leighspigelman.photos

Tucson World RefugeeFest and Tucson Meet Yourself

2011-06-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Tucson World RefugeeFest.
Peter, Monica and Cyndy get set to represent Tucson Meet Yourself at the festival.

Cultural Joy, above.

Expressing herself in America.

Why I'm glad to be here.

László Veres from the Tucson Pops Orchestra, showing his musicians what American citizenship papers looks like.

Art in motion.

Downtown Tucson rolls out the welcome mat and it never looked so good.

Tucson Meet Yourselfers have fun taking a hi-tech photo.
Cyndy, Monica, Pat and Peter.

Ajo

2010-09-17T13:15:00.001-07:00

Just outside the small town of Ajo, Az. We were looking for Big Horned Sheep at sundown. What? You don't see the woolly creature? Neither did we. But if you look closely....

Hopefully, by left clicking on the image, you can see the photo in a larger format.

2010-02-28T00:42:00.004-07:00

Monica and I have taken several trips to New Mexico recently.

The natives call their State the land of enchantment.

Monica and I call it the land of dichotomy.

And, it is charming. I'll explain....

New Mexico is steeped in the stories of off world visitors. It can ignite the imaginations of those who believe in UFOs and alien conspiracies. Just think of Area 51 and Roswell. Its' landscape often lends itself to what our imaginations would conjure up as an alien landscape.

Are the stories true?

I don't know.

But what is true is the important research being performed today at the Very Large Array (VLA) near Magdalena NM. Its' scale and presence are as alien as you can get, yet it carries the very human traits of curiosity and quest for knowledge into the "out there."

In a nutshell, the facility consists of roughly twenty seven of these dishes (minus the small earth creature we refer to as "Monica.")

The dishes are set on rail road tracks and the tracks are in the shape of a giant letter Y. Each of the three sets of tracks making up the Y has nine dishes on it, which allows the scientists to move the dishes as close to, or as far from each other as they need. This spacing enables the array to focus on very small or very large areas of the heavens. Each track is NINE miles long, which probably engendered the "Very" in the Very Large Array name.

So, exactly what is going on here? The dishes are listening for the light waves that originated in celestial bodies throughout the universe. Well, you say, big deal. A telescope can see light waves, right?

Only up to a point. The dishes are focused on the invisible (to us and optical telescopes, that is) radio wave part of the light spectrum. Light waves, like x rays and microwaves and infra red light, etc.. Because the dishes are able to detect this otherwise invisible information and because the dishes can penetrate solid (visible) objects, they can see further into the universe and thus much further back in time than normal telescopes. Almost back to the "big bang"(in astronomical time of course) which created the universe. This array is the largest array of several that are located around the globe and they are all connected to each other via computers. By all means, beam yourself into this facility if your visiting the area. I think you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

Up above, I used the word "dichotomy."

Why?

Because, while New Mexico thrusts your imagination into the future, its' towns and people pull you back into the present and past.

Looks like a picture out of a Disney interpretation of typical middle America. But it's not a representation at all. It's the Town Green in Socorro NM. And yes, those are real Girl Scouts holding the flags and real local politicians proudly thumping their breasts about a wonderful local accomplishment. Don't ask what it was, but I'm sure it must have been really good!

And just as the VLA shoots you into the future, the San Miguel Mission near town center transports you back to the Seventeenth Century

This is by no means a wealthy town, but this Mission is clearly venerated and meticulously maintained by the locals. Built around 1615 to 1626 by the local Native Americans, under the direction of Franciscan Monks, extensive renovations were performed in 1816 (probably constructing over a portion of the older Mission.)

From the outside, it's a beautiful structure.

And the inside has been just as lovingly restored. The purple gauze placed over all the interior religious relics (due to Lent) serves to soften and make the restored works appear even more dramatic than they normally would have.

And then, dichotomy strikes again.

As much as San Miguel Mission has been preserved, there are relics of the past in New Mexico that while celebrated, are left to rust!

In the dusty and funky (see the picture above) old town of Magdalena (between the VLA and Socorro) lies the long abandoned ghost town of Kelly.

Big and booming while the mine was producing its' load (of what I've no idea) and just as quickly abandoned when the mine shut down. These towns are celebrated but not maintained, but they're really interesting to find and explore (note: some are on private land and you must respect whatever local customs prevail. And be CAREFUL out there. You can get hurt. These ain't no amusement parks.

Kelly has a church that must have been used in the recent past, because it's not completely falling down.

Some of these towns are not easily gotten to. We wanted to go to the larger ghost town of Riley, about twenty to thirty miles north. But we were warned that we would have to ford a stream just before arriving at Riley and due to the unusually heavy snows and subsequent melt, this would be difficult. Even for the monster trucks that the locals drive! We didn't attempt it. I think you must have an all wheel drive vehicle with some decent ground clearance for many of these adventures.

Which leads me to the next picture (what a segway!!)

Not for nothin, but we finally bit the bullet and bought an all wheel drive vehicle with decent ground clearance, a Subaru Forester. So far, it has exceeded all of our expectations and opened up an all new genre of exploration.

Now, on to caveat emptor,

FOOD. Many of these small towns have very limited food choices. Magdalena for example, has two restaurants open for dinner, provided it's between Thursday and Sunday.
Except Saturday.
Then it's one.
Now, I'm not saying that the food is not good. Quite the contrary. Considering the size of these towns, it's fine. And as long as you like steak, order anything on the menu. Provided it's steak (OK, I'm exaggerating a little bit, but not too much!)

The place pictured above is in Datil, on the other side of the VLA. We went there because it was Saturday and on Saturday.....well you know.

Good steak.

But you'll have to eat under the unrelenting stare of the deer above the table.

I don't think the deer approved!

Still more blog postings to come about our trips to New Mexico, Arizona and adventures with the Subaru.
And don't forget. As always. just left click on any picture with your mouse to see a full size version.

Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson

2010-01-02T12:13:00.012-07:00

What is this aquatic scene,

Doing here in the middle of the Sonoran Desert?

It's a short story. This beautiful oasis of plentiful water is the Sweetwater Wetlands reclamation project, located withing the city limits of Tucson. Truth be told, the water comes from waste water and if the wind is blowing just right, you'd know that without an explanation. However, this is a brilliant use of the scarcest of all elements in the desert and we should be imagining many more such novel approaches to deal with environmental issues. If we could only be as resourceful and decisive as this in our dealings with energy problems, we'd be far better off. But that's an entirely different flight of thought.

Speaking of flight (apologies about this segway, couldn't think of anything else) Monica suggested we do some birding on New Years Day and she directed us here because it was so close to home and we'd never been before. I know the term "delightful" is used capriciously, but this time the word fits perfect.

It's all about the birds!

Monica and I aren't even novice birders, but we live in such an avarian rich environment, we're constantly enthralled by the beauty of these creatures. When we arrived at the wetlands, the first bird we saw was this one. To you and me, a lovely little thing. But nooooooo. Not just any lovely little thing. It was an Albino Flycatcher. Now don't ask me how we knew that, ask the gent who was standing near us who was in a state of excited agitation. He was the one who told us that this was a very rare sighting. Honestly, I've googled and searched for an albino flycatcher in our books, but I've not seen one. Could he have been wrong? Sure. Did it diminish our delight (that word again?) Nope, not one bit.

Next up, a colorful bird perched in a tree almost directly above us on our walk. I've no idea what it is. Where the heck was that expert guy when we needed him?

By the way, this wetlands isn't a small area. It covers 18 acres of reclaimed desert on the shores of the Santa Cruz River. The Santa Cruz is about the only river that I know of in this area that flows south to north and it was also about the last river to have a constantly flowing stream of water. Not so anymore, other than around this site. Now it relies on the summer monsoon storms to make it flow.

Now, this is another very rare sighting! She's called the Monicus Surfaris Spigelmanitis. According to old archives, she is native to Brooklyn New York and some years ago migrated 2400 miles to Tucson. By all accounts, she is thriving in the Sonoran Desert.

Duck

No, not Duck!

I mean, this is a duck.

I obviously don't know what kind, but it was really enjoying that leisurely paddle through the water.

Really beautiful reflections on a delightful day.

The question that constantly came to my mind was, where were these aquatic birds coming from? The surrounding area is desert for countless miles. You wouldn't think of these birds as being native, yet they certainly weren't imported here. At one time during times of plentiful water (and that wasn't as long ago as you might think, maybe several hundred years?) these birds must have been native. It only goes to show how forgiving nature can be, if given the chance. Here's four ducks, er, two ducks and two reflections, chatting away on a boggy log. Looks like the one on the left has a lot to say.

Undoubtedly, the most striking bird of the day was this Vermilion Fly Catcher. He (yep, I'm certain it was a male because the males are the more showy of the type, the better to attract the female) was constantly flying back and forth between two trees. At first I didn't understand why he was imitating the Times Square Shuttle, just flying back and forth. Finally, Monica put things (very gently) into perspective for me. She mentioned the name of the bird again, pausing and enunciating the part that sounds like "fly catcher." OK, I've got it now, by golly. He was flying back and forth to catch flies!

Finally, the Vermilion Fly Catcher IN FLIGHT!

Now, you've no idea how many shots I took before I actually got this one. But hey, it's digital, so nothing wasted except some virtual pixels.
And don't forget, for a closer look at any of these pictures, simply place your cursor over the photo and left click!

To all, we hope your New Year will be as delightful a year as the start of our New Year was to us.

Thanksgiving in New York City

2009-12-05T22:37:00.003-07:00

Another trip to NYC. And we were really looking forward to it. No disappointments at all!

We saw, in no particular order, family, friends (one of whom we hadn't seen in 30+ years!,) places, John Lennon (sort of,) new stores and lots of restaurants.
But first, the journey. Monica (please visit her web site at http://www.tucsoncowgirl.com/) and I traveled to Laguardia Airport and despite enduring a ground hold in Dallas, due to wet weather in New York, arrived just about on time. I love taking pics out of airliner windows and this time we were treated to a beautiful light and color show off the port wing.

The next deal was the taxi ride to the hotel.What with the rain and arriving during rush hour, we figured we were in for a long and expensive trip. In fact, as you can see, the adventure started with plenty of affirmation that our sojourn would be all of the above. But, it turns out the taxi driver (yep, the same one with an expired taxi and limousine license) picked a route that I never would have (Queens Mid Town Tunnel) and BAM, quicker than you can say "Lagasse," we were at the hotel. That driver got an OK tip.

Monica had said before the trip that she really wanted to see the John Lennon exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex, so off we went to So Ho.
Turns out that John must have heard Monica from the beyond, as he presented himself to us exclusively, as you can see here from the irrifutable photographic evidence.
Just kidding, as though you didn't know.
However, the exhibit was excellent and the music outstanding. the most poignant part (I know I might lose a few of you here) was at the end where there was a large pad of white paper hanging from the wall with an appeal to write a message advocating stricter gun control and include your signature. When the paper filled, it would be sent to Congress. The paper was placed to the immediate right of a paper bag containing Lennon's clothes and contents of his pockets when he was shot. These effects were presented to Yoko the following day by the NYPD. I had no trouble signing the paper.

We love to walk around the city and fortunately so does our son Brett. After the Lennon tour, we stayed in and around SoNO and SoHo. The shops and street activity were amazing (as it is all over the city.)
This shot was taken on the main floor of the Pearl River Department store, a place that features Asian goods of every description. The shot proves that you need eyes on top of your head, as well as in front, side and behind. These paper parasols were hanging from the ceiling.
The store, located on Broadway, has three floors and is a block deep. You could get lost in this place!
Finally, after a long day of pounding the pavement, Monica and I decided a good Italian meal would be great. So, while Monica was perusing the goods in a wonderful fabric store located in the Garment District, I found a seat and pounded on my iphone to discover a restaurant. And find I did.

La Zie, located in Chelsea, specializes in dishes found around Venice, was terrific! The appetizer was the best part, as you could order a sampler. Out came about ten small dishes with everything from fresh sardines to grilled squid. Sort of like Italian tapas. Also reminded me of Chinese Dim Sim because of all the little white dishes we were accumulating on the table top. The picture here of course isn't the restaurant. It was taken (from E. 23 St with Madison Square Park just behind the subway stairs) on our walk to pick up the number 6 subway. You can always tell you're in NYC during a holiday period by finding the Empire State Building. Just look for the colors. This time, yellow and orange for Thanksgiving.
Now, what would a trip to NYC be if it didn't include a visit to the center of the known universe (aka, Grand Central Station?)

The funny part of this picture is the sign which emphatically states that sitting on the stairs is STRICTLY forbidden! But, everyone sits there. Maybe mesmerized by the beautiful main rotunda, or people watching or just waiting to meet a friend or relative at the precise center of it all, the clock. That's why we were there, to meet Leslie (and Harry.) We hadn't seen Leslie in over thirty years and we had a wonderful time catching up and meeting up with Ben (and Betsy,) our other college chum.

One day, Brett suggested we take a stroll on the Highline. Sure I said, quickly followed by, "where?"

Little did I know, that the abandoned elevated railroad tracks on the far west side, the ones that I had walked under countless times (wondering where the heck they really went to) was converted into a long thin park two stories above the streets of Manhattan. As did the long disused railroad tracks, the park now winds its way over the streets and under buildings near the Hudson River.

Originally built to bring food directly into the city, the park is now a pedestrian only mall. Complete with an outdoor coffee shop, free Wi-Fi, beautiful plantings and unexpected views from a unique vantage points, the park was enjoyed by people strolling in the really fine late November weather.

I love the colors of the reeds surrounding the small trees.

Brett and Monica, looking uptown from the Highline. Uh, wait a moment. They're actually looking downtown. I'm looking uptown.
I know, who cares which way. Just wanted to get it right.

New York is full of unusual concepts. Here's one of them. This is a "Pop Up Store." A place that literally pops up and then is gone withing a couple of months (intentionally, not out of business for you wise guys out there.) This is the store, in the old meat packing district, for the magazine called Wired. A really interesting place featuring cutting edge concepts in computers, bikes, games and all things new. But you'd better hurry. It closes on December 27.

Next up, a picture, that taken out of context, might lead you to believe you've landed in the unknown. Just a poster, for something that I can't remember. But I loved the poster!

As I said before, you really need eyes in front, on the side, behind and above your head in NYC. Now let's add one more place. Under your feet. While crossing a street downtown, I noticed two photographers taking pictures straight down. One look and I knew they were onto something interesting. Having to admit that I was about to copy them, I complimented them on their powers of observation (figuring that entitled me to horn in on their discovery) and promptly found myself engaged in conversation about their new lenses.They had just come from B&H Photo and were trying out their new glass (and very impressive it was, Nikon 24-70mm, f2.8.) As I had just come from the very same place (although I had escaped with my life-I purchased nothing,) we conversed for several minutes before they left and then I started shooting the wet pavement. I later learned that during this time, Brett turned to Monica and said, "we've lost Dad." Monica, without hesitation, replied, "Oh don't worry, he'll show up soon." She knows me well, this one!

Finally, I leave you with one more shot and a regret that I didn't get in line with the rest of these folks
This is the West Village and that innocent looking store is the Magnolia Bakery. And New Yorkers don't line up for much, except maybe the cross town bus.
Now, you may think that your fine city has the best cupcake bakery in the world (tucsonans take note- our few cupcake locations are puny and feeble compared to this one,) but you're wrong. I had some really good cupcakes on this trip (thanks Jim and Ann Marie) but Magnolia is, well, Magnolia. You'll have to try it yourself.
And if you do, drop us a line. Monica and I wouldn't mind joining you.

Sedona and Jerome Arizona

2009-11-16T18:59:00.011-07:00

Monica and I have just returned from a wonderful drive vacation through Northern Arizona and New Mexico, including Sedona, Canyon De Chelly, Santa Fe and Taos and I wanted to share some of the highlights with all of you. This post will feature Sedona and environs.
I gotta be honest and say that Sedona itself didn't overwhelm me. Waaaaaay too commercial for my tastes, but the beauty of the red rocks and surrounding areas made it worth while. As did the really terrific B&B that we stayed at. This is the view from Grace's Secret Garden B&B, run by Grace (tough to figure that one,) a Polish ex-pat who adopted Sedona and has come to know the ins and outs of the area. The picture shows the view from the front of Grace's property, although in truth, the horses are boarded on an adjacent parcel.

Oh, and not to be outdone by the horses, Monica insisted on me taking her picture as well.
OK, that was a joke.
Really.
See, Monica is smiling?
Anyway, this is on Grace's property.
And by the way, Grace will prepare almost any kind of breakfast. Meaning, it doesn't have to be the heavy and sweet stuffed french toasts that we normally find at B&Bs. A nice touch from a nice lady.
Now, on to Sedona and the surrounding area.

As mentioned, the red rocks are really beautiful. We decided to visit the Bell Vortex and I insisted we do it close to dusk (or magic hour as we pretend photographers like to state authoritatively.) Wellllll, this did cause a problem. Dusk falls quickly and we weren't at all familiar with the trail out to the vortex. Or, more importantly in our minds, the way back! This shot gives you some idea of the trail and our objective some distance up ahead. This trail was blocked by a beautiful but ancient tree. Off we had to go in another direction, wondering if this was such a bright idea at all. But we were determined! A photographer and his unwitting assistant will do anything for the one and only shot.

Here you can see the type of terrain that yours truly and company had to traverse. This steep canyon must have been at least 100' to 200' feet deep, with treacherous loose rocks everywhere just waiting to send us tumbling. However, my Sherpa, I mean Monica and I kept going and the light was fading fast!
.........................
OK, I seem to be getting carried away.
Time for a confession.
This canyon was only about 10' deep.
But, as Monica pointed out to me, we did have to enter it.
And cross it. And it was really slippery in the failing light.
I just couldn't get over how the camera made it look so deep and foreboding.
Hey, this would be a great place to film a Godzilla scene.
Sorry about that. I won't let that happen again.

Well, the light really was failing, but we made it and we did get that one shot of the day that really sings.

And, we actually found our way out, in the company of several equally wussy tourists and got back in time to enjoy a well deserved Italian meal at a very nice restaurant that Grace suggested. A perfect end to a lovely day.

I must say that if you're in Sedona, instead of spending a great deal of time downtown, you should instead head out of town and visit the quirky and wonderful old mining town of Jerome Arizona. For all of you South Westerners, the best way to describe Jerome is to bring to mind Bisbee Arizona. And then, think what Bisbee would be like if it never grew up (as though it ever did.) And for the rest of you, think Quirky!
This might give you some idea......

Yes, it's a bar. And a skull.
And no it's not. I think.
It's name is 15.Quince. During the day, a lunch and espresso joint (very, very good Cafe Latte)
By evening, a bar. Judging by the bar decorations, perhaps a pretty scary bar.
In all fairness, this was taken very close to Halloween.
But, I'm not so sure that quite covers it.
Jerome has so many back streets and alleys, some of which makes you wonder if you can get your car through them (and I certainly don't

have a large car.) Not to mention that Jerome, like Bisbee, is built sort of straight up and down.
Makes for fun, whether you're getting around on foot or by car.
And some of these old mining towns were the center of civilization (as ornery as that could be) for vast areas of wilderness. This helped create some of the most striking grand hotels.
Bisbee has its' Copper Queen Hotel (hey, Monica and I have stayed there. In the John Wayne room. They told us John stayed in that room. No way to tell, but it did have corner windows so the view was outstanding. We enjoyed it.)
Jerome's hotel is aptly named the Jerome Grand Hotel.
Really handsome on the outside (and really decked out for Halloween,) with a beautiful and ornate grand entrance staircase out front. However, after wandering around the inside, I wouldn't book a room too quickly. We've been told that the restaurant is pretty good.
And I'm still not going to try it.

Lastly, I'm going to leave you all with an interesting shot taken in Jerome. Monica has become most interested in owning a Harley motorcycle ever since we moved to Tucson (must be the wide open spaces and the wind in your hair and Easy Rider and....oh, you get it.)

Well, look real close in the above shot of the Harley, just above the Harley logo.
Darned if it ain't Monica. This could be as close as she's gonna come to one of these hogs.
Or, maybe not?
My next post will be about Canyon De Chelly. The canyon was one of the real highlights of our trip and we think that it's a must see for anyone visiting Northern Arizona.
And don't forget, for a full size view of any picture, just place your cursor over the shot and click on your left mouse button.
See you soon.
Leigh and Monica.

ARIZONA HAWK, HELP

2009-07-21T17:46:00.008-07:00

OK, We need a little help. We were sitting outside this morning on the back patio, eating breakfast, when we looked up and saw a beautiful hawk perched on the railing behind the pool. I quickly got binoculars, bird books in hand and the trusty D300 w/70-200mm lens and snapped away. There it is on top.

Here's another shot of this unknown (to me) hawk.
Now, you have to understand that although we had our bird book open to the hawk section, we were stumped. Not hard to stump me. I could have a bird in one hand and a picture of it in the other hand and still fail to recognize it. I've got to get some remedial bird recognition training here.

OK, last look for all of you birders out there.
What type of hawk is this?
Is it a Coopers Hawk?
If not, I'm done.
So, PLEEEEAAAAAASE help.

Just drop a comment and we'd be much obliged.

FLASH.....UPDATE.......
We've positively identified this hawk as a juvenile Coopers Hawk.
Thanks to all who helped.
Case closed!

LIBERTY BELL, B-17

2008-10-03T17:05:00.016-07:00

Those of you who have seen my emails and read my blog know that I have more than a passing interest in WWII aircraft. Especially, the B-17.
When I learned that the Liberty Bell was going to be visiting Tucson International Airport this past Saturday, I made plans to visit.
And, I was lucky. When I arrived, the plane was parked on the tarmac, all by itself, behind a cyclone fence. I walked over to the mobile information vehicle and asked what was going on. Scott Mayer looked up and said the Liberty Bell wasn't schedule to fly again for another hour and three quarters. Then he looked me over and said, you wanna walk out there and look close up? In my mind I said, "you gotta be kidding!," but what came out was, "sure."
Scott opened the gate to the tarmac and off I went. To my amazement, There wasn't anyone even near the plane, except myself and one crew member on board, who promptly left the scene as soon as I showed up.
So, let me give you a little tour of my plane

The first thing you notice is the beautiful and artistic rendition of the aircraft's ID on its nose, the Liberty Bell. America isn't always associated with fine arts, but the fly boys of WWII certainly had a way with fuselage art! And they had a way of turning a machine meant for maximum destruction into a playful and provocative proclamation of youthful fun and brashness.
At least until Liberty Bell was over its target. Then, not so much.

The next thing on your walk around that you notice is, this thing is like an ocotillo. Pretty to look at in season, but painful to touch. It's loaded with defensive weapons pointed every which way!

This is what I call the "Hatch of Honor." I don't know the exact story behind this. It appears as though any veteran who flies on Liberty Bell has the opportunity to leave a lasting memory in Sharpie ink on the fuselage hatch. I examined the hatch for quite some time and found loads of signatures from former pilot and crew members of other B-17s. If my understanding of who can sign this hatch is correct, I think that this is a fitting tribute to the many brave men who flew these crafts. Over the few years that I've witnessed people boarding these planes, I've seen so many veterans, some barely able to walk to the plane unassisted, board with obvious pride. Some were making the journey with their grown children, some with grand or great grand kids, some by themselves. I even met one who was a German fighter pilot whose daughter bought him his ticket because he always wanted to see what it was like to fly from the perspective of those he was trying to shoot down (and those who were trying their level headed best to kill him.)
I suspect that for many of these men, being transported briefly back in time, brings to the forefront the defining moments of their lives. And I thank every one of them.

OK, we're in the Liberty Bell (which, by the way, isn't quite so easy to get into. You've got to grab hold of the rounded protrusion above the hatch and pull yourself up through a deceptively small portal. Unless of course, you decide to go ass backwards. That probably wouldn't have scored you any points with your crew mates. Please don't ask me how I boarded.) Your looking at one of two waist gunner's positions. The other one is diagonally opposite this one. I had a conversation with a veteran B-17 ball gunner a couple of years ago and expressed my admiration for the way that he voluntarily crammed himself into the belly turret under the fuselage, on every mission. He looked at me for a moment and then exclaimed that he wouldn't have wanted any other position on the B-17. If you've ever seen the belly turret, you'd understand my amazement at his statement. So I asked why? Simple he said. Look at the olive drab skin of the B-17 that surrounds the entire crew. It's a fraction of an inch of aluminum. The cannon shells and flack would rip through that material as though it was tissue paper he said. At least he had a hunk of solid steel (his gun) between him and the fighter planes spitting those lethal projectiles in his direction. I smiled and went on to another subject, not quite buying his explanation. But who am I to question him. Maybe that belief helped him swing his body through the small portal every day.

Moving forward, you lurch your way toward the front of the craft and come to the bomb bay area. The first surprise is, it's wide open. Yep, those are the bombs that drop out of the belly of the beast. And there's nothing to prevent anyone dropping with them if you're in the wrong spot at the wrong time (although I've never hear of that happening.) The next surprise is, see that 6" wide beam on the floor? Well, that's what you've got to negotiate to get to where the pilots and bomandier needed to be. Not so hard on the ground, probably not very easy in the air.

The next to the last position on our journey forward in the Liberty Bell. The cockpit. The seats look crude by today's standards and the instruments look very basic (not counting some of the newer dials that have obviously been installed due to safety regulations.) What got my attention was the all around superb visibility. Looking at the aircraft from the tarmac, you'd think that the squat looking cockpit position would have limited visibility. But not so, at least to my untrained eye. All together, a basic but handsome environment.

You wanna talk visibility? How about maybe a little too much visibility. This is the most forward position on the plane. It can only be accessed by crawling (I'm not kidding) under the cockpit. When you emerge from the opening, you step up slightly and now the bombardier is in position to arrive at his destination ever so shortly before his crew mates. And your instrument awaits. The Norden Bomb Site. This instrument was so hush hush and secret that (I've read) the bombardier had to remove it after every mission and place it under lock and key.

It must surely have felt to the bombardier that he was flying without an aircraft around him when he was leaning out over the bomb site. It must also have felt that he was naked and alone when being attacked from the front by a fighter whose combined closing speed could be 700+mph! Imagine seeing tracer bullets zero in on your B-17. And you're in front with nothing but Plexiglas between you and the cannon shells that you couldn't see but knew were there between the iridescent tracer shells. And it's my understanding that you had to volunteer to be part of the Army Air Force!

Now, I need your help. If you've read this far, please tell me, by leaving a comment, which of the next three pictures you like best. They are of course the same photo. The first one has been converted to black and white.

This one has been sepia toned.

And this one is more or less original.
Don't forget that if you want to get a closer look at any photo, all you have to do is place your cursor over the picture and click on the LEFT button.

Lastly, if you want to learn more about the worthy mission of the Liberty Foundation and learn more about this beautifully restored aircraft (and it really did fly missions during WWII, over 60 of them!,) please follow the web link below.
http://www.libertyfoundation.org/

Get a ruler. I'll wait.

2008-09-24T17:19:00.002-07:00

OK, get a ruler. Go on. I'll wait.
LAlalalalalalaLa, etc.......................................

OK, got a ruler?
Good.
Now, measure 6" across. That's a half a foot, right?
About the size of, well........... what you see pictured below.
OK, now, imagine my surprise when I looked up at the rafters of the open roof covering our rear patio.
There, resting on a rafter, was the largest moth that I've ever seen. It looked rather drab and brown, until I photographed it with the flash. The colors exploded.
At first I thought it was a lunar moth, but I looked that up and that wasn't it. In fact, I couldn't find anything that looked even remotely like it in any book that we had or on the internet. Quite honestly, after about 4-5 days, I kind of removed it from my list of important things to ponder. Then, I received an email blurb from Tohono Chul Park (that's where used to Monica worked) and in the blurb was a photo of exactly what I had seen.
It turns out to have been a black witch moth, the largest moth found in North America. This one must have been returning to Mexico and Central America. They are nocturnal and normally will rest during the day and then fly off on their journey at dusk. They're so large that they're often mistaken for bats.
So, how do I know this was 6" across? Why, I took out a ruler and measured it.......during the daytime of course. Almost exactly 6". I understand that they can grow to 7"-8" across, especially the females. This one is a male. You can tell because it lacks a white band across the middle of it's back and wing span.

Well, I was amazed.
And I wanted to share it with you.

Monsooooooon Lightning

2008-07-20T20:53:00.003-07:00

A quick post to commemorate the beginning of the Monsoon season in Southern Arizona.
Prior to this year, the Monsoon season began on the third consecutive day that the dew point (a different way to measure humidity, or how much moisture the air is holding) was 54 degrees or higher. The average start has been July 4. But this year, the National Weather Service decided that was too complicated and decided that the Monsoon season would officially start on June 15, no matter what the weather actually was.
I dunno. I kind of liked the season starting when mother nature says so. HOWEVER, a look at these two photos makes it abundantly clear that the Monsoon is here and now.
These shots were taken Saturday night from our back patio. I stayed out until the lightning appeared to be getting a little too close. They say that if you can either hear or see it, head for cover.
It also amazes me that people still insist on driving into road dips and even running washes. It only takes 6" of running water to lift a car off of the road and into a wash. Saturday night's Monsoon storms resulted in two water rescue attempts. Unfortunately, one person still hasn't been found and the search has been suspended. Probably the first Monsoon fatality of the season.
It's an amazing part of America, so very different from the North East. We've still got so much to learn, thank goodness!

An Ordinary Snake Plant, but not to me.

2008-07-04T13:52:00.016-07:00

This is the story of an ordinary looking snake plant. But this is no ordinary plant. Not to me.
The story starts back in the mid 1950s. My parents owned a retail store called the Carriage Corner in Brooklyn. Now the Carriage Corner was many things to many people, but it wasn't a store that occupied a corner. It surrounded the corner. The actual corner store was something else. In the mid 50s, my Dad had the opportunity to grab that middle corner portion and he did, thus making the store true to its name. As a good luck gift, someone gave my Dad the plant pictured above, which now sits in our living room in Tucson.
The snake plant lived happily (I hope) with our family in Rye Brook for many years. When we moved to Tucson, we didn't trust the movers to take it, so along with Monica's Dads Christmas Cactus (as near as Monica can ascertain, this one is from the 1930s,) my snake plant and of course Bisbee, I drove cross country. I bonded with all the other three living entities in the car. I had much to say over the 2400 odd miles or so. But I really had to keep the conversation going alot of the time. I'm not complaining. My passengers were excellent company.
So, aside from age, aside from lineage, aside from bonding, what's so special about the
snake plant?
A couple of things.
Now, this is the first and only snake plant I've ever owned. So I'm no Sansevieria expert, but some years ago we noticed an incredibly sweet floral aroma emanating from our Rye Brook kitchen. I wondered what outdoor plant we were aurally admiring when suddenly we realized that it was the ordinary looking snake plant, parked safely under a kitchen window. Now, I don't know about your snake plant, but this one faithfully throws up a sticky, sweet smelling stalk nearly every year now. I mean the aroma can stop you in your tracks! It's wonderful. Maybe they all do this. I don't know.
But, there's something else that I haven't mentioned yet. It's the second thing that makes this snake plant very special to me.
My father and mother were born and raised in England. Now, there are many Brits that came to our shores. I know of two of that share the same birthday (I'm sure there are many others,) and that particular birthday, to me, is full of wonderful irony.
Bob Hope is one or them.
My Dad is the other.
That birth date is July 4.
Today.
This picture to the right was taken July 4.
Today.
This ordinary snake plant has sprouted its sweet smelling stalk nearly every July 4 since it started sprouting flowers so long ago. Year after year after year......

Happy birthday Dad.

Queen of the Night

2008-07-02T21:07:00.002-07:00

Yes, it's that time of the year. The air is heavier with moisture as the Monsoon envelopes the Sonoran Desert. The temperature soars into the upper 90s or low 100s. Why do we endure this? Many reasons, and here's one of them.

The beautiful and VERY fleeting Cereus flower. I'm sure we all remember the more popular name, Peniocereus greggii (he's got to be kidding!) But anyway, the fact of the matter is, this plant only blooms one night each year and the one in our front yard chose RIGHT NOW! Oddly enough, Tohono Chul Park's huge collection (the largest in the world maybe) chose tonight as well. Maybe these guys communicate telepathically, but for what ever reason, I'm sure glad we can enjoy this wondrous and unique sight from the Sonoran Desert.

After Paradise, leaving Portal Az.

2008-06-28T21:27:00.006-07:00

So, we left Paradise and started our trip to Silver City. The first place we hit was Portal Az. So you ask, why is it named Portal? As near as we could tell, because the town was at the head of the canyon you see here. Or, another words, Portal was the portal to the canyon in the Chiracahua Mountains. And in this case, the canyon was about to be whacked by an early monsoon storm. BTW, forgot to mention that we had to drive through a very impressive storm on the way to Paradise. Remember Alfred Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade?" It goes, " Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them" Well just substitute the word lightning for cannon and you'd have a real good idea of how we felt for a while.
The area around Portal is very beautiful and very rugged. I know I used the word "rugged" in my prior post to describe this area. I'm lobbying for a new 4x4 something (Jeep Wrangler) type thing so we can explore areas like this, so get used to words like rugged. Rugged is not a BMW 330xi. Rugged is something with ground clearance that doesn't have super low profile tires. You know what I mean? Well, unfortunately, you don't count. And you know who does count? You've got it. Mountain Monica!!!!
I'd say she's looking pretty good!
We stayed in Portal this time just long enough to take a few photos. Next time, we explore in more depth. On to Silver City where we are now. Probably won't post any photos from there. Not that there aren't pic possibilities, it's just that walking a leashed Bisbee down a Main street with one hand and holding a camera in your other hand isn't conducive to taking loads of pictures. At least not for me. We'll come back here as well. Looks like there's plenty to see here and in the vicinity.
See you all soon.

HOLY CHIRACAHUA. GREETINGS FROM PARADISE

2008-06-28T15:42:00.005-07:00

WELCOME TO PARADISE!!

PARADISE ARIZONA, THAT IS.
JUST BISBEE, MONICA AND ME, ALONG WITH THE COUPLE OF DOZEN FULL TIME RESIDENTS OF THIS FORMER MINING CAMP (ANOTHER BOOM TO BUST STORY, ANOTHER TIME) AND A ZILLION BIRDS.
BUT NOT JUST ANY BIRDS. NOOOO. SOME (MOST?) OF THESE BIRDS I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
IF YOUR A BIRDER (AND THEY'RE A BREED APART!) OR JUST LOVE BIRDS, THEN THIS REALLY IS PARADISE.

AWWWW SHUCKS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO TAKE ANY OF THESE BIRD PHOTOS. RIGHT FROM THE PORCH OF OUR RUSTIC CABIN, ITSELF PERCHED 5400' IN THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS IN EXTREME SOUTH EAST ARIZONA.

THE BIRDS WERE SO OBLIGING, I COULD HAVE SAT THERE ALL DAY AND EXHAUSTED MY COMPACT FLASH CARD IN NO TIME.

WHAT, YOU LOOKING AT ME?

THESE BIRDS ARE A RIOT OF COLORS. IT'S REALLY SO RELAXING AND ENTERTAINING TO JUST SIT AND WATCH. BY THE WAY, I THOUGHT OF PROVIDING THE NAMES OF THESE BIRDS FOR YOU, BUT WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY NEED THAT FOR?
OK, I'VE NO IDEA WHAT MOST ARE CALLED.

THE VIEW FROM INSIDE THE PORCH. I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED A VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE PORCH, BUT I BECAME FIXATED ON THE BIRD SHOTS. SO TRUST ME, IT'S VERY NICE!

EVER THE INTREPID EXPLORER, MONICA MANS (WOMANS?) THE CAMERA AS WE MAKE OUR WAY TO THIS WILDERNESS, TRAVERSING OVER 12 MILES OF DIRT ROAD. WE HAD OUR DOUBTS AS TO WHETHER OUR CAR COULD HANDLE THIS, BUT SO FAR SO GOOD.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE SURROUNDING AREA LOOKS LIKE. IT'S EXTREMELY RUGGED AND WILD. ABOUT THE ONLY TOURISTS YOU SEE ARE DIE HARD BIRDERS. IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS SHOT, THERE'S A ROCK FORMATION WITH AN ARCH THROUGH IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NO WAY TO MANEUVER AROUND TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SUN OR MOON SETTING OR RISING THROUGH IT. NUTS. WHAT A SHOT THAT WOULD BE. APPARENTLY THE MYANS HAVEN'T BEEN THROUGH HERE.

THIS WASN'T AN UNCOMMON SITE. NO ONE ELSE HERE, AND THAT'S FINE FOR KEEPING THIS AREA SUCH AN EXCELLENT BIRDING AND HIKING AREA. THERE ARE HOWEVER, WILD FIRES. THE CENTER OF THIS SHOT SHOWS SMOKE FROM ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH WITHOUT BLOWING UP THE PIC, I DOUBT THAT YOU CAN SEE IT.

OK, MORE TO COME. WE'RE OFF TO SILVER CIY NEW MEXICO. WE'LL SEE WHAT WE SEE AND IF WE SEE ANYTHING WE THINK YOU'D LIKE TO SEE, WE'LL LET YOU SEE.
WHAT?

LOVE,
MONICA, LEIGH AND BISBEE TOO.

NYC JUNE TRIP, CONTINUED

2008-06-20T20:57:00.006-07:00

FINALLY GOT TO SEE BRETT'S NEW APARTMENT IN MANHATTAN. ABSOLUTELY GREAT. IT'S IN A PARK LIKE SETTING AND IS WELL LOCATED NEAR THE PLACES BRETT LIKES TO SPEND TIME IN. WE'RE VERY PLEASED THAT HE'S PLEASED.

AND BECAUSE OLD DAD PROCRASTINATED ONCE AGAIN IN GETTING A BATTERY FOR HIS WATCH, BRETT SUPPLIED THE TIMELESS(?) FELLOW WITH A NICE WATCH FOR OUR STAY. TO MY ASTONISHMENT, THIS VERY WATCH IS BEING SOLD AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. NICE WATCH BRETT, EVEN IF YOU DID TAKE IT BACK BEFORE WE LEFT FOR HOME.

ISN'T IT AMAZING THAT AS SOON AS YOU HIT THE STREETS OF NY, EVERYONE BECOMES A BLUR OF ENERGY? ESPECIALLY IN THIS FAMILY, WHEN THE FOOD ALARM SOUNDS. AND I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY. I WOULD HAVE BEEN LEADING THE LINE HAD I NOT BEEN TAKING THE PICTURE.

AHHHHH. DINNER AT TONY NAPOLE'S. I LOVE TO EAT ON THE STREETS OF NYC. LOTS OF ENERGY AROUND YOU. AND IN THIS CASE, WE DINED UNDER A CONSTRUCTION SCAFFOLD. AND WE HAD GOOD FOOD AND HAD A GOOD TIME. WE DID CHECK TO MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T UNDER A CONSTRUCTION CRANE (NOT REALLY.)

UH OH. I'M GETTNG THAT LOOK. YOU KNOW. THE ONE THAT SAY, "ONE MORE SHOT AND YOU'LL BE WEARING THAT CAMERA!" OK, NO MORE...........TODAY.

I LOVE THE ENERGY IN THIS SHOT TAKEN AS DARKNESS DESCENDED WHILE WE ATE DINNER. AND THE RAIN DESCENDED AS WELL. BRETT TOOK THIS ONE. I REALLY LOVE IT.

A VICTORY CIGAR (TO CELEBRATE WHAT, I'M NOT SURE) AFTER BREAKFAST FOR STEVE.
EVERY DAY ON VACATION IS GREAT AND EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU CAN SPEND IT WITH FAMILY.

MORE POSTS TO COME.

NYC JUNE TRIP

2008-06-17T20:25:00.010-07:00

SO, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BLOG POSTING ABOUT A TRIP START IN THE BATHROOM?
ME NEITHER.
BUT THIS WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO PASS UP. TUCSON INTERNATIONAL HAS RECENTLY UNDERGONE SOME SERIOUS CONSTRUCTION AND NOW THEY'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY. WE TRAVEL OUT OF HERE OFTEN AND THIS IS NEW. AND VERY GOOD. IT'S A TILE MOSAIC THAT NOT ONLY DEPICTS THE USUAL MEN'S ROOM DATA VIA TILE GLYPHS (MEN ONLY, WHEEL CHAIR CAPABLE, LUGGAGE WELCOME, KID FRIENDLY, DIAPER STATION AVAILABLE, ETC.,) BUT ALSO DEPICTS THE POTENTIAL HIGH LIGHTS OF YOUR VISIT TO TUCSON (FOX THEATER, CONGRESS HOTEL, "A" MOUNTAIN, RIALTO THEATER, THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS, THE INCREDIBLY HOT AT THE MOMENT SUN, BARREL CACTI, ETC..)
I GUESS WE WERE SO FASINATED BY THIS BECAUSE IT REMINDED US OF THE NYC SUBWAY STATION TILE WORK. FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T NOTICED, MOST SUBWAY STOPS HAVE ORIGINAL TILE WORK DEPICTING SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT THAT STOP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE LADIES ROOM HAS A DIFFERENT BUT EQUALLY INTERESTING PICTO-TILE-MOSAIC. NICE JOB.

AND WHO SAYS FLYING IS BORING?
I LOVE THE WINDOW SEAT (AS LONG AS IT'S IN A TWO SEATER ROW, MONICA IS SITTING NEXT TO ME AND IT'S NOT A TRANS OCEANIC FLIGHT. SMALL DETAILS.) AND THIS TIME I WAS REWARDED WITH A MOST BEAUTIFUL CLOUD FORMATION SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING DALLAS.

EVERY VISIT TO NYC REMINDS ME OF WHY THIS PLACE CAN BOAST THAT IT'S THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. CASE IN POINT. AIM YOUR CAMERA IN ALMOST ANY DIRECTION AND YOUR LIABLE TO SEE A CHURCH (SEE CROSS ABOVE.) IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE CROSS, USE YOUR LEFT CURSOR BUTTON TO MAKE THE PICTURE LARGER. IF YOU STILL CAN'T SEE THE CROSS, GET REAL AND GET GLASSES. SO FAR NOTHING YOU WOULDN'T SEE IN ANY OTHER AMERICAN CITY ( I KNOW, THAT'S THE CHRYSLER BUILDING IN THE SHOT. YOU WOULDN'T SEE THAT IN TOO MANY OTHER PLACES. BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.)

NOW THE FUN STARTS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT RELIGION OR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN THESE FOLKS ARE FROM. BUT I PROMISE YOU I DIDN'T GO OUT OF MY WAY TO BUMP INTO THEM. THESE THINGS ARE ALL OVER NYC. AND I LOVE THE REACTION OF THE TWO WOMEN IN THE PICTURE. ABSOLUTELY NO REACTION. TYPICAL NEW YORKERS.

FINALLY, WE BUMP INTO THE ISRAEL DAY PARADE. SIDE STREETS EAST AND WEST OF FIFTH AVENUE ARE SIMPLY JAMMED WITH PARADE PARTICIPANTS, WAITING THEIR TURN TO MARCH DOWN FIFTH. AGAIN, NO INTENTION, JUST ON OUR WAY TO SOMETHING ELSE (MUSEUM OF MODERN ART TO BE EXACT.)
THE CONFLUENCE OF SO MANY CULTURES, RELIGIONS AND NATIONALITIES IN THIS ONE SMALL PLACE IS AMAZING. THE FACT THAT FOR THE MOST PART EVERYONE GETS ALONG ON A DAILY BASIS IS AMAZING AND A BLESSING. AND MAYBE A SMALL PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT THIS REALLY IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

NEXT POST COMING VERY SOON. STAY TUNED.

DAWN IN NYC. MORE TO COME. LOTS

2008-06-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

NOW WHICH ONE?

2008-05-27T16:46:00.005-07:00

Which rendering of this photo looks best to your eye?
I edited (tweaked) one photo in three different programs.
iPhoto, Aperture and Nikon NX (that's not the order that they're in.)
I also included the original untouched photo.
Each program can do certain things. I was just curious what different eyes would see. Use your left cursor button to blow each picture up before you decide. Try not to peak below the photos to see which photo belongs to which program. So, which picture looks like "THE ONE" to you?

This is the order of the photos and the editing program, as they appear above.

#1 = Aperture
#2 = Nikon NX
#3 = Original untouched photo
#4 = iPhoto

What did this prove?

Just that most photos could use a little tweaking and that no one editing program does everything.

I found that Aperture does the best job of globally adjusting the highlights and shadows. As Monica pointed out, it did a great job on the clouds in the sky. But, it also adjusted the highlights in the entire picture.

Nikon NX does the best on particular trouble spots, like the flag pole with the eagle on top. It's also almost addictive to use, especially its "u point"(?) technology. Just lay a dot on a particular thing or color with your mouse, adjust the size of the circle and make changes that only affect that color or shade within your circle. Pretty cool.

iPhoto is the most convenient edit program to use, especially if that's how you've imported your photos into the computer. It's results are very good. But when you use the other programs, you realize you could have gone further.

Well, that was fun! Now to figure a way to take the photo directly from iPhoto into either of the other edit programs. So far, I've had to export the photo onto my desktop and then open the photo from there with the other edit program. Aperture gives you an option to choose another program as an external editor, making the process easier.

Later.

Leigh.

PRICKLY FULL MOON

2008-05-19T22:03:00.005-07:00

100 DEGREES PLUS, TODAY.
HOT NIGHT.
PRICKLY FULL MOON

HOW DO THE ANIMALS NEGOTIATE SUCH A PRICKLY ENVIRONMENT AT NIGHT?

WENT TO A DIAMONDBACK'S GAME AND A JOHN McCAIN SIGHTING BROKE OUT!

2008-05-05T21:28:00.007-07:00

YEP, RIGHT THERE FOR ME TO PHOTOGRAPH, JOHN McCAIN, IN THE FLESH. IT'S AMAZING, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT TURN OUT FOR ME AND MONICA. HIS WIFE IS TWO SEATS TO HIS LEFT (USE YOUR LEFT CURSOR BUTTON IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME.)

SO ANYWAY, MONICA AND I WENT TO PHOENIX TO DROP STEVE OFF AT THE AIRPORT (HE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO MAKE HIS HOMEWARD BOUND FLIGHT RESERVATIONS FROM PHOENIX) AND THEN WE WENT TO CHASE FIELD TO WATCH THE METS PLAY THE DIAMONBACKS. LUCKY US. WE GOT TO SEE SANTANA PITCH. AND HE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT!

NEITHER DID DAVID WRIGHT! HE'S JUST AN ALL AROUND EXCELLENT BALL PLAYER.

HERE'S DAVID SWINGING AND AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, HE HIT A HOME RUN ON THIS PITCH. HOW LUCKY CAN I GET WITH MY PHOTO KARMA?

AND HERE ARE THE FANS FIGHTING FOR THE BALL IN THE LEFT FIELD STANDS. THE GUY WITH THE WHITE SHIRT SEEMS TO HAVE A BEAD ON IT. BUT HE'S NOT THE PERSON WHO ENDED UP WITH THE BALL. IT'S THE PERSON OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER IN A RED SHIRT WHO CAUGHT THE BALL ON THE RICOCHET. TRY YOUR LEFT CURSOR AGAIN FOR A BETTER LOOK.

EVEN WHEN THE DIAMONDBACKS BENT THE RULES A LITTLE AND TRIED FIELDING 13 PLAYERS, THEY COULDN'T BEAT THE METS.
WHAT'S THAT YOUR SAYING? THOSE EXTRA RED SHIRTS AREN'T BALL PLAYERS? THEY'RE GROUNDS CREW?.....OH......COULD'A SWORN ONE OF THEM GUYS CAME TO BAT.

DEARLY DEPARTED, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN BY THE FAITHFUL.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHERE WE WERE SEATED.
VERY, VERY HIGH UP. THIRD DECK. IT'S NOT A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO TAKE PICTURES FROM. TRUTH IS THOUGH, WE ENJOYED THE LOCATION VERY MUCH. I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S A REALLY BAD SEAT IN THIS STADIUM. WELL, MAYBE IN THE MANAGER'S DOG HOUSE.

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, IT'S BIKER MADNESS IN TUCSON!!! MAKE WAY FOR "TUCSON THUNDER."

2008-05-03T10:51:00.012-07:00

ONCE A YEAR IN TUCSON COMES AN EVENT CALLED "TUCSON THUNDER." THAT'S WHEN BIKER BOB AND BARB (IF THOSE FOLKS FOUND OUT I CALLED THEM THAT, THEY'D FIND MY HOUSE AND FIRE BOMB IT) TAKE OVER DOWNTOWN WITH THEIR HARLEY DAVIDSONS AND HAVE A BLAST. AND SO DID WE.

JUST TO PROVE THEY WERE REALLY HERE IN TUCSON, I INCLUDED THIS SHOT SHOWING THE RIALTO THEATER IN THE BACKGROUND.

AND TALK ABOUT NUTS (NO, NOT THE HUMAN KIND) THE AROMA FROM THE ROASTING PEANUTS WAS OVERWHELMING. ESPECIALLY THE CINAMOM FLAVORING. WOW, THAT SMELLED GOOD.

HEY, LOOK WHO CAME ALONG.
STEPHEN!
STEVE CAME IN FOR A VISIT AND TOOK IN TUCSON THUNDER, AS WELL AS A TWENTY SOMETHING MILE BIKE RIDE. STEVE HAD HIS BEAUTIFUL TITANIUM FRAMED BIANCHI CYCLE SHIPPED IN FOR THE OCCASION. IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAD A GREAT TIME. I KNOW THAT MONICA CERTAINLY LOVED HAVING HIM HERE. ME TOO.

WHOA! LOOK AT THIS. MONICA AND ME, IN MY FANCY NEW FEDORA. I GOTTA PUT SOMETHING OVER MY CHAPEAU, CAUSE OTHER WISE IT'S GONNA TURN BRIGHT RED! MONICA IS LOOKING GOOD. AND SHE'S STARTING TO REGAIN HER STRENGTH AFTER THE OPERATION. EASY DOES IT.

AFTER A NICE LUNCH AT CAFE ROMA AND A STROLL AROUND ROLLING THUNDER, WE STOPPED OFF AT BEAUTIFUL ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH. THIS IS THE FRONT VIEW OF THE JUST REPAINTED CHURCH.

AND THIS IS ANOTHER VIEW OF THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH. JUST A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. HONEST.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FITTING WAY TO END THE TUCSON THUNDER POST, GIVEN THE SUBJECT MATTER. YOU MAY NEED TO LEFT CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE WHY. AND BELIEVE ME, THAT'S NOT ALL THAT WAS THERE BEFORE I WAS (STRONGLY) ADVISED TO EXERCISE A LITTLE CENSORSHIP.
HAVE FUN YOU BIKER BOB AND BARBS! THE CONGRESS HOTEL AND BAR AWAIT YOU ONLY A FEW DOORS AWAY.

DESERT BLOOM

2008-04-27T14:22:00.007-07:00

The word desert, as in Sonoran Desert (that's where we live,) conjures up the color, "drab brown" in most people's minds. Mine too. Before I moved here. In fact, there's a riot of color going on now. Yes, we have spring, but not quite like everyone else.

Some would consider this to be a thorny beauty. I guess it's just nature's way of protecting what must be a delicious bloom, that is if you're a native animal to the Sonoran Desert.

Some blooms are pretty bazaar. Growing from the most unlikely source.

Like the ground? At least that's what this looks like. Buried under that sea of orange blossom is a tiny cactus somewhere. The one with the purple flower is a "hedgehog" cactus, as it's commonly called around here.

My favorite? The Ocotillo. Or as I like to call them, the dead sticks. That's because in the winter, the leaves fall off and it looks for all the world like a dead stick with thorns. But come the rains and these masters of surprise grow leaves like a standard poodle grows hair.

And although it's tough to see in this photo (unless you put your cursor on the picture and left click) the dead sticks also produce the BRIGHTEST orange flower at the very top of the individual sticks. You gotta see em to believe it.

And the color isn't exclusive to the desert cacti. You'll often see a lake of color, if the rains have come at the right time (this year's bloom is far superior to last years, thanks to some well timed rain back in January.) This splash of color is courtesy of the brittle bush.

So, if someone tells you that all the desert is good for is a whacking good thorn in your side, well, you know better now.

AND SOMETIMES, THEY DON'T FLY AGAIN

2008-04-22T20:21:00.007-07:00

What would you think if you stumbled upon "Air Force One" sitting forlornly in a field scattered with the debris and remnants of half a dozen derelict aircraft from the 1950s?
Welllllllll, welcome to my world.
OK, I never said that it was going to be THIS President's "Air Force One," did I? No.
However, you are staring at "Air Force One." In fact, this was the FIRST official Air Force One, ever. The one that established that call sign. And it is just sitting in a field in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, slowly (it seems to me) losing it's tenuous grip on its existence.
Alright, a little history is in order. I went to the Marana Regional Airport to see some WW2 vintage bombers (see my previous post. They were teriffic!) I was chatting with a very nice guy (Carl, a retired Delta pilot) who was sitting under the wing of the B-17 (he's the pilot of the B-29 from this group but as the B-29 wasn't there, Carl's main order of business was to get out from under the hot sun). After talking about many aviation and non aviation subjects, Carl points way yonder and says, there sits President Eisenhower's former Air Force One. Now, I happen to know, that's not possible. Why? Because that Air Force One was sitting at the Pima Air & Space Museum, about 40 miles due south of here. Carl responds with, "Aha, so you didn't know that Ike had THREE Air Force Ones?"
So, I jumped in my car and bumped down the road to the gate that Carl said was closed. The gate was open. No one around. An accidental push on the gas and I'm suddenly behind the gate on a dirt and gravel road. A quick turn to the right and..... There it was. Unmistakable. It was Air Force One. Ike's Air force One.
How was I so certain? See that yellow blob under the cockpit of the beautiful, shiny Lockheed c-121 Tri Star Constellation? That there blob spells out "Columbine." The name that Ike's wife chose as the name for their official plane. Wanna see the clincher?
OK, I know you really can't see this on line (unless you put your cursor on the above picture and left click. That'll really blow the picture up.) So trust me here. Just above the nose wheel is a number printed on the nose gear door. That number says 8610. The tail number of one of Ike's three planes was 48-610. No doubt about it, this is the plane. This is the Air Force One that carried Ike from January 1953 to November 1954. The one that took Ike 18,000 miles on a secret mission to Korea. And the one that was first to be called "Air Force One" (the reason: An Eastern Air Lines flight # 8610 was confused with Ikes 8610 and was mistakenly given permission to fly into the restricted air space around Ike's plane. That probably really disturbed Ike's security folks and from that incident forward, every President's plane was always referred to as Air Force One.) In fact this plane is Columbine Numer Two. Number one is the one sitting at the Pima Air & Space Museum (a wonderful place if you love aircraft of all vintages.) Number three? I don't think that it exists any more, although I'm not sure. There are VERY few Constellation Tri Stars in existence now. This plane's journey to a small patch of sandy earth in a backwater regional airport is quite long. I'll shorten it (as much as I'm able to-it's not in my nature to take the short way.)
After 1968, it was grounded and was stripped of any and all markings (other than 8610) to denote its historic past. It was slowly stripped of parts to keep other Tri Stars in service. In the 1970s, the plane was sold to a crop dusting company, along with 4 sister planes. Columbine was the only one that wasn't refurbished to fly and again was used for her spare parts.
In 1980, the owner of the company received one of those phone calls that can only be described as, "you've got be kidding me." The call was from the Smithsonian in Washington asking him if he knew of his plane's history? Well, he felt terrible, but what could he do? He stopped using its parts for spares. In 1990, this man decided that he was going to scrap the plane. Over a cup of coffee he and his partner changed their minds and decided Columbine deserved a better fate and vowed they would fully restore her. After her restoration, she proceeded to participate in several air shows and in 1998 was put up for auction, hopefully to an air museum. The asking price was $1.5. The best bid was $1.4. The plane was withdrawn from the auction. It was then flown to New Mexico and sat for a number of years. Then refurbished again for the flight to Marana, where it sits today. It's obviously been used for parts again. The rumor has it that the plane is for sale. For $3.5m. I'd say, it'd be a shame for this plane to sink into the Arizona desert. It's really an historic aircraft.

Anyone have any spare change?

One last picture of Columbine and my baby (in car years, it might be nearly as old as Columbine.)

Maybe one more aviation post to come. After I took this picture from the gravel road, I turned around and caught a glimpse of an aircraft that got my heart a thumpen.... Later.

THEY FLY AGAIN

2008-04-21T11:02:00.008-07:00

Hello everyone. Long time no post. As some of you know, I love WWII aircraft and the aura surrounding the men and machines. So on Friday, I visited the Marana Regional Airport (a very small airport with one 6500' landing strip) after hearing that WWII vintage bombers were going to spend the weekend there. The group consisted of a B-17 (pictured below, in flight over Tucson at sunset,) a B-24 and a B-25. You could take a ride on these planes, but two things discouraged me. First, let's not forget that these airframes are over 65 years old. Are they safe? Probably. Would I take the chance? Probably not. Second, it cost $400 for the ride. Case closed!

For those who don't know what a B-17 looks like, here it is. The pilots and crew loved them because they had a reputation of being able to take enormous damage and still bring their crews home safely.

Another view of the B-17. Although built for an ugly (but necessary) purpose, the plane can look very pretty from certain angles.

Which brings me to this story. I cannot authenticate it. It was told to me by one of the crew of this B-25, below. This type of plane was made famous by Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle and his squadron of B-25s that bombed Tokyo ("The Doolittle Raid") in the early part of WWII. If you're too young to know of this story then......shame on you and look it up! If it weren't for these brave people and many more like them, we probably wouldn't be here today under anywhere near the same circumstances that we're enjoying (sorry about that. Carried away as usual. Here's a link to a useful web site explaining the Doolittle Raid. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/misc-42/dooltl.htm Anyway, the story. This plane was named after an early 1940s movie starring Dorothy Lamour. Quite the glamour girl back then. This B-25 and two other B-25s were chosen for a raid on the Japanese occupied Island of British New Guinea to bomb the harbor there. The raid was initially successful. They sunk a 6,000 ton Japanese freighter (hence the ship painted on the side of the B-25) and were on their way out of the harbor when the other two B-25s saw 50 Japanese "Zero" fighters about to attack them. During the initial attack, the other two B-25s were shot down and the pictured B-25 had one engine destroyed and two of it's crew killed outright. The Tondelayo's pilot had few choices. He decided quickly to put the plane in a dive and pulled up 30' over the ocean. He reasoned that now he didn't have to defend the belly of his aircraft and perhaps of more importance, the extreme dive helped them pick up speed which was critical due to having to fly with only one engine. The first four Zeros to attack miscalculated their dive and hit the ocean. For the next 75 minutes, the Tondelayo and crew had a running gun battle with the 46 remaining fighters. In the end, 10 Zeros were destroyed (you can see the 10 rising sun flags painted just forward of the cockpit) and the Tondelayo made it back to home base. All crew members received the "Silver Star." A hair raising story!
Well, I saw other interesting things at the airport Friday. One in particular involving some American presidential history. But enough for one post.

SPRING IN TUCSON

2008-03-24T22:04:00.003-07:00

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE THRUMMMM OF A HUMMING BIRD BUZZING BY YOUR EAR.

AND THE FLOWERS ARE BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL. MONICA AND I VISITED TOHONO CHUL PARK YESTERDAY, AND THIS IS WHAT WE SAW.

WITH THE BRILLIANTLY BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE TUCSON AFTERNOON SUN, IT WAS EASY TO SHOOT THESE GUYS AT F3.2 TO ISOLATE THEM FROM THE COLORFUL BACKGROUND. WELCOME TO SPRING IN TUCSON.

PHOTO FAVES OF THE DAY

2008-03-21T21:59:00.007-07:00

HAVE I EVER MENTIONED THAT I LOVE THIS GAME OF BASEBALL?

WE WENT TO A BALL GAME TODAY. ROCKIES AND THE CUBBIES. EXCELLENT GAME.
ROCKIES OUT EXECUTED THE CUBS, AS EVIDENCED BY THIS SEQUENCE OF AN ATTEMPTED STEAL OF SECOND BY THE ROCKIES.

HIGH THROW FROM THE CATCHER THAT COULDN'T BE HANDLED.

EVEN WHEN MISTAKES ARE MADE, BASEBALL CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL BALLET. LUCKY FOR THE CUBS THAT THEIR 2ND BASEMAN WAS ALERT ENOUGH TO BACK UP THE PLAY.

PERHAPS WE'RE WITNESSING THE PASSING OF THE LOVE FOR THIS GAME OF BASEBALL, FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.

OH.......AND THE ROCKIES WON 7 TO 4. IT REALLY SEEMED CLOSER THAN THAT.
MUST HAVE BEEN A LONG BUS RIDE HOME FOR THE CUBS. LOU WAS ON THAT BUS!

HELLO FROM TUCSON, HOME OF THE HUMMERS!

2008-03-15T21:43:00.005-07:00

SO NICE OF YOU ALL TO VISIT US HERE IN TUCSON. MORE SPECIFICALLY, OUR BACK YARD. US HUMMERS LOVE TO GIVE YOU A WARM WELCOME! WE'VE GROWN SO USED TO MONICA AND LEIGH (CAUSE THEY FEED US EVERY DAY AND MAKE SURE THAT YUMMY FLOWERS GROW IN THE YARD) THAT WE LET THEM GET REAL CLOSE TO TAKE PICTURES.

WELL, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME FOR A VISIT, BUT RIGHT NOW I'VE GOTTA SAY, GOOD BY. HEY, DO YA LIKE MY SNAZZY NECK FEATHERS?

THE SUNS GOING DOWN AND WE'VE GOTTA GET THAT LAST BIT OF NECTOR OUT OF THE FLOWERS AND FIND OUR WAY HOME.

NOW YOU COME VISIT, YOU HEAR?

WHAT'S IN THE SKYS ABOVE TUCSON?

2008-03-12T20:55:00.007-07:00

IT'S A LONG STORY, BUT ON THE WAY TO AN ANTIQUE MALL, WE SPOTTED STRANGE AIRCRAFT OVER TUCSON. WE GAVE CHASE! WE CAUGHT UP WITH THEM.

IT TURNS OUT THAT DM AIRFORCE BASE OFFERS THE ONLY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN THE US THAT ALLOWS PRIVATELY OWNED VINTAGE AIRCRAFT TO FLY ALONG SIDE CURRENT US AIRFORCE PLANES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARTICIPATING IN AIR SHOWS (AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT SOME GUY TOLD US.)I'VE GOT OTHER PHOTOS OF OTHER PLANES (ALL TOLD I TOOK ABOUT 400 SHOTS AND TRASHED ABOUT 250 OF THEM) LIKE F-15s AND A10s, BUT I MISSED THE F22 RAPTOR (WE WERE IN THE CAR CHASING THE PLANES-MONICA TOLD ME TO PULL OVER AND I SAID NAH, WE'LL GET ANOTHER SHOT. ENOUGH SAID, PLEASE.)ANYWAY, NOW YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THE SKY OVER TUCSON, AT LEAST ON ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

WOMAN WITH CAT, CIRCA 1975

2008-03-09T09:31:00.003-07:00

EQUALLY HAPPY LADY AS PRECEDING POST, THIRTY THREE YEARS EARLIER.

WHOSE HAPPY NOW?

2008-03-07T23:39:00.003-07:00

WITH APOLOGIZE TO JIM, WHO TOOK THIS TERRIFIC PICTURE OF MONICA, I JUST HAD TO POST IT, I LIKE IT SO MUCH.
PLEASE IGNORE THAT COPYRIGHT ON THE LOWER RIGHT. IT SHOULD READ JB.
AND I KNOW WHY SHE'S HAPPY.
1. SHE'S WITH HER FAMILY IN NYC.
2. SHE'S ABOUT TO TEAR INTO BREAKFAST AT A NYC DINER.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER?!!!!

OUR HOUSE

2008-03-06T19:41:00.004-07:00

OUR HOUSE IS A VERY VERY FINE HOUSE,

WITH TWO CATS ON THE STAIRS.............

Thank you and apologies to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

WANTED: CAR NUT

2008-03-05T22:57:00.005-07:00

OK CAR NUTS, HERE'S YOUR CHALLENGE:

CAR YEAR

MAKE

MODEL

OWNERS

BONUS POINTS:

WHERE

GUESS

2008-03-04T22:35:00.003-07:00

GUESS WHERE

GUESS WHEN

GUESS WHO

GUESS HOW

2008-03-03T20:49:00.005-07:00

WHY IS THIS PHOTO BEING POSTED?

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT IT THAT I LIKE.

2008-03-02T22:30:00.002-07:00

I THOUGHT JUST ONE MORE SHOT FOR BRETT'S VISIT. THIS TIME OF THE THREE OF US.

2008-03-02T10:06:00.003-07:00

SO, LOOK WHO'S IN TOWN.
NO, NO, NOT MONICA. SHE LIVES HERE.
IT'S BRETT, VISITING HIS MOM AND DAD.

2008-02-29T22:18:00.003-07:00

PLAY BALL!!!
AT LAST. SPRING TRAINING HAS BEGUN.
HOPE WE GET TO KEEP SOME GOOD BASEBALL IN TUCSON.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-25T23:10:00.006-07:00

SO, WHY DO I HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE OF THE BLUE ANGELS UP HERE?

BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE A BEAUTIFUL WEEK AND I LOVE TO LOOK TO THE SKY. AND THAT PICTURE HAS A BEAUTIFUL SKY!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-23T22:34:00.004-07:00

THANK YOU TO ALL MY WELL WISHERS. I FEEL MUCH BETTER. PLEASE COME VISIT ME SO I CAN RUB MY EYE JUICE ALL OVER YOUR CLOTHES!

In case anyone's interested, the above is the original photo, before post processing.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-22T16:34:00.002-07:00

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-20T21:10:00.003-07:00

OK, Lunar Eclipse time!
The photo up above was taken the night before the eclipse. I rushed out and bought an adapter to attach my new Nikon D300 to my telescope. The above photo was taken as "practice." Little did I know that this photo would be the best one.

The above photo was taken from our roof with my 70-200mm lens. The moon wasn't yet visible from the backyard, where the telescope was lurking, ready to fire away at the eclipse.

Again, taken from the roof. The moon is not yet visible from the backyard.

Last one from the roof. The moon is just starting to become visible from the backyard.

Catastrophe! Just as I get the D300 attached to the telescope, the overcast moves in. This is the best photo that I could manage from the telescope. Within minutes, there's so much cloud cover that I can no longer focus.
Time to count the days to 2010 for the next eclipse!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-17T21:52:00.003-07:00

A WARM UP MOON OVER TOHONO CHUL PARK, IN PREPARATION FOR THE TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE LATER THIS WEEK.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-16T23:38:00.004-07:00

FOR RUTH. A VERY SPECIAL LADY.
HAPPY ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY.
WITH MUCH LOVE,
MONICA, LEIGH, BRETT AND BISBEE TOO!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-15T20:54:00.003-07:00

DIRECTOR (BISBEE): JUST SHOOT OUT THE WINDOW.

PHOTOGRAPHER (MONICA): BUT WHY? THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE BUT THAT
CUTE LITTLE FEMALE BEAGLE.

DIRECTOR (BISBEE): JUST SHOOT OUT THE WINDOW. SO WHAT'S SHE DOING NOW?

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-15T00:18:00.002-07:00

EVEN WHEN THEY'RE ON THE GROUND, THEY MOVE AT ATTENTION!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-13T19:58:00.004-07:00

I LOVE THIS AIR SHOW. HEY? ANYONE SEE WHERE THOSE FOUR JET FIGHTERS WENT TO?

2008-02-12T21:30:00.003-07:00

FIRST HAIRCUT IN FRONT OF GRANDPA AND AN APPROVING BIG BROTHER.
DOWN TOWN TUCSON.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-11T20:33:00.001-07:00

AT LAST BMW LISTENS TO ITS' CUSTOMERS AND MANUFACTURES A FIRE ENGINE IN POLISH RACING GREEN.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-10T23:17:00.001-07:00

2008-02-09T21:05:00.001-07:00

JIM: "NO COMMENT."
LEIGH: "NO COMMENT, TOO."

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-08T20:14:00.001-07:00

JIM: "SO LEIGH, WHO ARE THOSE HOT LOOKIN CHICKS THAT ARE WAVING AT US FROM THE BEACH?"
LEIGH: "I DUNNO JIM. JUST START WAVING BACK LIKE CRAZY AND MAYBE WE'LL GET LUCKY."

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-07T21:41:00.001-07:00

A BIG WAVE, FROM CONEY ISLAND.
SAY, WHO DO YOU THINK THEY'RE WAVING TO?
TUNE IN TOMORROW AND YOU'LL SEE.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-06T22:49:00.001-07:00

NICE CAMERA STEPHEN.........
UHHH STEVE? STEPHEN? TURN AROUND STEPHEN. STEPHEN! TURN AROUND. THE PICTURE! AROUND. THE OTHER WAY! WILL YA TURN AROUND ALREADY?

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

ON LAST NIGHT'S NATIONAL VOTING, I BELIEVE THE "EYES" HAVE IT.

2008-02-04T23:17:00.001-07:00

IT SNOWED TODAY, IT SNOWED TODAY, IT SNOWED TODAY!................................................, OK, SO THIS PICTURE IS TWO YEARS OLD.

BUT IT REALLY SNOWED TODAY!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-03T22:24:00.001-07:00

WHEN THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPERBOWL, H*LL WILL FREEZE OVER (NOT THAT OUR DESERT IS H*LL, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE FEW SNOW SHOTS I COULD FIND.)

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-03T10:59:00.001-07:00

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, CHRISTMAS IS OVER. HOWEVER, HERE IS MY HOLIDAY PICTURE ANYWAY. PLEASE REFER TO THE QUOTE BY THE BRILLIANT PHILOSOPHER, LOU COSTELLO WHO SAID,
"AND I DON'T GIVE A ****."

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-02-01T21:52:00.001-07:00

IN CELEBRATION OF BRETT'S MOVE TO NEW DIGS TODAY. GOOD LUCK WITH THE MOVE BRETT. TRADER JOE AWAITS!
AND THE VELVET ELVIS SENDS REGARDS.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-01-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

WHERE WE LIVE (WELL NOT ACTUALLY IN THAT BUILDING BUT.......AWWW, YOU GET THE IDEA.) IT'S TUCSON.

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-01-30T21:50:00.001-07:00

THE WILD BLUE YONDER, REALLY!

PHOTO FAVE OF THE DAY

2008-01-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

THE BLUE ANGELS MAKING GOLD

Happy 2007 Chistmas & Holidays in New York (and CT. of course)

2008-01-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well, thanks to Brett's wonderful Holiday gift to me, you're now looking at the Spigelman Blog. OK, OK, so we've found a new way to torture you (hope not.) Anyway, this is how the photo grams will be delivered to you. Hope you enjoy. And Brett, I love you too.

As with all good things, you start with planning. Here's Brett and Monica on Christmas Eve in our hotel room in NYC, pouring over critical data on our computer. Wellllllllllllll, maybe not.
And we had a really great visit with everyone.

The first order of business? Find a button shop! This is one of Monica's newest passions. Buttons (among many other things.) You'll get a partial explanation of this passion later on in the blog. In the meantime, this is some button shop. Wall to wall buttons, in every price range, all in a little shop a few steps down from the sidewalk somewhere in the East 60s. Run by a Romanian, Slavic something, Bulgarian (take your choice, I couldn't tell from the accent) etc. And they wouldn't let me take a picture of the individual buttons. I know. I asked, They said, "No." I could take a picture of the shop, not individual buttons.
Arteeeests! Oh well. (and it's not just in NY. I've gotten this same reception in a lot of places, that's why I've learned to ask first.)

All right then. Off to visit Alan and Diane. Had lunch around the corner from their town house and then had a nice visit after eating. Alan takes a very "Sgt. Pepper" like pose beside his favorite new appliance. An auto espresso maker. And I might add, I LIKED it very much. I've recently discovered lattes and this machine makes one smooth drink (no steamed milk but Diane used a companion machine to heat the milk very nicely-it's easier than it sounds.)
And did I mention desert? Diane and Monica detoured on the way home to pick up some desert at a small restaurant and it was deeelish. Yes, that's my plate (or what's left of it anyway.) We ended up eating at that place on the day that we left for home (we had a late flight.) I had the best lentil soup there. I can't remember the name of the place (French name) but I sure would like to see them open in Tucson some day.

Next day was Christmas day. Seasonally cold, but no snow flying. Ann and Jim were perfect hosts and here we are doing one of our favorite holiday activities. Stuffing our faces!

Everyone had a job this holiday. And if you weren't assigned a specific job, then it was your job to eat. And no one fell down on that job!
Jim's job was to figure out how to use the new D300 camera (that sounds easier than it is.) Here you can see him looking at a picture that he just took, wondering "how'd I do that?"

I had a job as well. I was the official temperature tester for the prime ribs that were roasting in the oven. This too sounds easier than it was. The purpose bought meat thermometer was an instant read type, but somehow got left in the ribs, in the oven. It didn't like that. It partially melted in protest. Not surprisingly, it was hard to read in that condition. Fortunately, Ann came to the rescue with a back up, oven proof, thermometer. Here's the prime rib just coming out of the oven at just the right temp. Another triumph for modern science.

Ann's job was chief cook and bottle washer. Here she gives a demonstration of the Ginsu knives that would make a samurai nervous, er ah, I mean envious. She really did a great job. We all really enjoyed the wonderful food (and boy was there a lot of it!)

Jim actually had two jobs. The second one was El Carver Supremo. And he wasn't stingy with the servings either. Looks like he's enjoying himself (though probably not as much as all of us who got to eat his servings.)

OK, so one of Monica's passions is now buttons, cause she's really getting into craft making. And she's very good at it. Here she is handling a "surprise ball" that she made (she also knitted Brett a pair of beautiful socks for Christmas, but that's a whole nother story.) Inside of the surprise ball are a bunch of creative and pretty things, including of course, unusual buttons.
I didn't get around to taking pics of what was inside, but Brett really enjoyed it (there he is peering through the window to make sure no harm comes to his surprise ball.)

I thought it would be interesting to take a self portrait of all of us by holding the camera at arms length at the dinner table. I didn't realize how heavy the camera was. Came out kind of fuzzy wuzzy huh? So, you wanna know who was in the picture? Take a look below.

Here we all are again, this time you might recognize a few faces other than yours truly.

Couldn't resist this one of the famous one eyed Ilana, taken by Brett. Yes Ilana, we know we've taken enough photos. Just one more then?

And of course, how can you end your first entry into your brand new blog (believe it or not, Brett manually entered every preceding posting on this blog before surprising me with it) with anything better than the best holiday wishes from the famous Surfaro sisters.
And to all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

11.30.2007...Goodbye D70

2007-12-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. A happy, belated Thanksgiving to all. Monica and I were lucky enough this year to have Monica's family visit us. In short, we had a great time! I'm not going to show you the obligatory pigging out pictures at our house. However, if any of you would like to see us pig out and see what our house looks like (at least from the decidedly off camber perspective of one Brett Spigelman) please use this link to "you-tube" for a seven minute video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAhT3fcdvw0 And don't forget, I warned you!

So, what did we do for the Thanksgiving weekend? Well, among a thousand things (don't worry, you'll be spared 996 of those things) we drove down to Patagonia. I've mentioned this place before (no tests this time, but you'd better pay attention.). Monica said they were having their holiday craft fare and we thought it would be interesting. A lovely time. Ann Marie and Monica met Santa, who turned out to be a Santa with a sense of humor. Lots of one liners from this gift giving old fellow. He also proved to be a fine tourist guide as he pointed out certain galleries that we were looking for. Below, the sisters meet Santa in the town coffee house. I think they look maaaarvelous (my apologies to Billy Crystal.)

And in one of those galleries, a number of which were in the artist's home, I came across a certain mirror that had a lovely group of people reflected from it. OK,OK, so I told everyone to pose. It still didn't come out the way that I envisioned it, but at least I got all of us in (barely.)

And in another place, another mirror. Good looking Brett on the left. You should try this. The subject (at least the one on the right) never makes a false move and always does what you want without being told. (Must be mental telepathy!)

Still in Patagonia, we met a very nice artist displaying his art outside of the first mirrored gallery. He was from California and was very glad to be living in Patagonia . Something about a slightly less stressful life. ANYWAY, he spies us posing on and around the swinging chair and noticed (unlike yours truly) that we had no spare family member to operate the camera. Well, before I could say anything, he took both my camera and Jim's camera and volunteers to take our picture. He did a good job too. Now if we could only get Jim's camera back...........

That evening we took a splendid ride back to Tucson through the Patagonia Mountains. Lots of photo ops (nearly lost Jim a couple of times as he yelled stop the car and ripped his door open, followed closely by Brett, both clutching their cameras.). You'll notice I didn't include any such shots. Yes, my camera was locked away in the trunk. That's me, ever ready's twin brother, never ready. Welllll, not really.

SO, we went to a very nice Italian restaurant in Tubac. Almost the entire rear wall of the restaurant was glass. Off in the distance was the Santa Rita mountain range. A really beautiful view to accompany a nice meal. And then...BOOM, the full moon bursts from behind the Santa Ritas. Brett and I ran to the car and I grabbed my camera and long lens and stood in the garden firing away. The below picture was one of the few that came out. AND, if you look carefully to the right of the moon, at the mountain range's highest peak, you can just make out a small almost translucent dome. That's the Whipple Observatory located on top of Mount Hopkins. This observatory is operated by the Smithsonian Institute and contains one of the largest mirrored telescopes in the world. (Hey, what's going on here with all these mirror shots - wait a minute! Spigelman in German means...........wait for it...........MIRROR MAN!!!!....really.)

Then, off to Tohono Chul Park's Holiday Lights Festival. Monica worked here for the first year and a half after we moved here and she was really relieved this time to be a spectator rather than a member of the staff. Another very good time and Brett got to chug apple cider with Frosty (turned out to be Mrs Frosty.)

So, what else did we do? The day after Thanksgiving we got some exercise in (but not as much as Steve who took his unbelievable Merlin framed bike, http://www.sandsmachine.com/bp_merln.htm, on a 35 mile jaunt to the NW of Tucson instead of going with us) by visiting the Sonoran Desert Museum which is just west of the Tucson Mountains. It's a great place to see native animals in their natural habitat, including birds of prey. They put on a very good educational show using these hawks. At times, these birds were soaring just inches over our heads. Just had to show you a couple of pictures of them.

All right, I'd like to say this picture shows Ann Marie's EXTREME reluctance to leave her favorite relatives in Tucson. So, if I left it at that you'd buy it, right? No? All right then. It was taken as we searched for our car in the parking lot. We were a little pooped after all that walking and Jim is giving her a helping hand.

So, that's how we spent our Thanksgiving weekend. Hope all or your Thanksgiving weekends were as nice as ours!

PS. Not that you'll notice in the future, but this is the last picto-gram featuring images taken by my old faithful Nikon D70 DSLR camera. My new Nikon D300 arrived yesterday and picto-gram shots will be coming from that camera for the foreseeable future.
Well...at least I'm excited about it!

The below photos were added by Brett in memory of the fallen D70 and his loving, talented, and handsome pop.

11.5.2007...Not to mention the pretty foreground

2007-12-22T15:46:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, just a quick blast from Tucson. Nothing much new. Monica and I went for a hike in Catalina State Park on Sunday afternoon and we thought we'd show you some scenery from there.

Here's me (well duh!). The park is in on the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains and if you look over my left shoulder and pick out the mountain peak at about 1 o'clock, we live on the opposite side of that ridge (Pusch Ridge.). It's about a 20 minute ride from home.

Ah, if you only knew the mad dash I had to make to get in this picture, with my camera bag banging against my back and Monica and I trying to refrain from giggling too much. And this was the second take!

These aren't the tallest peaks in the Catalinas, but they sure are pretty (not to mention the pretty foreground as well.)

Finally, Monica pointed this vista out to me (I was too busy looking down to avoid stepping on anything nasty-not that I ever did see anything like that, mind you.). All I needed to do was step about ten feet forward from the trail and the saguaros obliged by nicely framing the Catalinas.

10.23.2007...Off Wheeling!

2007-12-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Monica and I went 4 wheeling off road (do you think I've got that phrase right?) for the first time ever, this weekend. Friends of ours (Doug and Marlene) suggested we go off roading (they have a Jeep Liberty) and they said they had picked out a moderate trail in the Superstition Mountains (East of Phoenix) and we were happy to join them. Now, Monica and I have taken our car on dirt roads etc., but this was REALLY off road! And if this was a moderate trail, put my order in for a Sherman Tank next time. Naturally, we had a great time. The scenery was simply fantastic and I've had a very difficult time whittling down all the pictures I took to just a few. OK, just 14 then.

These first pictures were taken pretty early on in the trip and were beautiful. We had no idea that it would continue to get more and more rugged and remain just as pretty.

This area was sparsely populated, mostly by miners and those providing services to those miners. Mostly copper mines, I think. We were lucky to be traveling with Doug as his father was a geologist and he knows quite a bit about that kind of thing. He showed us how we could spot abandoned mines from great distances (not at all easy to spot even if you're just a few feet from them) by looking for the tailings around the mines entrance (the debris field produced by the miners as they removed the waste contents from the mine's interior.). I still can't get over how rugged and unspoiled the area is.

This is an abandoned stage coach depot. It probably won't be in existence at all in 10 years or so due to the roof collapsing and putting pressure on the front wall, plus the stucco covering the old adobe bricks has started to come off, exposing the mud bricks to the summer monsoons. We looked around the area and it was plain to see that this area was as remote then as it is today. Which begs the question, just where the heck were those people traveling to? Gotta try to look up the history of that depot.

Not too far off we began to see craggy and rough cliffs, with tinges of red and orange. Also, plenty of saguaro cacti. This one is just such a classic looking saguaro. Note the color of the sky. An amazing blue. The scenery soon became dominated by this type of rock.

Here's Dough and Marlene, just kind of relaxing, on our way up to Martinez's Cabin (which btw, was a good distance from where we had to finally leave the jeep and hike the rest of the way.). Doug attained the rank of "off road Deity Pilot", at least as far as I'm concerned.
I still can't get over some of the obstacles that Doug drove us through, over and around and thankfully not under.

Just a typical vista on the trail. These kind of views were everywhere and that's not an exaggeration.

OK, pull up a boulder, put the table cloth down, look up at the view and look down to eat lunch. Then look up again and chew, if you've managed to close your jaw which has dropped open from the view. This was very close to Martinez's cabin, which was our ultimate destination (but not the end of the adventure.). This is where we pulled the jeep as far off of the trail as possible (which wasn't very far, but good enough to allow the occasional ATV and odd dirt biker to get through.). After a lovely lunch, we hiked the rest of the way up to the cabin. The folks who picked this location to live (it was occupied until sometime in the 1950s) picked a great place, as it has a fresh water spring that has nurtured huge cotton wood trees and
many types of green fauna, not to mention drinking water for them. This area apparently served the miners needs, as one cave was actually used as a bordello. Well, that's what the book says!

Again, this view is directly adjacent to the remaining cabin.

So, this is what we came all this way to see? Here's Martinez's cabin, I think. There were several structures in varying states of decay, so I've picked this one out as THE cabin, mainly because I can. Despite the shabby state of affairs, boy was it worth coming out to see!! Even this cabin has a great view.

Just behind the cabins, the rocks seem to glow from within. Unbelievable colors and views, everywhere.

Remember the bordello cave I mentioned in the last post? Well, here it is. Marlene and I will await Doug's findings, thank you very much. This cave was very hard to spot. Even though we all looked for it on the hike into the cabin area, we only just spotted it on the hike out of the cabin area. Like I said, these caves and mines can be very hard to find. Anyone feel like looking for the "Lost Dutchman's Mine?" (Doug has, in a fashion, but that's another story.)

I included this shot for a number of reasons. First, I love the colors of the rocks. Simply amazing. Second, it gives you all a chance to see how narrow some of the trails are in these slot
canyons. Third, I can tell you that, whilst this picture was taken on our way out of the Superstition Mountains, this was most definitely not the route we had intended to take out.

So why did we take an entirely different and unplanned route out of the Superstition Mountains? Take a close look at the picture below. That's one of two very heavily modified off road trucks that broke at this spot on the trail into the cabins. Except that these monster trucks were going in the opposite direction from us. They were leaving the area (or trying to.) The white vehicle (which is dead in the water, so to speak) is being winched over a VERY LARGE obstacle which spanned the entire trail. It apparently was the event of the day as it attracted a crown of a dozen or so spectators (including us) who couldn't move past this point until they cleared the trucks out of the way. I think that this is one of the things that these off roaders like to boast about. How they broke their trucks and then how they saved themselves from certain catastrophe. They're very strange people! I want to be one of them!!

This should give you some idea as to the size of the obstacle that stopped these trucks dead in their path. Notice Doug far off to the right chatting with some of these off roaders? More on that in a moment.

All right then. Here's a picture of the vehicle that we were in (taken at a different spot on the trail of course.)

Not that our jeep was anything to sneeze at (as mentioned before, it negotiated obstacles that were just huge, with Deity Doug's deft direction.) But I think you get my drift. How could we negotiate that monster that had broken specially modified off road trucks in our completely stock Jeep? Leave that up to Doug, who sized up the situation and quickly said, "we can get down that thing." Sweat appeared on MY brow! Then Doug followed this statement with, "but we'll never get up that rock to come back." Oh great! But not to fear, Doug has a plan. He's talked to several other temporarily stranded people here (see above) and they all tell him of another way out, through Box Canyon. Not nearly as rough as this, they said. And although it did have its moments, they were right. It was a beautiful new trail for, us as serendipity strikes again.

And here we are, taking one last picture of the group, surrounded by the walls of the narrow slot canyon called Box Canyon......Boy, does this picture deserve a comic caption to explain why we're all leaning to the right! We four know why. Can you guess?

10.21.2007...From SLC to Tucson

2007-12-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Monica and I just got back from a delightful trip to Salt Lake City, via several national forests, four Indian nations, the Vermilion Cliffs and Echo Canyon and the most beautiful scenery between Globe Az and Tucson. When my brother Alan said he and Diane were driving to SLC we thought what a terrific opportunity to see them and our niece Margot (who lives in SLC.). We used this drive as a scouting trip for northern Arizona and southern Utah, so we didn't do a lot of stopping, but we sure took names (of places we plan on going back to.).

Well, here's SLC. I can't say that we got a real good handle on the town, but we can tell you several things. First, the town proper is owned lock stock and barrel by the Mormon Church. This building was just one of many such buildings in the center of the Mormon center. It reminded me a little of Disney World (and I mean absolutely no disrespect what so ever.)

Number two: Where the city decided to keep old buildings, they did a nice job. They've built a convenient lite rapid transit system (which is free in the downtown area.). This is the old Union Pacific Railroad Depot.

The inside of the Railroad Depot and that little dot in the middle is Monica. Please note, the floor is clean enough to eat off of. In fact, this is one clean city! The railroad restoration stops here as the rail tracks have been completely removed. In fact, they've built an outdoor shopping mall behind the depot (directly to Monica's right.). The murals are striking, but I don't think that any locals use this place. It was empty while we were there (I understand that they do rent the place out for corporate events, etc..)

Number three: This city is situated in a striking and beautiful area. This is a view from our hotel window. I don't know what mountains those are, but almost every mountain we saw was snow capped. Very pretty!

As I said, we really didn't spend too much time in any one place and much of our limited time in SLC was family oriented, which was a good thing. We really enjoyed Alan, Diane and Margo's company (and Margot, you have an open invite to Tucson.).

Next stop was Winslow Arizona, the home of the Eagle's song "Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona, what a fine sight to see......" or something like that. There's plenty to do around Winslow (not so much in Winslow.). There's the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater. However, Winslow happens to have a lovingly restored 1920s Fred Harvey hotel called La Posada. For those of you not familiar with the Fred Harvey story, well you've come to the wrong place. OK, I'll try to give the abridged and VERY short version and if any of these facts aren't quite accurate, your free to jump in and carry on.

Fred Harvey, a man of some talent, made a deal sometime during the first 2 decades of the twentieth century with the Sante Fe Railroad. Essentially Harvey said to the folks at Sante Fe RR, you build the tracks to carry the people out west to the natural wonders and I'll build hotels like they've never seen before. And he did. I don't know how many Harvey hotels are still standing, but I know of at least three. One in the Grand Canyon, one in Winslow and one currently being restored in CA. The one in Winslow, called La Posada is where we stayed.
It's almost completely restored (some work is being done outside) and unfortunately very little of the original furniture remains, as the RR took over the hotel (this one was doomed from the start because it opened just after the Wall Street crash of 1927 which ushered in the great depression) and turned it into an operations center. However, the folks doing the reno did a wonderful job and it's striking in so many ways.

I've no idea what this room is used for, but it's got a fabulous fire place and you can see the terrific detail and workmanship that went into the construction of the hotel. This is one of a number of rooms that make up the public areas, although this is the largest one not counting the check in area. The colors and design really give the feeling of a blend of the old west and a Mexican hacienda.

A peak down the hallway off of the checkin area. This leads to some of the guest rooms. Again, the details in the stucco work and stone floors etc. is striking. A very pretty place to stay. The rail road tracks practically define the end of the hotel's property out back and these tracks are very active as they are the main conduit between here and LA,or so I heard. I can tell you that there was nearly constant RR traffic whenever I looked out at the tracks! Many guests sit in old comfy chairs out back just feet from the tracks and watch the traffic lumber by.

BTW, notice there aren't any people in these shots? The hotel was completely booked (on a Wednesday night no less.). This may be attributable to the fact that the shots were taken at night and the observation that the average age of the guest was...old (and look who's telling you this!).

As mentioned before, there's not that much to do in Winslow AZ other than standing on the corner. So Monica obliged the camera guy who hasn't an original thought in his head.

Bet you didn't know that Winslow is situated directly on Route 66, did ya?

So we're back down in Arizona now, having passed between Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah (we didn't stop at either-remember, this was a scouting trip, not enough time to stop in a lot of fabulous places.)

Between Tonto National Forest and the city of Globe and very close to the Mogallon Rim is the Salt River Canyons. This is also an Indian Reservation (the Salt River Indians.) We passed through three other Indian Nations (Navaho, Apache and I can't remember the other) as well as the Vermilion Cliffs (simply spectacular-but we didn't stop, so no pics-I could have stayed there taking pictures for several days) and the Echo Canyons (ditto for not stopping-Bisbee was awaiting us at home.). Below is a very typical view of the Salt River Canyons. This river, which is not visible at the bottom in this picture, winds its way through miles and miles of wilderness. It got its name from the saline tasting water and the Native Americans also took their name from the name of the river.

Had to take a picture of the car that took us round trip about 1500 miles. I must say, it was a pleasure to drive it and Monica spelled me at the wheel so it wasn't hard to stay fresh. In the back ground are more features of the Salt River Canyons.

More of the Salt River Canyons, but look in the fore ground and you'll notice a large rock. Look closer and you can make out the ancient rock art etched there by a Native American. No idea what it says and there aren't any plaques or signs even to draw your attention to them. There were many in this location. Unfortunately, some were defaced with graffiti. Unbelievable isn't it? But there were still many more in great shape just lying on the ground exactly where they were etched so many centuries ago.

One last stop and that's Globe Arizona. You wouldn't think that there's much going on in Globe, but they do have a really excellent Native American village that has been restored. The village of Besh-Ba-Gowah was populated by the Salado Indians. The ruins and reconstructed buildings you see here were from the 13th century. This really caught me by surprise as I had no inkling that Native Americans from so long ago were building such substantial structures. These were permanent structures built by people who meant to stay where ever they lived. They were skilled at farming and had several techniques to deal with with dry conditions of the south west. These people were the ancestors of the Tohono Odham people who eventually settled in the Tucson area. The woman in the picture below is not a Native American Indian.

Another Salado structure. Notice the long shadows. Look carefully at the second from the right group of shadows and you can see my legs and head. All right, so it's getting late and I'm tired.

One more shot of our car in the parking lot of the Indian village. After leaving here, we made a dash over the long and narrow highway between Globe and Tucson. Both Monica and I agreed that this highway, which is not designated as a scenic byway or equipped with any vehicle pullouts was equal to any scenic byway that we travelled during this trip. It traveled through desert and sky islands (mountains that rise from the desert floors that resemble islands in an ocean.). It's easy to see how the west could capture so many people's imaginations. We can't wait to start planning trips to explore the areas that we travelled through.

PS. See that little kiss on the rear bumper? I did that during my drive from NY to Tucson when we moved. Just myself and Bisbee (Monica moved two months before us to start a new job.) Bisbee never warned me about that 3' tall post that I backed into. I didn't talk to him for the rest of that day.

10.8.2007...the Thinning Blood in the Hot Weather

2007-12-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Jerry and Ben. Hope you're weekends were good (and hope that you can take off for Columbus Day.). As I mentioned, Monica and I went to a Tohono Odham Native American scholarship dinner on Saturday nite.

Guess who's in the lower left corner of the shot. I know, that's not a difficult question. The really funny thing about the evening was our reaction to the weather. The event was outdoors and adjacent to an historical mission, just outside of Tucson. The temperature fell to the mid 60s and we acted as though it was in the mid 30s. We were really chilled by the end of the evening. Holy cow! There must be truth to the old adage about thinning blood in the hot weather. Anyway, we had a good laugh over this.

Monica loves to dance and as I never take her dancing, she jumped at the opportunity when one of the other guests invited her onto the dance floor. The only problem was, Monica had no idea what the dance step was and her partner didn't lead her. Well, judging from the picture blur, it sure didn't stop her from having a good time. Maybe I could have kept the camera a little steadier?

Taken just a little after sunset from the inside of the plaza. ISO is 800 and the D70 proudly shows off its grain. I would hope the D300 would have less grain than this. I know the D200 sure has less. But sometimes grain is good (he says with a smile.)

Anyway, that's how we spent our Saturday nite. We had a very nice time and it was for a worthy cause.

10.6.2007...Cubs vs. Diamondbacks

2007-12-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

We went to the Diamondback's playoff opener vs. the Cubs this week. The real shocker, in my mind, was that we were able to buy tickets for the game just a day or two ahead. Well, as Doug (of Doug and Marlene who we drove up to Phoenix with us) reminded me, this ain't NY with eight million people to draw from. Point well taken Doug.

So here comes Louuuuuuuuuuuuuu Pinela, the Cubs manager. Lou has put on a little weight since his playing days in NY (and just who hasn't?) and I can assure you he was holding his tummy in for all he was worth, this being National TV and all. Notice the Cub fans behind the dugout. I'd estimate that 35-40% of the crowd were Cub fans. This picture could be a collectors item since this might be the last time those fans have anything to cheer about (you Mets and Yankee fans can commiserate right about now.).

Ahhhh, Soriano and Lou as best of friends. Knowing the way Lou carries his feelings (him being somewhat of a follower of Billy Martin), Soriano better have a pretty spectacular game today to get that kind of reception from Lou again.

After the Diamondbacks were introduced, the House was ROCKING!!!! And the roof was open. Pretty interesting to watch it go open too. Faster than you think. It caught me flat footed as I had the wrong lens on the camera and by the time I stopped watching it long enough to think of taking a picture, it was open. BTW, the National Anthem was performed by a professor with a trumpet. He was outstanding. That's him on the jumbo-tron on the right of the score board.

A young fan comes prepared, but despite his best efforts, he never got on TV. That's Doug to the right.

Finally, lets play ball. It was a very well played game featuring excellent pitching on both sides and very good defense. either team could have won, but it looks like the Cubs might have to wait 100 years for a World Series win. The Goat lives (if you're a Cubby fan, you'll know what that means.).

9.23.2007...Saturday Night

2007-12-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Monica and I thought you would be interested in what we did this past Saturday night. Well....................

Straight from handsome downtown Tucson

We bring you - Salvador Duran (Monica really wanted to see him and I'm fine with that. Doesn't take much to get me excited to go down town for a good Italian meal at Cafe Milano. And the bonus was Salvador. He was excellent! Of course you've no idea who Salvador is. (He's a singer/guitarist who performs classical Spanish Flamingo pieces.)

The venue was the plaza in front of the main library. And did I mention that it was free?

The evening was breezy and beautiful. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather and a good sized crowd turned out.

Salvador even included a Gypsy dancer in his performance. I know it sounds odd, but it worked very well.

Here's a longer shot of the plaza, with the library in the background. The entire show started at 6PM and went on to 10PM? (we're not sure cause we left to go eat when Salvador finished, around 7PM.).

BTW, dinner was terrific. We sat outside and watched Congress Street march by and then we marched east on Congress to the Congress Hotel, stopping in at the Dinnerware Gallery to admire the art. Finally we found our way to Fourth Avenue and stopped in at the Book Stop. While there, they gave me a book for free (pretty amazing eh?). I'll have to read it to see if it was a bargain or not.

9.7.2007...There's something about hats and rodeo riders

2007-12-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

Monica and I traveled about 60 miles SW of Tucson to Sonoita AZ on Labor Day, for a really delightful day at an old fashioned event. Even had a good steak lunch and then walked over
to the fair grounds.

The original Buffalo gal says, "Lets go to the Rodeo."

Looks like everyone is dressed western style.

Let the Rodeo begin, a uniquely American experience (and boy does the patriotism flow!)

Where sometimes the horse wins................

And sometimes the rider wins (this guy was good. He staid on for the required time.)

This guy had it all figured out, except maybe the horse and him weren't quite on the same wave length.

Say, where'd my hat go?

Oh yeah, there it is. Think I'll pick it up now.

OK, I'm now looking for my jeans and ten gallon hat for next year's rodeo. Speaking of hats, we found that if you studied the cowboy's hat closely, you could almost predict what was going to happen next. Take a look...

Notice how this cowboy pushed his hat on so hard, he looks like the headless horseman. Apparently, he knew that his fate was tied to that hat.

Hats gone. He's looking mighty worried.

Cowboy's gone. All cause that dern hat came unglued (that's his story and he's sticking to it.)

All right, look at this headgear. You know where this is going, don't you?

He knows his track record and he's no fool. He's prepared!

No one in the background looks surprised at this landing either. Kinda like he's used his head like this before. Maybe more than a few times. Gotta love his spunk though.

Well, that's it for this years rodeo. It was so much fun (well at least for us it was) I think we'd like to go back next year. If anyone wants to come on over here to join us, you're welcome. Glad for the company.

8.29.2007...Mid Week Color

2007-12-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

OK, the week is half over and it's time to start thinking about the long labor day weekend. Spend some time outdoors and appreciate the soon to be fading colors of summer. And if you like the heat, come visit here.....that's not fading too quickly!

Hey, either the humming birds in my back yard are getting slower, or I'm getting faster. Caught this guy at one or our backyard hummer feeding stations. It looks like he's taking careful aim for a landing.

A small flower amidst a sea of rocks out in the back.

This hummer had to be disappointed in what he found in the dish. It's an oriole feeder, with nothing in it. The orioles have long since gone......and they never went to this feeder anyway. I'm keeping it out till next spring (talk about long range planning----and no comments about having nothing better to do.).

We thought a colorful butterfly (we think a Monarch) might lighten up your mid week. We saw this guy in a place called Arivaca (a very small town near the mexican border) while eating lunch outside, last Friday. The Monarchs are making their annual migration and some of them are gigantic (and easy to confuse for a small bird), albeit not this one. Still, he's good looking enough.

8.27.2007...Patagonia

2007-12-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Just a few quick photos to show our day trip to Patagonia (about a 90 minute drive SE of Tucson) over the weekend.

Here's Monica in one of her favorite places, the "Day of the Dead" museum in Patagonia. It's not what you might think at all. Day of the dead is a joyful celebration to commemorate those who have passed before us. Sometimes quite elaborate (grave site visits by entire family to picnic and party (maybe a bad choice of word) on the deceased's birthday, etc.,) or maybe the striking artwork in the above picture to lighten up the occasion.

Now in this picture, taken by Monica, I'm lookin pretty good there on the left.

Couldn't resist the shot of the old retired fire truck in Patagonia.

No, this isn't an old BMW. It's another retired fire truck.

And finally, a picture worth a thousand words. Doesn't she look pretty? Monica I mean.

8.19.2007...Fred & Liam

2007-12-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I thought you all would like to see some photos of Fred and Liam's visit to Tucson last weekend. We had a great time and really enjoyed the family time.

A quiet moment at the shooting gallery in Trail Dust Town.

Even Bisbee appreciates Liam's creation.

A nice sunset from our patio. I won't mention that Monica has blinked again (darn, I mentioned it.)

At the shooting gallery. I think that Monica had as much fun here as Liam.

Willing to try anything!

Watch out pardner, that's Mighty exlosive stuff you've got there!

Kong-Fu Bisbee?

A properly prepared lad for swimming.

Kong-Fu Liam!

Liam performing a VERY athletic move in the pool (and yes, he did catch the goggles, almost every time.).

Aw shucks, it weren't nothin.

Swimming like a fish.

7.11.2007...Owls

2007-12-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

About three days ago, I went outside to the pool pumps to clean a filter (this is right behind our bedroom) and as I'm working I look up and 4'-5' in front of me are three of the smallest owls I've ever seen (and that's probably not saying much as this is only the second time I've ever seen owls in the wild.). They're only about 6"-8" tall! I thought all owls were large. So, the owls and I had a staring contest for about 10 seconds (I didn't know what to do) and then I went back to work figuring if I either left or completed the job, I'd have to move anyway. When I finished, I looked up and the three of them were still staring at me so I made as silent an exit as I could.

A couple of days later, there they were again and this time I ran to my trusty camera to take these shots, but almost all the pictures were taken from indoors shooting through a double pane sliding door. Sorry I couldn't get the pictures to pop, but the glass and shooting at a relatively high film speed aren't a good recipe for ultra sharp shots. I also couldn't move around much to help reveal the other two other owls very well. I didn't want to frighten them off.

I initially thought these were burrowing owls, because when I first stumbled upon them they kept on flying to the ground. But Monica and I did a little research and concluded that they are "elf owls" and pretty much fully grown at 6-8". They're still around and I'm still amazed at how small they are. Must be the parents and their offspring.

I think he's as curious about me as I was about him. Off to the left, in the center of the shot is another owl.

He never took his eyes off of me.

Here you can see all three, although the center and right one are partially obscured by the oleander leaves.

That's it, he said. Scat now.

7.8.2007...4th of July

2007-12-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone where ever you are. Yes, that's for the Americans in Italy. You know who you are. (and a special hello to Aunt Dot in Florida,) Anyway, we thought we might share with you our July 4th celebration. Monica and I decided to go up to Mt. Lemmon. 105 degrees in Tucson, 84 degrees on top of Mt. Lemmon, elevation 8000' to 9000' some odd feet. Tough choice huh? There we met by chance some friends from Tucson, with their two grown sons who were visiting from Seattle. This was probably a little different celebration than that found in Seattle (or most other places for that matter.)

Well what better all American way to start off our little celebration than with a dad, son, pooch and an american flag? Very traditional. Really.

OK, a Triumph TR-3 (British, rather appropriate I'd say) with a grinning like the devil driver settled under a Dr. Seuss like American hat (we're pretty much all right so far) and a.....I don't know what's sitting next to him. Free choice. Very American!

Apparently, the theme of this 4th of July celebration is.....wait for it......Snow White. Now I think we're stretching things a bit, but the pois-0-n apple had a heck of a costume.

And her dog looks as though he's gonna die from embarrassment. She put that dress on him. He's probably looking for some of that poison apple right about now.

Ah, this looks more like it. A park ranger with an all American smile, the American flag and a....mule? Yup, I've been assured that's a mule alright.

Back to our theme for the 4th (someone please explain this to me, although I don't care, it was wonderfully kooky) here's the wicked Queen, I think. Wow, that's some puss.

Can you imagine what she would have looked like in a costume and some makeup?

I'll let these proud residents of Mt. Lemmon speak for themselves. I wonder which fine president the 2nd person from the right is portraying? Some one from the newly formed Planet of the Apes political party?

These next four shots were all taken from our roof, which has a decent view of the "official" Tucson fireworks. The show takes place from on top of "A" mountain just to the west of downtown. You can faintly see the outline of "A" mountain if you look carefully just below the exploding rockets. The fireworks were really quite a distance from us (we couldn't hear them at all,) but through the use of a good long lens and some cropping in the MAC, they look close
enough. You can also just make out the tell tale dotted lights from a passing airplane, just to the right of the fireworks in the below photo.

Well, here's looking at all of you (oh all right, I snitched this shot from those taken on top of Mt. Lemmon earlier that day. She was part of the press coverage of the parade up there, although I'm not sure exactly what she was covering as she was clearly not pointed in the same direction as the other members of the press-not to say she was wrong and they were right!).

7.1.2007...Trips

2007-12-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Part1ne.

Hello all. Hope your summers haven't been too toasty and here comes the Tucson Monsoon storms already, we hope (cause it's as hot as...well, you know.). As you may or may not know, Monica and I have been traveling for a bit, so she asked that I send some photos to prove it. I know that you know, it doesn't take much encouragement to make me send photo emails anyway, so here goes.

I'll start with some local travel that we did several weeks ago.

First stop was the opening of the Tohono O'odham Nation's Native American museum in Topawa, which is on the reservation in the Indian nation. A beautiful ride, a little past the Kitt Peak National Observatory (and if any of you make it out our way, this would be a memorable evening if you participated in their evening program. You really get to see the stars as never before.). The museum was kind enough to provide everyone with a free lunch and the museum itself is a very impressive collection of low rise buildings. A very professional job by my layman's eyes. I liked the above picture because it highlights not only the native art, but it also pictures the sacred mountain Baboquivari in the back ground.

Apparently, if you know where to look, there are free loaders everywhere, . Monica has an uncanny ability to spot birds and animals in the wild (OK, this wasn't exactly deep in the desert, but it was at least 15' above the floor of the museum's outdoor ramada and know one else seemed to have noticed.). Hope they make it.

Just down the road from the museum is a Catholic church. In the complex is this ruin of an old mission to the area. There are no historical markers, so we've no idea how old or significant this is, but it made for a nice pic, again with Baboquivari in the background.

Again, in the same complex, this is the church steeple of the current church, a modest stucco affair. This stuff to me is just as interesting as the museum in some respects. Serendipity is a good thing.

I thought I'd end with a shot of the sunset from our roof a day or two before we left for NYC. You don't get to see sunsets like these from most places in Manhattan, unless you're facing the Hudson River, and then it's not quite the same.

---
Part2wo.

Ah, NYC. The heat, the humidity. We must be crazy cause we really love this place. We were in NY last week because Monica needed to do some preparation work for a planned college reunion of the LIU newspaper editors (all of them right back to the 1930s, if they're still around.). Monica and I were able to do something we were only able to do maybe two or three time in the past thirty some years. We became tourists in the Big Apple!

But before you see some photos of our trip, do you think Monica loves her kid? Here's Brett in his office at Aids Walk USA. He had just been offered a permanent position and he accepted the position. Glad to see she can contain her emotions. Congrats Brett!!! (yes I know Brett, it's embarrassing. I'm your father. I'm allowed.).

Back to the tourism industry. Now I know that some of you folks have visited a labyrinth before, but I thought you might like to see how it's done on the streets of Manhattan. This is Union Square (14th Street). It's a terrific area with interesting restaurants and offbeat music venues (Irving Plaza) and it features a huge farmers market every day. It's certainly changed since I first saw it. Now it apparently features a NYC street version of a labyrinth. The skate boarders love this at night, but the curves are a little tough to follow.

Next was a visit to the foot of Manhattan, literally, the physical genesis of NYC. For all of you native New Yorkers, I must warn you that I'm about to regurgitate a lot of history and geographical information that you might well know already. Tuff! This is my email and this is my story and I'm sticking to it!

We went to the Museum of the American Indian, a part of the Smithsonian museum. While the Native American displays were interesting (but not extensive), we found the building to be spectacular. The museum resides in the old Customs House Building, across from Battery Park, with its fort defending the mouth of NY Harbor and the Hudson River, which in turn overlooks the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, Staten Island and Ellis Island. Apparently, this fort was not very effective in preventing the British from capturing NYC during the Revolutionary War and forcing Washington to make a hasty and somewhat miraculous retreat from the nation's original capitol (I could write more about this important battle, but I won't, as I've already displayed a case of "runneth off at the mouth."). Directly north of the Customs House is the oldest park in NYC, Bowling Green Park, a small but lush park at the foot of Broadway. If you've seen the statue of the charging bull associated with Wall Street, you'll know that this park is directly south of that. ANYWAY, the below is a picture of the interior of the Rotunda of the Customs House that quite beautifully depicts the strength of America's maritime economy during the depression era (no doubt govt. propaganda to bolster the moral of the citizens.).

This is a close up or one of the panels of the rotunda. When your transAtlantic steamer was within sight of the Ambrose Light Ship, you knew your journey was at its end. For all you nautical fans out there, the ship depicted is the Normandy. I'm sorry it couldn't be any clearer, but I was shooting in very poor light at a very low shutter speed (excuses, excuses.). If anyone knows what became of the Normandy, please let me know. I haven't looked it up.

This grave of Robert Fulton (yes, the steam engine Fulton), lies in the small cemetery of Trinity Church a few blocks to the north, at the head of Wall Street. We learned that Wall Street was thusly named because a wall was erected on this northern most street of the small settlement of New York to separate it from the rest of the world. Well, duh? But, we never knew.

Also in this cemetery is the grave of Alexander Hamilton. Try this link, if you're as curious as I was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton. One of the things about NYC is that history is intertwined in so many otherwise ordinary places, it becomes almost common place and is very easy to over look. It was hard for us to believe that such significant people as these are buried in such unassuming surroundings (and that's not intended to be critical in any way, it's actually very admirable.)

OK, we're on the move to the far west side of town, in the old meat packing district (west of Chelsea, about one block from the Hudson River.) This area is full of tawny art galleries and now some un orthodox and stupendously expensive stores, as below. See me in the door? Monica looks cool too.

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Part3ee.

All right, we're back in NYC and taking the subway uptown.....OK, not really. The photos didn't end up in the order that I expected them to. The side of the platform that you see is the uptown side, but we were going downtown at that moment. I just can't fib about it.

I thought I'd include the below candid shot of a stranger sitting on the opposite platform of the number 6 subway line, sort of photo verte. As I've always said, often without being prompted, there is no better way to get around NYC than the subway. How else can you travel from Harlem to the southern tip of Manhattan in under twenty minutes? How does that song go? "NY NY, it's a helluva town, the people ride in a hole in the ground." (Can anyone name the film from which I've lifted that verse?) Try that trip by surface transit and you'll know what I mean.

Ah, MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art! WOW! Here's Monica torn between which Van Gogh to take home with us. It's amazing to me that this museum doesn't have more physical security between the public and its treasures, but I'm not complaining. They don't even restrict photography (except for one gallery) as some institutions do. I didn't really want to go to MOMA, out of principle (I can just see some of you rolling your eyes, saying...sure.). They've raised the price of admission to $20 since moving to their new digs and I don't think that any museum should charge this much for admission, it's just excludes too many people. However, Alan and Diane are members and they were kind enough to give us free passes, so.......I'm very glad we went.

At MOMA, the museum is as much on exhibit as the art. Take for example this window looking out on West 53rd(?) Street. Amazing. It's a window for goodness sakes! BTW, if you go, make sure you visit the permanent exhibit of the museum where they feature many mass produced, but gorgeously designed household items. You just might see things there that you owned or were familiar with. I love that part.

The following pictures were taken in Saint Paul's Church on Broadway, about 2-3 blocks north of Trinity Church. While Trinity is the more famous church, St. Paul's is known to many new yorkers as the miracle church. Its location was closer to the WTC and thus closer to the chaos and destruction. It became a resting place and sanctuary for all city emergency workers (as did J&R Music World, which literally stopped doing business for months so as to accommodate the emergency crews.) The below picture depicts the origami sent to the church after 9/11 from Japan, to help ease the emotional pain of the rescue workers and other new yorkers. Hope you can read the words on the sign in the middle of the picture.

This flag also sits in the church.

The church isn't famous for just the near past. This pew was George Washington's personal pew during his time in NYC. We touched the bench that was the seat of the American Revolution for cryin out loud (pun intended!). Interestingly enough, there were a number of plaques around the church that commemorated several other Revolutionary era prominent church members who were evidently British loyalists, after the war had ended. This must have been some interesting time!

Finally, a wide shot of what the church looks like today. Notice, there are no pews, just chairs. The pews were removed to accommodate the NYPD, NYFD and PAPD emergency workers just after 911. Also, notice the young fellow on the far right of my shot. I just noticed him. I'm certain he's not a ghost as I do remember him being in vicinity as I was taking the pic.

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Part4or.

When Ann Marie and Jim said they wanted to go to Coney Island, I thought to myself, you're kidding, right? Then Monica says, GREAT, we can go see the Mermaid Parade.
The Mermaid Parade? the Little Mermaid Parade? I thought for a moment and decided, hey, Ann Marie and Jim were nice enough to come down from CT to see us, I'm not gonna say no. Well, it sure was a Mermaid Parade, but she wasn't no Little Mermaid.

So, here's Monica and Ann Marie. Can you place where they are? Yep, good guess, that's Coney Island with the original Nathan's Famous on the right. I have many memories of eating at Nathan's. Sometimes in sweltering heat and sometimes in what seemed like arctic cold. It wasn't very difficult to drive to if you lived in Brooklyn so if a bunch of high school guys had a car that ran and couldn't figure out where to go, you had a pretty good chance of visiting Nathan's famous that night.

Hello from Stillwell Avenue. This place claims to have been here forever (or at least since 1932.) So who am I to argue? BTW, do I look like a tourist?

Once again, the photos didn't end up in the order that I expected. This photo was going to be the last one, as we left Brooklyn, but that's OK, cause you can use your imagination. It really was taken as we crossed over into Manhattan at sunset.

Well........, this was our first contact with the Mermaid Parade participants. And it was my first inkling that this wasn't about the "Little" Mermaid. Not even close!

One of the tamer costumes of the day. Quite stylish though. He certainly knows how to carry himself, uh herself, uh I'm not really sure and I was there. And keep in mind that these photos are about the least racy that I have. You can ask Jim. I believe more than a few of his photos nearly melted his lens.

I'm still not sure what the theme of the Parade was. That's why I'm showing you this picture. I'm not sure what this is either. We know that most parade goers (and I couldn't believe how many there were) were protesting against a developer who has bought up huge swaths of Coney Island in preparation for building a shopping center and hotels and luxury apartments. The area residents are dead set against this and for the moment have the city on their side. I think the community wins hands down, if only for creativity. Hey, look, it's a Geico cave man over the girls shoulder, eh?

Well, this is as good a way to say so long as any. Here was the last float and was accompanied by a large jazz(?) band and dancers. It was an unexpected happening. Serendipity anyone?

6.30.2007...Night Bloom

2007-12-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

This time last year, Monica and I were raving about this obscure desert cactus that blooms exactly once a year. Big deal you say, only this cactus blooms at night. By the next morning it's not fit for a brownie to see (Kodak, that is.). So we set out and bought one plant of our own and planted it leaning up against one of our Palo Verde trees. To our amazement, the thin little desert stick produced two flowers, which popped over one evening. The above shot was to show you its size relative to the tree that it's leaning against. Monica lit it up with a couple of flash lights.

Ahhh, the short lived glory of it all. Really striking flowers. That's not all, the fragrance is almost overwhelming. Ultra sweet to attract the giant sphinx moth that pretty much by itself, among all of the flying desert insects, pollenates this bloom.

5.28.2007...Sandy the Sidewinder

2007-12-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hello all. We went to a ballgame again. I do love baseball, and I'm fortunate that Monica indulges my passions (although she had a very good time.) This time we went to the Tucson Sidewinder's game (the Diamondback's AAA affiliate-they won the minor league world series
last year, you could look it up) on the spur of the moment last Friday. Great game (Sidewinders won in the 10th inning), terrific foot long hot dogs and a beautiful fire works show after the game.

This is Sandy, the Sidewinder's rattle snake mascot. A very entertaining persona. The fans really liked him.

Near the beginning of the game. A beautiful evening. Perfect for baseball. All the home games are in the evening, the sun is just too strong in the day (more for the fans, I'm sure.)

That's it. You're toast. Sidd-down!

A little later in the evening. Our seats were the first row behind the dugout. Not bad for $9.

I probably couldn't define joy in words, but I can show you.

Very obliging model.

Talk about a batter screwing himself up...this guy actually struck out three times.

5.28.2007...Took a ride near Mexico

2007-12-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

We took a ride on Saturday down to a little town called Arivaca, very close to the Mexican border.

We've never tried this steak house, but maybe someday.

This is in the tiny town of Arivaca. I've included this shot to show you the mountain peak off to the left of the road, way out in the distance (center right of picture). This is the most sacred mountain of the Hohokam indians (they have a huge reservation there.) This mountain faces Kitt Peak National Observatory. It's amazing how these sky islands (that's how people from around here describe the various mountains) become land marks, even to city slickers like us!

This ain't no tourist town, but still they've left the original gas pump in place. ATVs numbered about 1 in 4 compared with regular cars and SUVs.

Even in remote areas like this, there's competition. This steak house is right across the street from the Long Horn Grill (first picture.) Must be something about visualizing what you're about to eat. We'll have to try both places and report back.

Really beautiful scenery. Only about an hour away, but truly a step back in time. Can't you just see John Houston(?) directing his next movie through those mountains?

No trip would be worth its weight in gas if you didn't stop somewhere for food. In this case, it's a little roadside cafe just outside of Arivaca (does that make this the suburbs?) The home made three berry pie we shared was really good. And so was the breeze and shade that helped cool off a couple of dusty travelers. And the conversation with strangers was nice. We met a fellow on his Harley who hales from Long Island. Go figure!

5.20.2007...Celestial Tucson

2007-12-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Another quick couple of pictures. These were from last night.

Beautiful sunset from the back patio. Monica was working a fund raiser for her work place and since the Mets had already blasted the Yanks earlier in the day, I sat outside to watch the sunset. I wasn't disappointed!

Then, a short time later, this became visible in the western sky. That's an almost new moon with Venus just below it (that blob of light). Not bad detail for a hand held shot. Later on, the moon took on that harvest moon orange just before it hit the horizon. I wasn't home then, otherwise I'd be able to show you a picture.

OK, I've got the heavens covered on the western front (I'll give you plenty of warning if I spot asteroids, comets, etc., coming your way.) You folks on the east coast will have to keep an eye out for errant heavenly bodies coming our way. That's it from celestial Tucson.

5.19.2007...Botanical Lessons

2007-12-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Just a quick series of photos. This is a saguaro cactus in our front yard. The unusual thing about it is.....these giant things flower every year. Each flower only opens one time. They open up overnight and close 18 hours later. I didn't know this until I moved here. I also didn't know that they won't flower until the saguaro is at least 35 years old and they won't grow that characteristic arm until they are at least 75 years old! So we know that this saguaro is somewhere between 35 and 75 years old. It's about 10-12' tall. They can grow up to 75'. Anyway, that's the botanical lesson for the day (week, month, year, etc..).

5.14.2007...Hog Rally

2007-12-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

They held a Harley "Hog" ralley in Tucson two weekends ago.

The Molls (Mawls?, I don't know.)

The inspiring anthems.

The bikes lined up on Congress Street (there were lots more.)

The classy art work.

The Sheriff?

The girls.

The guys.

The clothes.

So long Harley, till next year (actually, I don't know if they will be back. This was the first Hog rally in Tucson. I hope they come back in larger numbers, even if I've made a little fun of them here.)

5.8.2007...More Baseball!

2007-12-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hi All. Went to Chase Field in Phoenix on Sunday to see the Mets play the DiamondBacks. A really beautiful stadium (good seats too), but we wondered what it would take to have the roof open? It was 78 degrees at game time and they still didn't open it. Honestly, I only really noticed it at the beginning of the game. After the first inning, it just became a non issue. Real grass as well. A very entertaining place (just like Shea Stadium, but for different reasons.) BTW, loads of people from Brooklyn at the game. We were surrounded by them.

Hey, look, in the center of the dugout. There's Willy, smiling right at me! Or so I thought, until I enlarged the picture. Oh well, there's Willy smiling almost at me.

For all you "veteran" Mets fans (you know who you are Diane), that guy in the blue shirt is Ron Darling doing color analysis for the Mets network.

And this one's for you Brett. Here's HoJo! Now the Mets first base coach. Brett, do you remember his old uniform number. I don't think it was 52.

Shawn green has a beautiful swing and having great results so far (we won't go into the error last night that allowed 4 unearned runs.) Oh nuts, I said I wouldn't mention that.

Awwww, what's this?!!!! A Pool???!! A Pool???? There ain't no pools in Baseball!

There goes Jose!

He's safe by a country mile, as some old time announcer would probably say. The ball is just entering the frame, far right.

5.3.2007...Family

2007-12-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Got back last night so I didn't send these out then. We had a great time and the car ride was not that bad, at least not with two drivers (thanks Monica for giving me a nice long rest in the middle of Arizona.) Here are some pics. Hope you all enjoy. I can print some or send full size files. I won't be offended if no one wants. Just making the offer.

Liam, moments after the next picture. Rather proud of himself, I think.

Juggling everything in mid air.

I can do this, says Fred. And he could!

I can do this, says Sam. And she could too!

What should I do for my next trick?

Off to the lovely park to watch Liam climb the very fancy monkey bars.

Up he goes, on the way to the top.

Can you stand it? Bisbee's wondering where's Buddy? Sorry, Buddy, next time.

All that comes to mind is, "the usual suspects." I like both this one and the one above anyway.

Just to prove we've had an In & Out burger to everyone (well OK, just Brett) I asked a stranger to take this shot of us in Thousand Palm, Ca. Come to think of it, he probably thought we were the strange ones.

4.16.2007...The Gift

2007-12-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

To Jim, Steve, Monica and Brett, thank you from a most grateful and surprised me! The lens is wonderful and I know that each of you went way out of your way to make this happen. Perhaps the best way to show my thanks is to send you some of the first photos taken with the "gift". The lens hasn't left the camera yet.

Monica, Brett and Ilana on top of Mount Lemon. It was quite cool and windy up there, but the pie and views and time spent with the folks in the car were fantastic.

Taken at Tohono Chul Park. This portion of the picture has been cropped from a much larger image. Still very sharp.

Monica, taken in Lara Ratterman's backyard. You remember Lara? She lived with us for a number of years and now has a very young son of her own with another child on the way. Shot at f2.8 @ 1/3 of a second just after dusk. VR works well.

Brett, shot at Tohono Chul Park. Notice the hairs standing up on Brett's right arm? Very sharp lens.

Brett took this shot, again at Tohono Chul. Cropped from a much larger image. Nice shot Brett! Love that creamy background (it's a brick wall).

Taken this evening from our back porch. Brett and Ilana, this is the sunset that you didn't see.

A shot of "Izzy", a friend of Monica's and an incredibly talented Spanish Flamingo artist on the guitar. This was shot during dinner at a downtown Spanish restaurant. The music and food were great. Shot at f3.5 and 1/10 of a second. Have I mentioned that the VR works well?

It will be Brett's birthday Tuesday, so a surprise birthday cake Sunday night. Shot at f2.8 and 1/15 of a second @800 ISO. I think Steve's camera would have handled the grain a whole lot better than this, but it was high ISO or no shot. Happy birthday Brett. We love you!

3.25.2007...Air Show

2007-12-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's Monica, thinking "hey, this fly boy stuff doesn't look that hard. Pass me my crash helmet, will ya?...Say, why do they call them "crash" helmets anyway?"

Everything the Blue Angels did, they did at attention, whether it was parading by at 10-mph towards the active runway, or hurtling towards each other at a combined 1000+mph.

They really seemed to be as close as this looks. Most of the time, I had to pan the camera and shoot at rather hight shutter speeds to prevent too much blur.

A patriotic young girl sitting atop her dad's shoulders. Note that everyone is looking away from the BAs in the background, who are positioning themselves for another maneuver. There were a total of 6 Blue Angels, but they rarely flew more than four in a formation. This way, as the group of four flew past, the other two were already on their way to the runway and there was very little down time. The crowd here is already focused on the formation of two.

OK, so if you count them , there are five here. It's near the end of the show and that's when they started to fly five and six to a formation. Here they are flying into the sun.

A classic star burst.

I couldn't figure out which way to pan the camera to prevent the planes from blurring due to their speed (and I didn't have much time to think about it either). As you can see from the background blur, I probably did a 360 degree pan. Duh!

Looks like cluster jets.

Finally, all six in one formation.

Monica, after some deliberation, decides that maybe there's more to this fly boy stuff than she thought. Instead, she offers to join the Marines. Here she shows off her muscle to a completely unimpressed lad.

If there are any stealth fans out their, here's the F117 stealth fighter. Doesn't look as though it can get off the ground.

Speaking of the ground, here's a fun guy. Made enough smoke on the tarmac in front of us to obscure the runway for a few minutes. He also put on quite a show, once he took off.

Speaking of stealth, there it goes. And boy could it fly! That's a 1940s era Thunderbolt getting ready for takeoff beneath the stealth.

Believe it or not, this was probably the best part of the show. It was called the "heritage fly by". Clockwise from the 9 o'clock position is the WWII Thunderbolt fighter, then the 1980s A10 Wart hog (although this plane is till very much in service today and is the most common plane seen in the sky over Tucson), next is the F16 fighter, and finally the Vietnam era Phantom fighter. The noise produced by the Thunderbolt was a marvel, but by FAR the loudest
aircraft at the show was the Phantom. At one point in the show, the crowd's attention was focused on aircraft in front of us. The Phantom came roaring overhead from behind on full afterburners. There was no warning what so ever, as the plane was traveling at nearly the speed of sound. I honestly almost dropped my camera it was so sudden and LOUD.. Any way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

3.17.2007...Went to a ballgame and an air show broke out

2007-12-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Went to a ball game today (Colorado Rockies vs SanFran Giants). If this game is any indication, Rockies play solid fundamental ball, SanFran doesn't have their head in the game. But what can you tell from one game. Rockies 10, SanFran 2.

The roar of the crowd (largest crowd this spring for the Rockies).

Most ardent baseball fan is on left. Friends are on right (can you pick them out of the crowd?)

The beer guy. Yes, that's a beer bottle to the right of his cap. No, he's not balancing it up there. It's glued to his hat. Nice fellow, he came over a couple of times to spritz us with water. Who needs beer?

Suddenly, an air show happened over the stadium. The first plane, a stealth F117, came in so low it startled everyone. Then the crowd got up and cheered. Baseball game? What game! Very patriotic folks out here. These are the Blue Angels. The air show is really at the air force base close by (we are planning on going tomorrow) so the planes used nearby air space to line up on the base.

Too many to shoot. Besides, I just didn't have the correct lenses with me. The only lens I had with me was the 18-70mm. Good lens, but not meant to shoot from these distances.

3.4.2007...Ellis Paul

2007-12-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

Saw Ellis Paul yesterday (Brett and Ilana have seen him). Excellent performance in an old de consecrated church. Very small and intimate. Also very difficult place to take photos. No flash so used fastest lens I own (old 50mm 1.4f). All interior shots taken from the last row of seats. This first shot is of the outside of chapel. I should have taken a monopod with me, but I forgot it (duh).

Ellis left the stage to walk around the audience (about 90 people).

One more shot of the outside of the Chapel.