This is what Will and Doug have been doing this week. Actually the movers were there today and they did the actual packing, but the guys  have sorted, tossed, took apart, recycled, took stuff away, and then did some more to get ready for movers. 

They had a bunch of stuff they wanted to take to Salvation Army. But when Doug called to make arrangements they found out that SA is NOT presently taking donations!!  What!! Well, it's Chinese New Year and traditionally this is when Asians clean be out thier homes. Part of the getting rid of the "old" before the "new" year!  Salvation Army out of room right now!

They have even been cooking. Gotta clean out cupboards and fridge.

Clay Day with 4th graders

I took some clay into Mrs Ferrell's 4th grade class for an art experience.  We made simple pinch pots and then turned them into "animals.". They were learning the properties of clay, basics like Slip and Score, hand building--and the creativity flowed!

I learned real quick that it's hard to stay a a step ahead of 4th graders. They are a hoot, we both had a lot of fun! 

So I brought all 28 projects home--did a little bit of repair for those that didn't exactly listen to directions. Will bisque fire them and bring them back next week so they can glaze them.

Kiln Opening

"Empty Bowls" is coming up so have been concentrating on making some interesting bowls to donate.  These came out of kiln this morning.

This one made me grimace--cracked in the firing.  Happens. 

This one worked

Happy Lunar New Year!!

Today is Chinese New Year! Well, depending on where you are in the world it is either the day or start of long holiday!

Will is celebrating in Singapore with Doug. He went out for 10 days to help Doug pack up and make the big move back to US. His CEO-of-Crystal -Jade-Holdings job came to an end Jan 17. Movers coming on Tuesday to pack up put it all on a container bound for New Jersey.

I celebrated by myself today with a very pleasant massage!

Day out to see the Cranes

Made a day of it and drove to White Water Draw to see the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that winter here in the Sulpher Springs Valley near Bisbee, Az.  We try to go at least once a year, but think we missed last year so has been a while. It is always a thrilling sight to see the sky fill with these gracefully visitors.

We like to get to the wetland by about 10:30am as that is about time the birds come back in mass from thier morning forage in the farm fields north in the valley. By noon, thousands and thousands of Cranes have settled down along the waters  edge to rest and recoup. And chatter!! They are so loud, can't help wonder what in the world they are discussing with thier friends!

Lots of water at White Water this year.  Most I have ever seen, actually. Thanks to lots of nice rains this winter. However, we couldn't get as close to cranes this year because of it so our birding scope was most helpful.

Went on to Bisbee for a couple of hours to walk around and have a cappuccino. Bisbee is booming this time of year and a fun place to hang out. We noticed several new shops, restaurants, galleries that we were pretty sure we had not seen before.

Sunset Rainbow

It's Raining today in Tucson. Was kind of a nasty day. . .until sunset when the sun peaked out in the west just long enough to light up the sky in a fantastic sunset.

And then we looked out the front door and there was a full rainbow!!

The most amazing sky ever!!

Dunn's River and Bob Marley

The thing every tourist has to do in Jamaica is walk up Dunn's River Falls. A guide takes you up, maybe 20 people at a time and leads you up the face of the falls. Takes about an hour and you stop and slide and jump in pools along the way. Great fun. I made it to the top--only because our guide pulled us out of line, put us first and then held my hand all the way up. Age has its benefits!!--I don't think he thought we could do it and truly I would have bailed if he hadn't helped me.

Next stop was "Nine Mile," the birthplace and mausoleum of Jamaican national hero, Bob Marley. Is up in mountains, so quite an interesting tour van ride up there. Is kind of like going to Graceland, Elvis's home in Tennessee. Bob Marley is truly revered

Caught Will in the mirror. Bob M. was born in this room.

His burial cript is inside this building. He died way too young at age 36 of melanoma in 1981.

An artist interpretation of Bob Marley and his beloved mother.

Showers moving through this morning at breakfast. Full rainbow.

YeaMon!

Breakfast overlooking the beach

Unfortunately, it has been extremely windy since we got here which pretty much limits water and beach activities. Watching the monster waves crashing is pretty interesting. Pool and hot tub make a nice alternative.

We took a raft trip down the Martha Brea River. Just relax as we are "poled" down the lazy river.

Jerk Chicken, island style. We just said no-thank-you to the extra jerk (very hot) sauce and it was delicious.

A crab hesitated before he scrambled away down the beach.

Almost full moon through the clouds  over the resort.

View from our balcony which is perfectly protected from the wind.

Lobster--gotta have it in Jamaica.

View of island from along the road to Kingston. Steph actually shared this picture as we did not make it to Kingston. We stayed on the North and Northeast coasts.

Nigril to Montego Bay

The whole gang gathered for a group photo before we packed up and left the Villa. Really nice time together, decided we needed to repeat this in 2021. Doug and Tammy and girls to airport for flight back to New Jersey, Ivan and Dionne staying in Jamaica one more day, Steph and Reynard headed to Kingston to bring parents home and stay a few more days. We moved to another resort--Melia Bravo Village--on the Northeast coast for 5 more days of sun and surf by ourselves. 

A nice place, comfy room, several restaurants on the property and we plan to try them all. 

Missing everybody already.

Cliff divers and farm-to-table

Rick's Cafe is THE tourist place to go to watch local cliff divers dive into the water from this ridiculous height.  Or you can have a few drinks to get brave and plunge into the water yourself from a bit lower start. 

Rick's is a loud bar and grill where you can have fun doing the Macarana. . .

And hang around for the sunset.

Today Dionne drove the big van and we all went to a Jamaican organic farm for a tour and farm-to-table lunch.  My hat is off to Dionne for making quick work of these Jamaican roads!

14 acres of all kinds of tropical fruits and vegetables including these delicious little honey bananas. 

Then we were treated to a gormet lunch featuring products from the farm. Our cook prepared it in front of us as she described all the various crops they grow and how to use them.