A river….

 

doesn’t run through it…

Typical of river beds in Arizona right now, this one is dry.  This is the Hassayampa River that “runs” at the edge of Wickenburg. The  Hassayampa is a mostly underground river.  It’s headwaters are just south of Prescott from which it flows south until it joins the Gila River in the area of Hassayampa, AZ. 

 

Although water doesn’t flow in this river right now, horses and dogs do.

 

So do happy people on ATVs.

There is a poem I found about the perils of drinking the water from the Hassayampa River.

 

Those who drink its waters bright-

Red man, white man, boor or knight,

Girls or women, boys or men-

Never tell the truth again

…author unknown

It’s a good thing for Tracy and I that there wasn’t any water to drink.  We also were able to obey all posted signs.

No water…no fishing…no problem. :)

Something stuck….

 

in my mind and just wouldn’t leave me be.  I passed this field on the trip up to Prescott for my Mom’s birthday and as soon as I saw it, I could think of only one thing.

I didn’t stop on that trip and was surprised to see this field of maize hadn’t been harvested yet when Tracy and I went to Wickenburg.  So, of course, I had to stop and get my pictures.

Now what, you might ask yourself, has taken root in my mind and won’t let go?  Isn’t it funny how once we start viewing the world from a certain perspective, everything changes?  Whether we express ourselves through words or photos, we begin looking at the world differently. A single fallen leaf might inspire a sonnet.

But this field with several stalks standing taller than all the others just screamed “Over Achievers” to me.   You know people like that. There’s always one or two in every crowd…or field.

Isn’t life strange?  

I know it’s a bit….

 

past the season, but this car caught my eye while at a local establishment (okay, yea, it was the smoothie shop).

The vanity plate reads “A Goner” and the sign in the back window says “Queen of Halloween”.  She obviously is a fun loving sort of person.

 

The owner is a beautician who cuts hair in the salon by the smoothie shop.

Stick ‘em up!!

 

This “outlaw” was roaming the streets of Wickenburg last Friday. He is part of a group that does guided tours which I believe include places of historic interest and maybe even a ghost or two.

He was a little imposing until you noticed his sunglasses and badge.

He’s quite proud of his badge.

He made us promise not to tell his mom about the badge though. 

Cowgirl Bling…

 

Today Tracy and I took a road trip to Wickenburg. What an amazing place.  We had so much fun.  I saw this store and immediately thought about my niece, Leslie.  So Leslie this post is for you.

 

This was such a cute store and I had to wait about ten minutes for the mail carrier to move his truck out from in front of it so I could get my picture.

 

 

Leslie, if I hadn’t been so afraid to check out the price, you might have gotten this purse for Christmas.

It’s a one-of-a-kind….just like you. 

One small thing….

 

I’m thankful for.

As anyone who follows me for very long learns, I have become addicted to Tropical Smoothie’s Caramel Cream Coffee Smoothie.

 

Well due to corporate decisions, my favorite smoothie has been removed from their menu.  Unfeeling capitalist pigs. I’m sorry, I forgot today was Thanksgiving. If I could find out how to contact the unfeeling capitalist pigs, I would apologize to them directly. Before I could get my grassroots letter writing campaign started, the manager of our smoothie shop stopped by our table (if you think we’re regulars and they know us by name…you’re right) and assured me that just because it wasn’t on the menu, didn’t mean they still couldn’t make it for me. :)  I love America.  

A Quickie….

 

I’m off to meet Tracy today for a smoothie and some picture taking fun.  I apologize ahead of time for the poorly taken picture of my little sweetheart, but sometimes that’s the way life goes.

I wanted to leave you with a thought for tomorrow.

I hope you don’t conk out before you get to the dessert.  Happy Thanksgiving to one and all and thank you for all the light and support you’ve brought into my life.  Now let’s break bread.

My ass…

 

is draggin’.  I need to get out and get some pictures taken. Tracy!!!

Willow Lake…

 

When we went up to Prescott for Mom’s birthday, we found our way to Willow Lake.  I emphasize “found our way” because we (meaning me) took a wrong turn while heading to Watson Lake.  But like most wrong turns in my life, things turned out just fine. I must really keep my Guardian Angel busy. :)

All around the lake there were indications of a high water mark.

 

On the distant hills you can see a dusting of snow.

 

A picture of a man taking a picture of a woman watching a dog who was watching another dog.  

 

Although the day we were there this bench offered a beautiful view of the lake, when the water level is up I’m thinking it must be a wet vantage point. 

 

I hope your weekend just soars. 

Random Shots….

 

Every so often, I end up with pictures that don’t really fit together or go with others in a post.  I still like the shots and have decided to occasionally share them in a post titled “Random Shots”.

 

This sweet little Yorkie was at the car show that Tracy and I went to.

 

This beautiful rose is a pale lime green on the outside with a pastel pink center.  It was in my mom’s birthday bouquet.

 

 

 

Looking high into the tree tops in Prescott.

 

 

Well, you know me.  Always looking for a little bit of humor in things. 

Pondering….

 

“As a matter of fact, an ordinary desert supports a much greater variety of plants than does either a forest or a prairie.”
Ellsworth Huntington

I’m not quite sure who Ellsworth Huntington is or was, but there is indeed a wide, diverse offering of plant life in a desert.  Although almost all of them have spines or thorns.

 

This is the inside of a saguaro that died.  You can see how it was filled with minute fibers to hold what little precious water the desert had to share.

 

These saguaros can weigh thousands of pounds.  Idiots – did I really say “idiots” – why yes, I did….have been known to destroy them using them for target practice. Occasionally, one has gotten its revenge by falling on said idiot and killing them.

 

I think what appeals to me most about the desert is its stark beauty. The promise of life that hides just out of sight.

 

Then sometimes I just like how it makes me smile.

Really, I’m just here to take pictures…

 

This past weekend I headed out bright and early (and I mean really early) to spend the day in the desert with Annie and Alice.  They are both very interested in rocks…all kinds of rocks, but especially any that might become jewelry.

Luckily the weather man was  wrong again and the rain stayed away.  I really didn’t have any interest is collecting  rocks, but managed to come home with a bucket full.

Annie and Alice are contemplating joining a local group of avid rock hounds, and we were tagging along to see how it all worked.  We did have a lovely day, but I really was more interested in taking pictures and then making our way into Wickenburg to have lunch at Anita’s.

This is Saddleback Mountain.  Annie’s favorite place on the planet.  She loves the desert much more than I do, but I don’t hold that against her.  It does have a unique, desolate beauty.

 

This is the sun setting on our day.  It was a long, tiring day, but we had so much fun together.  Lots of fresh air and exercise…and did I mention lunch at Anita’s?  :)    

A Spot of Yellow….

 

to brighten your Monday!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

On Your Mark….

 

This is a big race weekend here in Phoenix for NASCAR fans. I don’t go to the races myself, but love seeing the change that comes over the town when the boys are here.

The restaurants get full and the streets get crowded.  Not something I’m normally a fan of, but the economy really needs the boost.  So I deal with it. :)

 

I don’t know how it always happens, but we seem to have rain on the race weekend.

 

  Glad they keep coming back for more.

The Gurley Street Grill…

 

As you know this is my favorite place to eat when in Prescott. Tracy and I were there on Thursday with my Mom celebrating her birthday.  They have the neatest tee shirts for sale.  Although this is one of the men’s shirts, I like it best.

 

Check out Tracy’s blog to see something else interesting from The Gurley Street Grill.

Celebrating Eighty….

 

Yesterday was my mom’s eightieth birthday and we took a drive up to Prescott to eat at one of our favorite places…

 

The day was lovely and the company the best.  Tracy and Nicole went with us and we had a great day.  It’s a good thing we had a good photographer along to commemorate the occasion.

 

Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!!

Now for the final painting….

 

I told you that Joy had some wonderful stories to share about most all of her paintings.  This story was my favorite. 

It seems she had just completed this painting when someone from town called saying they were having an art show and would she please enter a painting.  Since this was the one she had just finished, she decided to stick it in a frame and enter it.  She worked at a school with one of her very good friends and on Monday after the show, they were visiting in the teacher’s lounge. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember the friend’s name, but it seems she just went on and on about the picture that won the coveted purple ribbon denoting the Grand Prize.  It seems she was just amazed that this picture won when she felt there were so many better than it.  She just didn’t understand why anyone would prefer this painting of an old dead tree over so many others. She finally stopped long enough to catch her breath and ask Joy why she didn’t enter a painting as the friend hadn’t seen one by her. As Joy got up to leave the teacher’s lounge she told the friend that she had entered a painting….of an old dead tree.  :)

 

The photo doesn’t do the painting justice.  It’s a lovely painting with so much movement and depth.

I hope I got the story right.  If  you see any errors Annie, just tell your mom I took poetic license. :)

Baby Blue Eyes….

 

This is Shaelyn with her great grandma.   Shaelyn will turn 9 months old on my Mom’s 80th birthday on  this Thursday.

 

Doesn’t she have the most beautiful blue eyes and eye lashes?

 

Some promised art….

 

I promised to share more of Joy McArthur’s art with you.  I loved talking to her about her paintings. She has wonderful memories of each of them.

 

Annie found the perfect frame for this one that some say bears a strong resemblance to her Uncle Hollis. 

 

This is called Storm Clouds. Joy was outside painting when the storm came up quickly. As the rain began, she ran inside with her paints and returned for the canvas…which she had to chase as it tumbled across the yard! Since the paint wasn’t yet dry, there is still some dirt imbedded in the painting.  

 

Joy, is very talented and has done several paintings over the years.  She tends to enjoy doing desert landscapes, but I enjoy the uniqueness of her seascapes.

 

This is my favorite one of her paintings.  It is called The Broken Gate.  She started painting this piece one day and was consumed. Her son mentioned to her that he was hungry and she just agreed and kept painting. Her mother stopped by to see her and she just kept painting. She finally finished the painting around 9:00 at night.  The muse got a hold of her and wouldn’t let go. That’s how I imagine I would be if I had any talent. 

I have one more to share with you…but for another day. :)