"PJ" is Here - Loving the Simple

 November 17 - 28, 2024

Tombstone, Arizona

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Big things, little things. Daily events, special times. Old friends, new friends. Expectations and great surprises. There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Sometimes you might have to dig a little deeper, but it's worth it isn't it? Counting one's blessings is the best kind of math (really the only kind I'm any good at)! I love this time of year, and a holiday that is neither political nor religious - just a moment to reflect and appreciate. 

A few of my gal pals came to see our little house on the hill (always fun to share), and then we moseyed off to enjoy lunch in Tombstone. 

Vicki, Rebecca, Kris, me and Tessa checking out a local doggie.

The last week of 2014 we bought our first ever motorhome to start a traveling life. The Thor Tuscany was a beautiful rig that was perfect for us, and took us to many, many fabulous places, and to see lots of wonderful people over several years. The last couple years there were more and more trips that included issues causing a lot of stress and putting a damper on our travels. Combined with Bill's health issues, it was time to make a change. While the Thor had every bell and whistle possible in a 35' coach, I was very ready for simple and basic. As the always-driver I loved driving the Thor, enjoyed "getting it in and through" everywhere we wanted to go. Now I'm looking forward to even more options with ten less feet to maneuver :-)

Entegra Odyssey SE 22C is her official title, but we're calling her "PJ" for Plain Jane. Swore I'd never own a white RV, and of course that's what we have now! Never say never.......

25' of fun-to-come

I cannot remember the last time I used a key to open a vehicle door, had a gear shift on the column, didn't have a dozen buttons on the steering wheel, or had a sun visor without a mirror! Simple is very freeing. Like the Jeep, the seats move manually - so much faster :-)

Comfy and easy.

After the slides-from-hell experiences we've been through, I love having one little one for the queen bed. Even though it has the dreaded Schwintek mechanics, it's so small it can be pushed in and out by hand if needed - hopefully that won't be necessary, but it's nice to know.

That's it! Just that one little slide :-))

Basic, plain and simple - love it!

I'm having fun making it feel like home, adding personal touches and some color. We're waiting for the new mattress to be delivered - arrangements made at the time of purchase. Everything else is like new. Less than 5k miles, stove and generator never used, loft bed never slept on, she's pristine inside and out.

I'll post more interior when I've finished, but for now this is PJ, representing a big change I'm looking forward to.

The branches of the San Pedro River lined with yellow Cottonwoods.

The herd stops by on Thanksgiving morning.

Love this pic of little Oliver in the trees.

Envious that Big M took Mom to see Wicked - they loved it!

Reese and Penelope loving the newest pic of their sibling coming in April.

Wishing you all big buckets of things to be grateful for today and always.

 

Busy Times and Exciting News Pending!

November 1 - 16, 2015

Tombstone, Arizona

Arrrrgghh!! More than half-way through building the post, including photos, and poof! whatever key I hit in error erases the whole thing. Numerous attempts to restore it without luck :-(((

Too frustrating to try and remember whatever pearls I was sharing, so deep breath and start from scratch!

November is why so many spend early Fall and Winter in Arizona. Moderate daily temps with cold nights, bright blue skies with accent clouds, and light (sometimes strong) fresh, deep breath breezes. And the yearly surprise of some very pretty fall colors from our pockets of large trees.

Colorful Cottonwoods mark the route of the San Pedro River across the whole valley.

Changing light give us muted hues,

with vivid colors in the bright sun.

Patagonia is mostly known for it's lake - lots of Bass tournaments - but there is also a cute little village. A handful of good eateries, a couple unique shops, and a wonderful Audubon hummingbird center. Rebecca and I deliver some of her felted pieces to the trading post and enjoy a delicious brunch at Gathering Grounds next door. Highly recommended if you're in the area.

We head north to the historic Harshaw Cemetery. The Hermosa Project Mine is just south of the site, so the dirt road is well maintained. Surprisingly we cross four strong flowing (but very shallow) creeks. Been a long while since the Jeep got muddy! Most of those interred at the cemetery are the Soto family and their descendants, with a few other Hispanic Catholic families from the 1880's to the 2000's. No additional burials are allowed now. Set on a hillside, many are above ground concrete graves with several older ones covered by piles of rock. The exception is the single grave along the river outside the fence marked with a white cross. I can't find any information, but Rebecca was told by a local that a Jewish man named Jim is buried there. Large old-growth trees surround the area. A handful of RVs are camped along the road - it's Whitetail Deer hunting season here.

Beautiful gnarly oaks.

Free-range or escapees, we stop to say hello to these two beauties who are clearly uninterested in socializing.

I love finding thick forest throughout our desert area.

Some graves include stories of the deceased and their family.

Large concrete multi-graves with rock-pile sites behind.

Maybe Jim.

With the river and forest, rock formations add to the beauty of the drive.

Along with the other changes that come with Bill's move back to the clinic for dialysis is no longer needing the port for treatment. So out-surgery in Tucson is on the agenda. While he's having that little adventure I check out South Tucson's murals. Tucson has over 100 which I hope to find during upcoming visits. 

This building really commits!

One of my favorite musicians, Linda Ronstadt was born in Tucson in 1946. Both the music hall and the transit center are named for her.

Hard to capture at ground level, this large piece is stunning.

After the mural tour and a quick breakfast, I head to check out small RVs. With several of the many dealerships in Tucson within a couple miles of each other, it doesn't take long to check out a dozen units. At the size and price-point I'm shopping for there is a limit on floorplans, so most look nearly identical :-) 

And I find one!! With a small deposit to hold it I go pick up Bill. He feels up to going to check it out, and after another quick tour we agree it will work for us.

A couple days later I'm satisfied with the deal they can make trading in the Thor and purchasing the Entegra (small hint), and we arrange to pick it up next week.

So fingers crossed it all works out and we get that off the to-do list! Photos next time.

Lots of fun with the craft group, and on Saturday Rebecca and I add Vicki to our annual pilgrimage to Gather Vintage Market in Tucson. All year it's open one weekend a month, but expand to two for November and December. Their holiday wonderland is a magical shopping experience. Even with the bigger crowd we have a wonderful time exploring and buying. Seeing it through Vicki's first-time-there eyes is even better!!

Part of what makes it so extraordinary is that the vendors work together to meld their items into multiple vignettes. So beautiful.

Shopping from the various trees is great fun!

This tree would be great in a Tombstone storefront.

Unique vintage and new ornaments.

Several woodland scenes highlight flora and fauna.

Lunch at Cafe ala Carte at the Tucson Art Museum is also much busier that usual, but after only a short wait our salads are exceptional. They both agree the Sangria is the perfect addition :-)) Vicki is from the midwest in an area with no Trader Joe's (why would anyone live in such a place???), so our fun day wraps up with a visit to one of the four we have in Tucson. She's a convert!

Likely the Thor's final sunset with us. Bittersweet.

Cassidy ready to surprise brother Henry that he has a new toy!

Penelope and Reese lovin' on Mom and baby bump.

Little M gets a ride from Dad at a local festival.

Big M sporting new braces and a festival-made snowball.

October Wrap Up

 October 21 - 31, 2024

Tombstone, Arizona

Most of us who blog agree that one of the things that make it worthwhile is having the history to go back and see what we were up to this time of year over several years. October is consistently a beautiful time to be just about anywhere in the country! New England and Utah were probably the prettiest, but nowhere wasn't great.

As the month comes to an end we're enjoying more traditional October temps, including an increase in the dreaded wind. Alas, we're never happy are we :-)) Mornings on the porch are chilly enough for a heavy robe, and our Quail are starting to puff up against the cold. 

Most mornings our yard looks (and sounds) like a barnyard!

Our does are so delicate, I love their gentle beauty.

The twins are getting big.

But still depend on Mom for a snack.

A rare juvenile buck. He isn't aggressive with the twins, but Mom ran him off every chance she got.

Northern Cardinals usually make a stop, but always one at a time.

Not as vivid, the Desert Cardinals change color in the varying light.

The dozens of birds scatter and fly away quickly and it is completely quiet. The sound of large wings signal the arrival of this rare (to our yard) hawk. It's over five minutes after their departure before the flocks return.

After his rough couple of weeks, we don't take for granted Bill's feeling good! Returning to clinic treatments has been without issue and all his numbers are consistently where they need to be. Yaaaay!

Rebecca and I have begun our season of day trips, starting this year with the markets at Mercada St Augustin in Tucson. Sadly the day we go it's over 90 in the city so our strolling among the little shops is limited to the more shaded areas. Still, it's a wonderful day of getting out and about, and enjoying yummy eats at Rollies. Chatting and people (and pigeon) - watching in the courtyard is lovely. We wrap up the day at our favorite Grandma's Spinning Wheel for more felting wool. 

We both really like these white painted windows.

Dia de lost Muertos altars line the side street.

Honoring our loved ones who have past, the altars are touching as well as vibrant.

We're getting serious about trading in the big rig for a smaller one. Hoping to get that done quickly and have it ready for Ezra and Elliott to bring their folks for Christmas. I'm looking forward to having them all here for more family fun. 

We never get trick-or-treaters out here in the country, and I admit I miss it. Our little town does provide several activities so our local kiddos aren't missing out. The grands all celebrated and had a fun holiday. We love seeing the pics every year :-)

M and M with their folks.

Henry and Cassidy with their parents who have always had loads of fun with costumes.

Penelope and Reese hamming it up.

Next year they'll be a family of five!

These two came home with 2# each of candy - Ezra and Elliott love Halloween!

Spooooky Elliott

Ezra has been a Nightmare Before Christmas fan for five years!

When Dad dresses up as garbage so you can be a garbage truck - good job Oliver :-)))