A Mighty Lambkin

Days 6 – 13, Family & Friends along the Front Range

We’ve come to Colorado to visit family and friends.  This is my home state and each year when I visit it’s a hustle and bustle to see everyone.   But this year I hope to actually take the time to enjoy the visits.  Before I get too far into today’s blog post I need to make a disclaimer . . . I’m not naming names.  Not everyone is into social media whether it’s Facebook or blogging so it doesn’t seem right to me to name them or post their pictures, with few exceptions.

Our first stop is with Bob’s sister and brother-in-law, R&C.  They are always so fun to be around and very gracious hosts.  Their home is filled with antiques and family heirlooms.  It’s nice to feel so connected to the past, and for Bob to experience the warm memories of loved ones, especially his parents.  We are humbled to sleep in the wedding bed of his grandparents and enjoy our time with R&C.  There little dogs, Frank and Prada keep us entertained.  We missed their son, our nephew, who is away at college for his senior year but hopefully we will see him in July when the entire Watkins family will meet at Topsail Island, NC for an annual reunion.  Good times!

Bob with R&C

 Also in the Denver area, we visit our dear friends, L&J.  Both Bob and I used to work with J during oil shale days.  Shortly after we moved to WA  in late 1985, they did as well.  L called me and said she realized I didn’t know her but from then on I would be her best friend . . . I wear the BFF badge with honor and delight.  She and I talk frequently and text nearly daily so it’s amazing that when we do get to visit face to face there is still so much to talk and laugh about!  They have been living in the greater Denver area for many years and I always enjoy my time with them.  Sorry, no names or pictures!

Our next several days were spent in Fort Collins, where I grew up.  My father passed a year ago but my Mom is still going strong!  She always has a chore or two for Bob to do and he appreciates being trusted to help out.  This visit with Mom is a bit emotional; her younger sister died while we were driving to CO and I think losing a sibling, especially a younger one, has hit her hard.  My sister also lives in the area . . . it’s been stressful for her to juggle her job and keeping an eye on Mom.   Overall, the visit was pleasant and I was delighted to have the opportunity to scan some family photos of my grandfather as a child and my great-grandmother as a young woman.

My Great-Grandmother, age 17

My Grandfather in front of his mother

As mentioned, I grew up in Fort Collins.  My parents moved there when I was about 4 and I didn’t leave until after my freshman year of college at Colorado State University (CSU.)  When I was a kid we lived on Peterson St. in a big old house near what is now the historic part of town.  I drove by the house and found it for sale.  Thanks to Zillow, I discovered it is listed at $598K.  My Mom was certainly surprised by the price tag on “that old house.”

About 5 years old

Peterson St.

 I am a swimmer . . . doing laps was ingrained in me from the time I was about 11 and I’ve enjoyed swimming ever since.  My parents joined a swimming club in the neighborhood and they used to say it was the best money they ever spent on my siblings and myself.   We were there all day, all summer long.  I swam competitively for several years and also enjoyed synchronized swimming in college.  While in high school I worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.  That was back in the mid-60’s and we thought it was cool to be very tan; we slathered baby oil and iodine all over ourselves and put lemon juice in our hair to streak it and sun bleach it.  Yes, we were cool . . . and now I’m paying the price by visiting the dermatologist on a regular basis.  I’ve given up on the hair!

A long time ago!

  

In the 48 years since I left Fort Collins I have only been to one high school reunion and that was at the ten-year mark.  I went to Fort Collins High School, class of ’67.  It was a good year!  FCHS is home of the Lambkins.  Yes, Lambkins.  It was either that or the Beet Diggers; Fort Collins grows a lot of sugar beets and especially back in 1893 when the high school was built and their mascot decided upon.  Not only are we the Lambkins, but we are the “mighty, mighty Lambkins and everywhere we go, people want to know who we are, so we tell them . . . we are the Lambkins,” and so on and so on.  Everyone knows that “fight song!”   

Maybe 1966; all of us in something!  Note my Lambkin.

The high school I attended was built in 1924 and stayed open as FCHS until 1995.  It’s currently owned by CSU, and is used for their performing arts programs.  In front of the school are beautiful gardens, which every year are a destination for many Fort Collins residents to meander through and enjoy the blooms. 

FCHS 1923 - 1995

CSU Gardens at the old FCHS

A new FCHS was built in 1995, and those graduates continue to use Lambkins as their mascot; I like to say that I am a “real Lambkin” because back in my day the mascot was a gentle looking little lamb.  Today, the Lambkin mascot looks more like a bulldog with floppy ears. 

1960's Lambkin

2015 Lambkins

This year, thanks to Facebook, one of my friends realized I was in Fort Collins and we arrange to meet for lunch.  I’m delighted to see she’s brought three other friends and the five of us have great fun visiting at our favorite Mexican food hangout, Sam’s Place.  Sam’s place is actually named El Burrito and probably isn’t even owned by Sam anymore but for my era, it is the only place to go for a visit with old friends. (www.facebook.com/Elburrito1960) 

I enjoyed myself so much and now I look forward to attending my 50^th reunion in a couple years.  I found there is one great equalizer in life . . . age.  These girls were everything I wanted to be in high school and was never going to be.  But now, we are all women who have experienced life as it was presented to us and the one common denominator is we were all fortunate enough to grow up in Fort Collins, CO and be FCHS Lambkins.

1967

Just a few years have gone by!

Our time in Fort Collins came to an end.  It’s harder and harder to tell my Mom goodbye . . . you just never know when that last goodbye will be.  We’ve made plans for her to come to WA in the spring; she loves tulips and not far from where our children live is an annual tulip festival.  Something to look forward to!

My parents from a couple years ago.  Sadly, Dad is gone now.

The next and last stop in our visits along the Front Range is outside Denver with my brother and sister-in-law, L&D.  This is the same L&D who came to Lake Tahoe in late May to share time with us on our first post-retirement road trip.  They have lived east of greater Denver for several years.  They have a beautiful place with acreage, rolling hills and horses.  Our first morning, we were treated by a small herd of deer grazing on the lawn. 

 

My brother's yard, where the deer play!

Bob driving my brother's restored Nova

The day was chock-full of activity when my two nephews, their wives, and four children showed up for a BBQ.  I only get to see my great-niece and three great-nephews once a year so I’m always taken back by how much they’ve grown and changes.  Two of them are 11 and two are 8.  My sister, also an L, joined us for all the fun!

My brother L and sister, also L

My brother & sister-in-law & their family

 There’s never enough time to visit family and friends.  I always wish for more and hope they feel the same.  My insight for today is I’ve gone home but it’s now time to move on.  Thanks for following the journey!