I grew up in south-central Colorado, then moved to Nebraska for economic reasons. There are so many things I miss about Colorado that we just don't have here.

The smell of roasting chilies about this time of year - and then buying several bushels of them for green chili all winter.

Magpies. I know, they are not appreciated by my ranching family, but the are iconic to the region.

The sky. There are just so many *%$^*!! trees around here I can't see the sky.

Stars. See above.

Cactus blooms in July.

Crisp - no make that brittle - cold mornings in January, and making jokes about living in the banana belt when it only got down to -25 at our house.

Sigh. I'm homesick.