Service Worship

Today was "Service Worship Sunday" at St Andrews.  Maybe four times a year our church for-goes its Sunday morning worship service in the pews and instead goes out into the community and put our faith to work by being the hands of Christ to our city.  There were all kinds of projects going on.  Will and I went to a Gap Ministries apartment complex for vulnerable young adults on Oracle and Grant and did some landscaping work.  They have taken over an old motel, remodeled the rooms into small apartments and needed volunteer help with putting down landscape rock.  So our team of 8 put down plastic, hauled rock in wheelbarrows and cleaned up a portion of the common space.  It was really hard work, we both had aching bones the rest of the day!

Year of the Rooster

Happy Lunar New Year!

Its Chinese New Year, the year of the Rooster!

     We celebrated by going to a play last night at Tucson's Rogue theater with friends. 

It was a great production, we both enjoyed it so much.  It was so well done, costumes, staging, and acting was so creative and amazing.  It was not one bit "hoaky."  It was based on an ancient Chinese tale of a magical white snake that comes down the mountain in the form of a woman to hear the wisdom of humanity and falls in love with a mortal.  Great fun

Should have some good Chinese food now, but think we will wait a week--we will soon be indulging ourselves in some great authentic Asian dishes!!  I do miss those dumplings!

Feels like (sorta) winter

Been making some hanging totems with my version of quails.  My latest.

We drove to Phoenix this week and was such a beautiful drive. The air was so clear after all the rain we have enjoyed and the desert was lush. The Catalina mountains have snow. Pretty from a distance.

The Rillito River is flowing.  It is usually a dry river.
The clouds add so much drama to the view.

We are also experiencing freezing Temps at night. The sun helps but anxious for our usual warm Temps to return.

My favorite visitor

She is at my feeder every day, looks in at me through the kitchen window. The male stops by too, but too buzy chasing everyone else away to linger long.

More January in Tucson

I fired up my kiln this week for first time since we got home. Pretty fun.
Road Runner


My back yard from the patio. Endless cups of coffee consumed out here. My neighbor's cactus is a constant pleasant view in changing conditions.

January in Tucson

Tucson continues to add to and upgrade thier urban bike trails.  We spent Sunday afternoon biking a section that was new to me along Santa Cruz River in Marana.  It was a workout for Mr, however, I think I slowed Will down.