A Different World - Tucson's Tohono O'dham Nation ~

This beautiful stone building is not ancient ~ or even "old" for that matter. I attended a meeting with a group from the Tohono O'dham Nation and this building was adjacent to our conference room. The rocks were quarried nearby and the building was erected just a few years ago as their Elderly Center. It was locked but I was able to peek in through a window at the courtyard. Check out the beautiful stripped log lintel above the entrance and the special door handles.

http://www.tonation-nsn.gov/

A message to my friends & web visitors ~

The beautiful sentiment that is displayed on this mosaic bench is so simple. The bench serves as a lovely resting spot within the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

The message is:
"Friendship, I think, is the choicest flower that grows in nature's garden. It will always flourish if watered by truth, guarded by sincerity and shaped by the gentle boughs of virtue."

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Tucson Botanical GardensTucsonbotanical.org(520) 326-9686

Tucson's Voodoo Medusa ~

Here's another one of the "Scarecrows in the Garden," the fun exhibit on display at Tucson Botanical Gardens through November 30. Check out another scarecrow that I posted a few days ago & stay tuned for more coming up!

The scarecrows/sculpture were hand made by local businesses or artists. Each is different and they are placed throughout the gardens.

Tucson Botanical Gardens
tucsonbotanical.org
(520) 326-9686

Magnificent Desert Bighorn Ram ~

This marvelous lifesize bronze sculpture of a Desert Bighorn Ram was created by Tucson artist, Mark Rossi. The ram stands on the grounds of the beautiful Hilton El Conquistador Resort.

Rossi is one of the world's foremost wildlife sculptors and his work is displayed in many Tucson locations such as the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and the Tucson Botanical Gardens (to name just a few) as well as in numerous museum and corporate collections throughout the country. To see more of his work, click here:
http://www.medicinemangallery.com/bio/markrossi.lasso

http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com/

Very Big (but not very scary) Tucson Rat ~

I'm sure the Ortho company intended to draw attention to their rodent control product by using this giant rat ~ he's about 4' tall ~ but because he is inflatable vinyl, he looks more like a pool toy than a scary menace to me. And doesn't he actually look kind of sad holding his enormous wedge of swiss? And do check out the weird flipper feet - don't otters have feet like that?!

All Hats off to the Tucson Botanical Gardens!

Through November 30 the gardens are featuring "Scarecrows in the Garden," a collection of whimsical, colorful, fun, or just plain strange scarecrows. The scarecrows/sculpture were hand made by local businesses or artists. Each is different and they are placed throughout the gardens.

This flamboyant lady scarecrow is a tribute to the famous milliner, Lilly Dache. (Unfortunately the official signage misspells her name.) Photos of many of the others will be posted throughout November so check back!

http://american-fashion-designers.suite101.com/article.cfm/lilly_dache

Tucson Botanical Gardens
tucsonbotanical.org
(520) 326-9686

Javelina Cantina ~ buffet!

A herd of enterprising javelina foraged in my front yard last night. They attempted to steal a pumpkin I had on the porch but they dropped it as they fled. Check out the hoof prints! If you don't know about javelina (pronounced HAVA-lina), check out this interesting link & see a photo of these peccaries. They are common around Tucson and they can get BIG! I am surprised I didn't hear them snuffling around as they knocked pots over and ate a lot of my flowers. Bon appetit!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peccary