Fun Fruit Tree Facts - From a Small Person's Perspective...

Sometimes we don't realize small people have a different perspective on life...for example...
...they can stand under a dwarf orange tree without hitting their heads...

...nor do they have to bend down to pick low hanging fruit...

...but on the downside...

...they cannot carry more than two pieces of fruit!!

God's Natural Beauty

I thought I would share a bit of natural beauty on the day of love. I hope you take a moment to just enjoy a few pictures....

The Beauty of the Desert

I could tell people thought I was crazy when people heard I was going to the southwestern desert area...but I think that is because they have never noticed things like the flower cluster on a Red Barberry...

or the color of a Fairy Duster...

...maybe they haven't noticed the color contrast of cacti against the deeply colored canyon walls...



...or the unique growth of the Teddy bear cholla...



...yes...you can find many different things of beauty no matter where you are if you only take some time...




PS-this post doesn't mean that I am not little crazy...but you will have to be the judge of that!

Birds of Southwest Arizona

I recently spent a little time in southwest Arizona with very little time and luck to do some bird-watching.

Here is a collage and slideshow of some of the birds I was able to photograph...



....

KofA National Wildlife Refuge

Arizona has many fascinating places to visit but there is one that I enjoy going to anytime I am in the Quartzsite area...KofA.


Kofa is short for "King of Arizona". It got it's name from the King of Arizona mine located in the mountain range.

  You can find many things to do there...including hiking, dry-camping wildlife viewing or photography.


This trip I took a new friend to explore Kofa's Palm Canyon. It was an easy hike with different things to see...and my friend also gave talks along the way to other hikers!



Our hike was a nice way to end the afternoon!

Quartzsite...It Isn't All About the Desert....

It seems that very few people understand the RV Mecca named Quartzsite unless you have been there.

Quartzsite may be a place of sand and cactus...

....but it is also a place of great sunrises....


...and beautiful sunsets!

Pioneer Historical Cemetery of Ehrenberg

I have been to a few old cemeteries before - but this cemetery is a bit different from any others I have seen.

It definitely has a "Wild West" feel to it.

The graves are all covered with stones...

...and the headstones are carved out of wood...if the grave is marked at all.

It is worth the short detour off of I-10 to stop by and take a stroll into the "Wild West"

A Very Special Christmas Day...

This Christmas was the first Christmas that my family has experienced without either of my parents being alive - so I decided to spend my Christmas Day doing something a bit different from all the others and now I can finally share it with you...











...and wish you all a belated Merry Christmas...
.
.

A Special Doll...

I have mentioned in the past that my Mom and one of my grand-daughters has the same birthday.  You may also remember that my Mom went to Heaven to spend the rest of her eternity with my Dad and God...so her is another part of the story...
...rewind 3 weeks ago...My son told me that his daughter had mentioned  "Barbie" for a Christmas present...now fast forward to 2 weeks ago while I am at my Mom's home as we are taking care of some family matters...and I came across this...


My Mom was always picking up toys and gifts for everyone...but this doll has been around since 1995-96 and it has never found it's home. I spied the doll and with my sister's permission - I was allowed to take it home.
Here is that result...





Mom...You are still bringing smiles and happiness to your Great-grandchildren! (I even told her it is a special doll from you!)

Grand-Daughter Play Dates

My local grand-daughter and I may have a favorite place to spend time on our days together...


You may find us at this playground when the weather is good.


She became very brave and decided to go up on her own and take the "corkscrew slide" down. 




She was on a very similar slide on Halloween night and would not let go of the side...but she had no problems at all this time!

The Locket...

...There are times in your life when you happen upon something special.  I did just that this last Sunday. 
I chose a piece of Mom's jewelry not knowing what to expect. It was a "heart puff" that looked familiar.




I gently picked it up and found the locket latch...I teared up as I opened it and saw a picture of Dad on one side...but the other side was empty.




One of my things I was determined to do this week was to complete the inside of the locket. Today my Dad will once again have my Mom next to him...




This will  be a very special Christmas gift that my Mom has left behind for me. I love and miss you both...