Where I Live...On the Patio

The best suntan I ever indulged was in Tucson in February.  Not an overall tan, unfortunately, as the pool was at our apartment, but deep, smooth, and luscious nonetheless.  No more deliberate tanning after that, though.  I burn too easily.  However, Shirley's patio is where I spent much of my time during my relaxed housesitting.

I did have the onerous task of keeping the plants alive.  Tobey supervised.

Not to worry.  It's metal.

If a lap is not available.....

Hmmmmm.... Do I spot a lap?

Sun lover

I moved the hammock from the side yard, and spent many a non-productive hour on it. Hilarious to watch the dogs try to jump up.

After those onerous hours of hammocking, I would watch the stars while engaging in basking in the jacuzzi.  Shooting stars in the dark Tucson sky brought me deep contentment.

It's real,

Gambel quail would gambol around the patio, but wasn't easy to photograph them from inside the house.

A mild tiff, perhaps?

My Old Stompin' Ground

Casa Grande, Arizona, was the site of my first "adult" job at the brand new replacement public library.  On my way from Tucson to Chandler for a visit with Deb, I took the back road so I could see what CG looks like these days.  It's practically a suburb of Phoenix, complete with every big box store you could never want.  But....

"My" library has been turned into the senior citizens building, while the old city hall is now the library.  Not very inviting. Henry, my old boss, would be horrified.

BUT, my favorite eatery is still just around the corner, the only difference being the drive-thru.  I did my usual walk up, and was elated that the food is still mouth wateringly scrumptious. 

Desert as Yard or Yard as Desert?

Tucson is in the forefront of xeriscaping, a wonderful, if retro by several thousand years, concept.  Shirley, however, has always xeriscaped, and I love its zen calm. Plants around the base of the house add a bit of color, without being gaudy, and more native vegetation blends the property into its desert habitat.

Recently planted, and not native, I take some pride in keeping this bougainvillea thriving in Shirley's absence. (OK, I do see the misplaced modifier, but I'm retired, so what the hell.)

A prickly, and colorful in springtime, welcome to visitors

Barrel...doh.

Prickly pear....beautiful blossom but ouch!

Variety of hedgehog -- the herbivore version

Ocotillio in the spring, before blooming.  Indigenous.  Used for fencing around patios and for animal enclosures.

As with oaks and maples, spring brings green leaves to the ocotillo in Shirley's yard.

Quite the ouchee, if you fall into it.

An agave, perhaps the source of tequila....

Even in the desert, life springs up.  These two little cacti volunteered between the water hose and the house.  I repositioned the hose nozzle for scale.

And yes, green, green, green, even in the desert -- staunch ironwood

Departed -- to the judgment

Departed to the judgment,
A mighty afternoon ;
Great clouds like ushers leaning,
Creation looking on.

The flesh surrendered, cancelled,
The bodiless begun ;
Two worlds, like audiences, disperse
And leave the soul alone.

Emily Dickinson

Tubac was the first European settlement in Arizona, founded in 1752.  Today, it is both a state park and an artists' colony. I began with a visit to a cemetery which both mirrors and reflects the older culture and peoples.

Homage to the University of Arizona, along with a contemporary headstone, and the color of Hispanic culture.

The Virgin, safe from storms, providing her protection and love...

This hand-crafted crucifix is intended to lay horizontal with the earth, rather than rise to the heavens.

From her austere northern room, I wonder what Emily Dickinson would have thought of this brilliant color.

A canopy to protect Jesus who offers solace

Not all is colorful

Nor always marked with other than local stones, placed by non-professional hands....

A small mausoleum

Carefully whitewashed, with a heavy door....

Note the date, and the remnants of the hand-carved crucifix.

Over fourscore years

Marked only by nature

Horses

Even here, a chain link fence encloses...or excludes....

Was it a sad Christmas?

Or a loving celebration of a life that has Departed --