Dinner With Mark At The Wynkoop

I had dinner at the Wynkoop Brewing Company with my friend Mark (seen in the photograph above) Monday afternoon after the Colorado Rockies-Pittsburg Pirates game at nearby Coors Field. It was "Opening Day 2.0,"and the game attracted 32,000 fans, many of them, like us, crowding into downtown Denver restaurants afterwards. Fortunately, we were able to get an outdoor table, and enjoy the good weather while we dined. The Wynkoop was Colorado's original craft brewpub, founded by John Hickenlooper, the former Denver mayor, Colorado governor, and current U.S. Senator. If Hick had lost that Senate race last November, he no doubt would have been back here at the Wynkoop, waiting tables. Happily, however, he won, and is now in Washington DC, no doubt making beer in his bathtub. 

Opening Day 2.0

Yesterday afternoon was "Opening Day 2.0" at Coors Field, the first day the ballpark could operate at full capacity, and my friend Mark and I headed to Denver's Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood to attend the game. It was supposed to be a repeat of Opening Day back on April 1st, when only a limited number of people could attend the game, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Both teams lined up along the baselines, and a huge flag was unfolded in center field, as is traditional, but there were no festive balloons released into the air in the background, and the day lacked the excitement of a real Opening Day, not least because the Rockies are 19 games out of first place. But, on the other hand, it was a nice day, the crowd was in a good mood, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Pittsburg Pirates (who are happily even worse than the Rockies) 2-0. Plus, the tickets were just $6.28 plus fees, which is far far below the usual Opening Day ticket prices. Perhaps the Rockies organization will keep those same prices next Opening Day, too. And if you believe that, I have a bridge I want to sell you.

A Rare Bit Of Antiquity

I passed by the Mountain States Telephone Building the other day, and noticed the museum piece sitting outside the entrance, as seen in the photograph above. And yes! It is indeed a telephone booth, an object I suspect Generation Z might not recognize. And no - the telephone inside does not work. It is only for display. The building was built in 1929 by the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, which later became Mountain Bell, to provide dial telephone service in Denver for the first time. No doubt Gen Zers would be fascinated by a telephone with a dial, that is stationary, and does not allow you to text. I think it would be enlightening for them to learn about the hardships of their pioneer ancestors, like me.

Getting Together With The Bonnie Brae Gang!

I got together last night at the Bonnie Brae Tavern with friends and former University of Denver Bookstore coworkers and their wives, along with my friend Mark, who works at DU's Anderson Academic Commons (the library). In the photograph above are, from left to right, Linda, Bill, Renee, Wally, and Mark. It is the first time we have all gotten together since the start of the Covid pandemic, and it was fun to catch up with everyone. Bill, the former Operations Coordinator for the store, and his wife Renee, visited Washington State recently and had a great time. But surprisingly, this was the first time they have been in a restaurant since the outbreak. Wally, the former Operations Manager for the bookstore, and his wife Linda, are geItting back to normal after the wedding of their son Peter and his bride Holly up in Longmont, Colorado, and are trying to find a way to rent a truck to deliver furniture to them out in San Francisco without breaking the bank. Mark has just returned from a trip with his family to Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. And I myself consider every trip up to Fort Collins a vacation. Great to see everyone again!

Hemingway Days Returns To Key West!

After being cancelled last year due to the coronavirus, Hemingway Days in Key West is returning to that city July 20-25th. This is probably the biggest festival in Key West, next to their famous (or perhaps infamous) annual Halloween celebration. I myself have never been to either. Not only are there traffic and crowd issues, but I suspect hotel rates go through the roof during those events. In fact, the last time I was in Key West was March of 1979, when my mother Mary, father Nelson, sister Susan, and I took an overnight trip to Key West from Stuart, Florida, where my parents retired to from Chicago back in 1976. I took the above photograph of them in front of the Hemingway House - which, by the way - is a really interesting place to visit. The only other experience I have had with that tropical paradise since that trip, in addition to reading the stories of Laurence Shames and Tom Corcoran, has been checking out the online webcam mounted at the entrance to Sloppy Joe's Bar, looking out onto Duval Street. If you have never done this, it is highly entertaining (i.e. highly bizarre), and is probably the best way to attend Hemingway Days. I'm just sayin.'

Someone To Watch Over Me

I just finished reading Someone to Watch Over Me, the latest Spenser private detective novel by Ace Atkins. The series' creator, Robert B. Parker, wrote 40 books featuring this fictional Boston PI, and after he passed away, his widow selected Atkins to continue the series. And I must say, he has done a good job of it. I can't tell the difference between the stories written by Parker and by Atkins, although with a few notable exceptions. But nobody is perfect, and I am just glad to be able to still follow the adventures of this iconic private eye. This time, Mattie - Spenser's young assistant - discovers that young girls are being abused by a powerful billionaire and his procurer girlfriend, and she and Spenser start accumulating the evidence to bring him down. And yes, the plot does indeed seem to be taken from the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell scandal. But nevertheless, it is an exciting story with a surprise ending, and I heartily recommend it.

A Helpful Summertime Tip For Denver Area Residents

It has been quite hot here in Denver lately, with many days in the 90s, but I still try to get out on my bike as much as possible, despite the heat. Recently, I biked from my condo across the street from the University of Denver to Sloan's Lake and back, and on the way home passed Confluence Park, where Clear Creek meets the Platte River. Not surprisingly, many people were hanging out in the water, as seen in the photograph above. They either don't know or don't care that this water is highly polluted, with E.coli contamination often 137 times above federal safety limits. Fecal matter and other pollutants are common in this river, which suggests to me that people should seriously consider staying the hell away from this body of water. Surely, swimming in fecal matter loses it's charm after a couple of times.

A Colorado Rockies Update!

I took a break from my bicycle ride this past Sunday afternoon to watch the 9th inning of the Colorado Rockies-Milwaukee Brewers game on the big screen at McGregor Square. I was pleased to see that almost every table was taken, and several more restaurants with outdoor patios had recently opened, and were doing a good business. The game was being played at Coors Field, just across the street, and the Rockies were down 7-6. Unfortunately, they could not come through in the bottom of the 9th inning, and lost their second game in a row to the Brewers. On the bright side, the Rockies are actually playing very well at home. However, they just can't win on the road. The bottom line is that they are playing just well enough to miss getting a top draft pick in next year's baseball draft. And by the way, I stopped by McGregor Square yesterday afternoon, too. The Rockies are on the road, and only one person was sitting there watching the television screen. I certainly hope all those new tenants have figured that particular statistic into their business plans.

The June Issue Of Chicago Magazine

I was pleased to find that the June issue of Chicago Magazine had several interesting articles, including one titled "The 20 Smartest, Greenest Places to Buy a Home Right Now." Among those neighborhoods were South Shore, a South Side Community along Lake Michigan that includes Rainbow Beach, where my family and I sometimes went during summers long past; Bridgeport, where Mayor Richard J. Daley lived his entire life and where Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, and it's successor, Guaranteed Rate Field, is located, as well as Woodlawn, located just south of Hyde Park and the University of Chicago, considered a very dangerous neighborhood back when I lived in Chicago. There was also an article about great bike trails to ride during the summer, including one that starts in the Dan Ryan Woods and meanders through the very upscale Beverly neighborhood, located just to the west of Brainerd, the South Side neighborhood where I grew up. As a youngster, I biked that same area many times, and I think it might be time to do so again. A good issue indeed. Be sure to pick up a copy at your local newsstand today.

A Weekend Doubleheader: The Summer Solstice And Juneteenth!

Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, and on my Sunday bike ride, I resolved to check out all the Druid ceremonies taking place in Denver, and also attend the Juneteenth Festival on Welton Street in the Five Points neighborhood. As in previous years, I found absolutely no Druid ceremonies anywhere. Since the solstice officially took place at 9:32 P.M. here in Denver, I can only assume the Druid population waited until then to start their human sacrifices and God knows what else they do during those ceremonies. Happily, the Juneteenth Festival was going strong when I got to Welton Street, as seen in the photograph on the left.

Juneteenth, of course, celebrates the day that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and brought the news to the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas that they were now free, a full two months after the Civil War ended. Juneteenth has been a major holiday here in Denver for many years, and celebrated in the Five Points neighborhood, which has a long history as the center of Black culture in the city. It was famous for it's jazz clubs, and was known as the "Harlem of the West," a frequent stop for famous jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Miles Davis. These days, the area is undergoing major gentrification, and struggling to maintain it's historic identity. However, yesterday, everyone seemed to be having a great time, and just enjoying the festival and a very pleasant, sunny afternoon. And as for the Druids, perhaps they will be more active during the Winter Solstice. One can always hope.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day, and in honor of this, I am featuring several photographs of my father Nelson, taken by me on a road trip from Stuart, Florida to Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina that he, my mother Mary, and I took back in June of 1979.  My parents had retired to Stuart three years earlier, and they just loved visiting these two beautiful cities. Savannah is just a 6 hour drive away from Stuart, and Charleston an additional two hours from there. It makes for a great weekend getaway.

My father was 70 years old when we took this trip, a mere 2 years older than I am today. My mother was 63, which I consider just a kid these days, although probably not back then. When I was a youngster, I remember my father telling me once how he and his parents and some other relatives spent part of the year just south of Herbster, Wisconsin, which is located right on Lake Superior. Since they stayed until Thanksgiving, my father and his cousin Grace went to school up there, and dad told me how it was so cold that he had to get out of the horse-drawn school wagon and jog alongside it to stay warm. I remember telling him that he must be pretty old to have gone to school in a horse-drawn carriage, which I believe he took exception to. Of course, now that I am old (or more precisely, older), I have a much different opinion about age. And often wish my father was still around to talk to once in a while. That would have been nice. In any case, Happy Father's Day everyone!

The Law Of Innocence

I just finished reading The Law of Innocence, Michael Connelly's latest Lincoln Lawyer thriller. At least it was new when I put my name on the waiting list at the Denver Public Library. By the time I got it, it was already out in trade paperback in bookstores. But no matter. This time, Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer whose office is his Lincoln automobile, is stopped by the police, who find a dead body in the trunk. I myself hate when that happens - it always causes a world of trouble. This was true for Haller, too, who finds out that the victim is a former client who owes him money, and he is charged with first degree murder. This is a very engrossing story, and even Connelly's signature character, former LA police detective Harry Bosch, makes an appearance, and helps with the investigation. I strongly recommend this book, and suggest that you order a copy from your local library today. Now that it is in paperback, it will probably take less than 6 months for you to get it.

The Zoo Part II

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I went to the Denver Zoo this past Wednesday afternoon despite the 100 degree heat. The hot weather seemed to bother some of the animals more than others. The orangutans all preferred to stay inside and chill. I took the photograph on the left of the baby orangutan trying to get food out of a brick shaped object placed there by zookeepers. As I have said before, food is the number one priority of Denver Zoo animals, even if they have to go through hoops (or brick-like objects) to get it.

On the other hand, all of the mandrills were out and about, including the baby mandrill seen in the photograph on the right. This little guy was as lively as ever, despite the heat, alternating between running around it's compound and stopping to snack on the vegetation. Both the baby orangutan and baby mandrill are several years old now, but still look like babies, as opposed to the zoo's twin lion cubs. The last time I was at the zoo, having not seen those cubs in a while, I did not recognize them until another zoo visitor pointed them out. They are only a year old, but to me look almost fully grown. How quickly they stop being cute and cuddly. Time for more cubs, Denver Zoo officials. Do something about it!

Visiting The Denver Zoo During A Heatwave

I visited the Denver Zoo yesterday afternoon, despite the fact the temperature hit 100 degrees for the second day in a row. Although most of the animals were outside, a great many were taking naps, including the bachelor lions, one of whom can be seen in the photograph on the left. Most of the animals were taking shelter in the shade, in an attempt to stay cool, but evidently the heat didn't bother this guy - probably reminded him of back home during a previous life. 

One animal that was pretty lively, despite the heat, was the clouded leopard. The reason for this was that one of the zookeepers was feeding him raw hamburger, and as far as I can tell, every animal at the Denver Zoo believes that food trumps heat, and for that matter, everything else. The zoo has two clouded leopards, one male (seen in the photograph on the right) and one female. They shared the same compound for a number of years, and produced a large litter of baby cloud leopards. However, once the kids left home, they began to get on each other's nerves, often starting fights, and are now separated, alternating days in the main compound. An all too familar story, for beasts or humans. And I do realize that the last time I was at the zoo, I featured this same creature on the blog. However, when it looks you right in the eye and demands your attention, how can you resist taking it's photograph and posting it?

Self-Portrait With Blackberry

I took the above photograph of myself and my good friend Blackberry - my sister Susan's black cairn terrier - while we were waiting in front of a King Soopers in Fort Collins for my sister to return from picking up a prescription. Blackberry is a very sociable animal, and greets every person she meets like they are a long lost friend. However, she suffers from separation anxiety, and whines whenever Susan is out of sight. She always remains laser focused on the doors Susan disappears into, keeping a constant vigil until my sister returns. Susan has suggested making Blackberry a service dog, but I keep pointing out the fact that store management might demand to see what services Blackberry provides, and face-licking just doesn't cut it.

Brutalist, Smootalist - Ugly Is Still Ugly

I took the above photograph the other day of the building that houses Denver's Channel 7. And why would I do this? Because station owners announced that they intended to sell the building to a real estate developer, who is planning to tear it down and build an apartment complex. The sooner, the better, as far as I am concerned. It is one ugly building. However, here in Denver, only three people are required to petition the city's Landmark Preservation Commission to have a building declared an historic landmark, and prevent it from being torn down. That is what happened here, when three Denver residents requested that the building be preserved because it was an outstanding example of "brutalist" architecture. The Landmark Preservation Commission declared that the petition had merit, and forwarded the matter to the city council for a vote. Happily, the city council voted against the designation, and that monstrosity at the corner of Speer and Lincoln will soon be torn down and replaced by a new, pricey apartment complex, which the city's growing population of hipsters desperately needs. If possible, please try to have a brewpub or two on the premises.

The Highlands Street Fair And The ASLD Summer Art Market - Postponed!

Both the Highlands Street Fair, located in Denver's Highlands neighborhood, and the Art Student League of Denver's Summer Art Market, situated around 2nd and Grant Streets, were supposed to take place this past weekend. However, they have both been postponed until the weekend of August 28th. This past Saturday afternoon, I was planning to wander the Highlands Street Fair, and then visit the Summer Art Market on Sunday, but after double-checking the dates on the internet, I realized that was not going to happen. But no matter - I am featuring a photograph of my friend Joe Higgins, taken at the Summer Art Market back in 2019. Joe teaches printmaking at the Art Student League, and has a booth at the Summer Art Market each year. He also works part-time at the University of Denver Bookstore, where I worked as the Finance Manager for almost 30 years before "retiring" due to the store being outsourced. But I digress. Be sure to check out Joe's artwork at https://www.joehigginsmonotypes.com/.

The Tattered Cover Opens At McGregor Square!

The Tattered Cover, a local bookstore chain here in Denver, opened their new store yesterday at McGregor Square, just across the street from Coors Field. The Lower Downtown (LoDo) store on Denver's 16th Street Mall closed on March 17th, reopening at the new location three blocks to the north three months later. The new bookstore is much larger than I thought it would be, thanks to a large second floor, connected to the first by a grand staircase, a nod to that same feature at the stores in LoDo and Cherry Creek (which closed in 2006). It is a very modern looking space, with lots of windows, and I wish them well. I was surprised, however, to find that the coffee shop will be run by Starbucks, instead of by the Tattered Cover staff, like at the old store. Is this the first big change in the operation after being purchased by a deep-pocket investment group? Perhaps so.

Beach Weather

Although it is still - technically - spring, we have had quite a few days in the 90s this month here in Denver, and next week weather forecasters predict several days reaching 100 degrees. This is definitely beach weather. But of course, Denver is a thousand miles away from any large body of water, making me nostalgic for Stuart, Florida once again, where my mother Mary lived for almost 30 years. The photograph on the left is of my mother and sister Susan at Stuart Beach back in August of 1997.

Another favorite spot in Stuart, along the ocean, was the House of Refuge, a lifesaving station built in 1876, and now a museum. It can be seen in the background of the photograph on the right, which I took of my mother and sister back in August of 1996 (and yes, August was the month we often headed down to Stuart. It was hot, but the water was warm, and there was always a breeze off the ocean). I find it hard to believe that this photo was taken almost a quarter century ago. Where does the time go?

The Navarre

The other day I walked past The Navarre (as seen above), which is located right across the street from Denver's Brown Palace Hotel. It was built in 1880 and was one of the first co-ed colleges west of the Mississippi. It later became a brothel, and rumor has it that an underground passageway from the Brown Palace to The Navarre was used by wealthy gentlemen guests to avoid being seen entering the place. Today, The Navarre is owned by local billionaire Phillip Anschutz, and houses the American Museum of Western Art, which showcases his private collection. And to all you budding art thieves out there, that underground passageway was filled in long ago.

Speaking Of Dogs...

I discovered the other day that the bicycle rider with the dogs (as seen in the photograph above) is still around, doing his thing. Before the pandemic, you would see him with his three dogs bicycling through Denver's Washington Park, the 16th Street Mall, and Commons Park, among other places. He obviously wants attention, which is okay with me, but he also has a boom box that is turned up full volume as he rides. You can hear him approach from blocks away, and when he passes, you just want to cover your ears, which I find very annoying. I mean VERY annoying. Do we not have noise ordinances in this town? And while I'm at it, I feel the same way about all those pedicab drivers who blast really awful music as they cruise down the 16th Street Mall, looking for customers. And no, as I have said many times before, I am NOT an old curmudgeon.

The June Mutt Of The Month

I took the photograph above of the June Mutt of the Month as I was biking through the Ballpark neighborhood of Denver, just to the east of Coors Field. I suspect he or she is a hipster dog, heading to the River North (RiNo) neighborhood with it's owner. RiNo used to be a factory and warehouse district, and much of it still looks like it. A number of years ago, it began to attract artists and art galleries, thanks to it's affordable rents, but hipsters soon followed, resulting in trendy restaurants, bars, shops, and many pricey new apartment complexes. It still looks pretty ugly to me, but residents seem to focus on the neighborhood's amenities, such as a brewpub on almost every block, most with patios, which is where I suspect that dog and it's owner were heading that afternoon. Which makes perfect sense to me.

Tropic Of Stupid

I just finished reading Tropic of Stupid, Tim Dorsey's latest Florida novel featuring Serge, the serial killer with a heart of gold. This time, Serge (a Florida history buff) and his sidekick Coleman are revisiting all of Florida's State Parks. At the same time, Serge receives a report from an ancestry web site detailing the results of a DNA sample he submitted, and he starts looking for newfound relatives around the state, including one who might be a serial killer - an evil one. Like Dorsey's other stories, this tale is both wacky and funny - perfect for beachside reading. Preferably a Florida beach. Pick up a copy from your local library today.

Attending A Major League Baseball Game Again

My friend Mark (seen on the left in the above photograph) and I went to Coors Field yesterday afternoon to watch the Oakland Athletics play the Colorado Rockies. It was the first time either of us had been to a baseball game in person in well over a year and a half. And the Rockies actually won the game 3-1, after losing two in a row to Oakland. The Rockies were predicted to be the worst team in baseball this year, but I am happy to report that there are currently 4 teams even worse than they are. And yesterday, I have to admit, they did not look bad at all. Seeing (in person) is believing.

Hiking Season Is Here!

Like a light being switched on, a cold, wet May has turned into a dry, very hot June, which means hiking season has begun. I took the photograph on the left of my sister Susan and late brother-in-law George back in July of 2001. Back then we used to do a lot of hiking in the mountains, mostly at Rocky Mountain National Park. Susan and George would drive to Estes Park from Fort Collins, and I from Denver, where we would meet and take a single car into the park. The common wisdom is to get an early start, so that you are down off the mountain by noon. However, we always started in the afternoon, so that we would be down off the mountain in time for happy hour back in Estes Park. What can I say? It worked for us.

There is no way to tell by looking at the previous photograph where it was taken, but I know for a fact that the photo on the right, from the same day, was taken on a trail underneath the Flatirons in Boulder, where we also used to hike. The trail starts at Chautauqua Park, and leads up to the top of the Flatirons. It is a less strenuous hike than the ones we took in Rocky Mountain National Park, and has the added benefit of being just a few miles away from the Pearl Street Mall, which is always a fun place to visit. Makes me want to head up to Boulder right now, hike for a few hours, and then celebrate with a beer at one of the Pearl Street Mall's local bistros.

First Friday Is Back! This Time Officially!

Yesterday, the First Friday Art Walk on South Santa Fe Drive here in Denver took place for the first time in 15 months. A number of galleries were open on previous First Fridays, but many others stayed closed, and the crowds were sparse.  Yesterday, however, every gallery was open, and the crowds were huge, although mostly unmasked, and so I hope everyone present got their Covid vaccine shot before attending. There was a huge line in front of the Sparks Gallery, as seen in the photograph on the left. I thought they were waiting to get into the gallery, but in fact they were all in line for a food truck serving Greek food. The second longest line was to get into the Renegade Brewing Company across the street. I am glad to see Denver's art community still has their priorities straight.

I really enjoyed walking along Santa Fe Drive yesterday evening, popping into the galleries and doing a bit of people-watching, but to be honest, I really didn't like most of the art. Much of it was amateurish, and the upscale galleries were featuring what I consider pretty mediocre work and asking many thousands of dollars for it. And there was virtually no photography on exhibit at all. But it was a warm and sunny early evening in June, and it was good to see things getting back to normal at last. Let's hope it stays that way.

Denver's Blue Bear Is Still There!

I passed by The Blue Bear the other day during one of my walks through downtown Denver, and decided to feature it once again on my blog. The official name of this artwork is "I see what you mean," and features a huge blue bear looking inside the windows of the Colorado Convention Center. It was created by the late Lawrence Argent, who was a professor at the University of Denver School of Art, and instantly became a favorite of both locals and tourists. It is by far the best piece of public art in Denver. Of course, considering what most of the public art in Denver looks like, that is setting a pretty low bar. If you don't believe me, just try googling "Denver" and "The Dancers," and you'll see what I mean.

Odell's Brewhouse Patio Is In Full Summer Mode

My sister Susan and I (along with Susan's dog Blackberry) have visited Odell Brewing Company's Brewhouse patio in Fort Collins several times now, and whether on a weekday afternoon or a holiday like Memorial Day, it is always packed. Which makes sense, since the beer tastes great and the patio is beautiful, as seen in the photograph on the left. Sitting there, Susan reminisced about how when she was a little girl, our parents, Nelson and Mary, used to bring her along with them to a beer garden in Glenwood, Illinois. One time, when everyone got up to dance, Susan started to go around to all the tables and kill off the beer that remained in the bottles. I think that is referred to as being precocious.

Susan actually prefers wine to beer these days, and one of the reasons we decided to visit the brewery is because Susan heard that Odell Brewing now has a winery, located right next door, and which features it's own patio. When I placed my order at the beer garden, I asked if I could bring my beer next door to the winery, so that my sister could order a glass of wine there, and was told that was not allowed. Since the winery is on the same property, I can only assume that there must be bad blood between Odell beer and wine drinkers. I suspect the brewery got tired of the constant fist fights between the two groups, and now keeps them separated to prevent more violence. Makes perfect sense to me.  

Is It Always This Sunny In Laramie?

It looked like it was going to be a pretty dreary Memorial Day in Fort Collins this year, and so when I saw on the internet that the weather forecast for Laramie, Wyoming was for partly sunny skies, my sister Susan and I (along with her dog Blackberry) drove northwest out of Fort Collins for an hour to Laramie, Wyoming, and found that the internet forecast was actually true. Laramie is a really nice little town, and home to the University of Wyoming, which has a beautiful campus, seen in the photograph on the left.

We also walked through a very pleasant neighborhood adjoining the campus, with many 19th century homes, including the Ivinson Mansion, built in 1892, and now home to the Laramie Plains Museum. The museum was not open, but we were able to walk around the grounds, which are tended by the Laramie Garden Club, and seen in the photograph on the right. We also chatted with a very friendly employee of the museum, who was sitting on the grass, reading a book, and just enjoying the warm and sunny day. All of the people we met in Laramie were very friendly, and both Susan and I, and I suspect Blackberry too, agreed it would be a great place to live. Until you remember that Laramie has absolutely miserable winters, even though it is in the most southern part of the state. Which helps explain why Wyoming is the least populous state in the union.

The Chicago White Sox Are On A Roll...

This past Sunday we had a cold, all-day, drenching rain here in Denver, and so I decided to stay inside and watch my South Side heros, the Chicago White Sox, on MLB.com. They beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1. And just yesterday, they split a doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians, giving them a 3.5 game, first place lead over those same Indians in the American League Central Division. Is this the year the White Sox will win the World Series? Should I take my life savings and bet it all (sports betting is now legal here) on the White Sox to go all the way? Certainly not. That would be a sure way to jinx them. And no, I am not superstitious.