Our weather is ever a mixed bag, especially in March and April. We've had wonderfully sunny days lately, but with chilly wind. And today brought us 27° F with snow flurries. Still, hopeful little signs of spring are starting to pop up, like these leaves unfurling in Shooks Run Park a few days ago. Bring it on, Mother Nature! I'm ready for spring!
If you read this blog regularly, you probably already know that I'm an avid sewist. That and knitting are really my only "crafts." I'm not handy with a glue gun and don't know how to pronounce Cricut. That kind of stuff was never my jam. But I do love to sew and knit! I can crochet, too. These skills were taught to me when I was a child in the Philippines, so maybe that's why they've stuck with me. At any rate, sewing makes me a fan of The Mill Outlet, which is a locally owned fabric store on Prospect Street just south of Fillmore. I've been a regular customer for many years. This is a large city, and people don't like to drive far outside their zone to get what they need, but with the nationwide closing of Joann's Fabrics and Crafts, The Mill Outlet has suddenly become a hot spot, even for those who rarely venture west of Academy Boulevard. I'm so glad of it! I went there a couple of weekends ago and it was actually hard to find a parking spot. The place was buzzing. When a big box store opens, it makes the mom and pop stores wither and die. But when a big box store closes, here's your proof that the opposite thing happens. Long live The Mill Outlet!
I noticed the other day that the building that had long housed the Little Market on Willamette and Prospect is now home to a pizza restaurant. I don't know how long it's been open, I only just now discovered it. It sure smelled good as I stood across the street to take this picture.
The first of every month is Theme Day for City Daily Photo bloggers, and this month the theme is lines. I thought this picture fit the bill quite nicely, although I didn't take it with the theme in mind. I caught this little squirrel in an agony of indecision: cross the street, or turn around and run back in the other direction? It's a good thing this was a quiet avenue with little traffic. And the fact that he was frozen in place for a few seconds with a snack in his mouth made it easy for me to snap a picture of him. For the curious, he did eventually decide to run across, but naturally he waited until a motorcycle was heading straight for him. Not to worry -- he made it across safely with his snack.
For more takes on lines by CDP bloggers all over, click HERE. Enjoy!
Pat and I went to the annual Denver Powwow a couple of weekends ago. You don't have to be Indian to go, everyone is welcome but yes, nearly everyone there is Indian. I've been to powwows before but not this one (although Pat has attended it several times). It was HUGE. There were thousands of dancers and drummers competing, from places as far flung as Saskatchewan. It was so cool! If you ever get a chance to go to a powwow, you should. It's a great experience.
Spotted while waiting in line at Michael's yesterday. This woman's hair was so pretty I had to get a picture.
I saw this gravestone in Fairview Cemetery on Thursday, as I was visiting the grave of a friend. This poor family lost four children at unbearably young ages, probably from entirely preventable illnesses. I can't imagine the pain. We do not have to go back to this. Vaccinate your children, I beg you.
