This and That

Corona de Tuccon

November 14, 2022 

Late afternoon glow...November 9,  5:50 pm 

It's been one of those "this and that" kind of weeks.  We had an unexpected visitor Wednesday night.   I don't know who startled who the most.  It was unexpected because this time of year when the nights get colder, I don't even think much about the rattlers.  I'm sure he was looking for a warm spot to spend the night all curled up in the corner beside the patio door.  He was quite noisy, but Dover doesn't hear well and had her nose pretty close to him before I could grab her up and get us inside.     

He was real clear with his message that he didn't want to be bothered, but obviously didn't see Dover as a threat.   He could have easily struck her and didn't.  A good reminder for us to look first before stepping out the door to the patio. 

Thursday, we had two Bottlebrush trees delivered, planted and staked in the front yard.  I am so excited...it's the first thing we have actually bought and planted in our yard.  

It's not easy to decide what to plant in the yard.  Civano Nursery is awesome.  They advised us and offered several possibilities before we made our choice.  We didn't want anything to block the sky view or anything very dense that we couldn't see thru.    

The window on the left is our kitchen.  Our breakfast table is in front of the window and we enjoy the view.  Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to Bottlebrush trees which bloom spring thru fall.  I have already watched a hummingbird dashing in and out of one of the trees and was surprised to look out the window this morning and see a Gila Woodpecker perched there.  Fingers crossed we made a good choice.  

 And we are hoping next spring there will be lots of blooms.

Friday was a fun day.  We had plans with Randy to go to Gather (the vintage market in Tucson) and afterwards go to BKs for Sonoran dogs.

I love the new location for the market on S. Park Ave.  It's an old part of Tucson with lots of other stores housed in warehouses to meander thru as well.

This month, Gather is beautifully adorned with themed trees, wreaths and swags, vintage decorations, silver and gold glittery trimmings, shiny green and red ornaments, and a kazillion lights of all shapes, sizes and colors from top to bottom and side to side.   

This was the tallest, biggest tree under a canopy and in a rotating stand. 

A gorgeous tree with a crown on top...

Dried oranges and lemons...

It was hard to take it all in on the first walk thru so I walked thru two more times and I am sure I missed lots.  

And lunch was yummy !  Have I ever mentioned that BKs has the best guacamole with chunks of avocados ?  It is almost a meal by itself, but I could never go there and not get a dog. 
 

We made a run to Lowes this week and Saturday morning Joe built a shelf unit for the third and last bedroom closet.  

I painted it Saturday afternoon and by that night it was in place.  This is the guest room closet.  There is no dresser or chest of drawers in the guest room...just a queen bed, two side tables, a chair and Joe's grandmothers wash stand.  So now, company will have a place to put clothes if they choose to do so.

We have enjoyed morning coffee, sunrise and the fire a couple of mornings this week.  

November 10, 6:23 am

November 10, 6:35 am

One morning we were treated to the hoots of owls as they conversed in the field behind our home.  Sometimes they hooted together.  I did read that they perform duets together to reaffirm their bond...so sweet !  Another morning, the coyotes were quite noisy barking and howling. Last week was a full moon and coyotes are often depicted as nocturnal animals that howl at a full moon in literature and movies.  But, they don't really howl at the moon.  It is the moonlight that causes coyotes to communicate by howling...  the more light, the more howling.  Joe and I still get excited when we hear the owls and coyotes in the backyard.  

When we went to Lowes, we also went to Wild Birds for seed. 

 

That's about it for the week.  Joe had two more MOHs surgeries last Tuesday and taking it easy was what the doctor ordered.  I'm looking forward to a hike or two soon.  Until next time,

November 13, 6:55 am

    

HAPPY TRAILS !

Gather

Corona de Tucson 

April 12, 2022

Gather is such a useful word.  We gather information, flowers, ingredients for a recipe...the list is endless.   But the best gathering is with friends and family.    

The first part of the week we had lunch in Green Valley at a favorite Mexican restaurant with Randy and Terri.  And, later in the week the four of us spent a morning perusing a unique and fun vintage marker.    

Gather A Vintage Market is on St Mary's Road in downtown Tucson near Fourth Avenue.  It is only open four days a month.  It is not a consignment shop as the owners buy just about anything vintage/antique and then sell it in one of their several shops.  It's like a little alley of things from days gone by and a walk down memory lane in the middle of downtown Tucson.  I didn't find the night stands I was looking for to use in the guest room, but there was plenty there to catch my eye and it's all very reasonably priced.

Each shop had a theme...baskets, knick-knacks, furniture and accessories, clothes and anything outdoors including doors, windows and shutters.  

Sunday, Randy and Terri hosted lunch at their home.  Stacie, Kevin and their two teenage sons along with Mike (Randy's son) and his wife Cynthia and us all gathered for a wonderful afternoon full of laughter, conversations, and yummy food.  My favorite was Stacie's fruit pizza for desert.  

The rest of the week, Joe and I found ourselves taking our daily walks and puttering around the house.  Thanks to the warmer temps,  we are walking earlier and earlier these days.  

Walking 3 miles at a fast clip for exercise is not always something we look forward to doing, but something we are always glad we complete.  And the earlier in the day it's done, the happier we are.  

  

Saturday, as I was photographing the Great Horned Owl,

Joe was busy transforming Pearl.  Pearl now sports her patriotic summer doors (and new shoes...size 37).  Actually in Tucson, they are more like spring and fall doors...not so good for summers here.  We don't go topless so this is the next best thing and makes for a fun outing...especially those desert drives.

Saguaro NP East is one of my favorite desert drives.

Back at the oasis, it has been windy,  the birds have been thirsty, the peanut butter bites quickly disappear from the feeder and we keep a watchful eye out for Jack.

 

Check out that beak...

and check out those legs.

It was another fun week !  Happy Easter.

And, 

HAPPY TRAILS!