Streams In The Desert

Well, with the changing weather it's been more of a challenge to get my hiking in - it means getting up early, as it's already about 92 degrees at 7:30 or 8:00 - whew!

But I've been going out with a neighbour recently and we've been discovering the beautiful Black Canyon Trail , which runs a total of about 64 miles all told.

Here are a couple of views from the local section, which leads down to the Agua Fria river - quite a welcome sight when it's so hot and dry!

Looking down from a high point on the trail at the silver in the sand...



Yes, that's grass and reeds - and what a lovely babble over those rocks!

Care to stick your toes in?

Seasons in the Sonoran

Life is change and certainly in the desert that is very true. It seems just a short while ago that the rains were flooding our little town, and before I could say "rainbow" everything was popping out in bloom for spring - and now it's summer already!

Here are a few snaps from the recent weeks:

Ocatillo (or Dr. Seuss plant, if you like!)

Hedgehog cactus - the blooms are huge for their size!

The mighty Saguaro and its delicate white crowns

Everything blooms so quickly and fades so fast - you have to be quick with the camera! (Which I was not).

And now we are into the summer already and those blooms are fast becoming fruits and seeds - the seeds of change, perhaps!

Not Dead Yet...

For those who are wondering if I am still alive -yes. That 'cold' turned out to be bronchitis and then progressed to an eye infection as well, so I broke down and went to the doctor to get some 'bigger guns' and knock this thing out.
(What a tough girl I am, yes?)

So aside from necessary runs to the store, the only other outings for me have been my health hikes to keep the lungs clearing out. Here's a terribly glamorous snap of me in my 'Desert Rat' kit ready to kick some germs in the caboose.



Not exactly fashion magazine material, but this means war!
A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

I hope you are all staying well - I'll be back again soon, I promise.

Cold Comfort

Well, I've been sidetracked with things for a bit, and now I'm hit with a nasty little cold complete with major sore throat. The good news is that my neighbor came by and brought me some chicken broth and I'm nursing myself with some good soup, hot toddy and rest. Hope you are all well, and I promise to get back on here with some 'Spring Fling' when I am well again...



Soup anyone?

Dear Ones, The World Is Waking To The Sunshine...

Hope you don't mind that I've taken some poetic license with my title - but these days the sun is coming out more often and it seems the whole world is responding with a blush of green!



Let me tell you it's very difficult to work inside right now when the air is so balmy and the blue peeks out. However, I've been having some very lovely walks lately and am pleasantly startled by the change in the landscape! Previously grey and somber paths are now velvety with grass and wee white flowers amongst the cactus...



The critters are much more active as well, and the air is filled with birdsong and the ground is alive with rabbits and squirrels - which delights Saki aka 'The Great Hunter' no end! I'll spare you pictures of the 'gift' he brought me the other other morning, but here he is on the job and happy as can be - not bad for 14 years old!

Particularly charming to my ears are the 'wheet! wheet' calls of the Gentleman Cardinal who is nesting near the house with his demure little mate - here is what they look like in Arizona, courtesy of the Sonoran Desert Museum (mine won't sit still long enough for my camera)



So with that, let me share this lovely song with you by the very charming Les Paul and Mary Ford - which I find myself humming rather frequently right now...

And my heart is caaalling you!

Will You Be Mine...?

Hello, Lovelies!

Here's my Valentine from me to You:

Show Love With No Remorse...

Abjure Pandemonium...

Well, Kids, it's not exactly big news, but the first thing I did when I got to work today was make an industrial sized ladder in my stocking. How do you like them apples??

So what does that tell me? It means it's time to 'Accentuate the Positive' my Dears! Plus, it gives me a great opportunity to wish you well no matter how *your* day started!

Here's wishing you all a wonderful day with no 'ladders' in it!!