Way Back When July Ended

 July 27 - August 12, 2026

Tombstone, Arizona - Silver City, New Mexico

First off, all is okay here. Other than a severe case of lack-of-motivation-to-write-a-post, things are fine. Given the amount of time I've let slip away, I'll include the highlights over a few weeks since the last post. 

At the end of July I'm really grateful to get a call from our number two, Bill's number one, Nick. He's coming to visit and offers to take care of his dad so I can get away for a couple days. Our number 6, Bill's number 4, Richie joins his brother for the weekend. Jeff and I make quick plans for a weekend in Silver City, NM. It's still hot and the higher elevation of this little mining town just 2.5 hours away seems perfect. 

It's a pretty Saturday drive (I'm more impressed than Jeff is), and we arrive earlier than check-in. I'm in the middle of several weeks of gut pain and discomfort which is SO unfair because I'm in New Mexico and can't eat any green chili or anything tasty :-( But we find food and kill some time in the old town area. 

I'm sad to say it is not the bustling shops and eateries that Bill and I enjoyed in 2021. We were here during COVID and there were more open businesses and more people. Still the cooler temps make it nice for walking around. It was 112 when I was in Tucson two days before our weekend in Silver City where it's 89.

The historic plaques are well done.

Some places still represent the prosperous late 1800s when the silver and gold mining was at its peak.

We're both happy with the little house in the sketchy neighborhood and settle in for a quiet afternoon and evening. The back porch is perfect for the thunderstorm and reading our books. Jeff got me Ann Patchett's Whistler, which I enjoy so much that when we get home I start increasing my "real" books collection. I've been all Kindle and audio for many years.

The vintage cabin was moved here years ago by the family of the single mom who now owns it with her daughter. They've done a lovely job of making it very homey.

The covered back porch has this great swing and a table with a couple chairs to enjoy the fresh air.

Lots of comfy space.

Sunday morning we hang out at a great coffee house - books, chess, coffee, pastry, atmosphere. Later Jeff opts for a day at the house and walking the area while I head over the hill to the Mimbres Heritage site that is hosting the small Hummingbird Fesitival. I spend a couple hours, it's a peaceful place with interesting history and friendly people. Being in town we can have dinner delivered and just chill. I finish the book, what a treat.

Tranquil Buzz is my favorite kind of place to get comfy with a random book and a hot drink.

Jeff plays himself. Says he wins.

There's also a unique outdoor space that reminds me of mountain lodges.

Aside from the big mining operation, it's a pretty little drive.

While it's definitely cooler, I'm shocked to find a couple patches of snow!

The pastoral Mimbres Valley is surrounded by green foothills. So peaceful here.

The heritage site is one of the nicest I've seen. A small area with excellent information provided in multiple ways.

In addition to signs showing the physical location of the featured structures are information plaques with floor plans.

Most impressive and informative are these 3-D relief models at several of the sites.

 A small and well done visitor center with friendly staff who are busy answering lots of questions.

I didn't get any photos of the few artists' tents where I bought a pretty gourd piece and some hand painted book marks (preparing for those real books I'm going to get!).

On the return drive the boys check in that they have dropped their dad off at dialysis and are headed home. It was a good visit for the three of them. It's a long drive twice in three days for them, and I'm so appreciative of their effort.

A few years ago fellow-blogger Gay and her hubby Joe moved to nearby Vail. We've met up with them at a mutual friends' home and in Bisbee for lunch. But I've not seen their casa nor met their sweet furbaby Lucy. On my way to an appointment in Tucson I remedy that! Their home is lovely and I'm so so happy to see them after way too long. Lucy is a delight and is my first doggy-fix since losing my own sweet girl. I soak up all the kisses and cuddles (Lucy), and wonderful conversation (Gay and Joe), and as always the time flies too fast. I will be back for more!

Just what I needed.

Stunning southern skies.

I've mentioned before what a variety of reading, listening and experiencing is offered by our Sierra Vista library. In addition to all we enjoy inside is their small but nice grounds. It's a pretty place to take a short stroll on hot days.

Either new or I just haven't seen them before (most likely) are several critters hiding along the walls and fences.

We've had a lot of this all summer. Within 30 minutes the ground is barely damp.

You can hear the grass and weeds growing to knee high over the whole yard.

Multiple shades of green from valleys to the tops of all the foothills and mountains.

Elliott (kindergarten) and Ezra (6th grade) head back to school on Ezra's 11th birthday. Too old too fast!

The plan (bwahahaha) is to get caught up with a few more posts. 

A Bit of May, All of June and Most of July

May 22 - July 25, 2026

Tombstone, Arizona

Thanks to Gay and Sue for getting caught up on their own blogs and giving me some much needed inspiration. While I'm not doing much of note these days, I still like to think I'll want to know what was happening. 

Jeff takes me for breakfast and a bit of wandering in Bisbee for my birthday. The Bisbee Breakfast Club (the original) is always a favorite. As is the little historic area of Lowell it has always inhabited. It came as a big surprise to learn they are moving! They'll still be in Bisbee, but on the other end of town near the big church. I'm sure the food will still be good, but it will take some getting used to! 

I've never seen a bigger door anywhere!

There's an old recording studio just around the corner that I've never noticed. So cool!

The gymnasium window with "historic" exercise equipment.

Vintage pumps for leaded gas. A tad cheaper than today's offerings.

Vicky and I find a new diner for Tuesdays - The Bit has a small and tasty breakfast/lunch menu that we enjoy several weeks in a row. 

Many of our crafts group are gone for the summer <envy>, but there's still a small group who I love seeing every week. I've found over the last few years how much I appreciate time spent with these women. 

The monsoons are definitely here, and what we're all talking about. Every afternoon the clouds, thunder and wind roll in for a couple hours. Some days are more intense than others, but there's wet every day. 

Driving Bill home one afternoon I have to pull over to let the downpour pass over. It's zero visibility with wipers on high - I'm glad I know that road so well! After moving through 6 inches of water covering the road from berm to berm we reach completely dry road before arriving home. Another day I have to pull off on Hwy 90 along with a dozen other vehicles - including several state troopers with their lights flashing. They don't last long, but they're brutal.

As it started to clear....

At the house we're fortunate to not lose power even with 50 mph gusts and lots of close lightning strikes. Thunder shakes the walls and the big trees lean waaaaay over. And then it's gone.

So much water so fast.

Jeff captures this cell moving behind the Mules.

Our neighbors (no one lives there now) haven't fared as well. Their bunkhouse roof has peeled off completely over two weeks of storms.

20 minutes after the strongest storm so far - like it never happened :-)

We're also gifted with gorgeous skies.

In addition to rain, the wind brings dirt and dust, stripping paint and felling trees in town.

The heat and storms aren't outside-activity-friendly, but I check out a desert nursery in nearby Vail one morning. Four Arrows Garden is a lovely place with a large variety of happy, healthy plants. The addition of landscaped vignettes and children's play areas makes it a fun stop. I will be back to shop when it's cool enough to think about planting something in the yard!

Nice views.

So yeah, not much happening this summer, but life goes on and the desert keeps us entertained. 

The Gravel kids and grands get together in SoCal for the July 4th holiday. Lots of fun had by all. 

Oliver looking handsome, and ready to be a big brother in the near future.

Cassidy creates self-art.

Ezra and Elliott enjoy Blueysicles on a hot day.

Henry mastering the rope climb.

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).