Inspired by yesterday's sun and 80-degree weather, my friend and I walked across the majority of the city.  As we moved through many neighborhoods, we encountered people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and beginnings; it was wonderful.  And so colorful!  So Alive!

I love living in a place that's moving forward, each day, toward something new, something different.  It's always changing-sort of like me-but deeply aware of where and what it's come from.  Denver is a place of new beginnings, fresh starts for many but full of a rich and complex history.

Our urban adventure was incredibly fun.  I couldn't be happier that winter's done (for the most part-it's sleeting right now), and spring has arrived.  I really, really, really needed yesterday; it was so good!

Dusty Wonderland

Denver is a glowing wonderland.  We had several snowfalls this week, and the city looks like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

One of my favorite aspects of a Colorado winter is the temperature.  Being from the frozen Midwest, I appreciate the option of going outdoors December through March.  How refreshing even when windy! 

 

When it snows I drive slower and notice the sweetest things.  Check out the sign I saw on the way to church!  I loved it so much, I drove home, grabbed my camera, and returned to get a shot.  This art reminds me of the newer documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, although those pieces are more provocative...  Still, so cool!

Check out those mountains.  I picked a great city for relocation.

And a spectacular view of the city with the skyline.

It's Super Bowl Sunday:  I'm hopeful for a Packer victory and prepared with my cheese curds; don't you worry. 

Another new thing in 2011:  reading more poetry.  Especially the books I purchased for my college classes but never finished (waste not, want not?).  Reading poetry inspires poetry.  My final thoughts about the snowy week.

  

Dusting

 (Inspired by evenings like the one pictured above.)

Outside it's dusting.

White's falling around, 

wrapping the earth in soft light.

The streets grow quiet.

The busyness diminishes into a

sweet slowness.

Everything is dusted,

and the city glows.

Tonight's a night for falling in love.

I hear nothing.

Stillness grows in me,

and I feel strength.

You are near,

close and patient-

the change, everything surrounding me.

Brightening

After trudging four, poorly-packed loads across the suburbs, Classy and I made it to the city.  The boxes are three-quarters unpacked, and decorations are on the walls.  No lie... I've enjoyed a glass of wine in a candle-lit living room paired with Over the Rhine every night this week.  And the key word to that sentence is enjoyed.  Our attic apartment is becoming a home slowly but certainly.

I love this new life in the city.  My neighbors, including the musician downstairs, who grill in the courtyard and smoke on the porch.  The hipsters walking around hand-in-hand.  Bicycle rides to work and around City Park at sunset.  Walks to the grocery store, coffee shop, and bookstore.  Jazz concerts on Sundays.

People in my neighborhood are incredibly friendly and intriguing.  This is no amazing discovery; however, I had forgotten after living in the same, isolated community for the past four years.  I loved those years, but it is nice to have change.  It reminds me that the world is big, possibilities are endless, and hope is alive.

Yay for becoming an uptown girl!