Happy New Year 2009!

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.

We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!

Without question, the highlight of our Christmas Season this year was seeing the "The Glory of Christmas" presentation at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California.





Bird of Paradise

Our travels through California showed us just how diverse the State is. We spent the day at Huntington Beach, just outside of LA.























The Imperial Sand Dunes in Southern California.













Mount Shasta in Northern California











But, be it ever so humble, there really is no place like Home!

Ray and I would like to Wish All Our Family and Friends

"Out and About" Photos

A Lovely Crop of Oranges!

Toby perched in a Palo Verde Tree (Arizona's State Tree) at Lincoln Park where we take both the cat and dog for walks.

A Stroll in the Desert...

Desert Verbena

A Study in Contrast...Roses and Cactus growing together in the same space.

Old Tucson Studios

It was a typical Arizona winter day; blue skies, sunshine with temperatures in the mid 70's. We thought it was an ideal day to visit Old Tucson Studios.

A Little History: Just fifteen minutes from Tucson is a reserved slice of Americana, Old Tucson Studios. When you walk through the gates of the old frontier town, you are transported back to a time when fearless men with six shooters ruled the Old West. Home of Hollywood's most famous movies and movie legends like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Michael Landon and hundreds more.

Besides its historic role as a film location, Old Tucson Studios presents outdoor entertainment with live shows, thrilling stunts, Old West dramas, saloon musicals, and train and trail rides.

Ray, Darcy, Kathy and I enjoyed a great day at Old Tucson Studios. Here are some photos of our visit.

One of the first stage presentations we enjoyed. "Cowgirl Up" In the Saloon.

These Girls were great singers and dancers.

Good Ole "Womanizer" Ray just could resist gettin' it on with one of the Girls.

And this is what happens to "Lyin', Cheatin, Good Time kinda guys...

Little train ride around the little frontier town.

One of several Gunfight shows in town.

The Mission: Watched a Comedy presentation here later on in the day.

Another Christmas musical show near the end of the day.

We had some silly fun too!

An old Locomotive that was used in many old Western movies.

A Lagoon and waterfall that looked so pretty and peaceful right in the center of town.

Thanksgiving 2008...American Style

It was a cool and abnormally rainy day, but there was another "Feast Fit For Kings" on Thanksgiving this year at the home of Alise (Kathy's daughter) and Nathan's beautiful home in Corona de Tucson. Turkey, Ham, Cornbread Dressing (love it), Candied Sweet potatoes (can't get enough of 'em) Salad, Asparagus, buns, gravy, etc. Yumm And Kathy's pies were to die for. Pecan, Pumpkin and French Apple. The tasty cuisine was enjoyed by all. Fun and frivolity, the evening was capped off with games of "Scene it" and "Guesstures". We sure laughed a lot.

This is Kathy with her beautiful smile.

Little Rylie obviously didn't find her company was very stimulating. But that is what we all felt like doing after dinner...

Darcy and Gary (Kathy's son from Phoenix)


Wanted to add a few shots of Alise and Nathan's lovely pool and backyard.

The pool was the most unusual one I have ever seen. At the back of the pool was a rock formation that had steps to climb and then a slide coming down the other side. There was a water fall that covers a little seating place to do...whatever underneath...very cool!

The view from the top...
















Caught Kathy at one end of the pool.

From the pool looking to the other side of the yard.

Gosh, we've been here more than a week already...

...time is sure flying by. We have been busy enjoying the sunshine and blue skies of Tucson. Temperatures this week have been in the high 80's, so I have been hitting the pool daily doing Water Aerobics with a great bunch of ladies. We have fun and it's a good workout; I had the sore muscles to prove it. Trying to walk as much as possible too. I don't understand why it's so much easier to do here than back at home. Too much time spent playing with my flowers, I guess.

Going to try my hand (or maybe I should say, foot) at Line Dancing which starts up next Monday. Should be fun. Went to the Outdoor Market today and came away with just a couple of good deals, mostly for Ray. All I got was a bit of sunburn on my nose and cheeks, and lots more walking exercise.

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ dinner complete with drinks and appetizers beforehand, with Darcy and Kathy, Alise and Nathan and their gorgeous little 10 month old daughter, Rylie. It was great to get together again, and the 8 months that we'd been apart seemed to never have happened. As always, we laughed, talked and and had a fun time. Watched a movie and then it was time for these old folks to hit the road back home. Thanks you guys!

Our little great granddaughter is not only adorable, but Rylie is such a good little baby. Starting to walk already at 10 months! So sweet...
And here is the rowdy bunch enjoying a wonderful t-bone steak dinner. Yummm

Home for the Winter!

Arrived on Saturday, November 15 after a 3 day, 1600 mile drive. After struggling through rush hour in Las Vegas and a harrowing experience getting through Phoenix. I swear, out of the 2 million people living there, I'd bet half of them were on the freeway! But we finally made it to Tucson and had a wonderful sleep in our own bed after two nights in motels.

Weather has been awesome, of course. 82F is the high today. Looking forward to a water aerobics class at the pool later this morning. Hope to meet up with Darcy and Kathy this week.

Went for a walk this morning, so took some photos as I went.

Our street at the Rincon Resort.

My little cactus garden in the front.

My neighbour's Bougainvillea. What my baby plant aspires to be...I hope!

Another neighbour...hope they'll share those oranges!