November 17 - December 4, 2025
Tombstone, Arizona
I wasn't fooling myself. I knew it would be so, so hard. But whew, this has been a very rough few weeks. Tessa is everywhere, and that is slowly becoming comforting rather than gut-wrenching.
Many thanks for the heart-felt comments on our girl's passing.
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| The very best fluffy girl (thanks Jim B for this great pic). |
There are a few reasons I've been thinking about trading in the Jeep. While I have to admit the absence of my fluffy pal riding along is a factor, there are more practical and long-term reasons it was time for a change.
When I pick up the new Maverick, we'll be a two-Ford home :-) It's the first new vehicle we've had as a couple, other than the Thor coach we lived in for several years. The little truck is a very comfy ride, all-wheel drive, and a hybrid!
It's nice to have gal-pals Rebecca and Vicky back for the winter. Also getting back to the crafts group every Tuesday has been fun. Nice to have new folks joining us.
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| A mild, cloudy day is perfect for exploring the large art and crafts show at the Tucson Art Museum (these are not Rebecca and Vicky). |
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| The area has a lot of historic, colorful buildings, but on this day I'm drawn to the uncluttered simplicity of a quiet corner. |
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| We do our part to support local artists, and give our feet a rest at favorite eatery, Cafe a la Carte. |
I'm very glad to have the heat behind us for a few months. This is my favorite time of year in the desert. It's the season we always came to visit, when we put this area "on the list".
Some changes jump out, others are more subtle.
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| Cottonwoods line the San Pedro River and signal the seasons with the cycle of their leaves. |
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| We didn't see the massive amount of rain they had to the north this Fall, but Tombstone did get a couple days of heavy wet. |
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| A rare ribbon of white fog to the south. |
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| Eventually it surrounds us before dissolving as the day warms. |
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| The following morning it returns to the north as a large gray wall. It feels very Stephen King around here for a couple days! |
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| Our skies continue to enchant. |
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| Drama through the window. |
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| A sliver moon at sunset. |
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| The tall green grass of summer morphs into stalks of spun gold. |
Very little changes in a small historic town, folks don't come here to see "new stuff". However, the community does strive to make upgrades, improvements and a few additions that the locals most appreciate. The little diner has reopened, a food truck is tucked behind the brewery, a mechanic has opened a shop on the main highway, much-needed paint is showing up on the exteriors of vintage buildings.
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| Most welcome is the new Cowboy Coffee in a beautifully restored historic building across from the mine tour. Good ol' boys serving good coffee and fresh-baked pastries is a fine addition! |
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| We hear them yipping at night, but a sighting is rare at the water trough. What a beauty. |
Bill is doing fine. He had minor surgery that hasn't slowed him down thankfully. He continues to drive into Sierra Vista for clinic three days a week. Of course football season is the very best :-))
We'll have a small and quiet Christmas this year with the kiddos staying in SoCal and Jeff headed east to holiday with friends. I've decorated but held off on the tree so far. Sometimes memories take time to be cathartic. I'll get there.
There continue to be opportunities to smile:
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| It happens enough to have an official sign? |
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| Elliott is rewarded for important things. |
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| Cousins Mason, Oliver and Maximus are ready for the holidays! |
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| Virginia family cuteness - Reese, Penelope and Magnolia share smiles with their folks. |
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| Henry and his biggest fan. |
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What a fantastic picture of Tessa. I’m so glad I got to really know her this summer. I can only imagine how much you miss her.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful to have friends return every winter and a weekly group you enjoy. Fun things to look forward to.
The golds of those cottonwoods are stunning. I’m so glad you did 3 different views. So many in the first one. Amazing!
Interesting to see fog in the desert. I would never have imagined it.
You do have wonderful skies. I always love seeing them. And the coyote – wow! He’s got his eye on you.
Your Christmas fireplace and mantel is so festive. The Santa hat is absolutely a reason to smile. As is Henry’s biggest fan. You are so funny!! Congrats to Elliot, an award worth winning. Your Virginia family should definitely frame that family picture. It’s wonderful. Plan a trip to visit them AND me in the spring!!
It's funny that my closest friends here are still our RV peeps even through we live in a house with old friends in the area. Those trees across the valley look like spilled paint, they're so bright! We've promised not to show any other Bison photos of ours with his hat on :-))) The fam is only an hour from you so it would be great to make that trip!
DeleteLosing a furry family member is one of the hardest things we go through in life. You and Tessa were a team and I know how hard it must be for you. We always loved that drive to SV in fall and seeing the leaves turning. Have a good Christmas Jodee and Bill.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a testimony to the powerful impact they have on our lives. Those Cottonwoods really glow for a few weeks - just so gorgeous. Happy Christmas wishes to you and Michael as well.
DeleteGood morning Jodee! I so remember that photo of Tessa and remember thinking it was the prettiest photo of a puppy ever! The comfort of memories is a wonderful thing. We love the TMA Market and the location. It is fun meeting local artists and supporting them. A potter we met actually lives in Corona de Tucson close by. This is my favorite time of year too with the golden grasses, wonderful weather, and gorgeous skies. The Cowboy Coffee shop will definitely be a new stop for us in Tombstone. It is good the read Bill is doing good and congrats to Elliot. Your mantle is so festive. A new truck! That is so exciting! Will you be able to tow it? I agree with Sherry…the Virginia family photo needs a frame. Beautiful smiles and one red toe…perfection! And I just cracked up at Henry’s “biggest fan”!
ReplyDeleteActually my second fav pic of Tessa is the closeup you took on the restaurant patio in Bisbee just this year :-) We're fortunate that we have so many great local artists and galleries in our area! One of the main reasons for choosing the Maverick hybrid is that it flat-tows. There are so few vehicles that do anymore. Good catch on the red toe.
DeleteThank you Jodee! That definitely brought on the tears! I had to go back and look at the photos…seems like yesterday! That’s awesome about the Maverick. Cant wait to see a picture of it!
Delete"One foot in front of the other gets you through tough times" my wonderful mother (Foof) always told me. It's true don't you think?
ReplyDeleteA truck! I don't know if I'll ever be able to think of you without your Jeep, but you always said you were a truck driver so.....
We love the drama of the desert also, the skies, the unexpected color changes, all of it. The cottonwoods lining the Hassayampa River here look like they think it's springtime now instead of that spectacular yellow on yours along the San Pedro.
I, too, love the one red toe. Very festive. Dave has always (for at least 20 years now) painted one toenail red for the holidays. Oh Dave....
Happy Christmas to you and Bill. We hope to see you in the New Year.
Absolutely agree. Your mom was right (as they often are). I have loved being a Jeep girl since we went on the road, but before that I always had a pickup. I'm hoping I enjoy this little one as well. I couldn't remember who had the red holiday toe, should have known it was Dave! Happy Christmas to you and Dave and Taos and yes we must meet up!
DeleteBeautiful photo of the furry girl:) One day at a time:)) Can't wait to see your new toy! Will you be towing it behind PJ? Your coyote looks so healthy. Ours are pretty scrawny. Our desert really needed all the rain we had. Filled our pool to the top. Maybe they'll have something green to eat because we don't see the small critters like we used to. No bunnies at all the last two years. Glad to hear Bill is doing well. Thanks for the update. Grands are adorable:)
ReplyDeleteGetting it set up to tow is taking a while (moving stuff from Jeep to truck), but then it will flat tow behind PJ. We've definitely had fewer bunnies, but we have had some. There were more Jack rabbits this year so maybe they don't share.
DeleteTessa was a perfect subject to try that iPhone portrait feature on. She was doing her best Cindy Crawford that day! :). I love Henry’s biggest fan! Reminds me of the State Farm commercial with Aiden Hutchinson and the sea captain: “Arrrgh a squall’s a comin!”
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you took her portrait shot - she was clearly giving you her best pose :-) LOL yes Henry is practicing to brace the high seas!
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