Back from the Zoo and Barnes and Noble

I took young Jeremy Nelson to the Denver Zoo and we spent 3 fun hours casually visiting all the animals with the exception of birds and bird related critters. Neither of us got too excited by that genus/species.

The Great Apes, Elephants, bears and Big Cats were the must see creatures.

Very crowded. Hot too. 80 degrees. It was 34 degrees just hours before. Everyone from babies being carted around to old people in motorized carts populated the walkways between exhibits.

The animals by and large seemed disinterested in putting on a show for us. More interested in sleeping and laying around.

Jeremy and I then left the Zoo when the leaving was good. Drove to one of my old haunts the Barnes and Noble on Colorado Blvd to see if " The Death Cure" a science fiction fantasy book was in stock. Jeremy has read the other 2 or 3 volumes of the "In the Maze" trilogy.

While  perusing the non-fiction shelves I came across a new author who was having a book signing. Her name is Kassandrae J-M Wones. She is from the northern Italian Alps. She immigrated to the States in 1992 and speaks flawless English.

Her book, " The Quest of the Gold Dragon- the beginning" is her first book. Its a high fantasy work just published this year.

After Barnes and Noble we went and had a fine gourmet dining experience at the McDonalds on Belleview.

Staved off pit bull charge

I had just awakened from a fitful night's sleep, took care of my usual morning constitutional, donned on my hiker's uniform sans walking stick. Left it at Heart Construction yesterday.

Just 5 doors down from the Nelsons as I left Prescott Street and turned onto Prentice, a large gray pit bull charged me, unprovoked, from across Prentice St and got within 5-8 feet of me. I then pulled out my pepper spray and kept it aimed at the ogre's ugly face.

This fearsome beast began enveloping me in ever tighter circles when his owner, a 20 something Mexican man, attempted to call off the monster but to no avail. Demanding the kid to grab this hellion he stubbornly refused to get in between me and this demonic brute fearing for his own life.

In desperation as the swine came in for the kill he yelled at me to shoot it with my pepper spray. Taking the kid's cue I then released the contents at the hell hound hitting him, but, only indirectly near his face. Forced to release a second fulsalade of my hot pepper spray I scored a direct hit on that Falstaffian repugnant mug!

The evil hell bitch finally broke off her attack and ran away whimpering like the true coward she is.

The last I saw of that corpulent pale gray gargoyle she was being chased by her now very angry master.

I continued on my way unscathed rewarding myself with a sausage egg McMuffin at the nearby McDonalds.  Battling hell hounds early in the morning stirs up a mighty hunger!

However, not looking forward to walking back as there are no good alternative routes back to the house. Yikes! But, I will be ready this time and will show no mercy.

I learned a few things from this unprovoked attack. It pays to stand your ground showing no fear but rather anger. I am not a coward, but, pit bulls have always scared me originating out of several previous experiences with this demonic breed while adjusting hurricane claims in various territories around the US.

With all due respect to Theodore Roosevelt, my new philosophy is to speak loudly AND carry a big stick AND pepper spray when walking. In fact, I am now seriously considering getting a concealed carry permit and buying a handgun. I have been too lackadaisical about my personal protection.

My one picture unfortunately, doesn't show the beast but shows the kid following the dog back to his home. I didn't possess the wherewithal to turn on my phone and take pictures/videos.

Coincidentally, later this morning I am taking Jeremy Nelson to the Denver Zoo. But, I doubt we will see any animal more barbaric and savage as that cruel gray man-eater of Prentice Street!

Day 139- Arrived in Denver one month ago

Been in Denver now for 1 month! I am totally in love with Colorado in general and Denver in particular. I have been to and lived in many places all across the States and I believe there is a unique intangible that gives Denver a magic that grips you and never let's go.

A huge thanks goes to Rich, Marge and Jeremy Nelson for their unconditional hospitality! They are salt of the earth people!

Taking Jeremy to the zoo tomorrow. We both can't wait to see the baboons and the other primates, they are by far the most interesting residents, followed closely by the big cats and the reptiles.

I am thankful to Rich Nelson and Howard Carlile for employment during my stay in Denver. Thankful to the Komodores for their continued friendship and hospitality!

Mostly thankful to God for His provision, goodness and ruthless love!

Attacked by hornets yesterday while pruning trees

Rich and I were attacked and stung by hornets yesterday pruning trees in north Denver. Rich got stung on his hand and back.

The hornets somehow got inside our coats and shirts. It was a sight to see us jumping up and down taking off our clothes to rid ourselves of them.

One got me right on my neck another on my palm and one on my derriere! Took a few benadryl and recovered quickly.

Steven was not attacked for some reason.

After a few minutes we resumed our work but in a different area of the yard.

This morning saw a slight dusting of snow. It was 34 degrees when I woke up.  Today I am working at Heart Construction for Howard.

Schoenbein volunteered at SAME Cafe today

I volunteered the 12:30pm to 3pm shift at the SAME Cafe. Rode the train to Union Station then caught the 16th St Mall bus for the ride up to 16th and Cleveland. Hopped off the bus and hoofed it to the Cafe 1.3 miles away.

Met Ginell, Cicelia, Libby and Brad Birky, Cole, Johanna and Bruce.

Cecelia, myself and Bruce were volunteers. Bruce was a captain in the US Army and fought in Vietnam. Cecelia is thinking about hitchhiking to CA next year. So, I invited her to travel with me for safety reasons. She indicated that she may take me up on it.

Brad and Libby operate the Cafe, Ginell is head of the kitchen. Cole is a full time paid employee. Johanna is an intern and hostess.

I spent the afternoon with Cecelia chopping onions, kale and chard. Then I cleaned up our stations. Swept the kitchen floor.

I got there early and ate lunch. I had tomato cucumber salad with roasted zucchini. Also had tomato soup.

However, as Bruce and I were eating our lunch something I said must have tickled his funny bone as he laughed while drinking his water coughing up everything spraying me and my lunch with his backwater! Ugh!

I could have gotten a second lunch but I lost my appetite. I will think twice about trying to be funny while people are eating.

After my shift I sat down with Libby Birky who with her husband, Brad, founded the cafe. I interviewed her for a story I want to do for my Sept 24 column. It's a remarkable story. The cafe is a non-profit. They founded it in 2006. Brad is from Hopedale, IL and Libby is from Bloomington, IL.

They moved to Denver in 2002. I moved to Denver in 2003.  We talked about the wicked once in a century snowstorm in March of 2003 just 3 weeks after I moved to Denver. We had 3 feet of snow and I remember having difficulty opening the front door to get out!

Took the train back to Englewood and settled into my favorite cozy alcove over at Fireside and chatted with Audrey and sipped some ginger tea while working on next week's column.

First pic is Libby Birky, 2nd is Cecelia, then Bruce then Cole, Cecelia again, Ginell, Johanna. The other pics are of the Cafe itself. The last 2 pics are Bruce right before he hacked all over my food. The last pic is, was my lunch.

It was fun! Love the staff. Cant wait for next week!