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Dear EarthTalk: I hear a lot about Patagonia doing the right thing by the environment, but what about the rest of the outdoor gear and apparel industry?  --Jean Phillips, Hamilton, NY

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23

It began as a whispered threat, this latest storm of ours. There was something in the air, a cleansing tonic, a murmur of sharpness.

The trees on the hills looked different, then, seeming to stand out in sharper focus, in cleaner profile. It was the magical paintbrush of a gentle sun brushing the front of them, against an ominous, creeping black background. And the blackness grew higher yet, until the western sky was a massive wall of black and swirling gray.

Just two years after Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected a costly, unworkable universal health care ballot measure, Rep. Jared Polis, the Democrat candidate for governor, is sidling up with the same kooky progressives who brought us the failed ColoradoCare proposal by touting "Medicare for all."

Coloradans should be skeptical that the $387 Million Man really means, "Medicare for you - but not for me."  After all, he can buy his way out of a lousy government health care system after he wrecks health care for the rest of us.

Dear Dietitian,

I am confused about whole grains. Some information tells me to eat lots of whole grains, but others say it is fiber that is important in a healthy diet. Which is it?
--Ray

Dear Ray,

This is a good question. I recently bought a loaf of bread that advertised "20 g of whole grains per serving" and "a good source of fiber."  Keep in mind that this is advertising. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a whole grain must contain all the components of a grain kernel: the bran, germ, and endosperm.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased." Hebrews 13: 16 NEV

Recently, as I was exploring Cheyenne Mountain State Park, I spotted a large dead tree still standing, thanks to a smaller tree that was holding it up - its branches wrapped around the dead tree's trunk. 

The dead tree had scars made years ago by barbed-wire fencing. The barbed wire was long since removed, but the scars remained.

Of course, we don't use barbed wire much in state parks. It was a remnant of the cattle ranch that existed here for decades before this property for became a state park in 2006.

"Bert looks good this morning, Doc," Dud said, quietly. Three stools down the counter, Bert smiled and said, "Yes, I certainly do!"

We turned toward our old pal. "You heard that?"

"Sure did, guys," he grinned. "Look...."

He pointed to his ears. "Hearing aids," he said. We walked over and looked, and sure enough.

"It was Maizie's idea," Bert said. "She made the appointment and everything. Said she was tired of having the TV on so loud."

"But it was a good idea, Bert," Doc said.

We were very excited about the moisture we received last week. I know that some places got lots and had flooding to contend with, but our 1 1/2 inches Friday night came real nice. We just had a rain storm go through here about thirty minutes ago. Kyle reported that we had 1 1/2 inches again. Luckily, we missed the large hail that Kit Carson and Granada got. There were probably others but those were my only sources this evening. Hate the bad storms, but our country was in bad need of moisture. Maybe this will break the dry cycle.

Dud was out rambling around the other day, and was surprised to find the new preacher sitting beside an irrigation ditch. Dud plopped down and asked him what was wrong.

"I've only been here two weeks," he said, "and someone's stolen my bicycle. I really liked that bike."

"Reverend," said Dud, "everyone in this town knows everyone else, and thievery is almost unheard of. I wouldn't take this personally as something against you, but I do have a suggestion."

The preacher looked at Dud.