Fiction

Your source for showcasing local fi ction, poetry and more! Send your creative pieces to: fi ction@soprissun.com

Poetry

Stormbringer

JM Jesse Glenwood Springs

Wind chimes clang wildly Sky darkens as gale winds wail Chimes summon thunder

Th e uncommon turn

By Jeanne Souldern Carbondale

What is it on page seven of the Proust novel that urges you to examine the worlds beyond the confines of these book covers?

"A sea swallow tunneling for earth's warmth,” you answer. You, who love the spicy smells of turning over life's dark humus, faithfully migrating back to where the mystery began.

I am

By Sheila Markowitz Glenwood Springs

Sometimes, in life, you just have to stop and smell the flowers. Take a breath. Bee with the pollinators. If you sit there long enough, you may spill your tea and petals will bloom out your ears. But, you will know peace. Photo taken at Margaret Franz's serene garden in Glenwood Springs. Photo by James Steindler I pretend. I’m a bird — a gentle bird circling high in the sky. I take it all in, wondering, ‘Should I look down, up and around? or just keep circling, enjoying all the beautiful sights around me?’ I’m a bird walking around on a gravel road trying to find even a small piece of something to eat. I’m a bird, vocalizing in a tree off the trail. People come by and hear me singing. I’m not always easily seen. Often I try to hide from them even though they enjoy my singing so much. Sometimes someone comes by and smiles and waves to me. When they notice me, I may fly away to a place where I’m no longer in sight. When flying with a group of birds, how will I know to turn right, left, go straight, land or take off? How will we all stay together, making beautiful circles high in the sky? I wonder who will help me direct my life, or should it all be up to me? I sometimes worry about many things. I could just wait to be told to turn right, left, go straight, take off, etcetera — but that, too, is hard. The birds all seem so free and happy. What could go wrong? On my 70th birthday I was given the fabulous gift of paragliding. That seemed, to me, to be one of the closest things I could do to really experience what it would be like to fly like a bird. I felt exuberant and amazed and unafraid to run off the rim at the top of Red Mountain, strapped to the paraglide swing. I was finally flying up in the sky, moving across the valley and even soaring over the house where I live in downtown Glenwood Springs. I spread my arms and legs and just opened myself up to the experience, grinning wider than I ever thought I could. I dream. Some of the images are clear when I awake, and then I suddenly can’t remember them. Who are the people in my dreams? At first I remember their faces, then the image disappears. Some people who were important in my life have moved on. Sometimes I miss them. Others have faded from my memory. My energy level comes in spurts; ebbs and flows. When winding down, it’s time for me to go slower and reflect — but on what? Sitting quietly helps me find out what that might be. While it’s important for me to get done what ‘must be done,’ I love to take the time to dream, contemplate and imagine. I try to remember that my most wonderful ideas come during those times. When I touch something I can more clearly ‘see’ it. The colors start to become more intense; even if the surface is smooth and has no raised areas. Using all of my senses inspires me to learn more about whatever I’m involved with — sound, sight, smell, taste and, of course, touch. I feel much more intimately involved with whatever I’m doing when I take the time to use all of my senses. This makes even taking a walk around town so glorious and fun.

WE ARE PLEASED TO SPONSOR “WORK IN PROGRESS”

Looking for your next good book? Stop by and browse at White River Books!

65 N 2nd Street, Carbondale • 970-340-4503 Hours: Tues. 10-3; Wed.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4. Closed Mondays.

August 12, 1946 - August 1, 2022

On the morning of Aug. 1, 2022, Jonathan (Jon) Walker Tripp of Carbondale/Paonia died at the age of 76. Jon was born to John Tripp and Irene Walker Tripp. Jon loved the outdoors, hiking, camping and cross-country skiing. He was an avid photographer, mostly of nature and historical sites in Colorado.

He also loved gardening and tending to his fruit trees and grape vines. Jon loved all animals, especially his dog, Marley, and his cat, Herman. Jon is survived by his two daughters, Emily Manning (spouse: Joe Manning) and Rachel Mendes, three grandchildren, Bryce Manning, Alex Manning and Melissa Mendes, three siblings, Judy Briscoe, Larry Tripp and Bill Tripp (spouse: Jill Tripp), five nieces and nephews and eight great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Glioblastoma Foundation: glioblastomafoundation.org this process. Work was done on a Comprehensive Plan review and on new building codes for commercial development — but it has been put on hold. Previous surveys stressed maintaining “small town character.” Is that a lost cause?

Patrick Hunter

Carbondale

Slow Down in Town

Take A Minute, Slow Down in Town. Every resident and business that has posted this sign wants the same thing that we all want: a safe existence and safe passage. Silver lining? If we slow down, coast more, brake less, drive with the flow, we'll get higher gas mileage (more cash in our pockets). And, we'll arrive at our destination less stressed.

Give it a go, try to drive with and maximize on the "green" time of the 39 lights on Highway 82 as you head south. Driving more safely saves insurance dollars and perhaps collision repairs. We've got everything to gain as we drive to preserve all that we love about these valleys.

Diane Reynolds

Glenwood Springs

Debt report

The Federal Reserve System, our country's central bank, disseminates lots of information for consumption by high financiers, and even you in your community at-large. You may not know it, but it does this for you and your government's benefit.

The Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit shows total household debt rose to $16.15 trillion in the second quarter of 2022. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's report, by its Center for Microeconomic Data, shows a snapshot of U.S. consumers' credit conditions and activity. Anonymized Equifax credit information is sampled each quarter (every three months).

This Report is to help community groups, small businesses, state and local governments and the public to better understand, watch and respond to trends in borrowing and indebtedness at the household level.

Imagine if you and your local government effectively used this quarterly information tool in your affairs and money circumstances, wouldn't you be in tuned with what you did not understand or could not handle before?

Also, the New York Fed issues an accompanied Liberty Street Economics blog post interpreting delinquency rate across debt types with a breakdown of auto delinquency by state.

For this part quarter ending June 30, here are some things to take note of: 1. Mortgage balances are $11.39 trillion. 2. Credit card balances are the largest in more than 20 years. 3. Current debt going into delinquency stays historically very low. 4. Student loan balances stand at $1.59 trillion. 5. Credit inquiries for the first six months of 2022 were at roughly $110 million. This indicates consumer credit demand. 6. There is rising delinquencies among subprime and low income borrowers.

Best wishes,

Emzy Veazy III

Aspen

Fans of all ages enjoyed a rocking performance by The Velveteers to close out this year's Marblefest, two days of music in the woods with food trucks, craft booths and activities for kids. "Everyone is sweet as **** in this rad town," said Eric Halborg with Dragondeer (pictured top right) with young Velveteer fans."It's so amazing the amount of heart that goes into Marblefest," concurred his bandmate, Cole Rudy. This year's festival saw diverse musical talent, ranging from "swamp pup" (in the case of Rootbeer Richie & the Reveille) to local singer-songwriter talent to bluegrass (of course). The sole criticism heard by The Sopris Sun came from Mark Whitrock, Rootbeer Richie's guitarist, who brought his childhood collection of glass marbles and hoped to win a tournament. Maybe next year, Whitrock. Photos by Raleigh Burleigh

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affi liates doing business as Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a 65-foot monopine telecommunications tower. The site located near Garfi eld County Parcel Number: 239319201070, Carbondale, Garfi eld County, Colorado 81623 (lat/long 39° 26’ 3.12” N Long: -107° 15’ 52.26” W). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) fi ling number is 0010088631. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS – Interested persons may review the application (www.fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the fi ling number. Environmental concerns may be raised by fi ling a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest) and online fi lings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to fi le a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. HISTORIC PROPERTIES EFFECTS - Public comments regarding potential eff ects on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Terracon Consultants, Inc., P. Lind, 15080 A Circle, Omaha, NE 68144, 402-384-6988, phil.lind@terracon.com. WINDSHIELD REPAIR & AUTO GLASS WINDSHIELDREPLACEMENT REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT 970-963-3891 Mobile Service Available 970-963-3891 MobilServicAvailab