Yesterday I cleaned the apartment, which needed it badly. I’d started vacuuming last weekend but then thought I’d better go through the boxes of my stuff that Mom brought when visiting in June. I threw out all sorts of things, but then I ran out of time.

And before I could vacuum, I had to dust off the tables in the living area. And when I say dust, sweep would probably be a more accurate word. Berck had disassembled his computer on the dining table, leaving old dust-covered components there along with all of the dust mice his machine had collected since the last time he took it apart. Then he took apart my computer and replaced my old components, which he placed on the other table, with his old components. (My computer runs much snappier now).

After vacuuming, I cleaned the kitchen, did all the laundry, swept and mopped the kitchen, vacuumed AND mopped the bathrooms (even Berck’s…except for the corner by his overflowing trashcan)…all to Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor, which is quite good cleaning music (I think it’s her best work since Ray of Light, though there are a couple of weak songs on there).

I had energy to do all this because I made blueberry muffins that morning, and Berck came into the kitchen all excited because the mixer was running. “What are you making?” “Blueberry muffins.” “But I don’t want blueberry muffins!” So I started making Jarlsberg, onion, mushroom, and artichoke heart omelets. Berck said I didn’t know how to make omelets, so he did the actual construction. Then he asked me to make him some coffee, and of course, I wanted a cup too. I haven’t made coffee since May. So of course, I had to clean.

Today Berck woke me up and said, “Do you want to eat brunch at the Brown Burro this morning?” And I readily agreed, even though the Brown Burro is an hour and a half away in Fairplay. By the time we got there (after washing the car and such), Berck was more in the mood for a double buffalo burger, but I had my favorite, huevos rancheros. The way the Brown Burro makes it is a tortilla, some hashbrowns, two eggs any way you like them (I like over easy) all smothered in green pork chili. Then I douse it with their salsa and some Adobe Milling roasted jalapeno hot sauce (the best!).

Next we drove to Breckenridge, Leadville, and then back home. It was a good excuse to see the aspens all golden. I took lots of pictures, which Berck might publish one of these days BECAUSE THE CARD READER IS ON HIS COMPUTER AND NOT MINE, SO I CAN’T.

Tonight Berck carefully harvested the biggest leaves from our basil plant and made pesto. It was really tasty. We also had roasted potatoes and some Forest Glen Sangiovese, the best tasting wine to go with Italian food for under 8 bucks a bottle (it’s truly amazing).

Okay, time for bed. Another week is ahead.