The Royal's show up...about once a month...and each time I learn so much.  These queens are not shy, they tell me just what they need and what I can learn from them.

From this Courtesan I learned that these women had the queen's ear...as well as her wardrobe.  They fancied rich, elegant clothing, flowers and perfume. 

They had a problem with Louis XIV...it is said that he so disliked perfume he ordered all the flowers dug up...the Courtesan's could not wear perfume in his presence.

Each Royal travels with her personal journal, that each artist updates...adds to her story...

Hand 2 Hand

upon the Venus de Miles bike tour this morning.  We'd been planning on this event for weeks, but the rains came...and came and came.  2 inches of rain on the plains, 2 feet of snow in the high country. As we gathered our gear this morning Mr R shot a photo of the full moon....portending the day to come.

 

There were over 500 women that rode to raise money for the Greenhouse Scholars organization....

women rode either the 35 mile course (that would be us) or the 65 mile course that turned up into the mountains.  The rains of the previous days turned the countryside green and the mountains white.

The skies changed from cloudy to clear then back again...the course spread out and at times you couldn't see any other riders.

The tour organizers did a fantastic job with aid stations, volunteers pointing out the direction of the route and the sheriff's department stopping traffic.

all we had to do was ride.... and take in the views.

With the finish in site I looked for Tess....she was in line for a complimentary massage....

just the ticket....mini facials were enjoyed as well...

BBQ and beer at tables adorned with jars of local flowers.

People traveled from all over, both in state and out to participate in the ride...we had only to jump on the bike path to take us home.

It was a long week, but really....how can I complain...any chance that this land-locked girl can stick her toes in the water.....

even if for only 5 minutes....I am fortunate. 

EDIT: I returned here for work....

and this the view from my room...yes quite, a room with a view.

When I left it was most definitely summer and upon my return, falling rain...and temps...it's feeling a lot like fall.  This time of year in Colorado can be deceptive, I'm not fooled, but it's a lovely change.

More art in the park than you can imagine.....overwhelming, but we're able to scan 

back and forth til we find something interesting....like this, Carolyn Douglas, larger than life size women

offering an open hand.  Just in...she blogs....check out her website and blog, a feast for the eyes.

historically this show has been a venue for bronze, western art, but they have expanded to other mediums....

quite a few wonderful ceramic artists.

Black crows keeping an eye out.....

huge strangely proportioned characters.....

 

Lisa, who lives in the neighborhood....go visit Lisa as she will have the inside scoop on things.

Me.....I'm off for a week of work, come back next week, I should be able to sneak away, come up with something good to share.

Every Saturday....as I pick up my veggies for the week, I treat myself....

to beautiful market flowers.

afternoon clouds....but no rain....

cornfields parched by days of baking heat....

a beach to float in innertubes.....

cool water to beat the heat.......

just floating along....

Cooler weather now....but no rain yet from the afternoon clouds.