Wildfires in Colorado

The news is accurate this time. Colorado is burning. Pray for rain and safety for all.

CNN photo taken near the Ft. Collin's fire.
There are two major fires near Colorado Springs and in other parts of the state.  
The one pictured has burned almost 300 homes as of June 26, 2012.


Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Camp Nurse For The Summer 2012

I seem to have no restraints in flying the kite of life! Here I am at a 13-week summer camp for those with disabilities high in the Rocky Mountains! (About 40-miles from home.)  I'm homesick. I miss my hubby and all the comforts of home, but I realize that it's also important to "...withdraw for awhile from the turmoil of the world, that I may gather strength that I have lost...." (Paraphrased from my devotional prayer by George Dawson.)  


The opportunity came along. They accepted my application and offered me the position, so here I am gaining a whole, new view, once-in-a-lifetime, experience of another kind of world.


Hubby is more than supportive, and has already visited me at camp and plans to come at least once a week. I'm also home every Saturday. My on-line school work can continue uninterrupted.


I have no plans or ideas of what I will do in September because I did give notice from my job (more reasons than this one).  But, I'm assured I will be right where I'm suppose to be in September!


So, having said all that, I'm keeping an on-going story of my camp experience on another blog. HERE


Like a personal diary, it's also for me to remember and treasure a high altitude, low stress (I hope), time in my life that will help me grow stronger in many ways.  


Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda






Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Wyoming Jade and A New Book

It snowed on the Front Range in Denver the other night, but the snow was gone by noon!  I stopped by the road on the way to work and stole this shot as the sun came up. 

(Linda Meikle photo)

Never one to sit still, and I've been neglecting  my favorite blog!  For any of my cyber friends who have stopped by to find me out and about, please know I've not forgotten anyone.

I'm taking some time this summer to not only work harder on my BSN in Nursing (online), but also planning to finish at least one book, and maybe two!  I've made all A's in my coursework, and only have about seven classes to complete my degree. Oh, I'm working seven days a week.

The most recent goal is to write a book called, "Code Welcome" is a guidebook for becoming a Director of Nursing (DON). Even if I'm the only one to use the guidebook. And even if I never get the job! The outline is complete!
Finding a DON position is a life goal, and my book will remind me of everything it takes to be the best!

"Code Welcome" is something I suggested at my current job when a new patient comes in.  If used, new patients would be greeted at the front door, welcomed by every staff person on the unit and provided with basic needs before they have a moment to feel alone and afraid - which most patients feel.  But, no one really puts Code Welcome into full effect except when I'm on duty, so it's a little discouraging.  At best, the front desk receptionist calls me and says, "You have a Code Welcome, Linda."

So, if by slight chance someone near Denver, Colorado has connections for a DON job, please email me at bestnurse@usa.com I won't let you down!
In the meantime, hubby and I took few days last week to follow a trail to Wyoming on a hunt for Wyoming gems stones. I believe we were successful in that we found a road not cut off by a fence, and were able to pick up something...

Here are a few photos of our 'rocks'.  

If you know a geologist or are familiar with geology, please feel free to let us know if we are rich and can sit around and write books for the rest of our life.  LOL

About that jade ... We can dream, can't we?

What do YOU think?

Hummm. Is it? Or isn't it?

Take Care on the Journey,

~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Frog's a Jumpin'!

Well yes, here in Colorado and all points east, the frogs are awakening. Crocus are blooming, and Daffodils are starting to spill across the forest floor!


The title of this posting is the name of a new Geocache that came out today. Since it was fairly close to home, I hurried over to see if I could be First to Find.  The following is how this cache was described by the geocache owner, "Broncoman61"


"On a beautiful day...the sunset will be awesome and give you a gorgeous view of Croke Reservoir with the mountains far in the background. On an average day...it's still a great view of the reservoir with the mountains far in the background. On a bad day...you might not see the mountains, but the relaxing calm of Croke Reservoir is still worth the view. Take a seat and relax for a bit. You'll be glad you did!"


You can hit me now for not taking a photo, but the strange story is as follows:  "Not FTF but found a new friend at this cache site! When a man walked up to where I was searching, I asked which Geocacher he was. He responded, "What is that?" As I explained what I was looking for, he (being at a lower level than I was), pointed and said, "I see something right there!" ha ha The non-Geocacher found my cache!!!! There's a story with every find!"


The Frog's a Jimpin'! Geocache was not a micro on the bench as I expected. (That's why I pack a small mirror in my geocaching kit.) It is actually like a magnetic business card attached on the bottom of the small trash can that's attached to a pole. 


It's a beautiful 70 degree day here in Denver, CO.  The cats beg to be allowed into the backyard, and the dog wants a very long walk. 


Hubby has a job interview today at Home Depot. After almost three years of being unemployed, our fingers are crossed!


We hope this day continues to smile on us and all of you! <3 (that's a heart sign online).


Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda


Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Denver's Historic Snowstorm February 4, 2012

Although I was involved in a terrifying "slip off the highway' accident on my way to work that day (first video snapshot), and I was stuck at work for 36-hours that weekend, I took these snow photos with my little iPhone from the windows of where I work to document the historic event.

I've made those photos into a video that isn't perfect, but it's my first time to figure out the technical stuff that went into making it.  (For instance, the first slide says, "The End".  And, there is a least one duplicate.
The last few slides are looking our back porch patio door after I finally got  home.  I hope you enjoy it.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Treetop Geocache!

Hubby gets a treetop geocache for me!
The story is on our geocachine blog at
http://geocachingindenver.blogspot.com

I've been so busy working extra during the historic Denver snowstorm
and doing a double Algebra class (meaning 16 weeks worth in 8 weeks!).

We're doing well and still enjoying our Colorado life adventure!

I'll post photos of the awesome snow swirls tomorrow - maybe. lol

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life.
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

New Look at dustyangels.blogspot.com

It seems that Blogger (blogspot.com) doesn't accept my version of Internet Explorer anymore, so I had to change my format to Google Chrome and figure out all the nuances of how to post with the new system.  Obviously, I lost my piano at the top, but selected a nice, blue, relaxing background.


I'm curious if anyone is having problems reading this blog.


If you don't mind, please leave a comment yes or no. You can sign in as anonymous if you'd like to.

I miss red hot, wood-burning stoves in the living room, a simple electric typewriter, and a land-line phone in every room.  But, they say we need to adopt to progress.


Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda


Linda's e-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Peace On Earth When Snowflakes Fall by Linda Meikle

(Previous posting has been deleted so this one can have perfect spelling...)

(Linda Meikle photo)

Peace on Earth When Snowflakes Fall

Snow arrived silently overnight, painting windowsills and mountain hills

With a magic wand on land and pond, it drew the art with metallic bond!

As far as the eye can see, the workings of a snow-clad Leprechaun!

Cats look out the window to see if they can go outside nice and slow.

Children pulling sleds and yelling through the snow, "Let's go!"

Out the door and along each house, winding rivets like jumping mouse.

Schools are closed for the day. Children free to run and play!

Me. I'm snuggled close with chocolate warm and housecoat old & worn.

Gifts are wrapped. Boxes packed and off to the P.O. Shack!

Hubby wrapped in blankets close and warm as toast.

Dreams of howling wolves and snow bears' ghost!

Snow arrived silently overnight painting windowsills and mountain hills

Silent magic flakes creating children thrills and rush-hour stills.

Peace on Earth is shared by all when Silent Night snowflakes fall.

By Linda Meikle 12-22-2011

Take Care on the Journey

Your friend in life,

~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Colorado Moose

Rocky Mountain Moose Stops Traffic!



...May You Always Have Front Row Seats!
Rocky Mountain National Park, June 2011
(Linda Meikle photo)

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda


Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Colorado Rocky Mountain Rock Polishing Success

After three months of playing nanny to the rock tumbler and meticulously keeping track of the dates for the different polishing materials, my rock polishing project is finally paying off.

During my geocaching travels, I discovered a cache of quartz rock. It's actually in plain sight of a trail, but hikers keep to the path and completely miss the treasure of Colorado quartz in Golden, CO.  We took the kids (grown kids)  back to pick up some more for me when they were here at Thanksgiving time.

See the before and after photos. (Not the exact same rocks, but almost.)

(Linda Meikle photos)

It takes at least six weeks for the transformation!

For those who were promised some polished rocks in my Christmas letter, I'm pleased to announce that Walgreens has their small bubble envelopes, usually $1.99, on sale for 39-cents this week - just for me!

Take Care on the Journey,

Your friend in life

~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com