grannypro

Thursday, May 28, 2009

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!

Monday, May 25, 2009

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!