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Monday, March 30, 2009

SPRING IS SPRINGING

For me, one of the most exciting things about the onset of Spring is the ability to put color back into my garden. Although Arizona is going through its freaking windy season right now, and I mean hurricane force windy, I still managed today to plant all of my flowers, herbs and vegetables and declare war on every weed that got in my way!!!!

I'm also getting that underlying feeling, which grows stronger as Spring approaches, that I have way too much stuff in my house, in my storage, in my yard and everywhere else in my life. This happens every year (sometimes several times a year). I believe it's nature's way of putting me in the mood to Spring clean (several times a year~not just in Spring).

Spring has also brought with it (actually it just timed out like that) several new and sometimes scary, life changes. My son, Brice, is now driving. Dawn, if you're reading this you'll be as freaked out about this as I am. I have to be the teacher because Arizona of course offers no driver's courses. Although he is proving to be quite a confident driver with practice, I remain constantly nervous, especially at the high speeds (anything over 50.) I don't think is particularly because Brice is the driver (of course that's a lot to do with it), as much as it is the fact that I'm usually the driver all the time for Brice and my mom and I've become quite the nervous rider if not able to be the one in control of the vehicle.

As I end this post, I wish you all thorough enjoyment of the onset of Spring and hope that everyone will be able to get out there and put some color into your life; not just in the garden, but every aspect of your life. One thing my mother's cancer has taught me is just how precious every moment is. Spend them wisely and tell those around you how much you love them and how precious they are to you.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

NATURE ROCKS

As I walked amongst the tall cottonwood trees, amid a dense forest by a beautiful rippling creek, with a cool, gentle breeze at my back, I asked myself, "Does it get any better than this?"

Though I live in the desert, and not by choice because I would much rather have stayed by the ocean from whence I came, I have managed, through many active and knowledgeable Arizonians, to have found the most intriguing and beautiful spots of all.

I never realized just how much nature existed in the desert. We were hiking through Sonoita Creek area and came upon 8 blue heron nests. Every single nest had a daddy on a branch as a look out and a mommy in the nest with at least three babies a piece. Blue herons are so large, in fact the last one I took pictures of, standing on its feet, came up to my neck. I found it so interesting and picture worthy that these large fowl are able to build huge nests at the very top of a tree and still have it support all of that weight. I decided they have to build the nest at the very top of the tree because their wingspan is incredibly wide, much too wide to land effectively on the mid to lower branches.

On another, completely unrelated note, I am finally getting back into crafting. I am assembling fat book pages as much as I can while I await the last pages from one of my round robin group members. There are still five of us left and believe it or not, we managed to remain in tact thus far. I will be posting more pics of these new projects as they progress. In the meantime, I will remain ever in awe at these beautiful discoveries in the desert. Nature Rocks!!!!!

Monday, March 2, 2009

PAGING EMILY LATELLA

Is this the cutest little guy or what? On our hike this past weekend through Sonoita Creek, we happened upon this little fella who happened upon some great nuts (not Grape Nuts) and decided he was going to enjoy their luxurious flavor whether we were there snapping pictures, or not. He let me get in about five shots before he darted off to frolic in the nearby creek. They all came out rather well despite that blasted tree limb in the way.

Did you ever have the pleasure of watching the original, first season of Saturday Night Live? Well I did, and now, through the magic of DVD and Netflix, so has my son. And, much to my enjoyment, he loves it, especially the land shark (candygram), and Emily Latella. Gilda Radner portrayed many a character that first season: Babwa Wawa and Roseanne Rosannadanna come to mind immediately, but none so beloved as the ever-hard-of-hearing Emily Latella. The last episode we watched entailed Emily doing her usual editorial on Chevy Chase's Weekend Update, this week on stubbings in school. "What's all this I hear about so many stubbings in schools these days? Are the kids of today wearing sandals and not watching where they walk? Are they clumsy enough to slam their toes into every corner they try to turn? What about more serious problems in the world like teens shooting one another or all the violence in New York City. I just don't think these silly stubbings..." at this point Chevy interrupts Emily to say, "Emily, it's not stubbings in schools, it's stabbings," to which Emily always replies, "Oh, well that's very different. Never mind."

If I've been having any low moments lately, they have been lifted by the constant craziness of shows of my youth. I have even brought in, for my son to watch with me of course, early episodes of Laugh In as well. I recommend to anyone having hard times these days to invest in happy movie or show memories from their youth. Although I'm sure they won't cure anything, they certainly offer a much-needed share of fond memories and gaiety in an otherwise stressful time in life.

LONG LIVE EMILY LATELLA!!!!!!