Corona de Tucson
February 11, 2024
Settling in at home is a wonderful thing...putting things in their place, adjusting to space, our very own little oasis, a roomy shower, and a much larger washer and dryer are just a few things that help settling in wonderful. There are many things we enjoy about home, but the quiet might just be my most favorite thing of all about being here.
Monday, we were up early and headed to Lazydays KOA. Just saying/writing Lazydays KOA floods my brain with so many great memories of days gone by. Carol and Ronnie left SD when we did and pulled right in to the KOA for two weeks of Tucson time and Monday we had plans to hike at Catalina State Park. Anybody that has visited this beautiful Arizona state park knows that to do most walking/hiking there one must cross the wash. Sometimes, the wash is dry...that is always sad to me...and sometimes the wash has running water...that always makes me happy. Memories of laughing all the way across with garbage bags wrapped around our legs come to mind...just ask Sue ! No bags this week, but there were lots of laughs heard while wading thru the better than ankle deep cold water.
Titled : Wild Horse Race oil on canvas, 1954 I loved the bold colors and action in this painting. |
And "Master Thesis Paintings" featuring a selection of watercolors and oil paintings from his 1945 University of Arizona Master of Arts Thesis.
Tschaikowsky Concerto #1 in B flat minor oil on canvas diptych 1944 (I had to look up diptych...a painting on two hinged wooden panels which may be closed like a book.) |
Throughout the gallery, are tables, benches and chairs that DeGrazia made. I love the simplicity.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice lunch at Cafe a La C'Art in town. A delightful morning, a yummy lunch, and time with friends makes for a really nice time.
We only had one decent day for a walk... |
No complaints...we need the rain! And a great day for being lazy! |
The doves practiced their ice skating skills...quite gracefully I will add. I felt really bad when he started pecking at the ice for water. |
Yesterday (Saturday 2/10) we had plans. Andra and Jamie and Carol and Ronnie came for lunch. I made lasagna, salad and bread and Carol brought cherry cheesecake. It was a wonderful time visiting. It was also cold and snowing ! I didn't get photos of the people, but I did get some of the snow.
We weren't sure how many birds we should see after having been gone for a month. Filling the feeders was the first thing we did! No surprise that the Cactus Wren was the first to show. We have had the pleasure to see Cardinals, Gila Woodpeckers, Curved-bill Thrashers, House Wrens and Sparrows...all the regulars!
And this morning, this sweet little Costa's Hummingbird waited very patiently while I took his feeder inside to refill it.
February is off to great start. It is almost Valentin's Day ! Love is in the air...in the whisper of the trees, in the thunder of the seas, in the rising of the sun, when the day is nearly done, everywhere I look around, every sight and every sound, love is in the air. (taken from lyrics to "Love is in the Air" by John Paul Young.)
Until next time,
HAPPY TRAILS !
We stayed in Catalina in our RVing days--lovely place--and we even hiked because I remember picking prickly grass seeds from between Jazz's paws while she tried to bite me! Coming home from a RV trip is always so good even if the trip was only for a few days. Your Saturday lunch sounds wonderful and yes, moisture in the desert is always welcome. Love that photo of Sally and the one of snowy Ozzie!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna! I have tried many times to get reservations at Catalina...even while living in our home here. No luck in snagging a spot there yet. When we got home from SD, Sally ran thru the house a few times then settled in her spot in front of the patio door. It's her job to keep watch. Ozzie is two years old and a bundle of energy...he loved the snow!
DeleteHow fun having Carol and Ronnie following you back. The expression of confusion on the dove ice skating on his water is precious.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jeff! I'm sure the dove was very confused. After going a month with no water and then having frozen water was a bit much! The other doves just flew off, but he stayed and pecked for a few minutes...
DeleteI love the views from Catalina SP, such a pretty place. Thanks for the peek at DeGrazia's temporary exhibit. Can't believe I've missed that amazing piece in the courtyard, I have to get back to see it for sure!! We missed that last snow storm that's gorgeous in all your pics. I know your birds were grateful for their snowy meals. Sally is just too cute.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jodee! I enjoyed the Rodeo exhibit at DeGrazia…might just be one of my favorites! Such bold colors and the action in the paintings brings them to life. Snowy days in the desert are a real treat…and thank goodness they don’t last long. Sally says “thank you!”.
DeleteBeing on the road is fun, settling back home again afterward is fun too!
ReplyDeleteI remember our garbage bag river crossing fiasco, I smiled at the memory! I'm trying to book a quick stop in Catalina SP this spring, wish me luck!
Hi Sue…fingers crossed and I hope your luck is better than mine! I have tried so many times to get a spot there…even after we got the sticks and stucco, but have not had any luck yet!
Deletesuccess! I got a week at the end of April so maybe we can see you two then sometime!
DeleteSweet! I need to know your secret to success!
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