Tall mountains

 The following photos were posted by Marie Enriquez of Mt. Blue Sky, which has the highest road that goes on a "Fourteener" - one of the mountains in  Colorado that is 14,000 feet or more high.

Colorado is home to 58 named peaks that rise above 14,000 feet in elevation, known as the fourteeners or 14ers. Climbing these impressive summits is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the state

It used to be called Mt. Evans. I didn't live here when the name was changed, but I visited it in 2005 when the old name still was there, as well as some remaining glaciers.

It was still called Mt. Evans when I visited in 2005.

The glaciers have all melted which fed these lakes.

The mountain was previously named for the second governor of the Territory of Colorado, John Evans. However, due to Evans's involvement in the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, there were years of discussion over renaming Mount Evans. On September 15, 2023, the United States Board on Geographic Names officially changed the mountain's name to Mount Blue Sky.

Wikipedia

Sharing with Sepia Saturday and Skywatch Friday

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First visit with new pulmonologist - very encouraging. He gave me lots of hope. He recommended pulmonary rehab (which I've done before and found really beneficial) as well as physical therapy to help me feel more confident walking. I hope these will enable me to be able to walk around my neighborhood soon. Plus he said to give it 6 months to get used to living more than a mile high.

Movie and gratitude

 Thankful Thursday

I watched a Netflix movie the other night, Song Sung Blue. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson playing a musical couple who sing tributes to Neil Diamond. It is full of music which I love, and a story that is long and gripping. I felt really good having watched it. I've never seen a Diamond concert, besides in videos. And I listened to his music since the 70s. 

There are also underlying themes in the movie, to keep on having hope, to work out problems (if possible) and to show love to the best of your abilities. At least that's what I took from it. I may watch it again!!

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It sort of inspired me to stay up way past my bedtime and to start something new. I got creative again. Blogging at least. Life in Durango has started as my new blog this week.

I've felt lots of connection with other bloggers lately, probably as I told of my life moving to a new town. There sure have been supportive comments as I dealt with all the details. But I've also been ignoring the issues that matter most to my life.

Have those things become less important? Goddesses, climate change, women's issues, the environment, politics? Perhaps they had to take a back seat as I "settled into a new place." But I still was aware of them. So I'm going to be posting more here again (already started) while shifting the Durango life to a new blog!

It feels good as of now. Oh and I had to name a new blogspot address, I'm now durangobarb.blogspot.com. I've been blackmtnbarb for 19 yars or so. And before that boardwalkbarb! Now I can try to belong here. It will take a while, I suspect! I love how the syllables look different, like dur-an-gob-arb!

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Thankful Thursday

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The pulmonary test was yesterday, I didn't do that well. This morning I meet the new pulmonologist. I am feeling pretty down about my prospects of beating the breathing limitations. Wish me luck and everything else that might influence my health.

Wordless Wednesday Miscellaneous

 

I just turned 84. Just saying. Time to wear shades. I may have given up on a bit of things Mick is known for, but I still love Rock n roll!

From my pottery making days...

John Singer Sargent (American, Impressionism, 1856–1925) Simplon Pass, Chalets1911.

by Alan Ostmann, who may have a birthday with me.

This really makes me mad. Sorry it's a bit blurry.

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Starhawk is broadcasting a podcast, where she asks us to think more seriously about what we want from the revolution that's needed today...rather than what we don't want.

  https://starhawk.substack.com/p/podcast-and-video-future-visions?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#media-a9b0eeba-553e-47ba-9dc1-ec706acbbee6

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A woman who quietly made a big difference by helping with children's literacy (giving away millions of books) and offered music in the country way. Our lives have been bettered by having had her influence. Yes, I visited Dollywood with family once! I loved this woman and everything she did!

Almost Wordless Wedesday

My new blog today: https://durangobarb.blogspot.com/2026/08/tacos-to-quiche.html

National Parks

 

Unknown mountain by unknown photographer

"If you’re looking for a way to show up for our national parks, Tuesday, August 25 is the day. The NPCA is organizing a nationwide Day of Action on the National Park Service’s 110th birthday, with events and advocacy stations happening at parks around the country. People will be gathering at Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Acadia, Cuyahoga Valley, New River Gorge, Great Falls and others to stand up for our parks. In Washington, there is a plan to deliver petition signatures directly to the Department of the Interior calling for protections for national parks and park employees. This isn’t one giant protest in one city. It’s people showing up at their own parks, in their own communities, all on the same day. August 25 is also a fee-free entrance day!"

Thanks Alt National Parks on FB

The last snowfall I experienced in Black Mountain. 

There are promises of more snow here in my new home in Colorado, though the residents say the snowfall has been too light recently and causes more drought conditions.

by Marcin Zając, Yosemite Valley

But it's still August!

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde, Colorado, holds roughly 150 rooms and 23 kivas. 

Aug 22 500pm landslide on the back of Mesa Verde from Cortez CO

Today is the 110th anniversary of the National Parks. So admission is free to all of them. I am tempted to join the traffic at Mesa Verde. There are also going to be protests. The current administration has not supported the work that traditionally kept these parks beautiful. It has tried to make them into cash cows for mining, logging and other profitable ventures.

I've visited many National Parks, some quite often when I lived near them. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park may be my favorite. Bryce Canyon was also wonderful. 

Forest River, Smoky Mountains NP

fairyland-loop-trail-bryce-canyon-national-park

More recently I've particularly enjoyed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the last 19 years, which is also a National Park.

What's your favorite national park?

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Sharing with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures

The killing of wild horses was written in Project 2025 (Tea Party of Republicans.) They told us they would murder wild horses so they could make money off the land, and now they're doing it.

Sharing with Tom's Tuesday Treasures

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Updated 8.24.26 around 8 am:
Update from Gary, Indiana. (World Central Kitchen)

WCK teams mobilized across the city over the weekend alongside food truck partners, taking meals directly to communities impacted by the ongoing power outage. In the Tolleston neighborhood, the team from La Cocinita served rice bowls packed with chicken, beans, and salad with salsa verde. #ChefsForIndiana