Time with Dad

My dad and I had a day together in celebration of my birthday last month. We went to the Denver Art Museum and saw the Impressionism exhibit. We also walked around the new wing and looked at some other exhibits. We ate lunch at the restaurant there. It was a splendid day. The exhibit was lovely. They organized it based on the inspirations of the Impressionist painters. I had no idea this group would go to the Louvre and find paintings to replicate in order to really develop the Impressionism genre. Our lunch at Palettes was superb and we had a very enjoyable time together. It is funny-even though we live so close we don't do a lot of one on one time together. I enjoy spending time with my dad, just he and I-we have good conversation and give each other ideas (gardening, travelling, etc). So, I think we need to make this a regular thing and pick something to do every month so we can continue enjoying each other's company. Thanks Dad for a special day and let's plan one again very soon.

Happy 8 years Mike!

Dear Mike:
Today is our 8 year anniversary. I think we got through the 7 year itch okay so it is downhill from here, right? I remember when we first met. You sat next to me in Lucy's class-Law, Politics and Justice. I remember looking at your Nike tennis shoes (What, Nike's? Aren't they committing human rights abuses overseas??) but then admired what nice legs you had (still do). We have been through a lot...living in Glenwood, new jobs and leaving jobs, your time in Antarctica, and the dreaded cancer (which is a lifetime of experience all rolled up into one). Sometimes I think we have gone through more than people who have been married for 25 years. When it comes right down to it, though, I wouldn't have chosen a different path. You bring me so much happiness, and you are my best friend. I enjoy spending time with you and I love our life together. So, here's to a lifetime more of these anniversaries. I love you. Love, Melanie

What's a happenin?

I realized that it has been almost a week since I last posted. Yikes! So, to follow up, here are some pictures from Robert's big award day. There is a picture of Robert and his mentee Othello, one of the three of us, and then me and our friend Beth.



What else has been going on? Just a lot of fun, with many thanks to family and friends. Tom and Nancy took us to Bonnie Brae Tavern for Pizza last week for Mike's birthday, Mom took us to lunch at My Brother's Bar for the same ocassion and Liz and Lance hosted a wonderful birthday dinner...hey, wait! I thought I was the birthday fiend around here? Other than that we are just livin'.

Proud of my brother

I have had the unique opportunity to get to know my brother not only as a sibling, but as a friend and co-worker. I don't know how many people have that opportunity. I am impressed with Robert as a co-worker...his work ethic and dedication to being the best at whatever he is doing, his "in the present" attitude, and his care for his co-workers is inspiring. Having worked in the same department for almost two years, I see the respect and care his co-workers had for him-he is immensely popular among everyone.

I am also proud to say my brother is a good citizen. He is getting an award this week from Goodwill. He has been mentoring a student named Othello and is getting the Goodwill Mentor/Mentee award. Here is the link for more info:
http://www.goodwilldenver.org/goodwilldenverevents/index.php?s=24&item=11

Our friend Kendra tells us both (but probably Robert especially) what great parents we had...they raised great kids...and I hope they are proud! I know I am proud to say Robert is my brother.

Letters to the Editor

This morning I went out to take the boys for a walk and there was a bag filled with plastic bags with a note from my neighbors: "We read your letter and are here to help!" I never thought anyone read letters to the editor, but I guess they do. That didn't stop me from writing one to the Washington Park Profile. The days Mike was out of town, I became a neighborhood activist. I wrote a letter to the mayor begging for an off leash dog park at Washington Park. After coming back from San Diego, which is a very dog friendly city with dog parks everywhere, I was feeling bad for the boys and wanted to advocate for a dog park within walking distance. I also wrote my letter to the editor at the Wash Park Profile concerning 2 things: First, I encouraged the residents to pick up their dog poop especially during snowy days. When the snow thawed, there was dog poop everywhere! It is like people think the poop disappears or something when it falls into the snow. I also asked for feedback as to how to reconcile sustainability with dog poop. Stores are leaning toward going plastic bag free, so how can I pick up the poop? I had a week there where I was so low on bags I was taking extra bags from those Milk jugs people hang on poles and pouring cereal into ziplocs so I could use those. Now, thanks to people like my neighbors who actually do read letters to the editor I have a good supply of pick up bags to last me a while. Maybe my next letter should ask for $100 dollar bills?

I'm Itchin...

This time of year I'm itchin...for spring, to garden, to get in shape for summer clothes, for baseball, for my yard, for long evening walks, for cool morning runs before the day gets hot...Today, I'm itchin for a good book to read! Help! I just got done with Into the Wild (great suggestion, Meg) and my book club book This I Believe is almost done. I need fiction! A good story, one that is deep and sad and profound...or I would settle for something fun, but I just need a good read. Any suggestions, send them along. I do have Truman Capote's In Cold Blood on hold at the library. I saw Capote on DVD last weekend and loved it. I am fascinated by the 1960-1970 eccentric writers, artists and musicians...I love reading a biography and seeing "Partied with Andy Warhol" somewhere in there. I wish I could have been a sociologist in the 1960's...And today I am not itchin as much as I will be when the weather gets warm. By this I mean allergies. I forget that I have a love/hate relationship with spring because of how stuffed up, sneezy and runny I get when all the lucious leaves and crocuses start popping out. Oh well, it is a small price to pay to bring me out of the winter drudgery.