Update about blog

The joy of waking to this view each morning is just so wonderful. Even if the camera sees all the distortions from the window screen, I easily ignore them. Many of these green trees stand near or by the Animas River which flows through the town.

Friday, August 21, 2026

The Rogers Neighborhood here

With my being Ms Rogers, I am claiming the area I live in as my neighborhood.


Potted flowers at the entrance to the apartment building.

I sat outside with neighbors talking before the noon sun hit the west side of the building the other day. Then everyone scoots indoors.

Sitting here by the entrance. 

I was issued a key fob to let me through the locked door, and during the day, the landlady can let in deliveries in who buzz her office. I also got a key fob for my son and his wife to use, otherwise I'd have to go down to the lobby to let them in.

And looking the other way I see the studio apartment building across the parking lot. The cute little covered sitting area at the end of the cars is the smoking area. I asked a neighbor if they are allowed to smoke pot, but she thought not. I've not lived in a state where it's legal before, so don't know the rules.

And Wednesday I found out my next-door neighbor's apartment is being emptied out by the management...she must have died fairly recently because my son said someone was knocking loudly on her door when we were moving all my stuff in just 3 weeks ago last Monday, (July 27th). (Come to think of it, it could have been Meals on Wheels, because they often will require a response.)

I would imagine if she had had any relatives they would have been clearing out the apartment. But the manager and maintenance man were carting boxes and lots of grocery carts full of her stuff downstairs, putting a lot of things like shoes, audio tapes, kitchen wares on the "free table" in the lobby. The residents were like vultures actually...very friendly but a bit unpleasant to be around.

So I soon won't be the newest tenant. 

Of course I am sorry I never to meet my former next-door-neighbor. It is sad to think how many people in senior living places like this might die. (How did I get into this apartment anyway?) It brings home to me the situation of a blogger who I didn't even know, who is suddenly in Hospice care...and so many bloggers are writing comments to Joanne and her daughter. I am touched by all the outpouring of care from many of the bloggers I know.

Which reminds me that one of the neighbors mentioned that Monday someone's things were all put out by the curb as they had been evicted. Glad I missed that episode of "grab what you want."

Recycling belongings makes sense though.

 I'll pass. I thought of asking the manager if there was a dresser that might be purchased, but decided I'd go through thrift stores to obtain one, and actually am leaning toward getting something new. I'm delighting in not having too much that is left from the "people before me." The apartment itself has a sense that someone cared for some areas more than others. I could show you the awful corroded kitchen sink, where someone used some powerful acid that left the stainless steel completely stained.

The maintenance man said he'd tried everything to scrub it clean. I just purchased a dish pan...not going to put my dishes on that surface! Of course I've tried everything I have except steel wool by now.



There are scrubby bushes by the parking lot, and a few trees around as well. Hogback Ridge and Heron's Peak are huge grey hunks of rock to look at. I imagine they'll be dramatic in snow.





Can I add that meaningful connections seem to happen here on blogs. Thanks folks!

Thursday, August 20, 2026

My life on the fourth floor

 Fourth floor lobby between elevators and two directions of halls.


The last door in this direction is a trash chute, for small items.

My door is the other direction, the second to last on this hallway. It's surprisingly quiet, and I've only met a few of the other tenants who live on this floor.


It was fun for Bing to post this photo as a screen saver the other day!


The view from my desk. I'm kind of struck each morning as the sun blasts its reflection into the windows, which can be blinding compared to the best efforts of my monitor. This was taken a few minutes after the one at dawn on Aug. 15, which I used as a header. I'll share it here too because when I change headers, it's lost from blog archives. Soon I close the vertical blinds with just a crack for fresh air to come in. The Storytime shot says "I've never met the devil (yet) but I imagine it's a pretty scary experience. but then again I guess that's the point."

Dawn at 7:01 Aug 15 with sun hitting the tip of the smokestack of the Powerhouse...apparently a science museum now. This is my header for this week.

Saw smokestack dawn again on Aug 17 at 7:03 am.




The 8 am train (came by around 8:25 Saturday) and I didn't bother to close the windows. I noticed when the engineer toots the whistle, it emits white smoke, but there are definitely puffs of black coming out that engine. If I start noticing anything sooty in the apartment, I'll probably change my attitude.




Pardon the screens giving the flickering images...but I'm just so thrilled still to actually wake up to see these views each day.

Yes, I'm very happy here.

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Tuesday night I woke up at 2:30 am and opened the windows...it was definitely cooler outside than in.  And for the first time I stood at the window and saw the stars. I had to block the city lights below me, and there they were. Very nice indeed.

Not my photo!

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No, I haven't made friends yet. It's coming.

I'm feeling much better health-wise too! The heat has had a break...and I hope it doesn't come back, but it is still August.



My gratitude goes as high as these boundless skies! Thankful Thursday!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Shhh! Library wordless Wednesday

 

Afternoon showers, we finally had a bit of rain on Aug 11.

I featured the exterior of the Durango Public Library earlier in the month.


First floor has meeting rooms, and a lot of fiction...

And a great view of the Animas River


A huge children's room, as well as a separate room for story time.



and an elevator to the second floor where...

research and non-fiction are available, as well as these views...

 The bike path goes for miles along the Animas River, and here the narrow gauge railroad that goes to Silverton.


Many young people are riding electric bikes around town. The library can check out bike locks for those who visit there.





and yes, you can sit out on these balconies and enjoy reading or whatever!

Sharing with (almost) Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Some Third Avenue Homes

 

Looking north along 3rd Avenue in Durango, some lovely old homes. The one on the corner caught my attention because it went back into so many interesting features.

I like the windows, including what looks like aluminum foil treatment against the heat/light.


Even a half greenhouse, which probably isn't used this time of year!


I liked everything about this house, especially the "sanctuary" sign, which I couldn't actually read.


Lots of fun roof treatments on this home!

Not all the houses were huge.



The Christian Science church looks pretty imposing for a smallish building.

First Baptist Church. I'll capture more churches that are along this old drive soon.


At the top of 14th St. actually. What views they must have!

Sharing with Tuesday's Treasures.