Sonoran Dogs

Corona de Tucson 

July 9, 2021

I'll get the ranting out of the way first.  To say I am totally frustrated with blogger would be an understatement.  I innocently tried to change the Header photo and hours later still can't figure out how to fix it.  I have changed the Header picture too many times to count since beginning this blog in 2012, but now with the changes they made in coding it is next to impossible for someone with little knowledge as to what HTML, HTTP, HTTPS, etc. is to do anything.  Gadgets are locked and the information on codes never match.  So, here I am with no Header !!!  

Joe and I both had dermatologist check-ups this week.  I had a place on the side of my face that was frozen last fall and it came back.  Never a good thing for that to happen.  It was biopsied.  Joe also had a place on his nose that needed checking.  Poor Joe just can't seem to catch a break.  After the exam he looked like one of those dot-to-dot puzzles.  Several spots were frozen and six biopsies were taken.  

He needed three more biopsies done, but six is the limit for one visit.  We both wait for results.  I'm not so worried about me, but I dread it for Joe to have more MOHs surgeries.  I have lost count.   Positive vibes please !

Ever heard of a Sonoran Hot Dog?  Simply put, it is a grilled bacon wrapped hot dog topped with beans, green chile, tomatoes, grilled and raw onions, mustard and mayonnaise.  All of that yummy goodness is stuffed into a split-on-the-top soft and sweet roll called a bolillo (boo-lee-yoh) and served with a roasted pepper.   

Back in May we indulged in one of these savory delights at El Guero Canelo.  

The owner,  Daniel Contreras, began selling Sonoran Dogs from his cart in 1993. 

In 1994, another vendor Benjamin Galaz and his wife started selling their dogs from a cart.  As the story goes,  at one point the two vendors were only a few feet from each other selling dogs in South Tucson. They became friends, but the friendship soured and a rivalry began when they opened their first restaurants across the street from each other (located on 12th Street - known to locals as Eat Street).   Today, Contreras owns three El Guero Canelo restaurants and Galaz owns two BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs restaurants.  The scrumptious Tucson dog definitely has a following.

So, after the dermatologist and a haircut for me, guess where we headed for lunch.  Yep, BKS for a Sonoran dog and to decide for ourselves which dog is our favorite.

I decided on BKs only because the bacon was crispy. Other than that, we couldn't tell any difference.  But don't ask us.  The Travel Channel's Food Wars visited Tucson in 2010 to settle the battle and El Guero's won. You will just have to decide for yourself !    

 

Most mornings Joe and I are up and out the door by 5:30 for a walk.  Santa Rita Golf Course located in Corona de Tucson opened in 1976.  It was an 18 hole course on approximately 116 acres.  Our home was built in 2004 on a fairway...I don't know which one.  In 2011,  the golf course was put up for sale and never purchased as a golf course.  Over time, different people bought up a few acres for private homes.  As a result, we can enjoy what seems like endless miles of tarmac and desert landscape for walking.  After a bit of research, I found out that Tin Cup, a great movie with Kevin Costner and Rene Russo, was in part filmed here.  Thats pretty cool !  

There are reminders of days gone by here and there, but mostly the desert and its wildlife call it home now and so do we !

We see coyotes from time to time.  

Some morning we just sit and enjoy the show...

   So until next time, enjoy the day and...

 HAPPY TRAILS !

It Rained !

Corona de Tucson

July 5, 2021

We have had rain showers skirt all around us for the past few days.  We welcomed a few drops here and there, but Saturday evening around 5:00 it began to rain and it was still raining at 6:00.  What a joyous time...the sounds of thunder rumbling in the distance, the sweet smell of the wet earth, the breeze on our faces and arms, and splashes in the birdbath all excited our senses as we sat on the patio in awe.  Jack was so funny as he walked to the edge of the patio and stretched his neck out to smell the air.  We are sure he was thinking "What is this phenomenon? " Yes, our pups are geniuses...well maybe Sally not so much, but the girl has a lot of common sense to make up for it. 

Jack standing on his hind legs smelling the air. 

I enjoyed capturing a few photos...

I love it when they visit together.

At night we can see the lights of the city waaayyyy off to the northwest.  It's a very thin row of colors and brightness across the horizon.  Friday night as we were sitting outside and waiting on the pups we saw fireworks.  It was a nice surprise and so pretty.   

During coffee yesterday I spotted a glow at the hummingbird feeder.  It wasn't the usual purple glow, but was a reddish orange glow.  We now have a Rufus Hummingbird visiting the feeder !

He is a beauty...his cinnamon color glows as he darts around the yard and feeder.  

When we were driving just north of Phoenix on our way home from Moab, the saguaros were dotted with lots of red color.  When the flowers have been pollinated they mature into bright red fruit.  When the fruit ripens, it splits open showing juicy red pulp. We have seen the fruit before it ripens, but had never seen it after it ripens.  

I captured this saguaro last week on one of our early morning walks.  Each fruit can contain up to 2000 small black seeds.  

This photo, taken in February '21, brings back lots of feelings...mostly excitement with some dread also thrown in.  The ceilings, walls and doors and trim in our home were all freshly painted with an off-white flat base paint.  Did we need to paint ? No. But did I want to paint ? Yes. 

We like a warmer color on the walls with a contrast for the doors, trim and ceiling.  I also prefer an eggshell base for the walls and a semi-gloss base for the trim and doors.  Thank goodness the ceilings were good to go.  The door hardware was shiny brass.  We needed a more "westerny" look with aged bronze so along with 12 gallons of paint we added new hardware for the 10 interior doors and 2 exterior doors.  

I painted the foyer first.  I am always a little nervous until I actually see the color on the walls and this was the smallest space to complete.  

All the interior walls are painted the same color which has a way of "changing" depending on the light source and shadows.  And the door hardware added just the touch we had hoped it would.  AND I am very happy all the painting is done ! 

  

So until next time, enjoy the day...

The early morning glow...photo taken today.

HAPPY TRAILS !