Butterflies !

Corona de Tucson

November 21, 2021

The biggest news of the past few weeks has been the weather.   Wonderful, awesome and fantastic are descriptors that pop to the top of the list at the moment.   And to say, "I can't remember the last time the AC ran." is music to my ears !

Early morning, 

The sky in Arizona is definitely a thing of beauty.  Just about any time of the day if you look up, you best have your phone in hand.

...mid-day, 

or dusk...

I realized this morning it has been two weeks since the last post.  All Joe's stitches came out on the 15th, but there was a slight issue with the leg.  It seems there was a reaction to the stitches and the incision didn't heal in the center.  The stitches were replaced with skin closure strips and we had orders to take it easy for another week.  So, we did !  I am happy to report his leg is still somewhat red, but healed.  

During all the "taking it easy time", Joe finished two frames and mattes for prints we bought.

First is a print we purchased when we were in Moab last June. I love kokopelli art (especially the flautist) and couldn't resist this watercolor by a local Moab artist. 

We hung this print in the MH. 

The second print was purchased at the Gallery in the Sun.  It's a copy of DeGrazia's watercolor titled "With Love and Thorns".

Just a little piece of Tucson to enjoy in our home.  

 The glare sure makes it hard to take photos of art pieces.

Joe and I have meandered through Tucson Botanical Gardens several times. The last time we were there was in February 2019 with Sue and Dave.  It's the featured post (top right side bar) if you want to check it out.  We sure had a great time !  Or if you want more history about the Gardens, type Tucson Botanical Gardens in the search bar and a post with the same name from March 2016 shares how this beautiful property became a Tucson landmark.   TBG is on the same street as the dermatologist.  After Joe had stitches removed, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll thru this urban oasis.  The  "Butterfly Magic" exhibit, which features butterflies from around the world, returned after a year and a half break due to Covid.  This will be the exhibits 18th season as "Tucson's one and only indoor rainforest oasis".  

In mid-September, a shipment of 250 butterfly pupae arrived at TBG. The Chrysalis Exhibit, where you can watch the butterflies emerging, is the first stop.  

Our timing was perfect...we watched in awe as this butterfly emerged.  The butterflies are carefully placed in a plexiglass box with lid and carried to the "rainforest oasis".  The box is opened, the wings dry and the butterflies fly.
 

The rules to enter the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion must be observed...no open pockets (even the zipper on my handbag had to be checked), watch where you step, and wait to be checked before you exit so no butterflies exit with you.  Also, the monitor regulates the number of people in the pavilion...even when it's not Covid.

This butterfly is sitting on the box that brought it to the pavilion.  

Operating hours for the butterfly exhibit are 9:30 to 3:00 daily until the end of May 2022.  It really is beautiful !

Even after all the visits we have made...this just never disappoints !

"Seeing the Invisible" is another exhibit featured at TBG until the end of August.  This is one of only 12 participating gardens on the planet participating in the exhibit which features 13 artists from all over the world.   "The most ambitious and expansive exhibition to date of contemporary artworks created with augmented reality (AR) technology" allows visitors to download an app on their smartphone or tablet to link between botanical gardens located in "diverse biomes" around the world.   AR is a real-time interactive experience of a real-world environment that involves overlaying a combination of visual, auditory and/or other sensory information onto the physical world around you.  Impressive ! 

  

Direct your device to the area and GPS picks up a signal.  Press on the dot on the device screen and an amazing piece of art is viewed right where you are...you see the art in your surroundings.

Our time ran short so we barely scratched the surface of this amazing and virtual exhibit.  There is a way to photograph the art as you see it, but I didn't exactly master that...yet !  The app also shares information about the artist and the piece of art.  It's kinda like being in your very own futuristic movie ! 

Taking it easy time always involves the patio, backyard and beyond. We do this on a regular daily basis even when it is not doctors orders ! Our yard is really very small !  And the beyond is really nice !   

We always hear the Gila before we see them...such noisy, but handsome birds !

The bush on the other side of our fence provides a safe spot.

I love the eyebrows too Sue !

  

I almost forgot...Jack got a haircut !  He sure grabs my heart strings and he's just so dang cute.  It's hard to believe he is somewhere between 13 and 14 years old.

That wraps up the best of the past couple of weeks.  I REALLY hope the next post has some desert time photos...that means we had an adventure to share.

Until next time...

 

Happy Thanksgiving

and HAPPY TRAILS !

It's a Birthday !

Corona de Tucson

November 6, 2021

Joe had a birthday...we had a party !  Just the two of us with truffle cake and ice cream !

The rest of his week was not so much fun. Joe had 4 more MOHs surgeries...one on his shin (half way between his knee and ankle) and the other three on his neck.  

We've had to take a hiatus from morning walks and desert hikes.

All stitches come out on the 15th.  We can't wait !

This morning we drove about 20 miles south to Empire Ranch.  It's a historic ranch established in the 1860s as a homestead ranch of 160 acres.  We first visited the ranch site, located in the Las Cienegas Conservation Area, back in March 2017.  If you are interested in the history, you can read about it in the blog I wrote then...just click on the Featured Post - top right side bar.  Today's visit was all about cowboys and celebrating Arizona's western history and culture.

It's also an effort by the BLM and the ranch foundation to raise money to support the preservation of the ranch for future generations.  

The "main event" in the arena while we were there was a demonstration of how the Arizona Correctional Industries and the BLM, are working together to provide inmates with hands-on-training to care and train animals.  It also trains the wild horses and burrows that have "never been touched by human hands" to be working animals so that they can be adopted into a forever home.  It's a program called WHIP...Wild Horse Inmate Program.  A state of the art facility in Florence, AZ employs a staff of professional horse trainers and at any given time there are up to 30 wild horses and 20 wild burrows being trained.

As with most festivals, there were a variety of vendors. 

Maybe you are in the market to be personally fitted for a pair of handmade boots, about $800...

...or maybe a pair of slightly used, worn just enough to be comfortable pair of boots is what you need, best price offered accepted. 

There was fun music, BBQ, cowboy hats, a silversmith, a leatherworker, a potter, and little cowboys in training.   

And yes, I was all smiles... 

...even though I haven't found "just the right cowgirl hat" for me...yet.  

What a fun goal to have !

Back at the oasis, Jack has enjoyed the sunshine,

Sally and I have enjoyed the sunrise,

Joe enjoyed birthday cake,

and Dover sits close by.

That's a wrap.   So until next time, enjoy the day and...

HAPPY TRAILS !