This week's events

 

Me and my Leo friends!

Yes, my windows were quickly closed when the steam engine toot tooted by this morning around 9 am. They go up to Silverton almost on the hour in the mornings. I have less information about return trips because my west facing windows are shuttered by the blinds to keep out the bright sun in the afternoons.

My son, Russ,  is quite proud of his daughter who was in the Washington Post!

What do you think of Olive Oil Ice Cream?

Our air quality has gone down to moderate due to the nearby fires. But our wind is from the NNE so it's not directly coming our way. I went out before 11 (on Wed. when I wrote this) and didn't notice any problem...but I'm still adjusting to the altitude and using oxygen continuously.

It was delightful going out around 8 and not feeling hot at all! Air quality was ok too. (You may have seen some of these photos before if you ever read my musings on my other blog, Inner Workings.)

I got my exercise bringing things in from the car which were purchased the day before, most of the work is hiking down the long hallway to my apartment.

By Wednesday afternoon I could walk without holding onto the railing...and not be completely out of breath. This altitude of 6512 constantly makes my lungs work harder. My apartment is second from the end!

With windows open at dawn, I was cool enough to wear my Alpaca shawl!

I made buckwheat pancakes for last Sunday night supper. They were ok tasting, but crumbled more than regular wheat ones.

Silly little things to adjust to. 

A dark towel works to combat sunlight streaming along the bottom of the bedroom blinds,

I often nap around 2-3 when that sun just blasts against these windows.

The first train of the day is a diesel. The steam engine seems to pull the second one. I don't know if this is the pattern all the time, but it seemed to be this last week.

A nice fortune-teller type forecast! I do hope you have all these things come your way!

Monday murals

 Recently I captured two other photographer's work of different murals. So bringing them forward here...

In Asheville NC.

In Manitou Springs, CO

Some Monday soon I'll have some murals from Durango to share. As I drive slowly through town I see glimpses, and know I'll have to park and go see them closer to be able to share.

Connecting with Sami's Monday Murals.

I'll sneak in another photo that shows I'm trying different techniques taking my window photos.

Camera up against screen.

Enlarged view with camera against screen.

From yesterday, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026 Below is the temperature at almost 4 pm. I hadn't been out since 10:45, when it was 76 degrees.

Today's quote:

Throw your dream into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, or a new country. -Anais Nin, author (1903-1977)

Some local (and not so local) pics

 

Huge building where I went for an ultra sound. Walked further than I had since being sick. Drove much further too...way down in Fletcher. The people making appointments sure weren't considering my gas costs! 

The pollen-mobile. That night it rained a bit. I haven't yet checked if the pollen just pooled or some might have washed off. Yes, it's yet another rear window...quite a boring one, I might add. There will be a few more to finish off that topic soon however.

A shot of the Atlantic from my friend Teresa, who  took a long weekend with her hubby to enjoy her favorite place.

Train service returned on Sat. to Black Mountain. It has not happened since Sept. 2024's storms washed away foundations of tracks many places. This was a freight train from Hickory to Asheville. I didn't hear when it went by, though usually it has horn toots which are obvious here. Must have been on the phone or something...

Sunday April 19 the maple leaves are dancing in the 44 degree F wind. I hope to go out later to grocery shop!

Yesterday was my granddaughter, Audrey's 24th birthday.

A UU Chalice with names of many important women submitted by various people.

My friend suggested that any writing motions give brain stimulation, therefore I don't have to write/draw anything with meaning in order to help my brain. Smart cookie. Soul growth might also be worthwhile, but I'll be happy with brain!

Some critters for this week

 

Appreciating the little blown glass cat with a goldfish inside, and my own Muffin fluffy gal from way back when (before 2012).

Lovely Llamas, but small file so foggy shot.

Who I'm sharing my balcony with... She's busy building this nest...first shot taken Sunday April 12, second below on Wednesday April 15.

I don't sit out there but an hour or so a day...and so far I don't see any reason to make her move. Perhaps I will when I consider all her little ones...

Ganesh

"lead-voe-elephant" (That's how I saved it, no idea what it means.)

I enjoy seeing other's critters photos. I hope our love of animals continues to support their lives!

Sharing with Saturday's Critters.

Don't miss Martha Grover's pottery at Alchemy of Clay

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And trains are running again, first freight train since Hurricane Helene washed out tracks/beds nearby in Sept 2024.

UPDATE – Train Schedule Change

Happy Saturday, Asheville! We’ve got an updated itinerary and some exciting news—welcome back Norfolk Southern!

The train will now depart Oyama in Hickory heading west between 7:45 AM – 8:00 AM.

This is a 58-car train, and timing is estimated as follows:

10:45 – 11:45 AM: Old Fort

Noon: Old Fort Loops, then continuing up the mountain toward Asheville.

(Black Mountain will be after the loops...)

Times may shift slightly, so keep your eyes and ears open—and enjoy the ride through the mountains today!

I've got my windows open to hear the toot of the train as it goes across Blue Ridge Rd. at the foot of my hill.

October is here!

 

Rabbit rabbit!

I was sitting at my desk at 11:02 am yesterday when I heard a sound that's been missing over a year. A train whistle at the nearby crossing of Blue Ridge Rd. Oh that will be such a nice thing to return to. But the tracks that were damaged going east over the Old Fort pass and continental divide will take a bit longer to repair, I imagine.

Orlando Basturo, Cuban artist

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How does the moon cut her hair?

She Eclipse It.

Some historic views

 

1914 - a few months before it burnt down.

Springtime in Black Mountain...an ornamental  cherry tree gave beautiful blossoms. The birdbath was a leaky gift, so I stuck an old sculpture in it. This was my rental house on Beech St.

Enjoying my son Marty's family at my last Mother's Day in Tampa before I retired in 2007. Marty, Cayenne, Cinnamon, and William, with me standing!

William achieved his AA, and sister Cayenne her High School degree and enough honors classes she entered college as a sophomore (or maybe a junior!) 

I love seeing what women can do with their hair these days, and most of them say yes when I ask if I can take a photo of them.

Before Sept. 27, 2024, when many of the tracks were washed out along the route through the mountains over the continental divide, there would be one or two trains a day from the east going to Asheville. Tracks have apparently been repaired going west from Asheville to Tennessee, but not going east. We're not sure they will be. This engine is crossing US 70 to deliver supplies to an outfit near Swannanoa, perhaps the most eastern business the trains are doing at this time from Asheville.

Some interesting art...

From the Asheville Art Museum

I still can't see any recycled cans in the finished products!

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Environmental news:

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark opinion this past Wednesday, stating that countries have a legal duty to protect people and ecosystems from the "urgent and existential threat" posed by climate change. It’s true that the ruling is an advisory opinion with no legal mechanism for enforcement. However, it represents important precedent that will have weight in other courts as litigation continues. 

For example, it means that the countries most impacted by rising temperatures – typically poorer countries who’ve contributed least to the problem in the first place - may be entitled to reparations from the world's top emitters. “This ruling is a powerful tool we can use to demand that those most responsible for this climate crisis be held accountable,” said Flora Vano, Vanuatu country manager for the non-profit ActionAid. “As the planet’s weather becomes more chaotic, this ruling paves the way for the protections and reparations we desperately need to rebuild our lives and secure a just future.”

The litigation was dreamed up by law students from the Pacific island nation of Tonga in 2019. One of those students, Siosiua Veikune, was at the ICJ in the Hague this week to hear the opinion, telling the BBC, "I'm lost for words. This is so exciting. This is a win we take proudly back home to our communities." And I agree: this ruling is yet more proof that ordinary people, when they use their voices, can change the world.

Thanks Katharine Hayhoe!

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Today's quote

Surrender isn’t a sacrifice of the known, but rather a celebration of the infinite. NIPUN MEHTA My old photos: Tai proposing to Kendra with garlic, around 2013, used as header the week of July 23, 2025