One Day at a Time

 March 1 - May 15, 2026

Tombstone, Arizona - Frazier Park, California

No, I'm not going to try and fill in the last 2.5 months. The theme would be a roller coaster ride, the take-away would be we've survived. 

Bill's health journey continues to frame our world. There have been worse days and better days with the definition of "normal" changing all the time. Until this week he hasn't been driving himself to the numerous weekly medical appointments, and the walker is a permanent requirement for mobility. 

After a week in rehab he's able to drive himself this week and we're hopeful this will continue. 

Before she and Michael leave for the season, Rebecca and I enjoy a few more day adventures. I can't believe another winter season is over already. 

Bisbee is always a good idea, especially on a beautiful Spring day.

Sometimes it's the bright doors that catch the eye.

Sometimes it's the pig in the window.

Vicky joins us for a visit to the Gathering in Tucson.

The Spring season offerings are fun.

Flowers are the main theme among the usual antiques and unique pieces.

Flowers and butterflies come home with me to update our welcome wreath. Barbed wire is welcoming right?

I try to keep busy at home, completing a few projects I've had on the list for a long time. One doesn't need to update their linen closet, but why not?

I wish I'd gotten a real "before" pic with the bland white walls and old rose shelf paper. 

When the hair dryer isn't working on some sections.

Some of the shelves are just pine, but I'm happy to find a couple are beautiful birch wood that I don't cover with the new paper.

Vicky and I love the theater and decide we'll go see Back to the Future, the Musical. It sounds strange, but after enjoying two hours of amazing, incredible music, dancing, acting, stage sets and special effects at Centennial Hall we both agree it's one of the very best productions we've ever seen. 

What a great surprise!

Before the theater we visit the Old Town Artisan shops.

One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, the architecture and flowers are lovely.

Rustic art hangs in the courtyard of the shops. I want a courtyard!

The weirdest cactus I've ever seen!

The matinee gets out at 4:00 so we stop near the university for an early dinner and people watching under sunny skies. I don't realize how sad this tree is until I download the pic :-)

At the end of April Bill's number two son Corey comes for the weekend, and a couple weeks later his college pals Steve and Lori visit. It's good having company.

Steve and Lori - Bill introduced them in college and was best man at their wedding.

While Bill is safely cared for in rehab I take advantage and make a quick trip to SoCal to see some of the grands and their parents. I get a comfy motel room near Ezra and Elliott's house on the mountain in Frazier Park. Having them greet me in their driveway with big smiles and hugs is just the medicine I need! We play and shop and have sleep overs - it's grand indeed.

My first evening is the boys' open house. They have a wonderful, small country school with small class size, community activities, and goats and chickens! I'm thrilled to see it all.

Elliott is jumping up and down with the excitement of sharing his school world with us.

Elliott knows all the rules and reads them to us so we'll know too.

Ezra shows off his desk. I still can't get used to his being 10 years old!

On Friday the boys and their mom join me to meet up with Maximus and Mason and their folks, and Oliver with his dad (mom is feeling puny). We get caught up over pizza and then head next door to the Cajun Festival with a huge playground and fun booths. The cousins have the best time climbing and running and yelling and laughing. Oh if only I could bottle it all up and bring it home!

Mason, Ezra and Maximus. We all wish they lived closer.

Oliver, Mason and Maximus chase each other through one of the many play structures.

Oliver is fearless! Elliott considers the climb but (thank goodness) opts for a more tame option.

I'm so grateful for this time out of their busy lives to meet up. Elliott, Ezra, Maximus and Mason. Shalise, Corey with Oliver, Richie, Nick and Jillian. 

Ezra and Elliott love hanging out with Dad.

It's great fun watching Dad shop at Elliott's store. He explains why they're out of some items :-))

On Mother's Day morning we go to the local fresh donut shop, but they're closed. I'm bummed. But I'm so proud of Ezra who says "A lot of moms work here and they should be home today." He's right of course. We opt to head up the mountain where we enjoy a lovely, uncrowded brunch, small artisan shops and photo fun. I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day (except if Jeff were here too).

Bunny Boy Elliott

Flower Child Ezra

Elliott hams it up in the jail.

In addition to playing video games, Ezra loves to run as fast as he can!

I make the drive back on Monday in one shot. It's not bad with a good audio book and little traffic in both SoCal and Phoenix. The 113 degree temps in Picacho is unwelcome! 

Our skies put on a show.

I'm happy to have this post done, feeling like I'm finally caught up(ish).

Just February

 February 1 - 28, 2026

Tombstone - Apache Junction, Arizona

A planned week with Maggie in Apache Junction is the anticipated highlight of the month. The two days we end up having are great fun.

Maggie is in AJ for several weeks and I'm excited to have one of them with her. We have a long list of daily afternoon adventures. Her mornings are booked so I have a few hours of me-time which is also good stuff.

Prior to this trip I had a couple modifications done on PJ's hitch lay-out. Just getting everything hooked up was stupidly difficult so I'm very happy with the changes RV City did for me - now it all makes sense and is very simple. Wren (the Maverick now has a name) tows like a dream, and by 1:00 I'm parked and hooked up at Sundance Village just across from Maggie's 5er. It's one of many, many parks in the area with tight sites, but it's clean and safe and mostly quiet.

Maggie's house across the street!

In addition to her good company, Maggie also has gift cards she's been wanting to use so we eat dinner for "free" for two evenings. Our first dinner is at Outback which I haven't been to in years. It's wonderful getting caught up with her over appetizers and a cold beer. I can't believe we haven't seen each other in over a year!

Day One we head to OdySea in Scottsdale. We spend several hours enjoying all the sea life here, and save our Butterfly Experience (same complex) tickets for later in the week. 

Why is this view unique?

Because it's the view over the sinks in here!

One of a few non-sea creatures, the sloth looks comfy doing sloth things.

After seeing My Octopus Teacher and reading Remarkably Bright Creatures, I'm a big fan of the Great Pacific Octopus. So getting to see this beauty up close (the staff person tells us she's rarely out from behind the rocks) is such a treat!

The rays' little "faces" always make me smile.

I was never a fish tank person, but have always thought a jelly fish tank would be wonderful.

Without a doubt these American Paddlefish are the weirdest creature I've seen.

There are several types of shark, all beautiful.

After all that walking we head back to the park for naps and feet up. Turns out we're both ready to call it a day and stay home.

Day Two we plan to meet at the Musical Instruments Museum rather than Maggie driving all the way back to pick me up and go back to the same area she's coming from. It's cloudy with a chilly wind, a perfect day for indoor activities.

I have no idea what to expect of this specialized museum, but I'm definitely not expecting the size of the place! Although we arrive with a few school buses full of school-age people we don't see any of them after the first two exhibits.

Included with the admission is a Bluetooth headset that connects to the plethora of music to be experienced throughout the gazillion exhibits. 

Included in the Guitar Gallery with many historic and famous pieces is the oldest full-size guitar in existence - the Baroque Guitar made by Belchior Dias in 1590.

A collection of unique instruments includes the Stroviol made by Augustus Stroh, combining a violin and a gramophone for amplification.

"Player" pianos are fascinating - both how they're made and the huge variety of size and intricacy.

This hand-crank organ from the Netherlands with 162 pipes is nothing like the usual "organ grinders" small enough to hold in two hands.

Artifacts from music events.

Instruments used by solo artists and groups.

Most displays include music plus costumes, awards and other artifacts.

Maggie and I are both Prince fans, she's prepared to play his piano.

Music and instruments from various indigenous cultures.

I especially like the Kukeri dancers with their large bells worn house to house to scare away evil spirits. They can stand up to 9 feet tall!

After a few hours we haven't even started the exhibits from countries all over the world - it's easy to believe this place has the largest collection in the world. Rather than rush through the rest to accommodate our fading stamina we opt to purchase a Day Two ticket at the reduced rate. 

Dinner is very good at Lucille's BBQ on the way home. Conversing with Maggie about interesting topics is one of my favorite activities and we hang out for another hour. Once back to our rigs we say an early good-night.

Day Three doesn't happen. My morning begins with a call from Jeff giving me an update on what's been happening back at the house over the last 24 hours. I clearly need to pack up and head back. 

After giving Maggie the bad news, I pack up, hook up, grab a last hug, and pull out of the park. I'm glad she thinks to get my unused tickets to give to someone who will appreciate a freebie.

Back home there's new changes to sort out, and I'm grateful that Jeff made the call.

Local trips still happen in between, so Rebecca, Vicky and I enjoy the theater again. Before getting to the theater we take a walk around the historic courthouse grounds, and the gem and mineral museum in the same building. It's beautiful and I will definitely be back.

 Mormon Battalion Monument commemorates their march through Tucson in 1846.

The beloved Pima County Historic Courthouse, built in 1929, served the county 86 years.

Vicky catches up with her daughter at the Clement Fountain - a lovely and peaceful spot.

Fun to find a healthy Crested Saquaro behind the fountain.

This massive quartz crystal greets us at the gem museum.

The collection here rivals the Smithsonian!

Local mining history is included.

Ain't Misbehavin' is a delightful two hours of song and dance and fabulous costumes. The cast of five with live band put on an energetic and fun show! 

The Arizona Theater Company is a new venue for us and we all really like it. Our great seats are front row of the balcony.

Love having an unimpeded view!

Life goes on regardless of changes. 

Elliott and Ezra building their snow family.

Maximus takes Dad on a hike.

Magnolia and Mom make a Penelope sandwich.

Oliver's happy about his yummy treat.