Exploring the Past to Improve the Future
By Eilene Lyon Note: Just before Christmas 2024, I encountered a male tarantula roaming our neighborhood. In Southwestern Colorado, October is the month we usually see tarantulas crossing the road. Why? Read on… Our local tarantula species (Aphonopelma vogelae), considered a “mini-tarantula,” is an unintimidating creature. They seem oblivious to the presence of humans and... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon A couple weeks ago I drove up to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to give a presentation about my book, What Lies Beneath Colorado. I’ve never spent much time in Glenwood Springs, a place well-known for its Victorian-era hot springs resort. My last visit was brief, specifically to hike up to the Linwood Cemetery.... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon About a year ago, we were in London just before returning home from a three-week vacation, mostly in northeastern France and Belgium. We went from our hotel via subway to the Westminster stop, because we had a trip on the Thames to Kew Gardens arranged. We admired the Parliament building, Westminster Cathedral,... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon Since I come from people who were always on the move, it’s unusual to find an ancestor who was not. My 2nd great-grandfather, Martin Smith, spent his entire long life (more than 98 years!) in central Indiana. Census records repeatedly give his occupation as farmer. It’s about time I learned a bit... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon The mystery about this portrait isn’t “Who,” but all the other Ws and Hs of inquiry. The subject is my mother, Sylvia Jean (Smith) Halse (1936–2023). It’s been a little over two years since Mom died. My brother and I were just hours too late getting to Oregon for a final goodbye.... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon During the days when dirt and manure still muddied Durango streets, commercial construction boomed. In the early twentieth century, Durango had admirable aspirations. Though she would never achieve her dream of becoming “the flourishing metropolis of the southwest” or “a second Denver,” her prospects in 1902 looked promising. A trio of men—Michael... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon By the time the 1958 episode of TV's “This is Your Life” aired, Olga Little was already a Colorado legend. She ran her pack string of burros for nearly 30 years (1909-1947) and had been labeled the only female packer “in Colorado,” “…in the West,” and even, with a touch of hyperbole,... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon Durango has long had a spring and fall gallery walk downtown on a Friday evening. Recently, the Durango Creative District has begun a First Friday studio/gallery tour. On August 1, my sculptor friend, Suzie, invited The Putterer and me to join her at the Smiley Building on E. 2nd Ave. to celebrate... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon It's time for some shots from our feeder-cam! I've had to take it down for the summer because of a bear wandering the neighborhood. He dismantled my compost bin twice, so I've purchased a new, bear-proof (?) one--not cheap at $250. (I always blame he-bears for being delinquent, but very well could... Continue Reading →
Human Created Content - Creative Writing - Australia
What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
Life is a series of transitions, and so is the retirement journey.
Creative, non-monetary forms of payment
Random musings on style and substance
Where the locals go, because the locals know!
Internet home for Marie Zhuikov: Blogger, Author, Poet, Photographer
Reflections of an inquiring retiree ...
The opinions expressed are those of the author. You go get your own opinions.
A Blog of Retirement and Related Thoughts
I write about genealogy on this site. Come see what's going on!
Fun With Genealogy
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Doing the best I can to keep it on the bright side
Quips, Quotes; How To and How Knot To
Author, Speaker, Family Historian
thoughts about life from below the surface
Myricopia 