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Platt Park in Denver and an Active Minds Talk at Koelbel Library

February 16, 2019/in Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's programs Denver, dementia caregivers, early stage alzheimer's program /by Mary Archer
The ladies had separate time this morning, and the guys met at the office for our morning snacks. We recall some funny tidbits of conversation; somehow we got talking about the first man  on the moon and the theory these days that it might have been a hoax!? We laughed about that, maybe someone arrived before America did, and hopefully they didn’t leave any litter behind. We talked about the idea that the moon is made of cheese –  just silly stuff, and also other conspiracy theories which changed the tone of the conversation to a more serious one – MLK, Robert Kennedy, etc. Then P told us how he went in for his physical during the draft but was turned down.  “Too skinny” ! D told us about being in the National Guard and working under his father’s leadership.   That’s about when  D grabbed an Oreo cookie from across the table, saying it’s “important to chew Oreos while drinking coffee”. Back to the silliness!
In the afternoon the 2 groups met in Platt Park for a walk, just about 20 minutes, exploring the park a bit but mainly the mansion on the premises. We couldn’t get inside, but were impressed with it.  And then off to lunch. Panera Breads for salads and sandwiches. The sandwiches were huge! P took it as a challenge – determined to eat as much of his as possible, but the rest of us surrendered. And E took over when Steve surrendered as he tried to open all the potato chip bags. She grabbed them and got the job done!
Across the street is the beautiful Koelbel Library, where we attended the talk about the Tuskagee Airmen. As everyone was getting seated T acted as usher, making sure we were all together.  C.J. laughed aloud when she heard this being said during the presentation: Eleanor Roosevelt was scheduled once to fly in a jet piloted by a black person. Apparently someone was concerned about how she’d feel about that but  she said she was determined to go ahead. They called FDR and asked him what he thought. FDR replied, “no one can stop her”. CJ loved that!
Yay Friday group, see you next week!
https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg 0 0 Mary Archer https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg Mary Archer2019-02-16 20:52:162019-02-16 20:52:16Platt Park in Denver and an Active Minds Talk at Koelbel Library

What a great tour at the Inter-Canyon Fire Station in Conifer

February 11, 2019/in Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's programs Denver, early stage alzheimer's program /by Mary Archer
Big group, big laughs, and big fire trucks!  We had a wonderful day!
Both carpools met for coffees, hot chocolates and snacks, then we went quickly on to  our 11:00 tour of the Inter Canyon Fire Protection District fire station,  near Conifer.
Of course the mountains are beautiful right now with the blanket of snow and with the blue skies.  No one was upset about heading to the mountains for the day.
Our tour was fantastic! Chief Skip  was our guide. He is a warm, enthusiastic, and all around good guy. He encouraged questions and there was one from JM right off the bat. “What is the best thing you like about your job?”  Skip’s reply came quickly and easily. He said it was days like today. “Sure I love to go and fight fires but more importantly it is touching the lives of the people in his community and making their day just a little bit better.” I have no doubt that he meant it.
He told us about the fire engines and the ambulance that are housed at  that particular station, the cost of that equipment , about the protective garments that are worn by the firefighters, the number of men and women that are served in the district, and told some funny anecdotal stories about 911 calls that they have responded to.  E asked about the number of calls  they respond to daily, D asked about the lighting on the outside of the trucks, and when Skip invited anyone in our group to get into one of the trucks E, T, P, and D were enthusiastic volunteers.
We asked where the dalmatian was which prompted Skip to tell the group about the link between fire departments and dalmatians back when fire trucks were drawn by horses. He also told  a story about the beginnings of volunteer fire departments and who started them. That person was Benjamin Franklin which got a big squeal  from JM. Franklin  is a Philly native which always brings great pride to her.
We had allowed for about an hour for the tour  but things were going so well that we actually spent about an hour and a half there. Skip gave each of us a patch that is sewn onto the uniform of every emergency responder at inter-canyon. Apparently there is a long history of emergency responders trading these patches across the country. Skip told us we could take that patch to any fire station in America and be welcomed as family. Pretty awesome!
We needed to head over to Kittredge for lunch but not before each and every person in our group expressed such gratitude to Skip for a great tour.
Lunch was at a favorite of out and about, in Kittredge, at the Blackbird Cafe. It was a big group but our waitress handled it easily and just about everyone was part of the Clean Plate Club. Because it was a big group there were conversations going on between two and three people rather than across the table as a whole so I can’t give you tidbits from everyone,  but I know that there was a lot of gabbing going on. D spent some time getting to know Steve,  and JM was getting a kick out of D’s quick wit.
From there the two carpools split into groups for the return trip down the hill and back home. J and I joked  about  being so close to his home on Quebec  yet the traffic  was slowing us down  so very much.  I told him that we were close enough that he could probably walk , but I wouldn’t make him . He laughed and said “oh thanks , I am glad you don’t say here get out I want to show you something then  zoom off !” E  quickly came to my defense  and said  “she would never do that !”  Then T said “oh yeah! ?! ”  Ha ! E,  D,  T and I had a really interesting and heartfelt conversation about the homelessness in Denver, each expressing an opinion about whether or not to offer money, food, or nothing at all. Each had some really interesting and well-thought-out opinions and T, in particular, was very interested in knowing what each person in the car had to say, and in his own way was able to say that he may not agree but wanted to hear their viewpoints.  It was fun for me to listen to this conversation yet not be involved or facilitate it.
It was a really great day that went by very quickly.
https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg 0 0 Mary Archer https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg Mary Archer2019-02-11 19:38:412019-02-11 19:38:41What a great tour at the Inter-Canyon Fire Station in Conifer

Lunch at Spanky’s, what a fun day

February 1, 2019/in Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's programs Denver, dementia caregivers, early stage alzheimer's program /by Mary Archer

We had such a good day today !  Sunshine, music, art, laughter, and friendship.
After the morning snack routine we  just had to enjoy the spring-like weather. We  found the perfect park nearby.  Great views, dry pathways, a dog park, and exercise area.  Everyone except J tried out a  piece of equipmen. Pull ups, bicep curls, leg lifts, etc.  Knowing that J has been going to the gym recently I teased him and said “Oh you must be sore from yesterday’s work out right?”  He smiled and said “Yea, that’s it” HA !  I never did get him on one of the machines.
We had an early lunch at Spanky’s in the DU area.  We go there fairly regularly and are always very warmly greeted by the same waiter who recognizes us immediately.  When he was taking our orders, L asked him if the Reubens were good.  Our waiter’s response was “Have you ever had a bad Reuben?”  L had to admit that he hadn’t and after he finished it told the waiter it was one of the best !  It was a very musical lunch ( and day for that matter).  I have a habit of starting a sentence and pausing for a few moments then finishing my sentence.  Well, the “Jukebox brains” L and S would fill in those pauses with the lyrics of a song.  For example I would say “everything”, then  pause and either or S would fill it in with “Everything she does is magic magic”.  They did this all day long!  
J got in on that too, only not with music.  I ask L” Did your mother”, I paused thinking about how I wanted to phrase the question. I guess my pause was too long and J said “What!??”  with this tone of like are we supposed to guess or what?  It was hilarious and the timing was perfect! 
After lunch we visited the Denver Public Library to see a performance by the “Bookshop Band.”  What a treat.  The duo is from the U.K., and they perform in bookstores and libraries.  They are on a tour of the U.S. now, Tattered Cover, etc..The songs they perform are those they have written which were inspired by  books they have read.  It was wonderful.  They would explain the premise of the book then play the song.  We took a front row seat and were able to watch them up close and personal as they  played  the cello, ukulele, and guitar.  It really was a treat.  They  tour the US with their twenty month old daughter who, as L pointed out that she   “provided some great background vocals.”  J and both said it was great, T said about 5 minutes later it was still giving him the “shivers” and he  wiggled a bit ! After the show, we had T led the way to “The Table” on the 7th floor of the Library which was used by the  Summit of 8 that involved President Bill Clinton, and other world leaders.  The 7th floor has great views of the Denver Art Museum, the City and County Building, the Capitol Building and Civic Center Park, and the halls are  filled with great art.  Steve and I just let the guys gravitate to what drew them in for 15 minutes or so before heading out. 
Terrific day !https://youtu.be/2U0nREncdFU
https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg 0 0 Mary Archer https://www.outandaboutcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/LOGO-for-website-300x144.jpg Mary Archer2019-02-01 16:04:312019-02-01 16:11:50Lunch at Spanky's, what a fun day
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