Will is riding RAGBRAI

Will won the Lottery!  Well, the RAGBRAI lottery.  He's one of 8500 bikers that will be riding across Iowa this summer.  The ride begins in Sioux City and ends in Dubuque with nights in Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake, Charles City, and Manchester during the last week of July.  So I guess he is officially in training again.  Now, what can I find to do that week?!?

Surprise

Look what appeared in my cactus garden this morning!  My hand in the pic gives you an idea of how big the bloom is.  Its the size of a luncheon plate. Been watching the bud swell for days and this morning she popped.  Makes me want to just pull up a chair and sit and look at it as it will last one day and then fade away.  BUT there are several buds coming so she will give a show again and again.  Trichocereus if you must know.  I just bought it and added it to my collection this spring so was pretty happy to see it bloom.

The cactus is about 18 inches tall.  Actually looks a little top heavy.

Construction and flowers

Construction progress.  I no longer have a window in my living room, it has been moved to the "new" outside wall; roof is finished; electrical went in today including the ceiling lights; began the outside stucco prep work.  Tomorrow they will close up hole in my living room, and continue outside.  Coming along nicely.

Just when my yard is torn up and a mess with the construction my flowers have decided to put on a show.  My roses are the best right now.  Could be because for once I got out there and fertilized and pruned and gave them extra water when I was suppose to!  But no explanation for my Bougainvillea.  They were one of the things that sold me on this house when we moved here 7 years ago but I was never able to get them to bloom as they did when I first saw them--until this year.  No idea what I might have done differently.  I tried all kinds of things over the years and finally gave up.  I even tore some of them out this winter.  Maybe I was trying too hard.

HarpFusion

Just imagine. . .the sound of 10 harps playing against the backdrop of Tohono Chul Park with the flower gardens in full bloom, add the natural sounds of the park's cardinals and finches and you have a picture that pretty much resembles a dream.  Or a Sunday afternoon concert by HarpFusion.  The ensemble from the University of Arizona featuring Carol McLaughlin and her harp students are a delight.

Crossing Borders, Encountering God

Will and I just spent three days in Phoenix, two of which we attended a conference sponsored by the Presbyterian Church--actually several sponsors, but one was our own Presbytery de Cristo which covers Southeast Arizona, among other faith based organizations, including Christian organizations from Mexico.  We came together to learn about Immigration and issues of living on the border.  I leaned a whole lot.  It is such a fire-storm issue here in Arizona and I just wanted to understand.  There is so much anger and ranting it is hard to know what is true.  I got a lot of questions answered but as usual it generated a lot more.  It is not an easy issue but it is undeniable that our immigration policies are flawed, if not broken and there is heart ache and injustice on both sides--of the border, and both sides of the issue. 

  Will wanted to go to learn more about issues pertaining to the Refugee community.  St Andrews is becoming more and more involved in that ministry here in Tucson and we need all the resources we can gather.  We both came away inspired and challenged.  How do we respond to the realities of the borders not in fear but in faith.

new addition

Its beginning to look like a real construction site.  Floor and footings poured, framing has begun and we have a big dumpster in the front yard.  Coming along nicely.

Aravaipa Canyon hike

We hiked Aravaipa Canyon yesterday.  Has gotten to be an annual event.  This time we were able to introduce Aravaipa to Judy and new friends, Vince and Carol.  Jim and Wayne and Will and I had gone about this time last year and were anxious to do it again.  Was a grand, sunny day for a hike/slog up the canyon.  There is no way to avoid getting your feet wet on this trek as the trail alternatly disappears in the waters of Aravaipa Creek or in the tangle of underbrush along the creek.  Much of the time it is just easier to tramp through the cool, rushing, mostly ankle high water.  We got great views of the nesting Black Hawks in one of the few remaining breeding canyons in Arizona.  A pair soared overhead throughout the day for easy identification and we are pretty sure we spotted the nest.

We had to stop periodically to dump the sand and stones out of our shoes!

You'd think you were in Utah instead of southeast Arizona!

Easter

      Was a wonderfully, perfect Easter Sunday.  Began with an amazing, worshipful service at church.  He is risen, indeed!!  Stayed around afterwards for a yummy breakfast.  Then it was just Will and I to relax and enjoy the day.  Nice long phone call from kids in Shanghai.  In the afternoon we did a round of golf at a local course.  We hadn't been out together golfing for just ages.  I even had a few dynamite hits--just a few.  I don't keep score so I can only remember the good shots.

      And the day finished with another one of those amazing Arizona sunsets!

Quail Nest

Exciting find! A mommie Gamble Quail is tending a nest with 20 eggs in our front court yard under my yellow jasmine.  I got too close today and flushed her off the nest--I had no idea it was there.  She is going to have quite a brood, I hope they all make it.  I will be watching--from afar!

Construction begins

Construction began this morning on our addition.  Noisy first day as they tore half of the patio structure away, tore stucco siding off the exterior walls and ripped out the brick floor to make way for a new 14 x 14 studio/hobby room for Will and I to play in.