I had my last scheduled Physical Therapy session. They were pleased with my progress and graduated me to contribute strengthening exercises at home for my knee. They were good about encouraging (pushing me) each time to do more. I am not pain free, yet, of course but it's not so limiting anymore. Except, gardening or working in the yard-- can't do the hands-and-knees thing!!

Here's another bright spot in our day. Looked out to see a family of new born Quail under the feeder! 10 or 11 newly hatched and full of life! They obviously had a nest somewhere in our shrubs that we were not even aware of!  Mom and Dad very attentive, and nervous!

And then to top that one, as we are watching the Quail, I notice a pair of Lucy's Warblers darting in and out of a Jasmine vine just off the patio.  Upon closer inspection I spy a nest. I see Lucy's come and go every year but never had one nest in our yard before! They are so elusive-- took a lot of patients to finally get a picture!!

Little drab grey bird with a rusty field mark on top of head--if you are lucky enough to see it. Sweet bird song, and a Southwest specialty!

Arizona Blooming

It all in bloom now! We watch and wait. . .and then it happens. . .seemingly all at once.

Datura

The Saguaro are popping out all over.

My Trichocerius is spectacular

The cholla at it, too

Those nondescript prickly pear put on a great show.

Watching those buds.

Passion Vine

Grand kids

Latest pictures of "the girls!" We gotta do SOMETHING to keep them from growing up so fast!!

Lia is 9, Aeri is 6.

(Soon to be 10 and 7)

My first real hike

We spent the morning in Madera Canyon hiking and birding. We didn't do the upper canyon trails--where we usually end up, but did the lower trails because they were not as strenuous, some are even blacktop. I was so glad to be out there, moving cautiously and slowly--perfect birding pace.  Was windy, unfortunately, but still plenty of birds and budding flora. Canyon is dryer this year than most, but still manage to find things greening up and blooming! Been about a month since my knee surgery and am progressing nicely. 

Love our Acorn woodpeckers. Their face markings give them a clown like appearance which brings a smile.

Mexican Jays

Driest of hillsides produced this blooming beauty.

Mobile Shower for community

"Faith that Works" was able to start up again, our ministry to the homeless in our community, by taking our mobile shower unit to one of the community kitchens, Casa Maria. Been over a year since the pandemic made it unsafe and we had to shut it down. Actually, Gospel Rescue Mission put it to good use during a lot of that time in their permanent location. But now we have it back and with new protocols we were able to do a " first run" yesterday and it all worked fine. Now we just need to recruit volunteers to come back and help do we can get back on a permanent schedule.

Beer making

Will hauled out his beer-making paraphernalia and made a batch of brew. It's been working in my bathroom in the dark for two weeks.

Today was bottling day!

I got to run the bottle capper, which was the fun job. Clever contraption!

Now we wait for 10 days to let it mellow before we taste and see if he did good!

Visitors

This beauty was continually visiting our corner of the campground. An SE Arizona specialty bird, Vermilion Flycatcher.

These great folks came out for an open-house lunch. Gave them "the tour," shared some lunch and laughs. Loved that they all came out to see our new wheels and shared in our fun! There is Susie, Carol, Connie, Andy and Will.

Roadrunners running all sround

Dear friends Pete and Alice brought brats for a potluck dinner. They got the tour too!! A farewell for them also, as they are heading back North for the summer. Hate to see them leave, but we were making plans to meet up in May on our summer voyage.

Oh, and lizards all over!

As dry as it is out there, can still find a tenacious blooming cactus in the Park.

Not many wildflowers this year. Poppies are pretty sparse.

Can still see the effects of last year's big fire in the Catalina's. Going to take decades to recover!

Trial Run

It's maiden voyage! We took the unit out to Catalina State Park on the edge of Tucson, to the campground there for 3 nights. More checking things out, getting use to how everything works, organizing storage. . .and enjoying this beautiful foothills park. The views of the Catalina Mountains is amazing. There is lots of great hiking and birding here too but don't think I will be taking advantage of any but the easiest.

Oh and Doug sent a picture of himself and the girls in front of a spring flowering tree in their yard. Love the picture.

Lia got those ear muffs for Christmas!

3 week check

Here is the x-ray of my new knee. Had my 3 week check with surgeon and he was happy with everything--which means I am happy. Pretty much can do anything pain level tolerates now--except running or jumping or putting undo pressure on knee until healed completely. No plans to run any races, believe me! Even my surgery scar is looking better--although will not show you picture of that--it ain't pretty!

The perfect rock!

There is this very special young lady-- name is Katie--who paints these really wonderful rocks. She gave some to her Grandma Alice who gave some to me. They go perfectly in some ceramic dish gardens I have been making!

Who's afraid of a ceramic lizard!!

Works with real live plants too!! Thanks Katie, they are great! Can't wait until I see your family again in Washington state. Miss you!

Proud owners of new RV

FINALLY got to bring the new RV home!! It's ours now!

Now the fun begins, we get to move in. Which means we have to find new locations for all our stuff, and make some minor modifications. Will is installing a water filter under the sink. Only took two trips to hardware store to get it done.

It's a Coachman, moved on from Winnebago, plus 10 years of new technology to learn how everything works. Only two feet longer than old one but seems to have more storage space and nice living area.

Blessed Easter

My first real "outing" since my knee surgery.  Went to church for a glorious Easter Sunday services. Wonderful to be there and I hobbled in really well. Finally turning corner and although tentative and somewhat painful, I can do pretty much anything I need to. Seems to healing nicely. Did have a moment when I reacted to bandage with itchy skin rash but that is off and cleared up. . . mostly. Still PT and excercises rigorously.

Spent Easter enjoying back yard, watching quail at feeder and taking in sweet fragrance of blossoming Pomelo tree.

George is back for the year. Stays nice and healthy catching bugs on our patio!

Will made a great Easter Breakfast!