Quail babies visit our feeder

Cereus Cactus in bloom

Back in Tucson in time to see my "new" cactus bloom!!  It is stunning--so pleased that it waited for me to come home before opening!!

There's another bud opening soon.

My "old" one also opened today. Only one blossom this year for whatever reason.

My Bougainvillea is outdoing itself this year.

And Sugharos coming into peak bloom!

Behind a blooming Ironwood.

our time in New Jersey

 Jay came all the way from Washington State to see Aeri and hang out with his nephew. . .and brother! So fun.

 One day Will and I drove to New York State (They live only about 5 miles from New York/New Jersey State line) for lunch at the "76 House", a Revolutionary War era Inn that has a lot of history of George Washington/ Benedict Arnold.

 In the Inn there is a replica picture of Benedict Arnold turned upside down

 Story is that G. Washington turned it upside down when he realized his friend had betrayed him?

Always was a huge Dutch settlement here, hence the Dutch Reformed Church and cemetery with its own history 

Oldest grave marker I have ever seen

 This person died on 1767!!

Ahh, Boba!! Since we are up early every morning, it got to be our job to take the dog out.

Will did a stained glass piece for each of the girls--this is Lia's.

We ate a lot of great food this week. Tammy made Bulgogi for us for lunch 

 Time to return to Tucson. Missing everyone already!

Ragtime!!

 We are in our seats waiting for the Sunday Matinee to begin. Ragtime!! Sold out crowd most everyday. Doing really well on Broadway. And today (and yesterday) Aeri stepped out of understudy and into the role of "little girl" -- playing the part of poor immigrant child who comes to America and struggles and succeeds in  early 20th century. 

 now doesn't she look the part of poor immigrant child with her father--she was marvelous. Now, I know I might be biased, being her grandmother but truly she did a wonderful job.

 The whole cast was amazing, very emotional story, a stunning musical, very timely theme, great experience at the Lincoln Theater.

 Curtain call

Aeri greeting her fans!

A week in New Jersey, day in New York City

Flew to New Jersey to spend some time with Doug, Tammy and the girls. Beautiful time of year to be here as all the flowering trees are blooming plus the spring flowers are putting on a show in their neighborhood in Haworth.

Didn't take long to dig into jobs that Will can assist Doug with!  They seem to have fun working together.

Another sign of spring--a bunch of deer in the wetland next to their house. This is why gardening is such a  futile effort!

An afternoon in New York city--We needed to take our resident actress, Aeri in to Lincoln Center for her daily understudy stint and then waited for her enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.

A walk in Central Park

Relaxing on "The Lawn" at Lincoln Center.

Garrison

Garrison Keeler was in town for a one night appearance at the Rialto theater and we had to get tickets as soon as they were available. It was a night of total nostalgia--for him. . .and for us.  We were big fans of his radio show and personal appearances in Minnesota maybe 25 years ago!  I thought he retired long ago but apparently still writing and does limited appearances with his iconic music accompanist, Rich Dowarski.

He's 83 years old, and tru to form, he played up his age--and the obvious age of most of the audience with his home spun, slightly sarcastic, poetic humor and story telling and surprisingly adept song. Lots of laughs, good time.

Aeri in "Ragtime"

Two screen shots of granddaughter, Aeri's Instagram account. Tonight she gets to be really on stage!! She has been understudy for the role for months--tonight she gets a chance to shine!! Wish I could have been there!

  But we will get to see her on stage again in a couple weeks. She gets another chance for 4 performances in "Ragtime"--and we are going out to New York to see her!! Plus of course, time with Doug and Tammy too.

Thursday stuff

Thursday morning hike up Picture Rocks Wash. 

Spied the first Saguaro bloom! That's a month early!!  

Very cooperative Black Chinned Sparrow. 

Caught the sunset at the perfect moment. Five minutes later it was all grey!

New cactus in my collection 

Woke up to this guy blooming! Three different species in one pot and two bloomed at the same time!