Adventure 900: Tucson Winter Two/8

There went January. Does anyone else have this fleeting feeling? Time whizzing by, almost a blur, barely remembered (Could be age), and memories so constructed they're less believable than a Congressional compromise. I mean how can life get any better living as I do in tis hallucinatory state? In reality, this past week featured perfect desert weather: blue sky, warm fresh air, gentle breeze. Great for outdoor adventure. We made another two trips to Sweetwater for a leisurely walks among the cacti. We also made a venture out to Marana to have lunch with some friends from Spokane who we just realized spend the winter here as well. Even better, we're looking forward to a visit from Angela, Leticia, and Falcon beginning today with Angela's arrival. TC and Falc come Monday. Let's get the party started! This week's weather may prove to be a bit spotty as the trailing winds of the atmospheric river plaguing California send some moisture this way, but none of that matters because life is good, especially today. 

Ted and Kiane Ketcham's home near Twin Peaks in Marana.

Diane and Judy looking as the treated water lake and trail system. One of Tuscon's efforts to reclaim water is to let the treated water seep back through the earth into the aquifer. It also provides a stopping place for several migrating birds. Win. Win.

This warning sign says it all.

So bizarre that sometimes cactus arms spring in random ways.

We got to see our first javelina family. This little guy is the last in a line of about nine.

We took a tour of the place we'll stay in next winter. Very nice. Best of all, it's in the same neighborhood as we've been in.

We're regular kitchen/serving staff and Cross Street. Judy and I manned the takeout table last Monday. Customers fill a to go sack with various items: bananas, apples, PPJ sandwiches, and various prepackaged goods.

I had to pay my December debt to the Wiley Cager at the Locale Italian bakery. 

The reclamation lake.

Ted

1 in a 1,000 Saguaros develop this crown effect.

Adventure 899: Tucson Winter Two/7

Sixteen days into this feels pretty comfortable. We've reconnected with Southside Presbyterian, not only on Sundays, but we're volunteering at Cross Street Monday and Friday. It feels good. Judy has developed her work out routine with her trainer, Rob;.She's also knitting like a machine trying to keep up with Ginny Kral who literally IS a knitting machine. I'm enjoying getting replugged into the Tai Chi community down here. As for other realities. The weather this past week went from torrents of rain on Monday to a perfect 65 and sunny today. Judy and I made two trips to Sweet Water for walks, and we enjoyed two lunch dates: One for Indian food and the other for the Tucson delicacy known as the Sonoran Hot Dog. Like I said, two weeks in and life seems good, especially today.

Wednesday was also my first wife, Annie's birthday. She'd would have been 73. Libby spent the day on a day trip to Bainbridge Island, I spent the day walking in the desert, and Steve swept the snow off the grave stone. We miss her.

Selfie at the Tamarind, a nice Indian restaurant near us.

Some of our cactus buddies waving at us as we pass by.

The Sonoran Hot Dog, a delicacy beyond compare.

The sky tonight.

I had a little mishap with the rice bag. I thought I set the microwave for one minute. Almost four went by before the place fill up with that burining smell. Luckily, no fire.

I needed a cold "two" after that.

Judy knit this fabulous shawl.

 

Look at this guy's swell physique after the rain.

We harvested the crop from the tree in the backyard. 

I think this is in the fall of 1983. (Anne, Tina, Tony, Steve, Me)

[Rita must have taken the picture]

Adventure 898: Tucson Winter Two/6

i know living in this world, it takes all kinds, I find myself constantly baffled, often dismayed, and mostly helpless to change the course of things. The best I can do is serve others, even in small ways. I served in the classroom for thirty-one years, as did my  Bunny. Now that we have time, we're putting our kitchen skills to use helping feed the homeless in a program sponsored by Southside Presbyterian called Cross Street. I believe that people are more  alike than they're different, and I think humans can help each other. I also believe in the battle of good and evil. I've got to believe there's more people in the world who want to build than there are those who want to destroy. It's in that spirit that I work against those who would demean, displace, and discourage those less fortunate. Like Shalom in Spokane, this program offers a meal with no strings attached. The goal is just to provide good food in a place where people can eat with some dignity. That's all. 

In daily news, Judy's health is back to normal except for a tickle in her throat. She's knitting and working out. My Tai Chi moves apace: slowly, but steadily. And people have toldl me patience is a good thing. It must be working because life is good, especially today. 

Saturday Tai Chi Class breaking up. Sifu has about twenty regular students. Some have studied with him more than fifteen years.

A lady named Jean prepares this table. Cereal, PP&J sandwiches; Ham and cheese sandwiches; bananas and oranges.

After Keb Mo finished.

As you can see, I'm grateful to Keb Mo for scraping the snow off of Davey Boy.

My Bunny in her volunteer suit.

Today part of the meal was baked bbq chicken.

Talented members from the church provide music.

Sifu showing Thomas the proper foot placement on the Repulse Monkey steps. Thomas came from Germany to spend two months training with Sifu Jordan, much the same as me.

Selfie of the day: All smiles at 5:30 A.M.

Adventure 897: Tucson Winter Two/5

My best laid plans of blogging once a week fell prey to too much fun. First, we spent time with our niece, Kate, her husband, Scott, and their first born, Alden. We enjoyed a nice brunch and visit with Scott's aunts and their families. The aunts and husbands are out from Iowa and Nebraska respectively to serve in a Mennonite program called Shalom. They will help ready living quarters for immigrants for the next two months. They will also spend time with their son and his wife (Scott's cousin Derick and his wife Mandy). Scott and Kate and Alden spent their last night with us before they headed back home to Goshen. Midweek I met with some friends from Spokane and their Tuscon friends for what amounted to a little over a thirty mile bike ride, since I rode to the meeting place instead of driving. It was my first ride of the year, what was fun, but I am singing like Elvis....love me tender. For a final Southwestern flair, we tried a vegan Mexican restaurant on Scott and Kate's recommendation. Called Tumerico, the menu changes daily; the ingredients are fresh, and the street front ambience makes the experience earthy and delicious. Like we always say, Life is good, especially today.

The pictures load randomly. This is Diane Ketcham, a friend from Spokane eying her brand new electric bike.

Alden, of course, is the star of the show.

We rode from Christina Taylor Green Park to Catalina State Park, a little over ten miles one way.

Miss Kate and her aunt Judy.

Who are all these people?

Red Chili Tamales made with Jack Fruit and veggies.

Miss Kitty, out for the first time this year.

Uncle Will, playing with Alden.

Of course, there was plenty of rolling around on the ground.

Ellen and Marge, Scott's aunts ready for a hike in Sweetwater. Missing from the photos are Derick and Mandy and Ellen's husband, Byron.

The biking crew: Diane and Ted Ketcham, Lynn and Lisa,  and CJ enjoying lunch after the ride.

Cuban Tacos, a little bit sweet and very tasty.

Adventure 896: Tucson Winter Two/4

One week accounted for in this year's stay. Though cool, we've enjoyed mostly sunny weather while back home the temps have fallen below zero. Needless to say, we're happy to be here. We've visited a few of our favorite haunts, including a lunch stop at  El Nene's and two hikes among our cactus friends out at Sweetwater Preserve. I've made contact with my Tai Chi group. Judy has set up time with her personal trainer, and although she suffered this week with a Covid quarantine, she's better now, and her most recent test was negative. So I'd say we're off and running. This morning we attended church at Southside Presbyterian, a place of worship that suits us well, satisfies our spirit, and reminds us of God's goodness. At home I've been volunteering at the Shalom Ministries food kitchen in down town Spokane. Judy and I will begin our volunteer service here in much the same way at the Crosstreet Community beginning this Friday. Crossstreet serves the homeless breakfast two days a week. It' a good place to put our food service skill sets to use. Other than that we have little to report, except to say that life is good, especially today.

When we first came to Tucson, this place was a food truck on the corner. It's brick and mortar now. Very busy and very good.

As many of you may know, I love cactus. This venerable specimen sits alone on the corner of River road and La Canada. It's amazing to think it was here long before the roads were built.

Ahhh, the welcome some old friends.

This lovely gal welcomes visitors to our temporary abode.

Who? Me?

tt was a long hot summer. Some of the guys lay down for a permanent rest.

Selfie of the day.

This preserve is very close to the house, so it's a favorite walking destination for us.

I'd really just like a hug.

Battered by age and weather, this guy is barely hanging on.

The saguaros are amazing plants. They've got woody skeletons and this porous inside which soaks up moisture.

And they grow at the tip not more than a few inches a year.

And of course, life is always good with my favorite Bunny.