A Morning in Patagonia...

Corona de Tucson

July 15, 2024

Monday's sunrise...a beautiful start to the week! 

Monday we were up early as Joe had a morning appointment at the eye doctor to check on his pressures.  Joe actually sees three eye doctors...one for the cornea (she did the scraping), one for the retina (he treated a wavy retina) and one for the general health including glaucoma and pressures.  It seems everything is specialized in the medical world these days.  I guess that is a good thing, but it sure keeps those of us with multiple issues in the road a lot...not a complaint, just an observation and we do appreciate what each of these wonderful doctors bring to the table.  And what is even better is how they all work together as a team.   We usually have other stops to make "in the city" and Monday was no exception...Wild Birds Unlimited, Trader Joe's, and Lowes were also on the list.  

Dr Tsai's office is an advocate for "Quilt for a Cause".  This organization auctions and sells handmade quilts to fight breast and gynecologic cancers. There are beautiful quilts...all sizes, shapes and colors, hanging in the offices, waiting rooms and hallways at Dr. Tsai's.  This "Lantern Festival" quilt caught my eye on Monday.  

Such wonderful colors and detail, but I decided I didn't have a place for it and left empty handed. 

Wednesday we took Sally for her shot.  We just love Dr Huang at the Animal Care Center in Green Valley.  She has been wonderful with all our pups.  Knowing Sally gets more than just a little anxious coming to see her (even with anti-anxiety meds) she was ready for Sally.  She sprayed a blanket with a calming spray and covered her head with it and quickly gave Sally the shot.  Sally never even knew !  She also showed us some paw pads we can order to help keep Sally from sliding on our floors.  

On the way home, we stopped at our neighborhood Ace Hardware to get a new potty seat.  They had baby pheasants for sale.  Soooooo cute !

Friday, we were up early...

and decided to head south for breakfast.  

State Route 83...a designated scenic state highway and one of my favorites close to home. 

Gathering Grounds in Patagonia was our destination.  This small cafe with inside and outside patio seating features an espresso bar, a deli with sandwiches and homemade soups, a bakery with a variety of cookies, muffins, pecan bars and scones and  if that isn't enough, they serve homemade ice cream too.  It is definitely a local spot as our hard-working server greeted us with a big smile 

The black and white photos are new for this trip.  I don't remember the photographers name, but she is a local.  They are beautiful photos of people (I especially liked the children) and places 

I had a yummy fried egg sandwich with bacon, cheese and avocado on buttery toasted sourdough bread and the best glass of fresh squeezed orange juice ever.  Joe had a homemade biscuit smothered in bacon and sausage gravy (the best he says he has ever had) with eggs over easy and yummy country potatoes. Everytime we go to Patagonia, we buy cookies here. Friday we came home with two...an oatmeal and peanut butter cookie and an oatmeal with craisins and white chocolate chips.     

Sweet little vases of fresh flowers...

One shop we always enjoy is Patagonia Trading Post which is just next door to the cafe.  We met Andy, the owner and Oreo, the shop kitty...both very friendly and entertaining !  The shop is tastefully overflowing with one-of-a-kind items from paintings and photos, to woven baskets, to pottery and folk art, to jewelry, to woodwork and metalwork, to books, puzzles, and notecards, and felted hats, bowls, and critters.  I love perusing and never leave empty handed as the prices are very reasonable.  My favorite part of the store is the Book Nook with comfortable seating and lots of books.   

Looking in the Book Nook...

 

A sweet, little vase I bought at the Trading Post....

Before driving home, we stopped by the Paton Center for Hummingbirds.   It's a great shady place to sit and watch the birds, but be sure to have bug spray if the "skeeters" bite you.  We sat at the Richard Grand Memorial Meadow which boasts flowers throughout the year, birds and butterflies.   We were mostly entertained by the ground squirrels !  And sat for awhile at the Pavilion watching the hummingbirds.  We saw lots of Broad-billed and Black-chinned hummers and the rare Violet Crowned hummer visited three times while we were there.  We heard lots of birds, but the trees are thick with green leaves and we didn't see them. We did spot a female Summer Tanager at the orange feeder.  

Prairie Coneflowers

Nature's habitats...

Walking paths at the hummingbird center...

Violet-crowned Hummingbird...a Mexican species that barely reaches the U.S. and is the only hummingbird in the U.S. that does not have a colorful gorget. 

A pair of Broad-billed hummingbirds...the female is on the right

Female Summer Tanager

Golden Columbine

Back at the oasis, we had a wonderful rain on Tuesday.  It stopped just in time for sunset.  

Thursday morning, we were up at dawn...

and enjoyed watching the sunrise.

The fruit on the prickly pear is beginning to ripen...

Silverleaf Nightshade 

Texas Mountain Laurel

That afternoon it rained...

Sally goes out with us every morning to water plants and feed the birds.  She is just a good little helper...

She reminds me its time for supper every afternoon at 5:00 and waits patiently while I "fix" it.

And thats a wrap on our week.  It was a nice week !  Until next time...

HAPY TRAILS!

As I was about to publish, I heard a very loud rumble of thunder... yippee and fingers crossed !  Have a great week !