28 February 2018

A Cool Commute!

 

I happened to catch a glimpse of one of my neighbors landing his paraglider in a common area. WOW! Fun! 

27 February 2018

Snow everywhere but here!

You may not know this bit of Tucson Trivia.... Tucson's Mt Lemmon is the southern-most ski resort in the U.S. Yes! Tucson DOES get snow enough to enjoy skiing - but not this year. Here is the full story on this year's "Non-Ski-Season" at Ski Valley. 
Story and Photo courtesy of Doug Kreutz. 

26 February 2018

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Well, for starters, is isn't Tucson! My friend Kate was planning a Tucson visit for February and March and had to cancel the trip. This is the view from her house in Minnesota! Brrrrrrr! Actually, it has been cold again in Tucson (down into the 30's at night) but we don't have to shovel snow! Hope that spring will come soon for you, Kate!  (:
Photo courtesy of Kate Mura. 

24 February 2018

Get Your Rodeo On!

This is the last Rodeo weekend in Tucson for the year! For the schedule of all events and times, click here. This is quite a spectacle in Tucson. The first rodeo was held in 1925 and it remains a very popular event drawing thousands of visitors each day to watch the best rodeo cowboys in the world compete. 

23 February 2018

Tucson Food Friday ~


Lamb is a very popular entree for the traditional Easter holiday meal and here is a version that you might want to try. This recipe was created by the Chef de Cuisine at Maynard's, one of Tucson's favorite restaurants. Enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Susan Dodson, LONG Realty. 

22 February 2018

Green Burritos - Throwback Thursday

22 FEBRUARY 2012

Grass wraps ~

THEN: Yesterday I gave you a tip how to instantly brighten up your patio. Today's gardening hint is: take shortcuts. Instead of sowing grass seed and coaxing it to grow, buy an instant lawn with a sod roll up. Easy, yes?
NOW: Still a great shortcut idea but probably not so wonderful for the Southwest unless you can use reclaimed water to keep your lawn irrigated. 

21 February 2018

Some Fun Word Play!

Here's a fun sign from a business on 22nd Street near Sarnoff. Ole!!
Photo courtesy of David Aber. 

20 February 2018

The tail end of the story ~



In 2005 a mighty tile rattlesnake was created to sit on the median at Wrightstown Road at Pantano Road. The snake could not withstand the stresses of weather and traffic and over time it eroded until just the lonely head was left. Happily, a group of students was charged with restoring the snake and he is back to his original 64-foot glory. In fact, he's probably better than ever! And here is a link that shows the reconstruction of this mighty rattler. 

19 February 2018

Bobcat Bed ~

Well just make yourself right at home, Mr Bobcat! This bobcat is enjoying a nice snooze on a Tucson patio table. Yep, just stay there as long as you like....
Photo courtesy of Bill Morrow. 

18 February 2018

Tucson's Spiritual Lore ~



The story is that as Felix Lucero lay critically injured on a battlefield he made a deal with God that if he was permitted to live he would dedicate himself to creating Christian art. Tucson's Garden of Gethsemane is the result of his pact with the Almighty. Here's more info about this small public park if you would like to read more about this unusual sculpture garden.
Photos courtesy of Susan Dodson. 

17 February 2018

Tucson a desert? Not right now!

We have been having rain - a LOT of rain in the last few days. Here is a backyard rain gauge from north of Tucson that shows 3" of rain! It is wet!
Photo courtesy of Dawn Caffall. 

16 February 2018

Tucson Garden Thief!

So here is a woodpecker determined to get at the hummingbird nectar. Sometimes they contort themselves and hang upside down trying to figure it out. What annoys me most is that they scare away the beautiful hummers in their attempt at stealing the sugar water. And these woodpeckers are NOISY!
Photo courtesy of George Goldman.

15 February 2018

Gone Giraffe!

15 FEBRUARY 2012


Another naming opportunity ~

THEN:
In addition to the fine rooster posted on Monday, Phil at Copper Country Antiques has also added this patriotic giraffe to his menagerie. This tall one is also currently without a proper moniker. Ideas, anyone? Red, white, & blue - how about SAM?
www.coppercountryantiques.com
NOW: Sadly, Copper Country Antiques and its wonderful shops and cafe and kooky animals are all gone now. The business closed in January of 2016 and the building remains vacant. Here's the news story with more details.  

14 February 2018

The Annual Day of Romance ~

If you are in love, have ever been in love, would like to be in love, or think that a day devoted to chocolate is wonderful, today is your day! Happy Valentine's Day and wishing everyone a sweet day. Hugs and kisses all around! 

13 February 2018

Tucson Trivia - When Sentinel Peak changed names ~

Spurred by team spirit after a win over Pomona College in 1914 it was decided to turn Sentinel Peak into "A" Mountain. And thanks to students who used horse drawn wagons to haul water and mortar to the site, the "A" was built. Work was completed in 1916. The "A" is painted with UA colors (red and blue) and occasionally students from rival Arizona State University put their own colors on it in a clandestine night operation! 
The image is from a postcard of Tucson, circa 1930's.

12 February 2018

A Tucson icon ~

For decades kids have been wondering, "How did they get that wagon up there?" when gazing at the covered wagon that is perched way above Tanque Verde Road. If you are looking for Trail Dust Town you really CAN'T miss this signpost! Fun! 

11 February 2018

And now...listening saguaros!

 As a companion photo to yesterday's disguised cell tower tree, here is a group of real and fake saguaros on Houghton Road adjacent to Tucson McGraw's. Can you pick which ones are real and which ones are the towers?
Photo courtesy of David Aber. 

10 February 2018

A Listening Tree ~

This tree is on Tanque Verde near the China Bamboo restaurant. What's cool about this tree is that it isn't a tree at all - it is another VERY cleverly disguised cell tower. The technology for building towers that blend into the landscape is getting better all the time! We have palm trees and saguaros all around town that are functioning cell towers. So nice to keep the landscape looking "real" don't you think?
Photo courtesy of David Aber.

09 February 2018

Gem-studded Wings ~

The Gem Show is only here for a few more days so I thought I would post another beautiful image of the treasures that await you! These amethyst "wiings" are so totally gorgeous! WOW! Absolutely amazing.
Photo courtesy of Susan Dodson.

08 February 2018

Tucson Throwback Thursday ~

08 FEBRUARY 2015

Tucson is still wild ~

THEN:
In my neighborhood we have a couple of herds of javelina and coyotes but I have never seen a deer. My friend, however, sees deer frequently up in Oro Valley. Here's one in the backyard!
NOW:
Some things stay the same - her part of Tucson is still wild! 
Photo courtesy of Susan Dodson. 

07 February 2018

Flower Power ~

What a festive car with flowers decorating the roof! Fun! Makes you think that spring is just around the corner, right?  (:

06 February 2018

Behind the scenes ~

Here's a peek at some of the non-jewelry items that you can purchase at Tucson's world-famous Gem & Mineral Show. Impressive! Have you been there this year? What did you buy?
Photo courtesy of Susan Dodson.

05 February 2018

And you thought you had seen it all....

Yes, we all call it "The Gem Show" for short but it's the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and you can find a whole lot more than turquoise necklaces there! Check out these great finds from sea bed and cliff excavations - the remains of ancient sea creatures. Fabulous!
Photo courtesy of Susan Dodson.

04 February 2018

Past and Present ~

Walking around through Tucson's old Barrio district you encounter a constant interplay of old and new. Here at the corner of Simpson and Convent is a building that still displays old Spanish signage from long ago. 

03 February 2018

One helluva party!

Check out these owls! One is asleep and one has a serious care of red eye! Must have been a great party last night!
Photo courtesy of George Goldman.

02 February 2018

Magical Moon ~

This has to be one of the most gorgeous images of Tucson's sky I have ever seen! The cobalt blue sky is a stunning background to the pinkish coral full moon. Wow! 
Photo courtesy of George Goldman.  

01 February 2018

Throwback Thursday ~Tucson is a Tent City again!

01 FEBRUARY 2011

Tucson's tent city ~

THEN:
For the next few weeks parts of Tucson will be looking like a tent city as the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show moves into town. Many locations all over town make this show accessible to just about anyone. Vendors are set up in hotels, at the Convention Center, and in tents selling gems, minerals, jewelry making supplies, American Indian items and more. Click this handy link to read all about it here.
NOW: Exactly the same! The Gem Show attracts visitors from all over the world and there are tents, booths, and hotel lobbies FILLED with gorgeous specimens now through February 11. For this year's info, click here.