Exploring

I can't seem to stay home. Well, for what, fool? 

Here I am at Feliz Paseos Park on the west side of town, not too far from the Saguaro National Park, but that's a birding trip on March 2. Meanwhile back at Feliz... I'm looking directly east, but John Wayne is standing in my way. The park has paved paths for the handicapped, and more adventuresome treks on gravel for those so inclined. All the flora are well-marked. Tucson has its hands full, because this is a city park and well-maintained.

This is the picnic shelter complete with tables, grilles, and bathrooms. Beautifully tiled picture!

Back on Sentinel Peak, "A" Mountain to those of us who attended the University of Arizona, home of the Wildcats, it's scarey up here. The red portion of stones, which are now cemented and painted, is the bottom right of the "A". Back in the day, those were just a bunch of rocks that made an "A". The seniors I guess were in charge of going up at the end of the year and re-painting them white. So on to the cool stuff. Oh, I forgot to mention, this is another city park. While I was taking pics, I noticed two couple sitting at a folding table with a red tablecloth. Oh, duh, girl! It's Valentine's Day. I got close enough to strike up a conversation, because I noticed they had wine glasses (my kind of people). The husbands had done breakfast for them, complete with mimosas; then had them go "shopping"; met them for lunch; now on top of the mountain; and then dinner and the Wildcats game. One of the ladies sheepishly remarked, "And it all involved alcohol." Nice people enjoying Valentine's Day!

This is Tucson's equivalent of the Big I, where I-10 and I-19 meet. I-19 only goes 60 miles down to Nogales, Arizona/ Mexico, but it is an extremely well-traveled highway, and my route home. Below is a view from "A" Mountain looking toward northeast Tucson.

My new-found treasure bought from a vendor out on Silverbell Road. It matches the pots I already have, and it made me happy.

This is just me playing around with a cactus photo. I did get Elements 11 this week, and am naturally having fun tweaking my efforts.

Sunset from the street in front of my house. 

The black portion of this cactus is what happens when it's only 15 degrees on the desert. Silver Springs, Florida, looked worse four years ago. What is it with me? Do I attract the cold weather to these normally warm climes?

Just Saying

The days are going by so fast; if it weren't for my journal, I never remember where I've been or what I've done. I make a lot of lists and eventually cross things out and re-arrange more. I guess you might say I get things done when the spirit moves me. Sometimes it's the spirit wine! I've been checking places to take Norma shopping when she gets here. So I ended up at Tucson Mall and actually bought some new walking shoes that I desperately needed for my 2.5 mile jaunt every morning. That's the reason for the picture of Dillard's, one of my favorite stores.

So crazy me had to take a picture of my stuffed peppers, because they were so pretty. I got them at the Tanque Verde Flea Market on Ginny's last day. I also got a bag each of limes, tomatoes, and avocados for 99 cents each. They had some nice yard art, but I'm still shopping that project. Ginny left for Hawaii last Saturday and I really miss her.

Two weeks ago during my quilting class on a Saturday morning, it rained buckets. I mean it came down in sheets. Unfortunately, the boys were outside. Even Marshall was soaked, and his fur is hard for water to penetrate; poor Tux looked like a drowned rat. I had to get some towels from the workshop and dry them off before I could let them inside. By mid-afternoon, the sun was shining and it was beautiful, so took a walk around the park and got some pictures of drainage areas.

But then I couldn't help myself and took some more pictures. I'm always looking at my neighbor's yard decorations getting ideas for what I want to do. You really can't see the Sago palm; I should get a good picture. The froggy sits at the base looking quite happy.

We have some really tall saguaros here in the park. The birds make nests in the holes, and are always going to and fro. Some have so many holes, they're like apartment buildings. This one looks like he's trying to poke a hole in the cloud.

I love to take pictures of cactus, but I'm afraid to go near them, so I don't know how I'm going to manage the ones I already have in my yard.

So my plan is to do my colorful flowers in planters. I've already scoped out Home Depot, and I'm just waiting for this spell of cool weather to get through this coming week.

First Adventures of 2013

This adventure is on the coldest day we could have chosen. The wind is blowing a little, and the clouds are playing peek-a-boo with the sun. We parked at the convention center parking lot where we originally intended to see the quilt show. After paying $8 for parking and anticipating $10 each for the quilt show, I opted to find the Presidio, which is the remains of an old fort in the middle of downtown Tucson. Today was a reenactment day. They had demonstrations, food, and cannon firings. The guys in the picture above told Ginny that they made those coats they are wearing. I sure could have used one. Below is the courtyard just before you enter the gift shop. We hung out there for a while to warm up.

Above is the courthouse; I keep repeating myself by saying that I want to come back another day and take more pictures. Below are the office buildings that I just love to take pictures of because of the reflections of the clouds.

Ginny is taking pictures also. It's strange the way her jacket is the same color as that wall. The turquoise blue line on the brick pavement is what we followed to get to the Presidio. We also found Tucson's Old Town full of old shops, courtyards with food vendors, and some things I might want to buy.


On Monday we went to the Quilt Show at the Historical Society's Museum. Arizona is celebrating their Centennial the same as New Mexico. I took close to 100 pictures of quilts. These three wall hangings are among the best in my opinion. They really depict Arizona. Notice the "Do not touch" signs. They were absolutely necessary. That was the first thing you wanted to do.

This is the outside of the building which is actually on the University of Arizona campus. In fact, the bookstore was directly across the street. The admission was reasonable with free parking in a covered garage. My kind of outing!

The Last Adventures of 2012

Actually these adventures took place between Christmas and New Year's. We went to Madera Canyon, because I had heard so much about it from my birding friends. The weather was bright and sunny, but there was left over snow. I still tromped around jacket-less, taking pictures. The background was beautiful, but I concentrated on the yucca pods.

The volunteers at the bottom of the canyon told us about a Mexican restaurant in Green Valley, so we went there for lunch. It's called Los Agaves and is probably the best food I've had since my arrival.


One day we went to Bisbee, an old mining community, and toured the Queen Mine. It was cold in our mile high location, and colder down in the mine. My pictures didn't come out very well due to the lighting.

This is one of the antiques in the hotel dining room where we ate.

This is the outside of the hotel. It's at least three stories. I wonder if they give tours and whether they have a ghost. I think I'd like to come back here when the weather is nicer.

In the lobby, they had a metal sculpture of a palm tree that was very interesting.

Here's Ginny suited up and getting a light attached to her belt. They asked us to be there 20 minutes early, so we could get dressed.

At Tubac a few days earlier, we took an historic tour of the settlement. That lady was our guide and did a good job. It's presently an arts and crafts colony. I was here in the spring and you can see more pictures from my earlier postings. We enjoyed a nice lunch in one of their small restaurants, but I can't remember the name.

At Home in Arizona

On December 1, or there about, I moved into my new place at Mission View RV Resort. Ginny, Linda and Colin are more or less responsible for this move, and I'm very thankful. I think Marshall and Tux like it too. The clubhouse is really nice and boasts an indoor pool and spa which I have yet to try.

My new acquisition came with bedroom furniture, a huge television, and a washer and dryer. I've never had a complete bedroom suite, just a combination of antiques. The TV is going to Goodwill, and I'll deal with replacing it after the holidays. As you all know, I'm not a TV watcher. The laundry equipment is fairly new and front-loading.

Just empty space. Need to visit the furniture store.

The boys have a completely fenced yard, but Marshall figured out how to unlatch the gate, so now it's bungee-corded. They think they're in jail. Poor babies!

This was the craft fair put on by the park to raise money for one of their charities. All the craft-makers are extremely talented. The fellow with the Arizona tee shirt on is my neighbor Steve. He and his wife Mary live next door. He and a fellow named John (whose wood art is displayed in the next picture) helped me and Ginny unload the U-Haul last Sunday. Only a week ago. Wow! Mary had back surgery last Tuesday and seems to be doing well.

This is my Christmas angel. Her lights blink off and on. I love that crazy old Christmas tree. Gary won it at a Rotary silent auction. It was covered with tools. It's completely indestructible.

My furniture came on Thursday. The bed for the guest room won't be delivered until the end of the month.Those of you who have promised to visit me please make note of that.

Marshall is looking all pissed off, because he's tested the furniture to see if it's comfortable, and been told that's a NO-NO.