Pretties in the City and Haboob at Home

 July 11 - 18, 2025

Tombstone, Arizona

Sometimes "modern convenience" isn't as convenient as hoped - or at the very least isn't the first choice for special.

I'm not surprised by the comments on the previous post, sharing that paper calendars are still used. Ezra and Elliott's mom has one on the fridge, many of our traveling friends use them regularly, and I even see them in current TV series. Even with calendar programs available on our phones, tablets and computers, many still prefer hard copies. Clearly convenient is in the eye of the beholder!

This is true in other ways.

Recently the Jeep stopped recognizing Bluetooth connections. While there is an Aux jack on the dash, our new Android phones no longer have jacks. The "convenience" of Bluetooth technology means we can no longer access music, podcasts, etc. Sure, I can replace the unit or get it "fixed" (unlikely anymore), but what a pain and expense! Jeff points out "it was so nice when we could just pop in a CD!" Amen son.

Texts and emails are quick and easy, but they're not very special. Admittedly greeting cards are as expensive as everything else these days, but there is something much more fun and personal and special about receiving one in the mail. During our travels I enjoyed sending post cards to our (then six) grands - and they loved receiving something in the mail just for them. It's challenging to find post cards that appeal to kids, and now that we have 10 it's no longer a viable option. Plus we're not traveling. Fortunately Target and Hallmark carry packets of 6-10 (almost monthly) holiday cards at a reasonable price with some variety. I'm happy to send out these special envelopes with some stickers several times a year. Less convenient, but definitely much more special!

Access to the Internet is invaluable. I can remember a life without it, but find it hard to describe to Ezra! I'm happy to say that our homes still have books and table games on the shelf, writing is still taught in school. Contrary to popular belief and complaint, cursive is required in school curriculum in California and 24 other states. 

I don't see a day when we're once again dependent on outdated encyclopedias or paper maps for navigating information and travel routes, but I believe there is something in our DNA that ensures our holding on to, and passing down, practices that are appreciated for both their simplicity and their specialness. 

Back to typing on my laptop and downloading photos from my digital camera.....

Tucson (the city) is generally 10-12 degrees hotter than we are in Tombstone (home). An elevation change of over 2000 feet, and distance of 70 miles makes a real difference. Especially in the summer. Usually I can avoid the city on really hot days unless Bill has a doctor visit. Visits to fun and interesting places can by planned around the weather. Of course the one place I definitely want to visit during this warmer season is only open one weekend a month. If it's a hot weekend I either give up the adventure, or make the best of it. 

Last year I opted for the first option and missed out, so this year I'm off to the Gathering Vintage Market on a hot July Saturday. Rebecca and I love it at Christmas, and I have wanted to visit in other seasons. It's not a large place, but is very special. I don't always buy something, but I love looking at everything there.

It's hot. Arriving 30 minutes after opening, it's pretty crowded. The dog is old, but isn't going to stay home without me. Fortunately I continue to enjoy perfect "car-ma", and the first parking space next to the door is waiting for us. 2 feet of asphalt and we're in the shade, then in the door. Immediately it looks bigger, even with the number of people milling about. There are still lots of tall displays under the 12-15 foot ceiling, but the absence of multiple full Christmas trees opens the space. We spend over an hour making a couple full meanders throughout the lovely offerings. Like at Christmas, I love their artistic "gathering" of related items into beautiful vignettes. Several vendors are represented, but dispersed throughout with creative intent. No AC, but the large fans and iced lemon water manage to keep it comfortable before noon. I'm very glad I came.

The ceilings are barely visible at Christmas, filled with tall, decorated trees.

Flowers are definitely the theme of Summer here.

I need an old-world wood library to bring these home to!

It was only with great will-power that I came home sans a pair of avocado pillows.

Tessa enjoys her usual pets and oohs and ahhs at her overpowering cuteness, and endures my lengthy wanderings. Our lunch stop at Five Points Market is close-by where once again the best parking spot is open for us. There's a wait since it's too hot for anyone to opt for the patio, but soon I'm enjoying a plate of scrambled eggs with cheesy grits while Tessa snoozes under my stool. I really enjoy this upbeat, sustainably sourced, openly diverse eatery in one of the city's regentrified barrio neighborhoods. It's 107 when we return to the Jeep, and it's time to leave.

15 feet from the door, it's still hot :-)

Devastating floods continue to destroy homes, businesses and lives to the east. Some are rapidly overflowing rivers, some are flash floods through areas of recent fires, all are extreme and terrifying. Water is not always our friend, still we hope for rain here. Most of the water our desert depends on comes from the summer monsoons. During our traveling years Jeff enjoyed strong and steady rains here at the house for many weeks. Upon our return the area was always lush and green for months. The two summers we've been here the monsoons were weak, the following months with limited green. Last year included. This year really, really needs to produce some measurable water.

A Haboob is an intense dust storm that precedes a weather front or thunderstorm. One afternoon Jeff comes back from a walk and tells us we should look outside (curtains are drawn against the sun and heat). To the east is solid brown from earth to sky, blocking out the Dragoons with a visibly moving edge moving toward us. A Haboob is moving in. Very ominous, very cool. Literally, as the temps are dropping with the smell of rain. Over the next couple hours we get high winds, dirt blowing against the windows, and finally some rain. Dust and wind slacken and the rain slows enough to give us a decent soaking. 

Captured by a neighbor. It gets everyone's attention!

With the rain continuing overnight we get a short reprieve from the week's hot temps. There are a couple days of this-would-be-lovely-all-summer weather with climbing temps in the forecast. 

Clouds hugging the Whetstones to the west.

One morning on the porch I'm looking at this view when I hear drops on the roof.

Directly above is this single cloud wringing out the last of the moisture in the area.

Another trip to Tucson for Bill to meet with his vascular surgeon about the continuing hand pain. A second surgery is scheduled so they haven't given up on fixing it. We meet up with Kim and Jack for a good meal and better conversation at Bistro 44. It's still funny to me that after 50+ years we spend time with people we went to high school with!

 

Cutie Cassidy at Grandma's in the SoCal desert.

Handsome Henry shares his sweet treat.

M&M beat the heat.

Oliver visits Yosemite where Mom and Dad got married!