September 2001

Sunday, September 30.
David and the girls went to church and I took Dice to Dry Creek Trail to hike. Lots of people go there with their dogs on Sunday morning, so it's good socialization for her.

I took the girls and dog up to the reservoir in the afternoon. Dice thought it was great. The girls did too, as a matter of fact. We explored along the shore, throwing the ball for Dice as we went. Sometimes we found soft squishy mud, sometimes deep loose sand that our feet sank into. We walked up to the boathouse, went out on a floating dock and then came back, goofing around all the way.

Saturday, September 29.
Rose went hiking up Mt. Audubon today with the people from Colorado Youth Program, who ran last summer's camp. I went ice skating in the morning. Melanie and I went horseback riding in the late afternoon. It was the second time Melanie had been on horseback. The horses were tired and cranky and did not want to be good. My horse hadn't much energy; Melanie's had a bit more spirit and gave her a lot of trouble because it kept going back to the gate. I switched with her then we both had more fun. It was great being on horseback. I haven't ridden since May, and before that, since high school.

Friday, September 28.
Karen had her first karate class. She was very nervous beforehand as she was pretty sure all the other students would be bigger and more experienced. They were, too. She was so upset she was practically ready to cry, so I got out on the floor with her and we did the exercises together. We didn't do much karate, though, as sparring was scheduled for today. The instructor had Karen run the stopwatch and whistle. It gave her a chance to both observe and be involved. She had a great time and became much more relaxed about working with the other students.

Thursday, September 27.
The search for a Nystrom Desk Atlas continues. We went to Wal-Mart this time and came up empty-handed. To console ourselves we looked magazines, especially at a magazine called Glamour's Fashion Do's and Don'ts. It was silly. In two years the do's will be don'ts and the don'ts will be do's. My advice: develop your own style.

Wednesday, September 26.
Karen and I went running all over town looking for the perfect atlas. She wants a Nystrom Desk Atlas for her geography class like all the other kids have. We tried Barnes and Noble, Boulder Map Gallery, and CU Book Store. Nothing. Tomorrow we'll try Boulder Bookstore and Wal-Mart.

Today was a day I've waited for for a long time: Enterprise, the new Star Trek show, premiered today. It was okay. A little rough around the edges, maybe. We'll see how it evolves over the season.

Tuesday, September 25.
Karen's thinking about taking karate. She and I went to a karate orientation today. It was pretty cool, what with the emphasis on self-discipline, respect, and doing one's best. I'd like to see her stick with this during high school and am going to encourage her to go for it.

Monday, September 24.
Puttered with no focus today. I did exercise. I also tried a new recipe for dinner: creamy chicken picante with roasted red peppers on sesame noodles. It was nothing to write home about.

Sunday, September 23.
I went hiking with the dog while everyone else went to church. It was a beautiful day. Then I puttered around the house, listened to more of my LPs (I sure have some good ones), and did errands. I also popped up to the reservoir to see how the water level was doing. There was a powerboat cruising around out there so it must be rising, but it sure is hard to tell. I brought home a rock for remembrance a lá Stones for Ibarra.

Saturday, September 22.
Ice skating. I am progressing albeit very slowly. Worked on my backward glides today. I'm scared of going backward, but just think, someday I'll be really good at it.

For Melanie's birthday outing, she and two friends went to the cineplex for the day. They were allowed to watch any three movies they wanted as long as the shows were PG-13 or under. They chose Glitter, Legally Blonde, and ... I forget.

I made a goal today of listening to my LP collection to see what I want to keep and what I want to get rid of. I made it through five records. I'll put them all on CDs someday .

Friday, September 21.
The girls didn't have school, so Rose and Karen went to lunch with me on campus. Afterward, we looked at a Walt Weigman exhibit on the art building. I like WW less and less the more I see of his work. The most interesting thing in the entire gallery was the comment wall, upon which other exhibit-goers had left their views. Some were approving, some vulgar, many funny, and all fascinating.

Melanie's birthday today! She's twelve years old. I made a rich creamy cheesecake for her birthday cake. We had a small family party for her when she got back from babysitting.

Thursday, September 20.
Attended a Mark O'Connor performance in Mackey Auditorium. He's a violinist, composer and fiddler extraordinaire. His music was beautiful and quite varied. We gave him a standing ovation at the end, applauding until he came back out and played us another song.

I first saw him in that Meryl Streep movie "Music of the Heart." When I found he was playing here in Boulder, I bought myself a ticket. I asked Dad to come with me, but he had to go out of town today, so I went alone. There was a reception on the patio before the performance. I am ashamed to report that I had a piece of each of the three kinds of cake - carrot, white, and poppyseed.

When I got home, Rose filled me in on all of her day's adventures. Her TAG (Talented and Gifted) group had its first meeting today. Rose loved it. She said, "At last I'm among my own kind!" They are kids like her, smart kids who love to learn for learning's sake, not because A's look good on their transcripts. After that, she went to BYC (Boulder Youth Choir) where she had a great time singing, talking, and generally being a live wire with tons of energy.

Wednesday, September 19.
Finished Stones for Ibarra, a book on tape I've been listening to in the car. It's a beautiful and poignant novel, with words so delicious one can practically taste them. The author started writing at 70, which I find very inspiring.

Tuesday, September 18.
I taught myself to tie a one-handed bowline today and am very proud. The other sailing students and I had talked about it as something that seemed impossible. Boy, am I going to have fun showing that off next summer!

I'm starting to run more when I'm out with the dog. My endurance level is pitifully low, but I hope to build it up enough that I can run the Bolder Boulder next year rather than walking it.

I watched a couple neat things on TV: a Latin dance competition which was beautiful and inspiring - I'd like to do that! - and the sitcom Dharma and Greg, which I've seen once before and was impressed that time as well. Like most sitcoms, it's silly frothy fun, but unlike the others, it packs a big and unexpected punch at the end. Or have I watched the only two episodes that did?

Monday, September 17.
A quiet evening. Made a delicious minestrone from yesterday's leftover beef stroganoff. I spent some time looking at a web site with Rose and Karen that displays an image gallery of worldwide empathy for America during this tragic week.

Sunday, September 16.
Today was a day for getting things done. My to-do list included laundry, grocery shopping, haircut, bake, clean my room, clean out the car. It was a busy day for me. David took Melanie and Karen to the Gem and Mineral show in Denver. It's something we do every year.

David was turned down for the job at the university. He told me this evening he only applied because I wanted him to. He also said he won't ever get a high paying job as he hasn't got the qualifications. He has no desire to go back to mechanicking, which is about the only skill he's got, and neither has he any wish to improve his skill set. Great.

Saturday, September 15.
I'm ice-skating again now that summer and sailing are over. Lessons started today. I'm retaking Adult 2 and feel much more confident this time. There is one other lady in my class, so we practically are having a private lesson. Saw Anke and had a nice chat. She's in Adult 4 in the time slot following mine.

Went to Broomfield Days afterward to pick up Melanie. She had gone up with Dad, and had been left there in the care of the Majors. It was busy and bustling and tons of fun. We, Mels and I and the entire Major clan, watched a bike demonstration, ate pizza and corn, had a pony ride and went in the petting zoo.

In the evening, I took the girls up to Boulder to see Moulin Rouge. We enjoyed the movie immensely and are eager to purchase the soundtrack.

Friday, September 14.
David had the carpets cleaned today. He wanted all of us to sleep elsewhere so we wouldn't be treading all over them while they were drying. Plus the beds were piled with chairs, hampers, etc. He stayed home, though. Rose did too 'cuz she had to be somewhere early next morning. Karen went to a roller-skating party then slept over at a friend's. Melanie and I slept over at Dad's. Dad and I stayed up till all hours talking about the world situation.

Thursday, September 13.
Ironed Melanie's hair. Really. She's got beautiful long hair with a slight wave, and like most adolescent girls, wants it to be other than it is. She'd heard that teens in the 60's ironed their hair to make it straight and had been bugging me to do that for her. I was amazed that it actually worked, and I'm kinda proud of how it looks. It is perfectly straight now, and even longer now that the wave is gone. Her friends are very impressed.

For dinner, I whipped up a very tasty homemade chicken soup and served it with delicious fresh Great Harvest rolls. Later Rose and I did riddles, which is something we get a real kick out of. Here's one:

What does man love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife;
What the poor have, the rich require,
And what contented men desire;
What the miser spends and the spendthrift saves,
And all men carry to their graves?
Answer at bottom.

Wednesday, September 12.
Went miniature golfing with the work team. I wasn't sure if we'd go ahead with the golf plans out of respect for the tragedy in New York, so I didn't remind the kids to meet me at work. They get home pretty late otherwise. Anyway, only Melanie and I went. We skipped the subsequent barbeque in favor of homework. Weeknights just aren't that good for fun plans.

Tuesday, September 11, a date which will live in infamy.
Destruction of both towers of the World Trade Center. Attack on the Pentagon. Plane down in Pennsylvania. No one here at work got much done this morning. We watched TV in the conference room.

You know, I hate newscasters. They live for moments like this. They love moments like this. They love the sound of their own voices, and when there's nothing new to report, they still talk on and on.

In the evening, we watched the news and talked it over amongst ourselves. I don't think this means war. For war you need an enemy country. There will be retribution, which will be carefully thought out and strategically planned. I also think the country will also re-evaluate and reflect on our foreign policy, with consideration as to how we brought this on ourselves.

The girls and I discussed the choice of target as symbol. Rose said they wouldn't strike a school because it's not a symbol of what they hate. But what if they had? What if they had killed a lot of children as a symbol of how they despise us? I think our reaction in that case would not be carefully thought out. The whole country would rise together in anger and demand the immediate destruction of all connected with terrorism in any way. We would be terrible in our anguish and our fury.

Monday, September 10.
Dropped Data Structures, for two reasons: 1) it filled me with unreasonable fear, and 2) I just don't care to learn the material. It honestly wasn't that difficult, so I don't know why I was so afraid, but I've decided that I don't want to take my career down the programming path. I want to go down the graphic design path. Too bad it's too late to return the $70 textbook.

First All School meeting at Burbank Middle School tonight. I represent the Core Knowledge group at our school. Our new principal is wonderful, very dynamic and articulate. There are about ten of us on the SIT team.

Sunday, September 9.
Took Karen and Melanie up to the library, then to the Boulder Creek Path so we could spend some time outdoors. They didn't want to go to the creek and I had to insist. Karen especially resists going out to do anything, then usually has a great time once she's there. We had a great time today, swinging on the swings and wading in the water.

I read "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" this evening. Rather a depressing story. What was the Pulitzer Prize for, I wonder?

Saturday, September 8.
Celebrate Lafayette Fair today, which is held right on our street. Rose and I walked up with the dog; Karen and Melanie had friends to go with. The day was very cold and drizzly, so hanging out outside wasn't so fun. Too bad, because there was supposed to be a lot going on: petting zoo, fire department extrication, obstacle course, all kinds of bands, a couple clowns, karate demos, and other cool stuff.

Later we went to the Bookworm (did I mention that's one of our favorite stores?) and picked up some books. I got a physical geography book and, as part of my plan to become a polymath, spent the evening reading about soils.

Friday, September 7.
Home sick today.

Thursday, September 6.
I've learned the words to Panis Angelicus, so now I can sing it all the way through. It's in Latin, you know. Be impressed!

Wednesday, September 5.
David had a qualifying exam today for a job he applied for at the university. The top three candidates will be interviewed for the position. Keep your fingers crossed! I will be a lot happier once he's holding down a job. And paying the mortgage on a regular basis.

I finally went in to find out the results of my calculus readiness quiz. I got 22 out of 30, or 73 percent, which they consider good to go. They recommended tutoring for those who got 20 or below, and for those who got 15 or less, they wanted to talk to you personally. I just squeaked by. I must have guessed right on those ones I didn't know.

I went to a lot of trouble today to enroll in Data Structures, which I've been attending even though I'm not officially in, and which I'm not even sure I want to take. Now I HAVE to do good.

Tuesday, September 4.
My department has two campus parking permits, but they were both being used, so I had to pay two bucks for parking when I went to class today. Getting to the parking garage was a major pain in the neck due to all the student traffic which I am usually able to avoid.

It was Back to School Night at Burbank Middle School, where Melanie is a 7th grader. The parents went to all their kids' classes for ten minutes each, met the teachers and learned about class expectations and goals. It was nice to see everybody. Got a big smile from Ryan, but didn't get a chance to talk to him. I like Adam Fels, our new principal, but I do miss Isobel.

Monday, September 3. Labor Day.
Took the whole clan to a Labor Day sale at the Salvation Army, my favorite store. I love shopping there because I love the thrill of the hunt. It's a kick to find something really nice for really cheap.

In the evening, we went to Dad's for a spur-of-the-moment barbeque. Teresa and her kids were there as well. I've mentioned before what neat little things they are. I held Michael, the baby, for a while and spent some time with the three little girls, Ellen, Mary and Lucy. Later, Tommy, Mary and I sat on the front porch talking about birds and things.

The reservoir closes for the season today. And I still want what I can't have.

Sunday, September 2.
In the morning, David and the kids went to service while I went to mass. In the evening, I took the girls and the dog up to the Boulder Creek Path. It's a beautiful place. We goofed around in the water and had a great time. There were so many Kodak moments. Why do I always forget my camera? Actually, I know the answer to that. It's because I'm really far behind on my photo album, and the more pictures I take, the behinder I get.

Saturday, September 1.
Rose and I had a busy day. We went to a couple of our favorite stores, second hand stores both, where it's easy to spend a lot of time treasure hunting. I love treasure hunting. We found what we were after, too: a plush racoon and Herman Hesse's Siddhartha. Then we went to the reservoir to see if we could sail. No, we couldn't. Even the Sunfishes are going aground now, and there's no Lake Patrol because there's not enough water for the power boats. We canoed instead.

Answer to riddle: Nothing