Author Archives: Andi

A Rose is Not a Rose

May 1, 2012 Rose (noun) 1. Any of numerous shrubs or vines of the genus Rosa, having prickly stems, pinnately compound leaves, and variously colored, often fragrant flowers. 2. An ornament, such as a decorative knot, resembling a rose in … Continue reading →

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Andi
Posted in The New House | 26 Comments

Smile

“Smile” sung by Madeline Peyroux; Composed by Charlie Chaplin. Time lapse photos courtesy of Jerry Long, JA Long Construction. Architectural design by Barrett Studio Architects; David Barrett, Amy Kirtland and Sam Nishek, Architects. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend … Continue reading →

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Andi
Posted in Moving On, The New House | 4 Comments

Colorado Burning

Colorado is on fire – again. A huge wildfire is burning about thirty miles from me. It has already claimed two, possibly three lives, and destroyed dozens of homes. My friend and fellow writer Melanie Mulhall wrote and asked how … Continue reading →

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Andi
Posted in Other Fires | 5 Comments

Table for One

February 14th, 2012 Seventeen Months After the Fire Dear Friends, It’s February 14th, and this morning I woke up with my little dog Nellie snuggled up next to me, warm and cozy.  I rolled over and looked at her and … Continue reading →

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Andi
Posted in Friends, Good Moments, Nellie the Dog | 10 Comments

A Rest Between Measures

February 5th, 2012 Seventeen Months After the Fire Dear Friends, It’s a quiet Sunday evening here in Colorado. The weekend’s blizzard has covered everything in more than a foot of snow, and a winter stillness has fallen over our neighborhood. … Continue reading →

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Andi
Posted in Chautauqua, Nellie the Dog | 9 Comments

Overjoyed

January 1st, 2012 Dear Friends, Happy New Year! Today, New Year’s Day, I hosted a small gathering of friends here at the cottage – mostly new friends since the fire – and we ate and drank and played games and … Continue reading →

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Andi
Posted in Good Moments | 3 Comments

All I Want for Christmas

Dear Friends, It is Christmas Eve, almost midnight, and my little Charlie Brown tree glows softly in the corner of my tiny cottage. Nellie and I are back at Chautauqua for the winter, our second-to-last move before our final move … Continue reading →

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Andi
Posted in Chautauqua | 13 Comments

Meltdown

December, 2011 A Year and Three Months After the Fire It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. – Confucious Dear Friends, Last week I had a meltdown in the parking lot of … Continue reading →

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Andi
Posted in The New House | 15 Comments

Guest Post – Bringing Back the Houses

Dear Friends, I recently received a note from another fire survivor in Bend, Oregon. She included a beautiful poem titled, “Bringing Back the Houses,” which you can read below.  Thank you Candace, and many thanks to all the fire survivors … Continue reading →

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Andi
Posted in Guest Posts, The New House | 1 Comment

The Pursuit of Happiness

November, 2011 Fourteen Months After the Fire He was alone. He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life. – James Joyce Today I sat in front of the computer all day, working, staring at a screen, … Continue reading →

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Andi
Posted in Good Moments, Moving On, The New House, Uncategorized | 20 Comments