Brick Art for my Buddy….

 

This is the side of the San Linda Hotel in downtown Buckeye.  Well, it was the San Linda when I went to school, but obviously well before that it was a grocery store.  When removing the brick facade, this original artwork was uncovered, so they left it like this.

 

 

I asked my most reliable source on all things Buckeye (Annie) and she wasn’t familiar with Harvey’s Place.  I’m thinking it was a bar, but Annie is going to ask around for me and let me know.

 

Tracy and I were out on a picture-taking expedition, when we saw this brickart and immediately thought of our blogging buddy, Kathy at Kathy Goes A Ramblin'.  We had such a good time getting out, but it was so hot!!!

First Solo Flight…

 

My youngest baby bird got her driver’s license yesterday and she made her first solo flight this morning.

See those spots of light?  Those are her Guardian Angels. 

She’s on her way to band practice at the school.  Her school will compete in a Marching Band Competition at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher tomorrow.  No, she doesn’t have to drive there…they’ll ride a bus.

Making a “right” turn into her future….

Walk like an Egyptian…

 

Now, I know you’re going to be terribly confused and I don’t blame you.  Back in the heat of the summer, Tracy and I went on a picture-taking excursion.  I don’t remember if we shared all the details with you all or not, but this is the day the battery died in my truck, my husband had to rescue us and Tracy’s camera jumped out of the truck to the pavement below…not a good thing.

 

 

We had dropped by the local Park-n-Ride where there was supposed to be some artwork inspired by the Egyptians…

 

This is all we could find.  While although beautiful, we just couldn’t see the Egyptian connection.

The day did have a serendipitous ending though….Tracy has a new camera she’s having a lot of fun with.  :) 

Oh, barnacles….

 

 

I know these aren't  barnacles, but that’s what they remind me of.  There have been some tough days at our house of late. Mom is struggling through some dark days.

 

 

We’re all learning to “go with the flow” and ride the twists and turns that her reality has become.  These days are teaching us all lessons in love and patience.

 

 

And to trust in promises made and kept.

I got a bee in my……

cactus??? 

Not sure why there are dead bees on the top of this cactus…not sure I want to know. :)
Sorry, it’s not very clear.  It was a tall cactus and I’m a short photographer.

Saturday night lights…

 

I know there’s all kind of excitement about Friday night lights, but these Saturday night lights are more my cup of tea.

 

Sitting on the dock of the bay….

 

Okay, I know he’s standing and not sitting, but I wanted to come up with another song title to get stuck in Randy’s head all day.  :)

 

Tracy and I had a wonderful time out playing with our cameras.  I need to stand up right now and admit, “Hi, my name is Magpie and I have camera envy.”  She’s having so much fun with her new camera.  I know what’s on my Christmas list.

There were a lot of people out enjoying the not-so-cool evening.  It was still like 97 degrees and very humid when we were out taking pictures.

Keep humming, Randy. :)

Crystal Blue Persuasion ….

 

Remember the piece of artwork that Tracy and I checked out at the Goodyear Dog Park?   Well, we promised to go back and take some night shots since it had solar-powered lighting.

I didn’t want to drag out my tripod and it had gotten quite dark by the time we got there, so I decided to play with some movement and long exposures.

We had a lot of fun – as always.  It could have been cooler though and we didn’t get any of the rain that was promised.  We did crash a wedding though.   You just never know what kind of trouble we might get ourselves into.

And that’s just what we did….

 

We had a wonderful time at Tracy’s yesterday.  Good food, funny movie and great conversation…oh yea, and just a sweet little Riesling.

In celebration of the first day of October, Tracy is coming over to have some Pumpkin Turkey Chili and go out taking pictures.  We may even have some clouds building up to make things that much better. 

Longing for….

 

cooler days so I can start gardening again.  I think I need the comfort of growing things.

Apple of my eye….

 

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.”   Robert H. Schuller

Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner…

 

That is what I truly want to be….

Cuz if I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner….

Everyone would be in love with me!!

Awwww…..

 

Oh, please!  Give me a break!    Blog Hog.

Arizona, where the wind….

 

comes sweeping down the plain.

Now if we could just get the  “And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet / When the wind comes right behind the rain.” part down.

Modern cowboy….

 

I took this picture (honest, I did) because I really like this cowboy’s….belt. Also I was struck by the juxtaposition of the old – Wranglers, chew tin in the pocket and belt – against the new – cell phone.

Smiles :)

Something old, something new…

The weekend that I went up to Strawberry with Annie and Alice just happened to be the weekend that dear friends of mine were getting married in Tonto Basin.  Just a hop, skip and a jump from Strawberry.

Years ago when I was just a little scamp, we lived in Peoria when my dad was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. Our neighbors were Jim and Elinor and their two children, Tom and Mary.  Mary and I become the closest friends and have maintained that friendship over almost fifty years and thousands of miles. 

Her parents went their separate ways years ago, but remained friends.  They found their way back to one another and he proposed.  Well, in one version of the story, she fesses up and says she may have actually done the proposing.

 

They had the most amazing wedding at the Brown’s Ranch.  People were taken to the pasture down among some trees on wagons pulled by Belgian Draft horses.  They actually use these horses to work the ranch…no tractors.

 

Hay bales were set up for the guests to sit on and an arch made up of horse shoes completed the “church”.

 

 

The flower girls and ring bearers all rode in on horseback.  Notice the bare feet with painted toenails.  Several of the guests chose to attend on horseback also.

 

 

The happy couple departed the ceremony in the beautiful white carriage that the bride and maid of honor had arrived in pulled by gorgeous grey Belgian Draft horses.

 

 

It was one of the most enchanting evenings I’ve had in a long time and I know it was the perfect start to years of marital bliss for Jim and Elinor.

 

Who You Calling….

 

                                                              Bucky???

 

                            Does this fleece make me look fat? 

 

If you look very closely, you can see who’s the apple of his eye.

While I was up north this past weekend, I attended  the most wonderful wedding.  It was held on the Brown’s Ranch in Tonto Basin.  They have all kinds of adorable animals on the ranch (including the pig from yesterday’s post) like this llama.  I was a little concerned he might spit like camels have been known to do. He was a perfect gentleman though and my camera and I stayed dry.

I’m as happy as a pig….

 

                               in slop….to be back home.

I’m working hard at catching up with all your posts and to get something new on for myself also.  There is  a lot to do now that I’m back home though and it’s going to take a few days.  I had a wonderful time up north and can’t wait to show you some pictures.

 

You know how you can tell this pig is happy?

 

       The tail tells it all.  :)

Cabin bound…

 

These are not my feet (I only wish I had toes this long), but they are Annie’s feet and they are relaxing in a hammock up at the cabin and we are going today!  Did I mention TODAY????

I will be off the grid until Tuesday because right now neither my laptop nor Nicole’s are functioning with any kind of trustworthiness. 

I will have my camera and I will be with good friends sharing good times.  I’m looking forward to coming home renewed and strengthened. I hope you all enjoy your weekends as much as I plan on enjoying mine.

Assume the position….

 

This is the table out in the backyard that I always have Star jump up on to get brushed.  So every time we go outside, she runs and jumps up hoping to be brushed.

 

Isn’t she a pretty girl?  She grew into her feet like I was afraid she might and now weighs 93 pounds.  The weather is starting to get nice enough we should be able to go for our walks again real soon.

Promises made….

 

 

and kept….

 

Finally!!  We got some rain.  The temperature has dropped nicely and we’ve got the doors open and the AC off.  It’s nice to have some fresh air in the house.  Hopefully, we’ll get a little more over the next day or so.   

Ten years ago today….

 

If I had a picture of the Twin Towers, I would post it.  But sadly, I don’t.  Every year since that day, this date has been a day of remembering and honoring, sadness and grief,  prayers and petitions.

Ten years ago something happened that America just couldn’t comprehend or understand.

Ten years ago someone struck out in anger and revenge.

Ten years ago everyday people became heroes and gave their lives without thought to self.

But, eighteen years ago today, Greg and I promised before God and our family and friends to love, honor and obey ‘til death do us part.  It’s hard to celebrate, when so many around us are mourning.

Scullery maids need more respect….

 

We’re in the home stretch with getting our house ready to rent again.  I have a new found respect for scullery maids and anyone who has to work on their knees to make their living.

Things are getting checked off the list and we can see that light at the end of the mop bucket.  I’ll definitely be ready for my time in Strawberry with Annie and Alice. 

I’m doing my best to keep caught up with all my blogging friends.  You all are such a sanctuary for me.  Soon I’ll be out getting more pictures to astound and amaze you.  :)

“Leaf” me alone…

 

I found this fellow on the back porch this morning and he was quite nice about posing for some photos.

 

 

What I could find about him on the internet tells me he is a Leaf Bug of the order of Phasmida. The internet also said that he is most often found in Australia and Southeast Asia.  I’m guessing he’s a little off course, but I have seen them here in Arizona before.

 

Up close and personal he’s a little intimidating.

 

PS: On a happy note, I believe we may have found new renters!  There’s still more to do to complete the process, but so far it’s looking promising. :)

Too stressed out…..

 

and overloaded right now.  There are a lot of things going on right now and I’m going to be a bad blogging friend for a few more days. Please forgive me.

We had rented our house out so that we could come to live with Mom and care for her. That was four years ago next month…time really flies.  The house has been rented to the same couple for 3 1/2 of those years.  I hate to say it but they didn’t treat our house kindly and as first-time landlords, we have learned a lot.  We have spent the entire Labor Day Weekend trying to bring the house back to rentable condition with the help of family. We still have a lot to do.

That meant that Nicole was charged with staying with Grandma. Saturday I received a call from Nicole saying Grandma wasn’t feeling well. I talked to Mom and felt the problem was probably gas but to keep me posted. Mom thought she was having a heart attack.  The symptoms didn’t sound quite right.  I called my brother to see if he could go and sit with her and see what he thought. After he spoke with her on the phone he was concerned enough to call me back.  I headed home and the long (sorry) of it is that I called 911 and then the party got started.  My Mom lives in a 38 year old double wide.  In her small family room there were soon four firemen and two paramedics, oxygen going, IV’s started, blood pressure taken, glucose level checked…and heaven only knows what else.  After a ride to the hospital in the ambulance (a first for both of us), Mom had to stay overnight for observation.  Thankfully, all the tests came back negative – no heart attack, no pneumonia, no gastro-intestinal problems.  But everyone assured us we did the right thing in calling 911 and to not hesitate to do it again.

Needless to say, I wasn’t much help on the house.  There’s still plenty to do.  Hopefully we’ll have it ready to rent by the 15th.  In the meantime, I’m going to be very busy and probably neglectful. I apologize ahead of time.

I’ve got sunshine…

 

This is Shelbi Lynn Pierson.  She is another one of my grand nieces.  She is the daughter of Todd and Amanda.  Todd is the son of my older brother, Richard. Got all of that?  

 

But what and who she really is, is sunshine.  She can light up a room with that megawatt smile and her sweet little giggle.

 

 

Mom assures me she can have her moments too, but what’s that in the big scheme of things…really?

 

I love you little Miss Shelbi!!!  Come back and visit real soon.