Caught If I'm being honest, it was joy and I am finally one with the universe. Day 314 was the ultimate fishing experience. The quest for perfect water begins. How do you find great water for fishing in Colorado? Take a long drive to the mountains. If I said it was beautiful you wouldn't understand what my eyes did see. I'd never been down this winding road that led me to gorgeous hills and valleys and even though the road ended, my experience had only just begun. I was searc

Hooked I have wanted today to happen since I started this personal journey. Day 313 I finally got my very first fly fishing rod. Here’s the deal, I’m in Colorado which has always felt like the perfect place to learn to fly fish. I’ve been visiting this state for 30 years and I lived here in my early 20’s but I’ve never been fly fishing. If I haven't shared this, I LOVE FISHING! On day 79 I learned how to tie flies for fishing. The experience was free and now I understand why.

Bee in my bonnet The phrase took on real meaning as I tended my first bee hive on day 312. My extraordinary sister is a bee keeper. It is something that my family did when I was a child. I remember being swarmed and having my mother pull stingers from my head which is probably why I've never been inside the hive before. My sister said I used to play with the bees. I don't remember that but I recall getting shot in the head with the garden hose to get the bees off my head. Tha

Extracted It's my 311th day and I learned how to make tinctures. What the heck is that? I spoke with the owner of Owl Apothecary about extracting the medicinal properties of herbs using alcohol. I've been working on pain management since injuring my hip in mid June. The goal of the afternoon was to mix up a batch of herbs to aid with natural healing. I'm all about the herbs. I could steep the roots and leaves to make tea but I wanted to make a tincture. What's the difference

Let them eat bread I was having a discussion about health and while weighing back and forth on many topics we stopped on eating habits and real food. I fed my family home cooked meals, made from scratch while being an at home parent. I've baked bread but I've never stopped to think about the ingredients in my bread flour, or more precisely the lack of ingredients in my flour. I eat bread. I love carbs. Two facts about me as a person that will not ever change. On day 310 I dec

Tweezers required I have been in Colorado for over a week and every time I drive to town I see rows of cactus plants against the fence line. On day 76 I ate a prickly pear which is the less dangerous treat on top of a cactus plant. That wasn't enough of a challenge. For my 309th day I foraged for nopales (cactus), cut, cleaned, cooked and ate them. Why? After so many days and experiences this one actually makes sense. I'm in the desert area of Colorado and the plants are grow

When you see it in action It's day 308 and I was the photographer at a concert for children. Today was special and I had no idea it would be. My niece is an artist but instead of creating with ink or brush she uses her voice. On day 306 I attended a Third Eye Blind concert and for the size of the venue and the sound that bounced around the air, it was noting like the joy coming from the tiny classroom at a child care facility. Branik played for five groups of children at two

This is just too easy. In 2012 Colorado passed amendment 64 regulating Marijuana so sales could be similar to alcohol. On day 307 I made my first visit to a Marijuana Dispensary. It was an adventure just standing in the parking lot the cars were rolling in and out. Emerald Fields came recommended so that's where I went. The store was busy even with a few other shops in view. I was honest with the clerk at the door that I'd never been inside of a dispensary so super peppy Alle

What's to see? Day 306 was my very first concert experience with Third Eye Blind. I’m not a fan of waiting and my adventure happened at the end of the day. As it goes these are the nail biters. What do I do if it all goes to hell? True confession... I only listened to Third Eye Blind on YouTube in preparation for this experience. I'm not much of a fan. The concert is in outside and the lawn seating creates a great stadium view for about an hour, until it starts to rain. Set t

It's still a secret, just not mine. Prepare yourself. Today was all about the one article of clothing I've had a love/hate relationship with most of my adult life. My Bra. It's the first thing I take off when I get home and the last thing I put on when I go out the door. I've surrendered to the idea that it's a necessary barrier between me and the judgments of society. FYI... we all have nipples! On my 305th day I went to Victoria's Secret for a proper brassiere fitting. I've