Pooks Canyon

Leah's friend Billie Blue found this cone in our backyard. Leah said it comes from the North American Ginormo Pine and it is ten years old. It's name is Pino Bob.

Yesterday, while driving back from Paris with Jon, it occurred to me that it was Thanksgiving Day. I said, "Happy Thanksgiving." To which Jon replied, "It isn't Thanksgiving yet, is it?" Hmmm, none of the usual turkey decor, workplace time off, and trips to see family were there to clue us in. I had remembered TG earlier in the week and mentioned to Emily (the hairstylist at La Belle Frisee) that Thursday was an American holiday. She asked if it was one of those American holidays with presents. Explaining Thanksgiving, I said it is a time to have a feast with your family. Besides family, people also open up their homes to friends that have nowhere to go. Before eating, it is customary to give thanks for all the things you have gratitude for throughout the year, but may not express. Wow, America came up with this? And regardless of the "Day After" shopping and Christmas onslaught, the actual Thursday is pretty pure. I know that some people say...

Leah: "Oh no, my hand is slipping down Africa!"

Leah was the only one who wouldn't eat the kangaroo satay appetizer. She said, "if you want to farm kangaroos you have to have a really tall fence."

Leah and I scored tickets (along with half of Boulder apparently) for an advance showing of the Harry Potter movie. Here is the line, which wrapped completely around the entire cineplex. All 7 theaters are playing the movie in a charity event for "There With Care".

So, Leah was playing with the baby downstairs while I was packing up the car. I come back inside and Leah says, "Mommy, what does 'consumer' mean?" So I told her it is basically the buyer of something. She replies, "Oh good, 'cause Axel just pulled this tag off the recliner." The tag of course reads "Under penalty of law this tag shall not be removed by anyone but the consumer." Axel didn't technically buy the chair but I think we'll let him off the hook this time.

So after I went 0 for 40 at the Hardball slow-pitch -in which Leah was batting about .700- she says, "Don't be afraid of the ball Mommy. You're the one with the stick." I switched to softballs.

"Axel, we are your advisors and your servants."