first date with the very handsome fella pictured above. I wore a denim skirt and a cream colored blouse with silver button covers. He wore Levi’s and a rugby shirt and an incredible smile. We ate at Old Chicago and talked well into the night. I told him I believed in ghosts, and he held me tight.

I still believe in ghosts, and he still holds me tight. Thank goodness these things last…

I love you, Buddy!

Five Senses

February 2, 2010 in Admiring, Being, Reading, Watching by Colleen | 2 comments

It’s a beautifully sunny day in the neighborhood, and, as you can see, the kitties are soaking it up. I was, too. I even took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants, and pretended it was warmer than the thermometer would indicate, toes tickling the warm pavement. I think bliss would be the right word to describe it. Did I mention that I ate a tangerine in the process? Drippy and delicious.

Aside from that, I don’t have much to tell you. The final season of Lost starts tonight. I admit that I have been sucked into that vortex and am quite looking forward to a resolution. We saw An Education last night. I loved it and will be singing its praises in the Friday Spotlight. I’m bouncing between two very interesting books, too. Vanessa & Virginia and A Homemade Life. My January illness brought my reading to a standstill, so I am glad to be back in it, and with such good reads, I can’t complain, not one iota. On top of all that goodness, I’ve got Lily Allen’s “The Fear” playing on a loop in my mind. Life IS fucking fantastic.

Sorry for the swear word, Grandma. Pretend you didn’t see it.

Seattle Getaway – In the Light

December 2, 2009 in Admiring, Traveling by Colleen | 2 comments

What better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than with a bit of travel? The hubster and I made the three hour trek with the greatest of ease, relishing the sunshine and all the wonders of our favorite city to the north. Here’s a bit of what we saw by day. Night time photos next week…