Deep down things

And for all this, nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went,

Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

From, "God's Grandeur"

Gerald Manley Hopkins

We came home to record-breaking temperatures in Seattle. The lilac burst into bloom outside the front door while we were gone.  Warm lilac must be the most perfect scent of Spring. 

You probably heard on the news that Colorado endured a massive blizzard this weekend. Of course the snow won't last long, it never does this time of year, but Cripple Creek was right in the bull's eye. Mom always liked that crazy, changeable high Rocky Mountain weather, especially exciting storms.  Dad sat it out inside with his typical grace and patience. He is doing OK and taking care of himself as we work out some new plans.

Our sister Marji is on her way, driving trusty "Maurice" (her RV) and taking the safer southern route thru Albuquerque to Colorado Springs.  The rest of the family is making plans to travel back to Colorado the weekend of May 21 for a memorial honoring Mom's life.

Cripple Creek Cemetery

I took this picture on a visit to Cripple Creek in May 2014. The historic cemetery overlooks the town and mountains, and many years ago Mom picked out their final resting place on a hill.

Yes, that is ice on those aspen branches in early May, but I hope a month from now the leaves will be just starting to turn green for Mom.