Lucky to live in the country with a lot of long time residents. Coal miners, farmers, hippies, a few Mexicans, who I get along with just fine, Mennonites, Pro Mitt Romney anti pot for the most part but a legendary area for some who grew very fine herb way back in the day.
Today we lost a neighbor who suffered a massive stroke. She must have been in her late 70s. She married into a family that has 4 generations living on the same road. This woman never once in her life had a bad word to say about anyone or anything.
the klan is amazing. her husband was a Olympian who did the Ski and Shoot thing in the winter Olympics during the cold war with Russia. He told me that they never let that effect them and both wished to be friends and he remained friends with them for many years.
There were 4 different families. when we first moved here and had no garden we would purchase incredible organic vegetables and fruits from this little middle age gal who did it all Annie was her name. dawn to past dark she would work the fields growing amazing organic veggies. Her Cantaloupe were the very best in Colorado and at the farmers market folks would swamp her just as the truck pulled in.
Her husband was a pioneer in organic farming, peaches, cherries, plumbs, apples, they did it all.
She would clear rocks from the fields, take care of her kids and husband always busy but cheery and happy.
she suffered a stroke as well around 6 years or so and was put in a home, when I visited it just broke my heart. she did return home for the last few years and lived pretty well but not the same.
She died last summer.
My neighbor john and his wife have been married 57 years. John and I are real buds. He will do anything in the world for me as I would him. he is 78 still rides around on his 4 wheeler chasing his cows. I can make that fella double over slapping his knee with laughter over the silliest things. I love this man. We have Sunday dinners and the stories come out non stop.
We all keep pretty much to ourselves but if someone needs help so many will be there for you or likewise we come and help.
Last time we got together was when Annie died at the local grange hall. pot luck supper. Had a blast, more of a celebration than a funeral. So many down to earth folks, all different but all the same. We have one thing in common that we all do agree upon is that our little area is incredibly special. I knew it the second I steeped foot here on this property.
I always miss out on local social events cause iam just too high... LOL...just kidding, just too tired to attend.
from now on that's going to change sucks to get together just when some one passes.
Also lately I have just been incredibly overwhelmed by simply looking around at where I have ended up. Never in my wildest of dreams would I have thought I would end up here.
I plan on becoming much more part of this wonderful community by setting up a network of volunteers to help each other, am hosting a benefit for the local fire dept.
I owe a lot, this pace saved my life by replacing the need to guzzle down beer after beer after beer.. after beer after beer, I drank a lot.
best of all I have earned respect, way cool for someone who is a drunk if they drink.
I feel so blessed to be amongst folks like these......Life is good being a Colorado person.......