The Pink House

We are the host and hostess of the Pink House at Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs. Many of you may have read last year’s blogs about our duties and activities here. These are still available and you can check last year’s October (and November) blogs.

We have had a variety of activity this time. From an empty house, which allows us to be involved with other activities on the grounds, to a wedding on our front lawn. We have entertained visitors, who just came to check us out, – there are no formal tours of the Pink House, in contrast to the Castle. We did serve a Victorian Tea to a private party in out dining room.




We host many hummingbirds as well, who empty their feeder every other day!

The turkeys have been scarce the past few days, I think they are nesting or protecting their chicks in a safe place. The only Bighorn sheep we have seen were some young males, who transition the premises occasionally.


We did have about 300 boy-scouts here for a great camporee the weekend of May 15. They celebrated 100 years of the Boy-scouts of America and blessed us with a couple of days of trail maintenance at Glen Eyrie.

Although the weather was cool and rainy for their first day, all the tents could dry out on the last day when the sun shone brightly, but it was not too warm for them to continue working on the trails. There was a Civil War re-enactment as part of their camporee experience, and the sound of gun-fire echoed of the surrounding sandstone rock formations. All in all a very pleasant experience for the scouts as well as the other guests here.

Occasionally we have the chance to go for a hike on the property and at is always a thrill to enjoy the quiet nature around us. Blooming trees and scurrying squirrels, weathered bristle cone trees and busy birds, even vintage airplanes flying over, like the B-17 I got a picture of. This week there is a family reunion, which uses the whole house. We should be busy refreshing rooms and changing towels for the next three days. Then on the weekend there will be another wedding on the front lawn with a tea-brunch in our dining room.

Spring Again !

Pikes Peak with fresh snow

It has been cooler here, in Colorado. We spent the first night in Fairplay, visiting Corrie’s brother. Here we experienced snow on the ground! The weather in Colorado Springs has been a little bit gentler, but we have gone from sweaters to shorts and back. I guess we get to celebrate spring all over again. It has been slower in coming than what we experienced in Iowa. Only two irises blooming in a sunny spot.

There is water running in the creek and if one wants to go to Dorothy Falls, wet feet will be part of the experience. The many creek crossings needed to get there, are awash with cool running water.

The Big Horn sheep are in the mountains, probably taking care of the lambs. The turkeys are alive and well, still roosting in the trees every night. They wake us in the morning with their calls and noise, when they come down again. The deer are losing their winter coat and the grass needs mowing.

We do have many new “SOWER” volunteers at Glen Eyrie and the General likes showing them around. We were privileged to show off the “Pink House” to a group of them. Normally the “Pink House” is not open for public tours, but we have the option to conduct private tours while we are hosting here.


It really is a blessing to be able to serve here. We meet many really great people and are able to share many of our experiences.


Not only do we serve as Pink House Hosts, we also help with food service and facilities functions, like helping with landscaping, painting, building maintenance, and other services.

Spring 2010

Just a quick update.
We plan to go back to Glen Eyrie, in Colorado Springs. We will be host and hostess at the “Pink House” during the month of May. We were here also last fall. You can review my blog entries on October 8, 19, & 27 and also November 15, for my notes and pictures of that time.


The weather has turned to "real" spring weather here. The temperatures are cooler and we are enjoying spring rains. I am glad that we decided to take the motorbike trips when the weather was dry and balmy. We were able to see many of the trees in bloom and also the tulips and other spring flowers have been in full bloom already.

Our trip includes a stopover in Norton, Kansas, where we spend a day with dear friends we met on previous occasions, providing hospitality using the “Mennonite Your Way” system. We have used this hospitality network for many years already and have met with a lot of interesting travelers. With some of these over-nighters we have developed ongoing friendships. It is surely much more enjoyable to spend an evening with acquaintances after a day of travel. Most, if not all, of these travelers have a decidedly Christian world view. So, we always have something in common. I also wrote about this in my blog of September 21, 2009.

New Life

The winter weather has vanished. Trees are sprouting, grass is greening, birds are singing, and the sun is nice and warm on my face. We have put on nearly 500 miles on the Bergman, since the temperature has remained above freezing. We are exploring the surrounding area of Des Moines. Usually we find a local hang-out for something to drink or a bite to eat. Many times we look for local wineries, for a taste and maybe taking a bottle or two home for later enjoyment.

On Tuesdays we work at the VA. Corrie works at the volunteer office and I work as a HHV volunteer, Helping Hospitalized Vets. We provide leather-craft kits, wood working kits, some modeling kits, like cars or airplanes, as well as a variety of other occupational activity kits; poster painting, sun-catchers and so on. Most of the patients I am working with have some limitations, they usually need some help completing their craft kits. I really enjoy doing these crafts with the patients and I get to complete some for myself as well, like the clock.

Thoughts on Spring

Is this the last big shovelful ???


When I look out of my window I see green snow! No, wait, it is grass, – !

I rode my Suzuki Bergman on Friday and on Monday, because the weather was above freezing; the sun was even out. Had to really watch for potholes, though!
Could the winter be waning? Could this season make room for “Lente” (the Dutch word for Spring)

I like this better than the “season of Lent,” which often has a negative focus of giving something up. Lenteh (pronounce the “teh”) has such a melodious ring to it.
It reminds me of lambs in the pastures and calves jumping for joy in the green meadows, the promise of flowers, the gentle warming of the air, even the renewed buzz of insects. (Now that’s heavy - looking forward to bugs...)

It has been a long season of “giving up.” There are some exiting winter activities, I’m sure. But, I like riding my bike or scooter, walk in the woods, and feel the warm sunshine on my face.

So, why do I live in Iowa? Primarily, so I can make these observations. To be able to appreciate warm sunshine, to anticipate the awakening of creation after winter’s sleep, to look forward to being outside in clothes which allow one to move. We have had a “good” winter. We have been active: working on crafts, creating train layout pieces, entertaining guests, teaching Bible truths, enjoying a nice warm home, do some remodeling, read, and shop. Winter slowed us down some, made us reflect on who we are and where we are going on life’s journey. It made me focus on the beautiful relationships we have. Another season is coming; the journey goes on! Life is good, God is in charge, and I am able to relax in that knowledge. I can’t change the changing seasons, but I can enjoy this season of life! May you be blessed by Lente.

Thoughts of Winter - 2

We are breaking records, this year! More continuous snow days than “ever.” Records are being broken and reset just about everywhere, not just in Iowa. Snow-white may be beautiful, but I would like some green gras, or even some uncovered dirt sometime soon.

To help pass the time, we are going to volunteer to help package meals with “Meals from the Heartland.” This is a community effort, usually in the fall, which provides nutritious, good tasting meals for the disadvantaged. Most of these meals go to Haiti. Because of the devastation, many more meals are needed. The local church where this program started a few years ago, is again providing space and help to do this interim packaging to help relieve the current need in Haiti. Besides, these are the types of activities we retired for, to be free to help wherever the need may be.

We still like to travel, but to be near home in the winter to work locally, fills a need as well. Not having to go somewhere when it snows, is definitely a benefit of retirement as well. But still, I think, that if we had not committed to teaching a Bible Study at our home this winter, we might have looked for another place to spend this season. Either way, we are here and we are having a great time enjoying home activities. Working on the train layout, digitizing some old cassette tapes, so we can play them on our mp3 players; some home improvements and so on.

Thoughts of Winter

Nearly a month has gone by since my last post. Winter has not, though!
We are expecting some of the snow to melt this weekend. Warmer temperatures and rain help with melting, but fast melting causes flooding concerns. I don’t worry about these issues. When contemplating people who lost whatever meager possessions they had, when crying with those who lost love ones in natural disasters, melting snow seems a minor thing. Besides, the snow will be just a memory by June anyway!

We say that time heals. The news shows pictures of the recovery of the Aceh area, 4 years past their earthquake and tsunami. The people in Haiti are suffering now. The future for them may be brighter than ever because of worldwide outpouring of aid and compassion; but the need is now.
Many of us feel frustrated by the inability of technology to provide instant help. Even a well oiled machine like the military with its internal structure and strength needs to accommodate the available infrastructure. You can’t drive a tank over rubble in an earthquake zone.

Haiti was poor already. That does not mean that the people there are less deserving. But the fact remains, that those who are poor and those who are distant from the mainstream, are at a disadvantage. We may be created equal, but we don’t grow up equal.

(This picture is in CapeTown)