Now for the museum and...

Vacation is almost over!

It has been a wonderful time! I have had a chance to write! That is my first love when it comes to pasttimes. But I have discovered this week that I also love to take nature walks and take pictures, and observe wildlife and plant life. It seems that the allergies that sometimes plague me have taken their own vacation...or perhaps vanished (wouldn't that be marvelous?)and I have been able to enjoy the outdoors.

We visited the Biosphere 2 amd found it fascinating. The best scientific minds in their fields put this vision together, and still made some mistakes and miscalculations. The challenge of bringing together in one place, so many biomes, must have been overwhelming. The Rain Forest, desert, ocean, and other areas each had their own challenges. Though it is not what it once was, experiments are still taking place there daily. The focus of the experiments has changed, but the science is still amazing. The buildings and all of the technology that went into trying to duplicate Earth's atmosphere is more than amazing. Quite an adventure to say the least.

We also visited the International Wildlife Museum which is quite delightful in its own right. I don't believe I have ever seen so many insects and bugs in one place, not to mention all the animals from around the world. The only sad thing is that they are no longer alive...although there was a scorpion and some kind of insect that were alive in their glass cages.

We also visited U of A and the historic district of downtown. But I do think my favorite has been just walking the desert with my camera. I will admit to enjoying the pool as well.

Well, I would be less than honest to say that I do not miss my babies. TDH just graduated from eighth grade and is going to be helping me a couple days of week...
Jomo is just my quiet gentleman...Handsome is missing me, Hunky and Sister also...and I them as well.

Well, I must say I miss my doggies, too. Zeke and Teddy are being entertained by TDH, Jomo, and my son. But they miss us, I am sure. They don't eat well when we are gone. We'll be home soon...all my kiddos!

more vacation pictures

Notice the bee in the center picture!

What a nice vacation!

These are hard times for most everyone. We are being encouraged to spend wisely, take closer to home vacations, and cut back on splurges.

We are doing all of the above and still having a marvelous time on our vacation. We went to Tucson...only a couple of hours from home. We had "points" to spend on a vacation plan we purchased long before this recession. So, here we are at a lovely resort, with the cacti blooming, a wonderful room, enjoying each other.

I like to hike (well, "walk" really) and take pictures, so the above are from my walks around this campus. I didn't know that the cacti blossoms only open for one or two days and then are gone. Fortunately, I got lots of shots on the right day!

We visited U of A campus today along with the historical part of downtown Tucson. We went swimming in the oylmpic-size pool and met some very nice people. We played two games of Scrabble (one of super scrabble and one deluxe!) We each won one! We are reading books, and watching movies and TV together. We plan to go to the Biosphere 2 and a woldlife museum, perhpas tomorrow or Wednesday.

Last night another resort just a ways up the hill held a fireworks show in honor of Memorial Day and we were privileged to view it from our patio.

So far, we are having a relaxing and great time! We hope all of you are also!

More pictures of more fun and a graduation!

TDH graduated eighth grade last Tuesday! Too much for me to think I have a grandson starting high school! Wow! Where did all the years go?

Where did the month go?

Wow! I did it again! I let the whole month go, almost, without adding any blogs. And it was a busy month, too. As the pictures indicate, we have been horseback riding, swimming, mud-bathing, etc. Handsome is doing much better with his reading. He promoted to second grade!Hunky knows all his alphabet, both upper and lower cases, and many of the letter sounds. And he graduated preschool! And Sister is just as cute as any two year can be!

Since I neglected to report on specific antics and activities, I shall share mostly pictures and blog on my vacation...from which I am writing this!

Just feel like posting....

I just feel like sharing some scenes of our yards...to focus on the beauty of Creation and not on all the cutbacks and concerns. Enjoy!

Living in These Times!

In just a few days my husband and I will celebrate our anniversary! This year, with the economy being tested, and we in that same boat, thought hard about what to give each other. There really is nothing that I need. I have enough clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. In the past, I may have requested to add to my collections of such. But things do not appeal to me right now.

On the other hand, one of the joys I find is in gardening and making our yard beautiful. I love the feel of the dirt on my hands. I love the color of the flowers and shrubs. I love reaping the vegetables from the garden. I even enjoy the weeding and watering. So, I suggested to my husband, who was also having difficulty coming up with any suggestions of gifts for him, that we buy and plant an anniversary tree. When we bought this home, almost three years ago, there were two trees that the previous owners had planted that were not thriving, and did not survive. I had wanted to replace at least one of them. Previously, my attention had focused on the front yard. Now it was time to think about that tree.

And so, we did! We wanted one that was drought-resistant, colorful, and would eventually provide shade. So, we settled on a "Purple plum", (that is the common name). And so, we look forward to measuring it each anniversary, just like we would a child, to see how much it is growing! And, as my daughter-in-law pointed out, we are also "going green".

The boys and I set the butterflies free Friday. We opened the habitat in the back yard. At first, the butterflies just fluttered around, circling inside the habitat, relunctant to escape. And then one left the fold. And then another. Suddenly, the remainder flew up and out into the sky. They flitted around in the yard. One flew over the fence, but the others just hung out for a while. In fact, they let us catch them with our hands, briefly, but then flew off again. Handsome wanted to say a prayer that the birds wouldn't eat his butterflies. I feel that even God could not resist that little prayer. I have confidence that they will be happy and reproduce and live their fullest life span. He felt good about releasing them, as he worried about them in the habitat. So, we said good-bye with a prayer and watch every day to see if they return. So far, they have sent their friends of different colors, but have not returned themselves. But the boys are okay with that!

Today they made a mud hole and put themselves fully into it. Sister joined in as well. She didn't seem to mind this time. Such fun...and then the tub!

These are times of struggle...if one focuses on those issues. But I am grateful that I can focus on the flight and the plight of butterflies, and the growth of trees, flowers, and vegetables. For today...and tomorrow...one day at a time! After all, God provided first in a garden. Why should today be any different?