Babysitting Bailey

My friend Suzie loves yellow labs.  When her beloved dog Bailey died several years ago she soon began talking of finding another to take his place.  Well, Bailey II has entered her life and is filling her days with pleasure as well as closing that empty spot in her heart.






When I arrived on the scene the new Bailey was only 4 months old, bursting with energy and only slightly trained---he responded to 'Food!', 'Cookies' and 'Let's go for a walk' and not much else.

  Suzie and her S.O, Bill, wanted to take a few weeks to visit friends and family in Colorado and they asked if I would be willing to 'Lab sit'.



That seemed like an easy enough request--and the very least I could do for the convenience of parking behind their house.  Besides, have you ever seen such an angelic face?



I quickly learned that angelic expression could become the devil incarnate.



Chewing on chairs seemed to be his favorite pass time--that is until he learned how much fun it was to grab one of my shoes and play 'keep-away' throughout the house until I shouted "Cookies!".  I took to wearing my shoes at all times in self-defense.



The final blow came on the day he reached up onto the counter, tipped my purse onto the floor and took off across the house with my prescription sunglasses.  I followed at break-neck speed shouting "Cookies! Food! T-bone Steak!" until I finally discovered I could trade a 'chewy bone' for the glasses.
It was then that Bailey was sentenced to a 'time out' in the back yard while I regained my breath and composure.



Bailey is a very 'social' dog.  He never wants to be more than a few feet from you, and is always wanting to play or cuddle.  When nature calls and he needs to go outside, he is back at the door in a tail's shake, whereupon, I jump up and quickly open the door for him.  Hmm, clearly he is training me and he doesn't even need to offer me 'cookies'.  Smart dog!

 

My reward for being such a 'good girl' is a walk.



He knows exactly where he wants to go and how fast.

Well, I certainly could use the exercise and....



The scenery is wonderful.

 

 Have you ever seen such an angelic dog?

Things I love

I inherited my beautiful blue-eyed Sigh Me from an artist and truly lovely lady named Cotsy Engle.
Cotsy died several years ago but when I met her she had two cats and a bird.  She was in her 90's, when she developed Alzheimer's.



There came a time when her family had to find a care facility for Cotsy.  It was then that her son asked me (no, he actually bribed me) to take the cats and the bird.  I already had a very old cat and my fear was that I would become 'the cat lady' in my own old age,  but ...well, some bribes are better than others.



I would go to visit Cotsy from time to time and we would sit on the sofa at the care facility and chat.   Cotsy eventually forgot my name but, for a long time, was  able to recognize me as a friend.



 One day she asked, "Do you have any pets?"
I replied, "Why yes, I have two cats and a bird."
She absolutely beamed when she replied, "Really? Well so do I."
So we sat and chatted that afternoon about our pets, who, strangely enough, had the very same names.



This is the only picture I have of Cotsy Engle.

(The bird is still in my house in Arizona with the renters. The other two cats have died--one from old age and the other from a scorpion bite--such is the life in Arizona. So for now it is just Sigh Me--and I am so glad I have her.  Thank you, Cotsy.)

I love country roads and quiet parks for spending the afternoons reading or walking or napping. These serene little places become my front yard for the day.  After dinner I might go to a movie before parking for the night.



And speaking of movies--wow! What a great year for the screen.  I have seen the following so far and here is my own critique--as if you care:

"Lincoln"--the movie was a great civic lesson and gave me insight as to the difficulties of passing the 13th amendment. Politics is much the same today.  The performances by Daniel Day Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones are superb and deserving of awards. (Esp. DDLewis).  I am not so sure about Sally Field.  She was good but I kept seeing her in all her other roles--and I don't think Mrs. Lincoln was that 'cute'.
"Life of Pi"--The photography is stunning.  The survival story is simple and the acting is very good  but see it for the sheer beauty of it.
"Silver Lining Playbook"--Wow!  The first 1/2 hour of the movie I wanted to leave--I just couldn't feel for the characters.  Then I fell in love with them.  There is a dance scene that is worth the admission to the movie--need I say more.  And Jennifer Lawrence deserves the nomination.  (I haven't seen all the other actresses so I don't know if she is the best)
"Beasts of the Southern Wild"--The movie is 'different' and jarring in its portrayal of poverty in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana at a time somewhere in the catastrophic future.  The narration and performance by 6 year old Quvenzhane Wallis is beautiful and touching in the midst of so much ugliness.  Her charisma is compelling and the words spoken are like poetry written by a 6 year old. If you see it on my recommendation you will hate me but you won't forget her.
"Argo"--Great suspense and marvelous story-telling about the rescue of 13 hostages in Iran.  I knew very little about this and it was an eye-opener and I sat on the edge of my seat the whole last hour.  BTW, I love the path that Affleck seems to be taking with his movies.  He appears to be producing his films-- both as actor and as director--as a real craft rather than as the usual hollywood ego trip--but what do I know?
I still haven't seen Les Miserables, The Impossible, Django Unchained, The Master, Amour and more. If anyone out there has, please let me know what you think before I waste my money.

Sigh Me wants to know when they are going to make a movie about CATS!

 

NYEve, Ron & friends,

Absolutely nothing gives me more pleasure than to have a few days with one of my kids.  Son, Ron came for New Year's and brought his fiance, Loretta, her niece, Vanessa and her nephew, Jonathan.



Ron (center) lives in San Diego while Loretta, Vanessa and Jonathan are from Perth, Australia.  These visitors are also Italian so I enjoyed several days of great Aussie accents and lots of enthusiastic hand-waving.

We did a whirlwind two days of sightseeing and definitely we had to stop along the road and get the iconic cactus photo in Saguaro National Park.
(Vanessa and Loretta)

(Jonathan) 

  Saguaro cactus are accordion pleated so that they can expand and hold more water during rainy times, then they will contract as they use up the water in dry times.  By looking closely at a cactus you should be able to tell if we are in a wet or dry period.

(Loretta and Ron)
Did you Know that a Saguaro has to be about 75 years old before it grows its first arm?  The other arms will develop in less time but the specimen above could be well over 200 years old.



The Arizona Senoran Desert Museum is one of my favorite places.  It is a museum as well as a zoo and   a botanical garden and I know of no better place to learn about the flora and fauna of the desert.

       

   Should have taken another picture of this poor docent--she looks like she is about to cry.  Actually she was telling us all about this lovely little owl that was sitting so quietly on her arm and posing for pictures like a pro.

The snakes are fascinating--as long as that glass is between them and me.

But when I came upon this guy I was certain he had escaped.  A little boy had to come up and put his hand on the glass before I could be sure the snake was behind it.

Tarantulas are plentiful in the desert--and are very docile and harmless.

I still am not ready to name one 'Fido' and take it home on a leash.




The Museum has a small cave....



This reminded me that, in just a few weeks, Tucson will host the largest Gem and Mineral Show in the world.

I am hoping to be back on the road by then--it will certainly save me money if I don't see all those gems.

Look closely,  Can you see him?  

The day was cold but that sunny spot was obviously warm.
Sadly, just a day or two ago one of these beautiful wild pumas was hit by a car on the same road where we took the cactus picture.  Their natural habitat is threatened and they often will venture into populated areas--only to be hit by cars or shot by trigger happy residents.



This is the big guy's mate.  I was able to get close enough to see her beautiful eyes.  I think she might be a distant cousin to Sigh Me.

 

(Jonathan, Vanessa and Loretta. )
The day was getting windy and colder.  It is summer in Perth right now--and just about as hot as our summer is in Tucson.

We finally got so cold we had to leave after covering less than 1/2 this great park.

When we first arrived at the park and were approaching the ticket office a gentleman walked up to us and said, "This is your lucky day!  I have three tickets that I cannot use and they expire today so would you like to have them?"
We took the tickets and thanked the very generous man.  As he walked away Vanessa said, "I love this place. The people here are sooooo nice!"

Good going, Tucson!

Friends and the desert

Today is cold in the desert--but clear and sunny.  Walking the neighborhood around my friend Suzie's house is always picture-postcard perfect and pleasurable....(say that 3 times real fast).



I am no longer sure what  a traditional holiday season is to me--last year I celebrated all alone in the Everglades while the ten years prior were spent here in the desert.  My three kids are grown and doing their own things--one son in San Diego with his visiting fiance,  my daughter in Salem, Oregon working the nightshift at the hospital, and my youngest son and his wife in the Virgin Islands running his charter boat.



Do I miss them at this time of the year?  Of Course I do.  But for me now, holidays are to spend with friends. Above, are Jim, Jody, Suzie and Bill.

Or to relax and do my own thing--explore and.....

 

 
 .... contemplate the nature around me.

(Linda, Nancy, Deb, Suzie)  A favorite spot for lunch with friends in Tucson is on the open-air patio at a very upscale grocery store called AJ's.  There is an outdoor fireplace, the best grilled hamburgers found anywhere,  while the "I remember when..." stories are free-flowing and fun.



Especially Deb's.  Now if you think Deb is giving someone the rude-salute above,  you would be wrong. She is actually telling us about the time a rattlesnake bit her on her finger and she nearly died.  Such is life in the desert.

A day spent with Andrea and Zona is as bright as the sunshine...

And Zona will smile for the camera on cue.

No, Zona did not take the picture of Andrea and Me.

The neighbor took it.  (Presley Grace, Jenny  & Chip)

Presley Grace and Mama, Jenny

Having a family of artists (Jenny and Chip) makes for an interesting decor....

Almost like visiting an art museum.....

Color abounds....

 

And every spot is utilized.

Happy New Year!