Shrine Dedicated to a Sinner ~

Tucson's El Tiradito Shrine (The Wishing Shrine) is part of the Turquoise Trail walking tour. This little shrine is dedicated to a young man who was killed by an enraged husband when he found him in bed with his wife. The young man was having an affair with his mother in law. As a result of his murder, the mother in law (his lover) and her daughter (his wife) both committed suicide. Interesting piece of Tucson trivia, yes?

The Wall Comes to AZ - Today through Sunday

Our site sponsor, SUsan Dodson, shared this information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall coming to Tucson. You can visit this replica of The Wall starting today through Sunday at the Riverfront Park in Oro Valley. 

Throwback Thursday - 7 years ago today in Tucson

09 NOVEMBER 2010

Tucson's Fantastic Day of the Dead Parade

THEN:

Each year Tucson hosts a fun, creative, and amazing event - the All Souls Procession. People gather to honor departed loved ones and to revel in extraordinary costumes. The procession extends for miles and culminates in a spectacular finale with fire & flames. 

Photos courtesy of Chance Agrella.

http://www.allsoulsprocession.org

NOW: 

The Festival is celebrating its 28th year! WOW! Stay tuned for tomorrow's posting of two participants from the 2017 celebration. 

Tucson Procession of Love and Remembrance ~

Many participants carry photos of their departed loved ones during Tucson's annual All Souls Procession. And many participants wear "sugar skull" designs on their faces. Here are some photos from Sunday night's magnificent procession/parade.

Photos courtesy of Susan Dodson and Victoria Klocko. 

Send your message to the universe ~

The culmination of Tucson's All Souls Procession (aka Day of the Dead Parade) is the burning of the contents of the giant urn. Messages, hopes, wishes, and prayers are placed into the urn and are burned in a powerful ritual ceremony. If you would like to participate by submitting a message for 2017 (even if you can not attend the event), you can click here for the official form.

Photo courtesy of AllSoulsProcession.org

Tonight's Extravaganza!

If you have never been to Tucson's All Souls' Procession (a.k.a. Day of the Dead Parade), here is a peek of what might be in store for you tonight. Here is the link that tells you what is happening and where.
Photo courtesy of Mark Wight. 

Fifteen Years Later ~ A Day of Remembrance

NYC Ghost Bike ~

I hope that you enjoyed the historic Tucson tour that I posted while I was on vacation! Every year I go back to NYC to enjoy friends, theatre, museums, and really good food. I have seen Ghost Bikes around Tucson and have posted several photos of the ones I spotted in the area. Imagine my surprise when I saw this Ghost Bike on NY's 5th Avenue near the Metropolitan Museum! Click here to read about this story. 

Worth the Wait ~

Three years ago I planted this rose bush to honor my friend Michelle. After its initial blooms dropped, it did not bloom in 2014 or 2015 but this year it is in beautiful full flower on the third anniversary of her death. You are so missed, my friend! 

Memorial - just a few days short of 14

 

Here is my precious boy, Nanook. Next week he would have celebrated his 14th birthday so he had a good long life filled with lots of adventures. He was fascinated by cats and I was able to capture him staring at a neighbor's cat - funny photo! He was a gentle and patient boy with the sweetest of personalities. Very easy going except with needles! My vet always had to use a tiny pediatric needle on him when he got his shots. I will miss him more than I can describe... but I know he is no longer in pain and is already chasing rabbits (and maybe cats, too!). Goodbye my wonderful friend.

Remember those you love ~

Tucson has a 140-year-old shrine tucked away on Main near Cushing Street: El Tiradito which honors a man who was definitely not a saint! Click on the link to read about this beloved little place.
Photo courtesy of Sue Dodson.

"Where is this?" is revealed ~

 

No one guessed this location - it's the Tucson Pet Cemetery. This beautiful burial park is a tranquil and sweet place. The inscriptions on the headstones demonstrate how much these pets are loved by their owners. And this is not just a place for dogs and cats and burros! There are markers for gerbils, squirrels, horses, birds, mice, rabbits, hamsters, fish... so many different types of pets that all share one thing - their owners really miss them and love them.  

Skull face lift ~

This amazing skull is a regular feature in Tucson's Day of the Dead parade that is held in November. At the moment it is being refreshed for its next tour of duty. Fun!

Tucson - aerial view

This striking image of Tucson's aircraft "Bone Yard" is so dramatic. I love the geometrical symmetry of this bird's eye view of Tucson's southeast side.
Photo courtesy Alex Maclean.

It's Santa Ears Time Again ~

As long as I have lived in Tucson these little Santa hats have been slipped onto the ears of Father Kino's steed to celebrate Christmas. The statue stands on Kino Parkway near 15th Street. If you would like to learn more about this remarkable man, click here. I have read that there is a movement to promote him for sainthood.

The 31lst El Tour - bringing fun and color to Tucson!

The 31st El Tour de Tucson, the internationally acclaimed bike race, was held yesterday. Thousands of participants (including a 91-year-old first timer!) hit the streets and pedaled for charity. 

In honor of the race's participants I'm posting this image of Tucson's famous Bike Church. It is a shrine to bicyclists and a memorial to fallen bicyclists.  The unusual structure is 24' tall and is made primarily of bicycle parts. The colorful acrylic panels glow at night from solar lighting. Blessing Hancock of Skyrim Studio and Joe O'Connell, the talented sculptor of Creative Machines, built this with the help of local teens. (Note: Joe also created the fantastic Griffin sculpture on Scott Avenue.)

The Bike Church is on Main near Davis.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/art/2009/08/16/bike-sanctuary-inaugural-in-barrio-anita/

For fun El Tour videos showing yesterday's start and finish, click here. 

In memory of my dear friend ~

Today would be the birthday of my dear friend Michelle who was a good listener, a wise adviser, a kind soul, a sweet person, a thoughtful person, a gentle spirit, a rock, and a wonderful, wonderful friend. Please take the time today to tell someone that you love them.

Purple times two ~

Here I was struck with the cheerful color spots of green chair and purple umbrella juxtaposed with the purple mountain in the background.

Acres of love ~

People often think of cemeteries as depressing places but I must tell you that Evergreen Cemetery is a lovely park. A dear friend's final resting place is there and it cheers me up to know that all year round she is surrounded by bouquets of flowers and balloons and hearts and other loving tributes placed on the other graves. Flowers stretch as far as the eye can see ~

History in our midst ~

Just west of Swan and south of Ft Lowell is a small, rural cemetery. The graveyard is reserved for descendants of "Los Fuertenos," the Mexican families who made the abandoned Fort their home. This is a fascinating piece of Tucson history! Read more here.