Welcome to my blog!

This is my blog, Just Chipper. You would think it's going to be chalk-full of pictures and stories about the love of my life, my Lhasa Apso, Chipper. Oh, it will, mind you. But, dig deeper, and you'll discover all that makes me smile, and cry, and laugh, and sigh, because this blog is reintroducing creativity into my life. Something I once treasured, but somehow lost. I lost my dad to cancer in May 2007. Somehow, that's when I lost my creativity. I still think about him every single day. Well, minute really. My dad lived life to its fullest. He was "Just Chipper" when asked how he was doing. This blog is my tribute to him and the family that I love and hold dearest to my heart.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

On the Verge of Explosion

Wow, I wrote this nearly ten years ago...  Perhaps I was desperate for love.  Or to love. 
Hmmm... Was?  Perhaps that want (need) never really goes away.  In my eyes, there is always room for more explosions...

Why can’t I love?
How hard is it to reach out my hands and place them gently on you,
Letting you know that my affections are true?
In my mind’s eye, I caress and love you.
I lean in close to you and feel your warm breath mix with mine,
And we remain wrapped in each other’s grip.
With hour bleeding into hours, we truly love.
Then I blink, and my mind’s eye slowly fades to blindness,
Making my reality sink in even further . . .
I will never love.
Fatally flawed and destined to be alone.
No, I demand! No!
Only when I learn to leave the eyes open
That my mind and heart truly desire to witness will I ever begin to love.
Then, watch out.
For a love that has been bottled up for over 26 years only has room to explode.


 

Friday, November 9, 2012

Chili, of the Pumpkin Kind

We just tried this in the crockpot the other day, and found it to be scrumptious!  So, I thought I would share the recipe.   It's perfect for gameday, or just a cold and wintry afternoon.  Enjoy...

Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil  (or olive oil)
1 Yellow Onion, diced
1 Bell Pepper (any color), diced
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Pound 93% lean ground beef or turkey
   (we used 2 Pounds - one of each)
2 (14.5 oz.) Cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes (we used 1 can and 1 can Tomatoes w/ Chilis)
2 (4 oz.) Cans Diced Green Chilis
1 (15 oz.) Can Pumpkin
3 Cups Low Sodium Chicken or Beef Stock
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Crockpot Directions:
Brown the meat until fully cooked.  Drain.  Combine all ingredients in crockpot.  Cook on low for 8 hours.

Stockpot Directions:
Heat larg skillet over medium heat.  Add meat and brown until fully cooked.  Drain grease and set aside.  In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion and bell pepper; cook until crisp tender.  Add garlic and cook one more minute.  Add meat and remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Timeline of Letting Go...

This poem of mine makes me laugh for some reason...  It was written many, many moons ago, when I was trying to "get over someone."  Funny how time allows you to do just that...

The Time Line of Letting Go...

Unto You this day shall appear,
A great new friendship and loved one to fear.
He’ll tell you he loves you and make your heart flutter,
Then turn to you ‘morrow--throw your heart in the gutter.

With rosy cheeks and a grin that knows no next,
You swear this man must be written out of some text.
But texts are turned pages of history that never seem to appear,
And making this man one of those pages is the most important decision of your year.

After one month, you’ll yearn for more candy.
The tempting sugar of his still makes you randy.
Then two months will pass and things may seem odd--
You’re beginning to forget his face and he seems to be a fraud.

Nearly six months will fly and your heart will be peaced,
For that nobody you loved is now figuratively deceased.
Love the ones you love--no doubt it’s going to happen.
But, above all, love the YOU that loves,
And discover you’ll always be a’laughin!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Warmth of My Loneliness


His words, caught in the web of my nights.
His smile impounded on my brain.
His laugh keeps me awake for hours,
But I don’t mind.
For his laugh makes me yearn for more.
My nights can get so desolate
In the cold darkness surrounding my room.
But his words, smile, and laugh are there
Keeping me warm in my loneliness.

 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Waiting for Discovery...

You don’t know me.
How can you think you know me when I don’t even know myself?
I don’t know who I am from one day to the next, one minute to the next, one second . . .
I can fly so high at times, like a diamond that radiates a million different hues in the sun’s glow.
And it’s so beautiful.
Oh, but those colors can fade, as all colors do.
And my high comes crashing to the ground in the blink of my eye, and it hurts to blink.
I don’t know what makes me me. 
And you don’t either.
But I’m here, alive and willing to learn.
And oh how sweet and comforting it is to know that you’re forever willing and waiting to take that risk with me.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Roxborough Park

Item #2 - Check.  We went to Roxborough Park last weekend, and were in awe.... It was hard not to be, when surrounded by the large red sandstone rocks.  The fear crept in, though, as the park constantly reminds people of the possibility of looming rattlesnakes, bears, and mountain lions.  No fear... Jason picked up some stones and was ready to fight!  :)

Feeling so lucky to live in this great state...








Wednesday, September 12, 2012

To Ride or Drive Pikes Peak?

 A coworker of mine and his wife have a goal similar to mine in that they want to get out and explore more of Colorado.  One of the ways in which they are exploring is by driving up the mountain ranges.  This past Sunday, Sept. 9th, they drove up Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.  Oddly enough, the US Forest Service just announced recently that it would open up the Peak to allow bicycles for the month of September.  Enter my brother-in-law, Travis.  On the way down the mountain, my coworker had his Go-Pro camera shooting, and look who he just happened to catch...






Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Never Forgotten~

In tribute to ALL lives lost on that day 11 years ago...  I will never forget~



Friday, September 7, 2012

South Platte Park, take 2

I enjoyed South Platte Park so much, that I just had to show it off to Chipper too.  He and I had a lovely walk thru the park this morning.  I must admit, being alone in nature is invigorating and freeing, but also quite scary if you let your mind carry on... :)  Who me, let my mind carry?  Unheard of!  :)  Once I got over that, though, it was smooth sailing, er, walking...  And Chipper loved it!