Adventure 851: Day 74/Tucson/2023

Woke up to a cool, clear morning on a day destined to tickle the mercury near seventy. Our plan, rain or shine, had us walking into the Poca Cosa (The Little One) just after it opened at 9. It's our favorite spot, and even though we've taken most of our guests there (four visits now this year), once again it didn't disappoint. Both couples shared the Surprise Plate, which were different combinations. Yum! We returned home for a little rest and a second round of Hollywood Gin, which Miss Karen won. Then we headed out to the Sweetwater Preserve for a short walk through the cactus. While not in full desert bloom, the preserve showed speckles of purple and white, lots of green, and full fields of wild yellow mustard. Thanks to the recent rains, the cactus are plump. They seem to stretch their trunks like fat men after a meal. After the walk, we watched a movie called Otto starring Tom Hanks, who performed brilliantly as usual. The movie, much about loss, frustration, and sadness, ambushed me. I wept through most of it, and what made it even more painful was the emotional bludgeoning one underlining theme presented. The villain, corporate greed and insensitivity, represented in no subtle manner by the realty company, Dye & Merica, clearly posited that only money matters. People matter not, especially the disenfranchised, the disabled, the cisgender, and anyone even hinting of being on the spectrum. The movie also captured the devastation a person feels losing a partner, a true love, a career, and most of all, a soul mate. Having said this, the movie is well worth watching. There is a final message that human kindness is a great power, a power that deserves its own reward. But beware. For me, the movie ripped open quite a few scars. I wasn't ready for the pain. Nevertheless, I followed my own advice and let the anguish surge unfettered up my back and neck. I just let it burn. But no matter. True fantasy as real as anything these days soothed me as we watched March Madness games for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. Nothing is quite as joyful as watching young gladiators pour their entire being through an orange ring. After all, it's passion that makes life good, especially today.

Our Surprise Plate consisted of greens, pineapple, enchilada, baracado beef, vegetable corn chowder, corn tortilla, and a sweet corn tamale on the side.

Tai Chi cactus.

Look, Honey, it's twins.

Maybe more impressive than the cactus, is the expanse of the desert sky.

My Bunny suggesting a route.

The symmetry of God's world suggests there is a plan greater than we can perceive.

There's reason for hope when the two hundred year olds find it reasonable to give birth.

The crew.

Courage is rewarded, though it may be brief. (I suggest reading  William Ernest Henley's poem, Invictus)

Put 'er there, Sis.