This is our fourth winter in Tucson. Our lives have become so routine that there isn't much to say on a daily basis other than to report that we no longer consider ourselves tourists. I've decided to write a short summary Blog, which of course captures nothing of the joy and adventure we experienced. So prepare for the mundane. We've found a church: Southside Presbyterian, which is possibly the best church experience I've ever had. We've found a volunteer opportunity: Cross Street, which is a twice a week (Monday/Friday) commitment where we arrive at 5 A.M. to help prepare breakfast for around two hundred homeless folk. We've both found trainers of sorts. Judy has a personal trainer named Rob who has made her stronger and better looking if that's possible. At the very least she can lift more weight, stand more straight, and generally feel better. I've deepened my connection to my Tai Chi community, and my Sifu, Jordan Misner says I'm improving. I believe I am, but being cursed with the hope of instant success brought on by exposure to so called American excellence, I wish I'd improve faster. We walk in the desert as often as we can, visit our new and old friends when we can, enjoy family when we can, and otherwise enjoy a grateful existence. Angela, Leticia, and Falcon spent time with us during the Gem Show. We enjoyed time with brother and sister-in-law, Kel and Karen Friesen who also spent most of the winter here. Judy's sister Karen visited, which is always fun as the time is filled with laughs, card games, puzzles, and food. Who could ask for much more? My brother Tom and his new bride, Pat, visited for an overnight. They are in the giddy love stage, and their joy is contagious. My cousin Joan is supposed to arrive this week, and hopefully we can get in a hike or two before we leave. So while mundane, our lives are full. We even joined the locals to lament the record high temperatures we all endured this last month. I'm not one to complain about the heat, but I did stand in the direct sun when it was 108 degrees. I can understand their chagrin. We leave for home via Portland to deliver items Angela bought at the gem show and to visit our good friends the Drouin's in Tacoma. With traveling mercies we should be home by April 14th, just in time to gather our tax information, and rejoin our Spokane life which is equally blessed and equally mundane. Just kidding. We're grateful for the grace we receive and live as though life is good, especially today.
Note: The pictures below appear in inverted order. Last to first as it were.
We leave for home one week from today. Hopefully, we'll see some of the desert in bloom before we go.We attended the NO KINGS rally with our friends, Ross and Dinah Coble. This is Ross in full protest mode.I did a few wire sculptures. The bases are heart shaped rocks I found on hikes. The theme this year matched the sword form I learned this year in Tai Chi class.Newlyweds, brother Tom and his bride, Pat.We caught a sunset when Judy's sister Karen visited.This was it.Our newest culinary delight is the Taco Rico food truck located near Ina and I-10.More wire creatures. I added swords later.One of my Tai Chi instructors, Russ, posing with the sword creature I made for him.Of course, no winter trip is complete without enjoying a Sonoran Hot Dog.We participated in a dinner prepared by a hispanic immigrant named Elizabeth. She's been here legally for over twenty-five years, but since the current administration has re-opened all immigration cases, Elizabeth is unwilling to work in the public sector. We contributed to her welfare with the others in this picture.
The food she prepared was fresh and delicious. She's far from the criminal Trump claims. Rather, she's a skilled chef, a bright spirit, and a welcome addition to this nation of immigrants.Most of the desert nights were pleasant.Me and my Bunny enjoyed several desert hikes. We never tire of communing with the cacti.According to Wikipedia, Saguaros don't grow their first arm until they're around seventy-five years old. I wonder how old these fellows are?I bought these Valentine roses from a group on the corner of First and Fort Lowell. They were raising money for their school. A win-win I'd say.Of course we ate well all winter. This Chicken Mole dish is a specialty of one of our new favorite restaurants, La Frida. Simply excellent.This corn side dish was also excellent.We ate there twice. Once when TC, Falcon, and Angela were visiting.We caught another sunset the night before Angela arrived.Falcon thought it was pretty cool, and he's quite the cool dude himself.Judy and I participated in another protest march to support the Tucson teachers. We stopped at Boca (another nice restaurant) for chips and margaritas on the way back.Steve and Libby kept up the tradition of visiting their mother's grave on her birthday. She would be seventy-five.One day, Judy and I hiked part way up the trail to "Finger Rock". This is a view from the trail.Libby gave everyone in the family one of these towels which pictures the family at Priest Lake last summer. We put ours up in the kitchen of our condo.Our tradition is to enjoy an In/out burger in Las Vegas, the night before we get to Tucson.On the way down to Tucson, we stayed a couple nights with our friends Tom and Patty Losser in Twin Falls. Patty, a little camera shy, fed us this delicious Dutch Baby the morning we left for Arizona.Here's Tom.And here's the morning that greeted us as we headed South.We generally leave for Tucson right after the New Year. Here's Judy holding court at our traditional Christmas feast. We all wrote something we were grateful for and turned the phrases into a paper chain that we wrapped around the tree. We have much to be grateful for, which we express in our belief that life is good, especially today.
