Landscaping is Finished

Good afternoon, dear daughters and granddaughter,

Dad went hiking with the park again yesterday. He said it was a good hike, about 4 miles, 3 hours. He told me he was bringing up the "rear". They have an older lady, Ruby, who likes to go on all the hikes - she's the one above with the gray hair. She usually has a need to use the restroom on the hikes and as you probably know, there aren't restrooms every haf mile or so. It's my understanding that you just go off a ways in the desert and go. Last hike Peggy (above) was the "rear" so she helped Ruby out. Since dad was the rear yesterday, he had to wait while Ruby did "her business". He said it took her so long, that he was beginning to be a bit worried but what was he to do? The other hikers kept going while he waited and waited. In fact, another male hiker, Ralph, came back to see what the problem was. Eventually Ruby came out of the desert. By this time, the majority of the hikers were so far ahead that the 3 tail-enders couldn't see them, soooo Ralph calls ahead and asks them to "wait up" - we're coming!!!

Here are some of the beautiful, unusual cacti that dad saw along the hike.

These are our neighbors across the street, Gene and Gayl who hail from southern Wisconsin. They're a really neat couple - they're expecting a visit from us this summer.

Found out today that the front-line hikers yesterday saw two cougars pass in front of them on the trail - all dad saw was a jackrabbit, but these too are quite rare, especially in the midwest. When dad was growing up, they were quite common but no onger. We've seen them several times here in Arizona - note the long ears - that's why they're called "jack rabbits".

The front yard landscaping is finished!!! and I think it looks wonderful. Several people have asked if dad is going to put out his landscaping shingle - he says NO!!!

Now we're busy painting the brown trim on the trailer just to spruce it up - then dad will do some polishing on the outside while hopefully I can get started on painting my cupboards.

That's it from Sunny Arizona. Have a great week.

Love you forever, MOM

Landscape Update

This was the sky yesterday afternoon when I was walking down the street about 5:30. It was really pretty off in the west.

Here's my new trailer art. Amy, for your information DeAnn wanted us to buy this HUGE lizard for the front of the trailer and I said no. Besides it was $150. This one was $12 - no brainer as far as I'm concerned. He's really cute, isn't he? What do you think I should name him? Any suggestions, Holly.

Dad piled a bunch of his rocks in the side of the driveway the other night and when Rich and Henrietta were over, she said she kinda liked them there. So he piled a few more and we're going to put some ivy inbetween the rocks. We can always moved them again if dad runs into them with the car.

Here's the landscaping - all we're waiting for now is the rock which will come next week. Looking good, isn't it? He's gotten LOTS of good compliments on the job.

That's it from lovely, WARM, sunny Tucson. Have a great weekend. Love to you al

MOM

Our New Landscaping - A Work in Progress

After spending at least a year thinking and contemplating what to do with our "front yard", Dad starting putting in pavers yesterday. We were very fortunate because the day we were going to Lowe's to buy the pavers, someone was giving a bunch away. Dad didn't have quite enough and yesterday when he was working, a group of ladies out walking told him about another person in the park who was giving some more away, soooooooooooooooooo we got all our pavers free. Now I can spend the money on a new countertop and sink.
Of course, dad isn't finished. He has the outline done but will continue work for a few more days. It's looking good though and he's getting LOTS of compliments from people walking by.

Amy, do you see the little snake by the blue ball? It's a little cloth snake. It SCARED DeAnn big time - I laughed but after seeing her face, I felt sorry for her. We put it in the middle of the rocks so it will look more realistic.

If you look very carefuy in the midde by the white skirting, you will see a litte lizzard. He was scrambling around in the rocks while dad was working. Dad accidently pulled his tail off and it wiggled around in the rocks by itself, unattached for several minutes - amazing!! Lucky lizzard will grow another one though.

Here's our "new" car for the week - it's an HHR - bright red. Haven't really gone anywhere in it yet but have to get groceries and do some running this afternoon. I can't drive it so dad has to take me. They said it would probably take a week to get ours repaired. Guess what, DeAnn, the door does not screech and squeak when you open it.

Have a super week - it's going to be another warm one here today - inside the trailer it was close to 90 degrees but it's very pleasant in my swing out on the patio.

MOM