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 !

Celebration, Cowboys, and Cactus

Corona de Tucson

November 8, 2022 

The week began with yummy fried fish tacos in Green Valley with Randy on Wednesday.

And someone at the oasis had a birthday dinner...

and celebration this week !  

Our sweet Dover had surgery on Thursday to remove four suspicious growths...one on her upper lip, one on each side of her neck and a bigger one on her back left leg.  We were up and out the door early as she was to be at the vets in Green Valley at 7:30.

 

She has always liked to ride and go wherever we take her.  When it is just the three of us, she likes to sit up front with me so she can see out the big window.  The clouds were dark and rain was in the forecast for the day.

We are hoping for biopsy results by the end of the week.  She is sporting a fancy collar and I am always amazed at what a great little patient Dover is.

Saturday we headed south for 22 miles to Empire Ranch.  You might remember we went to the Cowboy Festival there this time last year.  Getting there is half the fun...Hwy 83 is a designated Arizona Scenic Highway.  

And once there, the wide open space is jaw dropping.

This year's festival had lots more exhibits, presentations, vendors and food trucks.  The proceeds go toward the Empire Ranch Foundation which protects, restores and maintains the historical buildings and landscape at the ranch.  The ranch is and has been a working cattle ranch for over 140 years.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.  Empire Ranch now comprises the 45,000 acre Las Cienega Conservation Area.  

Some of my favorites: 

We watched a lesson to teach a horse how to maneuver a teeter-totter board... the beginning stage of learning how to cross a creek.

Branding skills

The Chuck Box...making biscuits that were cooked in huge black iron skillets with lids over an open wood fire.  They smelled yummy !

 

Charros Modelos de Tucson...

My very first cowboy hat!

And my most favorite, Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary located in Benson.

The weather here has been perfect.  It's chilly in the morning but warms up nicely.  Joe and I always prefer to get up and get going early so its a big adjustment for us to wait until mid-morning to walk or run errands.  Monday was grocery store day and we decided to change the routine just a bit.  Our favorite hiking close to home is Saguaro NP East...and Cactus Forest Trail was calling my name.  Hiking before buying groceries is much more fun !

I can't believe that the last time we did this trail was in August...it was green and the barrel cacti had gorgeous red blooms.  Yesterday was a different picture. 

The grasses were a golden brown with hints of yellow from the flowering broom weed plants.

 

And the barrel cacti were topped with yellow fruit.

I am a fan of all the desert seasons and can't really pick a favorite. I love it every time I go ! 

The mesquite trees had lots of seed pods.

The cholla were glowing.

Tiny little Pincushion cacti growing among dead prickly pear cacti. 

And not forgetting to look up, I noticed this beauty had a flower bud.

Back at the oasis, we have a mystery.  We saw this bird perch in the pine tree beside the cart path a few houses down from us.  I managed to snap a decent photo I could zoom in on.  

Does anyone have an idea what it is?   I have googled, but can't find an ID.  I suspect it might be a juvenile owl...

This little cutie is no mystery...striking a pose for the camera !

We enjoyed a nice sunset...the skies never disappoint !

So that's a wrap...looking forward to another week. Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !