Fall fun

I have a love-hate relationship with fall in Colorado. Fall, back in Illinois, is a beautiful time of year. The air is crisp. The leaves take their time changing colors. Snow, in September, is basically unheard of.

Fall in Colorado seems to happen overnight. One day it's summer; the next, as in today (officially fall), we have predictions of 5 to 7 inches of snow overnight. And by the end of the week, it'll be hot and summery again. As you can imagine, this really messes up the growing season. I don't know how the plants and trees survive. And forget trying to dress appropriately.

But fall is also a wonderful time here because the amount of available cultural activities increases significantly. Colorado College is back in session, and the theater and music groups begin their annual seasons. It's rare to not find something to open your mind and heart to any evening of the week, if you so choose.

Two such events have happened for me just over the past week. The first, a showing of an indie film, Ink.

Ink was filmed in Denver, by Coloradans. Last Wednesday, the Independent Film Society of Colorado offered a showing at the Lon Chaney Theater in downtown Colorado Springs. I'd never been to the Lon Chaney, and I loved its ambiance. Built in 1923, it's attached to the City Auditorium and was named for the silent screen star. It's a small venue, holds about 200 at most. The seats (pictured above) look comfortable, but they're basically fabric-covered wood. There's definitely an historic air about the place, and this showing of Ink, a modern-day fairy tale, was perfect at this venue.

Immediately following the film, there was a Q&A session with the director, the writer and two actors. Films aren't often made in Colorado (apparently the tax incentives here are miserable), so it was a pleasure to be able to interact with a local cast and crew.

Ink is going on the road. It's worth a viewing if you get a chance. Learn more at Double Edge Films.

Then last night, I attended a concert at Colorado College. Every year the school hosts a few performers in conjunction with our local library district's World Music Series. Yesterday's show was with Vieux Farka Touré, son of Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Vieux plays the music of a contemporary Africa, combining blues, funk and Afro-pop.

Bottom line, he and his band were amazing. I don't really know what else to say; rather, I encourage you to check him out here. And keep an eye out for the World Music Series. Every show we've seen through it (all free) has been memorable.

Oh, and if you're looking for something to do tomorrow night, join me at the Lon Cheney for Sita Sings the Blues.

Hey, why'd ya stop running?

This morning I participated in the 20th annual Alzheimer's Association of Colorado Springs 5K. My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's, so the issue is very close to my heart.

With a genetic proclivity toward Alzheimer's, this could be me one day.

It scares the shit out of me.

So over the past few weeks I've been fundraising for the cause; thanks to six friends I hit my goal of $100. It's not a lot but as a former nonprofit fundraising professional, I know every little bit helps.

On a slightly different note, I walked/ran this 5K, and had a memorable incident while on the back half of the 5K. This summer, I began running. Usually, I manage a few blocks, my body starts complaining and I give up. For those of you familiar with the local Jack Quinn's Running Club, I've tried joining them on a few Tuesdays, but the pattern is often the same.

Just after I made the halfway point this morning, I turned my run back into a walk. It wasn't long before a man in navy shorts and a white T-shirt, much older than me, passed me. He slowed a bit as he looked back and said, "Hey, why'd ya stop running?" I gave a noncommital grunt of sorts. He turned away and kept going.

As I walked along, I thought, "Hey, why DID I stop running?" Here's the rest of my thought pattern:

It's hot.

But it's hot whether I'm walking or running.

My knee hurts.

Not that much.

I'm tired.

Suck it up.

And so, with this dude about 20 or 30 paces in front me, I began to run again. And run. And run.

I ran the rest of the route. All the way back to the finish line. As I passed beneath the Memory Walk sign, a lone woman cheered for me. I smiled at her just before I crunched forward to ease the pain in my side.

I was tired, but I made it. I did it.

May you overcome the next challenge you face. And may the Alzheimer's Association meet the fundraising challenges that face them as well, so that a cure may be found.

Book news

Even though I was never able to finish The Poisonwood Bible, I'm a huge Barbara Kingsolver fan. I read today that she has a new novel coming out on Nov. 3, The Lacuna. You can read more here: The Lacuna

It'll be nice to have her get back to fiction; while I enjoyed the typical Kingsolver language in her most recent, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I found the content less than enthralling because so many books have come out over the past few years on a similar topic.

Love fall, thanks to all the new book releases (and tea and scones). What upcoming titles are you all looking forward to?

Time to Scrabble

 I love Scrabble. And I love clothes. This cracks me up.

"Well, this just really sucks"

I've been following Threadless since its inception and have purchased a few of the shirts. (I think some of you may even be owners of them now thanks to my clothes swaps.)

They give artists a great opportunity to show their stuff. The only complaint I have is that the women's shirts run SUPER small. As in, I usually buy XL from them and they're still quite snug. (I'm usually in a medium.)

Anyone want to play Scrabble?

Well, hello there

Welcome to my new blog.

I'm not making any promises other than to say I'll be sharing what's on my mind every now and then. I may talk knit-purl-knit. Or new novels. Or reality TV. Or Boston terriers. Or why it is that I've had two bad lemon bars in two days.

It's a place where I can empty my brain and you can, hopefully, be entertained, or touched, or so disgusted you just have to let me know.

Join me.

Best,
kake