A New Box of Squares - July Begins

 July 1 - 10, 2025

Tombstone, Arizona

Back porch view.

Squares in a box on a piece of paper or, more likely these days, on a screen - the calendar influences so much of our lives. Originally developed along astronomical and seasonal cycles, the calendar aided the agricultural community initially, and was naturally adopted for tracking religious rituals and festivals (eventually holidays). The Julian calendar is believed to have started organizing lives in 46 BC, with the current Gregorian calendar being introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory Xlll. Resistance to the "Catholic" calendar delayed global usage until 1752. 

This man-made construct defines and dictates the whens and how-longs of our lives. Like the alphabet and musical notes, the calendar keeps us all "on the same page". 

So why this fascinating educational blip?

I started to write something about July 1 being the half-way point of the year. But that made me question "half-way to what?" Nothing within us actually ends or begins when the calendar changes to a new year. I was thinking that July 1 is a good time to take a deep breath and look toward the next six months with renewed convictions and commitments. But can't we do that every day?

We can, but usually don't. We need those squares. 

So at this recognized end-of-the-first-half point I've taken a few deep breaths and made a couple commitments for the next half. It's as good a time as any :-)

It takes several days to reacclimate to the quiet of a house without the energy and joy of little people. I miss them bunches. It's great fun to write the previous blog post with all the photos of our summer adventure! 

Monsoon Season is trying to start. Officially the season in southern AZ is June 15 - September 30 (because we have a calendar!). Predictions for 2025 include a wetter season than the last two years, but not until mid-July. Fingers crossed for accuracy as we need the rain (like most years) here. We get storms passing around us most days, and get a couple rains on the property. It's a slow start.

To the north.

An hour later to the southeast.

And the west.

Running errands in Sierra Vista and hoping this all heads to our house. It does!

While the grands were here we had fun naming the changing clouds. I send them this one to play with. Looks like Yoda to me!

Passing storms give us pretty sunsets.

Our wildlife continue to visit daily. One morning a large squadron of 15 Javelina come to the water bucket, including seven babies of different ages. There's a juvenile with a wounded leg that couldn't put weight on it a couple weeks ago. He shows up still limping but able to move quickly, putting weight on it!

An adult, juvenile and baby. The baby can't reach the water so takes the opportunity to nurse while mom drinks.

One persistent doe stops by most mornings that I'm out early on the front porch. She jumps the fence and nibbles the corn from the bird food on the ground. I don't try to get close to her, hope she won't ever trust humans, but she comes close on her own. Tessa watches but doesn't engage.

The Desert Bird of Paradise are not to her liking so we get a few blooms to enjoy.

Likely with fawn, they usually give birth in July and August.

Unfortunately later in the week Miss Deer shows signs of aggression toward Tessa (who continues to ignore her while walking around the yard). As sweet as those faces are, those hooves can be deadly strikers. We'll keep an eye out when letting Tessa outside.

Watching for a while, she doesn't mind sharing.

After no new Quail babies since the two that disappeared quickly a few weeks ago, I finally see a covey of 10 babies through the window! It makes me so happy, and I hope they all survive the predators and weather. Later in the week three families show up, each with less than 8 babies. They look like little fluffs of cotton and are very vulnerable.

Most lizards we get are thumb and finger size - you can pick them up with a pinch. Lately we've had some large thumb and four finger size. They're literally a handful! They tend to hang out in the shade. Until I pick up the camera.

A newest addition to the menagerie is the Trapdoor Spider by the front porch. Very industrious, they ring the hole with thick web, then lay a light covering over the top. At some point they, or something else, fill in the hole with dirt and there's nothing to see. A couple days later the trap is reconstructed. I've yet to see the occupant, but the hole is fascinating.

The dots are bird seed - not eyes :-)

The web construction is elaborate, but it's the perfect roundness of the hole that I find most interesting.

I have a medical procedure scheduled that I believe is going to have me in a room for two hours that may cause Tessa some stress. So I give her one of the pills from the vet to help her stay calm. Big mistake.

I end up able to walk around and have to change rooms a couple times which turns out to be difficult for the poor drugged dog! We come home and she sleeps for 17 hours. The next day she's still a little wonky. Even though her separation anxiety has increased with her limited hearing and eye sight, I won't use those pills again!

After what seemed like a "scary" message from the dr's office gave me a stressful holiday weekend I was grateful on Monday morning that there was nothing serious found. Whew!! At "this age" I'm more concerned when anything needs to be scanned!

What did you give me yesterday Mom??

Sunday evening bright sunshine lights up our little hilltop property, while we are surrounded by the darkest skies! Light wind and the wonderful smell of rain teases for a couple hours before moving on without a drop. So rude!

Although our July squares aren't full, we manage to pile up numerous appointments all in one week. Haircut, pedicure, dentist, doctors, dinner out with friends - feels like when we'd get to home base while full-timing and needing to get everything done quickly :-))) At least it's all done now.

I love it when Jeff makes lunch for me!

Our three youngest grands, numbers 8, 9 and 10, are getting so big and rapidly becoming their little individual selves. Delightful to watch through numerous photos and videos, like all the others we wish they lived closer.

Oliver loves being outdoors and helps pick apricots at his Oma's house.

Cassidy is a silly girl who finds delight in the everyday, and at that age where the container is as great as the contents.

Magnolia has a full range of smiles from precious to full-face-engaged. We hear she's a very good baby, and look forward to meeting her in person.