Emelyn Morris-Sayre

Photo Tour

Stopping Unwanted Junk Mail, Solicitations and Catalogs

I recently blogged on ActiveRain about how Charitable Requests of the Elderly Exceed Harassment.  After visiting my ill mother, my sisters and I determined that there were over 148 different organizations that were consistently soliciting contributions from her, even within two weeks of having been sent  a small donation.

With such excessive junk mail, we have researched ways for people to eliminate much of the unwanted mail that they are receiving.

Eliminate Junk Mail

There are  two resources I would like to recommend.  The first is DMAchoice.org which allows you to register (for free) and you can indicate what type of solicitations you would like to eliminate. Those include credit offers, catalogs/magazines and all other types of requests for memberships or donations.

The second company is 41pounds.org .  It has been determined that the average family receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year.  This company charges a very small fee, but can assist you in removing your name from all of these mailing lists including those that are sold to other companies.

Our Elderly are especially vulnerable.

My mother is a good example how these organizations are trying to take advantage of someone who contributes to organizations and causes she supports and then they sell her name to hunders of others.  Up until now, she has felt that she needed to respond to them all!

Please make note of these organizations that can help you and your family and friends eliminate this harrassment of our senior citizens and in some cases, all of us.

Sunrise at Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

Sunrise at the Sand Dunes

Sunrise at the Sand Dunes National Park outside Alamosa, CO, was incredibly
beautiful.  The numerous times that I have visited the park, there have been
thousands of tourists climbing the dunes and hiking the trails. By traveling there
in late October and arriving at 6:30 in the morning, we found ourselves alone to
enjoy the expansive  hills and valleys of white sand.

Sunrise highlights shadows of crater in sand

 Park is Open Year-Round 24 hours a Day

The brisk cold and darkness didn’t deter us as we entered the Great Sand Dunes National Park. In fact, we were so early, no one was manning the entrance gate to the park.  There was a simple sign that asked that we pay as we left.  I didn’t realize the park is open 24 hours a day although there isn’t much to see in complete darkness.  I imagine the night skies are magnificent and there is a campground within the park.

As we passed the well-designed Visitor’s Center heading to the closest parking lot where we could access the dunes, a family of deer ran across the road.  We parked the car, gathered our cameras, tripods and other paraphanalia and trekked out on the sand.  The light was very dim but we could still see so many tracks in the sand. I was disappointed at first thinking that people had been traipsing all over the dunes and that it would be difficult to get some good photographs….but upon closer look, the tracks were all animal…the four legged kind.

A Photographer’s Dream

As the light from the sun peaked over the mountains, the landscape changed by the seconds.  This was a photographer’s dream – beautiful colors, shadows and shapes and no one else around as I composed by shot.  A truly beautiful experience.

Curves of Sand

Money Talks…choosing a Lender when buying a home in Lakewood, CO

Working through financial jargon with a mortgage lender can be confusing, but you can make the process easier if you clarify queries up front. Real Estate ABC and About.com offer a few tips for talking to your lender and finding what home loan best fits your needs.

Don’t be afraid to ask the pros and cons of each type of loan possibility – fixed-rate loans are good if you are likely to have a lower interest rate and can pay it off quickly, while an adjustable rate mortgage will fluctuate during the term of the loan. And keep in mind that the total cost of a loan includes many fees, such as the appraisal, request for credit report, inspection reports and recording fees. Sometimes these fees are negotiable, so be sure to ask your lender if there’s room for more savings.

Ask about the lender’s relationship with the financial institution they represent. The closing process moves quickly, and it’s important to have a lender who feels comfortable getting in touch with the financial institution and making changes for his or her client as often as needed.  When determining a closing date on the property, it’s best to work with a lender who can guarantee funding and turn-around of the loan paperwork to avoid delays.

The most important tip? Trust your gut when choosing a lender. If at any time you’re not comfortable with the answers given, or if the lender is vague or defensive, consider looking elsewhere.

If you are looking to buy in the Lakewood or metro-Denver area and would like the names of lenders I have worked with in the past, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Lakewood Chili Harvest Arts Festival features food, music and art!

The third annual Chili Harvest Arts Festival in Lakewood will feature food, music and art.  Mark August 27 and 28 on your calendars so you don’t miss this wonderful event that celebrates traditional Spanish Colonial and contemporary art with music, entertainment and food in tribute to the harvest of the chile pepper.

Hosted by the city of Lakewood and the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, this event will be held at the Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children 3 to 12.  You can easily walk from Belmar or take advantage of the ample free parking.

Lots of arts and crafts

Fun for all ages

Colorful Ristras

Wildflowers highlight of Colorado mountain hike

Yesterday, my husband and decided to take a hike with our dog, Jake, to one of the trails recommended in the book, “Best Hikes with Dogs Colorado” by A. Savage. We traveled Highway 70 west to Georgetown, then proceed up Guanella Pass to the trail leading to Silver Dollar Lake. I am glad we went early because we got the last space in the parking lot at the trailhead.

Our backpack was filled with water, a couple of apples and granola bars and raingear. As we hiked upwards towards the 12,000+ elevation, it quickly became apparent to me that I was going to be stopping frequently to photograph the numerous varieties of flowers. This year, we have had an abundance of snowfall and combined with the recent summer rains, the wildflowers were abundant. Botanists report over 100 species bloom along this trail.

As we traversed the south side of the narrow valley, we could see privately owned Lake Naylor at the bottom of the gulch.

Knowing that during the month of July there are several snowfields we would have to cross, I chose to take my pocket-sized Canon camera rather than my Nikon. I was really glad I did as it was very slippery and I lost my balance several times.

In addition to the following flowers, I identified elephant’s ear, shrubby cinquefoil, false solomonseal, American Bistort, sandwort, alpine buttercup, marshmarigold, bighead clover, fireweed, alpine aster, and yellow paintbrush.

The lovely Parry Primrose:

Columbine:

Bluebell:

Belmar Farmers Market in Lakewood, CO is in full swing!

Belmars Farmers Market

One of the highlights of summerfor me is to visit farmers’ markets in the Denver metro area. My favorite is held in Belmar, also known as Lakewood’s new Town Center.

Located in the old Villa Italia area at Alameda and Wadsworth, this vibrant community is a delight to visit. Every Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the street is lined with booths featuring fresh produce, breads and baked goods, tasty grilled foods and lots of unique merchandise. You can enjoy live entertainment, chef demonstrations or just simply people watch.

There are many new vendors this year to join with our returning favorites. This week I was introduced to Redlaw Sauce Co., Tweetie pie – cute little reusable shopping bags,  and organic garden plants check out Pam’s Gardens.

I hope to see you on Sunday. I will be the woman with a Nikon around her neck.