Wild Flowers

The flowers are amazing here in Tucson this winter/spring.  These bushes was just outside the Burger King and were full of blossoms.

 

 We were on our way to Mesa for a picnic with friends from Sioux Falls and these pictures were taken of the flowers along the roadside.

 Dad took the camera with him on his bike ride yesterday morning and took the following pictures along the bike path.  Aren't they beautiful?

 I believe this is a Palo Verde tree - they are all over and all in full bloom.  I have never seen them this full before.

It's another beautiful day here in Tucson - a little warm in the sun but there's a very nice breeze out there.  Think I'll go take a nap in my swing.  Wanna join me?  I have a rocking chair out there just waiting for someone to come and sit and visit.

Have a good week!!
Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Company from Minnesota

When we went to the big Swap Meet in Mesa, dad found something he couldn't live without.  It's a lazer light show for our patio.  It is so fun to sit in the living room with the door open and listen to the park residents stop and talk about the lights.  It has been a fun thing - good buy,Dad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of the dearest friends anyway - good friends through thick and thin!!!

 

 We are so blesssed to have these two couples as friends.  Even though we don't get to see any of them on a regular basis, we seem to be able to "pick up" right where we've left off.  I'm not sure there's anything I couldn't share with these two ladies.  I love them both dearly!!  It was so great to have the Goff's visit Tucson, even though I was sick the second day they were here.  (Thank goodness, I think I am finished with the "crud".  Still have the cough but no longer have the achey, tired feeling!)

Every year Linda and I say we're going to get together more often in the winter and we do see each other more than we do during the rest of the year but it never seems like enough.  Oh well, I'll be happy with the times we do have.

Have a good week, my dear family.  I had the awesome privilege of talking with my wonderful granddaughter on the telephone tonight - how I love that girl.  Study hard this week, Miss Holly.

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM



San Xavier Mission, Fry Bread & a New Bike

One of my favorite places to visit in Tucson is the San Xavier Mission.  This year we've taken a tour of the mission; in fact Dad has taken the tour twice and said they were very different and very informative.

 

Dad's classmate, Russ Borchers and his wife Jean, from Beaver Creek stop to see us every winter when they come for the car races in the area.  This year they were able to stay a couple of days since Jean retired this last year.  Always good to reminise about the "olden days" and get caught up on our families.

 

 I have heard it said that one of the things you must do before you die is have Indian Fry Bread at the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, AZ so we thought we should probably do that.  We had a bean and meat plus all the fixings and it was delicious.  It was so large that we could share it and it was sufficient.

 

Russ and Jean tried the honey fry bread and said it was good also but a little sweet.

 

Look what Dad bought.................   He spent a couple of days researching bikes on the internet and then spent another couple of days going to the bike shops here in Tucson.  This was his final choice and what was really good is that it plus all the accessories were 15% off.  Good choice!!!!!

 

 

Dad even bought himself a helmet and I bought him some riding gloves for his birthday.  He rode it 10 miles the first day and 20 miles yesterday and is out with it again today.  I am so proud of him and he loves his new bike.  Too bad he plans to leave it here in Tucson.  Maybe I can convince him to get a new one in South Dakota or at least take the old one in and have it "conditioned".  I wish I enjoyed riding as much as he does.  The lady at the bike shop told me to try riding a half hour a day for a while and she is convinced I will enjoy it after a time.

 

 

The forecast for Sunday is 91 degrees - guess I'll stay in and turn my air conditioner on and read the day away.

 

Love you all bunches and bunches!!!

 

Gramma and MOM

Rails in the Garden

Every year the beginning of March, Tucson features "Rails in the Garden" where various homeowners in the area open up their private yards where they have created small train displays.  Dad and I have gone several years and since Doug & LaVonne were here while it was going on, we took them.  Some of the displays are very elaborate while others are smaller.  A couple were really junky and I can't imagine why people would want visitors in their yards without cleaning them up a bit.  Some of the homes had unbelievable views beyond their railroad display.

 

 This was a new display for us - it was small but awesome.  Lots of tressels and bridges and this one was in the owner's front yard.  It was very nice and you could tell lots of work had gone into creating it.

 I like the metal bridge at this one.  It's also interesting to see the buildings and accessories people have made to go with their displays.

 This home and display were way out in the "boonies" but the home was beautiful and the scenery unbelievable.

Well, that's it for today.  Have a great day. 

Love you all bunches and bunches
Gramma and MOM

March Begins

March began with us celebrating your cousin, Brenda's birthday without her.  Doug & LaVonne came on March 2nd and Brenda's birthday is March 4th.  We went to Sweet Tomatoes after a fun day.  I talked to her earlier in the day and told her we'd be celebrating.  Brenda said that was a good idea because they probably would not be going anywhere since Missouri had a snowstorm.

 

 Earlier in the day we took Doug and LaVonne to see the saguaro that we feel has the most nubs or arms in all of Arizona.  Then we went to Saguaro West which is a national park - fun afternoon.

 Dad and his favorite niece - I know, you're not supposed to have favorites but he does.

 Doug wanted us to see how big this cactus is.

Have a good week ahead!!!

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Arizona Opry

Gary and Nancy left to go stay with Gary's Aunt Audrey in Mesa for a couple of weeks.  We followed right behind them and met the three of them at the Arizona Opry for their Rock 'n Roll Show.  It was an excellent show with music from the 60's - I knew almost every song they performed.  Dad and I went with a group from Wagon's West (48 in all) and the Wood's had their own little group of three not far from us.  It was a luncheon show - food was excellent - roast beef, mashed potatoes, chicken breast, rice, vegetables and a HUGE piece of chocolate cake along with lemonade and coffee.  It's a little pricey but well worth it!!!

 

 Barney Fife was there also letting us know the "rules of the parking lot."

 Willie Nelson (minus the pigtails) was also there to entertain us.  All of the musicans perform multiple tasks other than singing.  Most of them are very accomplished musicians and play all sorts of brass as well as other instruments.

 This is called a "keytar"

 and this is one huge saxophone - there was one larger sitting there but he didn't play it during this particular show.  They also have a couple of "Swiss Alp" long horns that they play during their variety show.

 

 

 

 

While at the show, Dad told me to turn around and take a picture of the guy behind me. I thought he was "off his rocker" a bit but when I turned around, here was a couple from our church in Brandon. Last year we "ran into" them at the organ pizza restaurant in Mesa. They purchased a home on the west side of Phoenix. We've decided that next season, we're just going to have to plan a get-together so we can visit.

 

 

We stayed overnight at Aunt Audrey's with Gary and Nancy and the next day went to the Mesa Swap Meet.  It's a huge flea market/swap meet - lots of t-shirts and other clothing, wall hangings, rugs, games, floral decorations, dried fruit and nuts, the "dawgs" sandals I buy every year - anything you can imagine.  I didn't get much for myself but Dad can always find something he can't live without.  It's four long rows of booths.  There are also eating stands and live music - only open on weekends and we usually try to go once a season.

 

After working up an appetite shopping and walking, we headed to In & Out Burger.  There the Wood party persuaded us to stay an extra night.  We sat up playing dominoes and just having a wonderful time.  Next morning we headed home by way of the fruit market.  Good way to spend a weekend!!

Have a great week.  Think I'll go out and lay in my swing and read my book for a while - 76 degrees out with brilliant sunshine.  Promises to be a good day.  Goff's are on their way and will be here tomorrow night for dinner.  What more could we wish for.

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

February

February brought Gary and Nancy to Arizona.  They stayed in our trailer for 11 days while we were in Washington and then moved just down the street to a rental for another 11 days.  We ALWAYS have a good time with they come to Wagons West.

 

 We played Mexican Train with a set of 15 dominos - tooks us three nights to finish our game.  Lots of visiting, eating out and just having good fun with the six of us.

 Dad had a very good year at shuffleboard this year - every year he seems to improve. 

 This was a particularly good game for him!!!!

 Some good friends of ours, Russel and Billie Miner celebrated their 60th anniversary - a good excuse for a night out.  They are such a fun, "young" couple from Springfield, Illinois.  This past summer we camped on their acerage.

 

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Lots of love,

Gramma and MOM

Washington in January

Every January I take a trip to Washington for my wonderful granddaughter's musical.  This year Grampa accompanied me and we had an awesome time.  Did lots of work out at the new house each day - what fun working wtih DeAnn.  We still had time to go to breakfast almost every day - can't give that special time up.

The musical was awesome!!!!  Our Holly, the feather duster was amazing, of course.  My dear Holly, how very proud we are of you.

Each afternoon Katie brings home a book to be read with someone - it was Grampa's turn several evenings.  Doesn't he look excited?  Our Katie is becoming quite the reader - this book just happened to be a more challenging one.

 Katie had to dress up for Book Day or some such thing.  I made this little dress, apron and bonnet for DeAnn when she was about five.  There is also a red calico apron to go with the dress - one for spring and one for the Christmas holidays.  Amy wore it after DeAnn, then many years later Holly wore it and now finally Katie.

The feather duster very upset about something ......

 Here's the feather duster after she becomes human again greeting some of her favorite fans.

 Holly and her friend who happens to be a young man.

DeAnn, guess what - my blog downloaded the pictures perfectly today so now maybe I can get caught up with February and maybe even get into March.  What wonderful memories of our January visit - what a fun, relaxing, tiring, enjoyable time.  Loved it!!!

Much love to all and have a great weekend!!!!

Gramma and MOM