Owl hanging out in our patio roof

A Western Screach Owl hanging out in the rafters of our patio today. Was in and out all day but didn't notice him until late this afternoon. . .don't know what made me look up!  He's just sleeping the daylight away!

The chicken wire is stuffed up there to keep the doves from nesting up there. The owl just tucked himself right up there!

Hiking Sabino

We did the Phone-line trail. It's a favorite. We took the shuttle up the canyon to the end and then hiked back down a great trail that hugs the canyon wall on its gentle descent. This spring the incredible desert bloom has turned the canyon into nature's garden.  And the creek has a lot of water right now which is nice to see.

The Forest Service is putting in a new environmentally friendly shuttle service that will run on natural gas.  In the mean time they have put in an interim bus service to take visitors into the canyon. It's a little chaotic right now and very busy so lines are long. Good thing we got there early and were able to get on the first bus up, but it sold out fast and there were a few disappointed people.

Granddaughter time!!

 Doug and Lia traveled to Beijing China and went to

the Great Wall.  Looks like they had a nice day.  What

a thrill, and I think Lia is old enough that she is going

to remember this!!

 And Tammy sent Aeri's  preschool pictures.  She is growing up!!

She starts kindergarten in the fall.

Happy Birthday, Will

74 years young today!! Calls and balloon bouquet from the kids, cards and well wishes from friends. Out for dinner with me at favorite steak house.  Nice quiet celebration. 

Love you!! Wishes for many more days like today!

Nest

This guy has been trying to build a nest in the rafters of our patio for days! He is so determined. I chase them away and tear the nest down and next day they are right back at it. Do you see that look of defiance! Not giving up. The doves make such a mess, they are not good nest builders--they drop 2 sticks for every one that stays up there. I have wire mesh stuck up on rafters to deter them--they just try to build on top of it.

Air Show

Davis Monthon Airforce Base has an airshow going on this weekend and we were anxious to go. Turned out to be a perfect day as not so blistering hot on the flight line but light winds and sunny. Was interesting seeind all the military planes lined up, many had long lines of people to get a chance to see inside. Air demonstrations and acrobatics great fun.  My hearing may never recover, however, as it these huge planes and fighter jets were extremly loud!  And my legs may never recover as we walked forever from where we had to park to get to entrance.

Hummingbird in Arizona

I really took this picture with my little point and shoot. Can't believe the color I captured. Didn't know Broadbills would have this much color.

Lia and Grandpa

 Will is on his way home.  In flight as I post this.  "Slight" glitch as his flight on Monday was cancelled after being delayed over 3 hours for mechanical difficulties.  Hard to argue with when they are fixing a mechanical problem on a plane you are about to board, however, huge inconvenience.  So he had to book another flight, get his luggage and return to condo.  Apparently they were pretty helpful and gave him cab fare (other's got put up in hotel) but just took a long time.  So he had another day with Lia and Doug.

 grandpa and Lia are a special team

Out for icecream!!

And Will's flight today left on time and he is probably sleeping soundly--or watching a movie--or whatever--its a long flight anyway.  He will be home this evening. Looking forward to having him home.  Both missing Lia, however!

Studio Tour

About 8 of us SACA members drove down to Green Valley to do a studio tour and meet an amazing potter in his totally faboulous desert home.  He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota —name is Curtis Hoard.  Very interesting artist. Now lives and works here in Arizona but has his work in museums and galleries across the US.
  Obviously does well with his craft as his house is lovely, plus his studio is 2000 sq ft!! He does a lot of atmospheric firing and was anxious to show us his new soda fire kiln.  His work very organic, uses a lot of color, mostly hand builds, with a —shall we say, free style.  Very interesting man.

Desert Bloom

Its happening right now.  The desert has exploded with color thanks to a little extra moisture this year. The Mexican Gold Poppies are at thier peak.  I went out to Catalina State Park in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains just outside of Tucson and found a fairy land.

All the rain and snow this year has caused the streams to run freely so I had to get my feet wet to get to the best blooming areas.  Nothing over ankle deep so not a problem.  There were lots of people out hiking and enjoying the phenomenon.  There are plenty of other flowers showing off too and more to come as things like Lupine and Sago just beginning.  Its a photographers delight this year.

Thos brown rocky hillsides are now a riot of color.

Bobcat

Out for a walk late in the day, coming on sunset and spied this Bobcat in the desert near my house. We both stopped dead in our tracks and looked at each other.  Then he just sauntered off into the thicket as though he didn’t have a care in the world.  Made my day. What a beauty.

Empty Bowls to Book Fair

Participated in annual “Empty Bowls” sponsored by local food shelf.  Its an initiative where local potters make and donate bowls and then Interfaith Communiy Services sponsors a day and brings in local restaurants for food tasting, plus there are silent auctions, live music and each ticket holder gets a hand made bowl to take home. Always a big success and great fund raiser for community food shelves.  Here is some of fellow potters who volunteered at event helping people pick out thier favorite bowl. 

The Tucson Book Fair was also this weekend. I wouldn't miss it--although we did last year as we were traveling.  In its 10 year history it has become one of Tucson's premier events. Lots to see, author talks, book vendors, . . .all things BOOKS!

Had a henna drawing done on my arm at the Book Fair. It goes on really dark but the die soon dries and cracks off leaving a warm brown stain that will last 4 or 5 days with care. In India they are called Mehndi. Many of the designs have special meanings but mine was just for fun.