It was a sometimes challenging year… sometimes wanting to cry, sometimes laughing hysterically, sometimes just wanting to check out. But looking back—not at the political or environmental—my life is joy-filled, sweet and beautiful. My partner Steve and I are now in our 16th year together, we are in pretty good health, and we love our little home and our gardens—our sanctuary.
We started the year meeting Yellowstone friend Jackie in Southeast Arizona. We went to watch the Sandhill Cranes who winter at Whitewater Draw.
While down there we visited the Chiricahua Mountains. What a beautiful geologic wonderland!
In February, the Desert Botanical Garden’s amazing “Toward 2050” exhibit opened — a labyrinth with many hundreds of handmade “flags” from people all over the world. Organized by Phoenix-based textile artist Ann Morton, the project looked ahead 25 years in the future of our environment. Walking the labyrinth I was mesmerized by these beautiful textile pieces …
In March Steve had the opportunity to join his brother Jeff for a Caribbean cruise. While in Florida, they visited Yellowstone friends Jay and Cindy who work in the Big Cypress Swamp, part of the Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida.
Meanwhile, I visited Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA) with one of our Sunday Docent friends Renee (who is also a BTA Docent). Ending our time together with a lovely lunch in Superior.
Also in March, I was startled in the early-morning hours when a nearby trash truck took out the utility pole (and our electricity for hours!) while trying to empty the dumpster! Oops!
Also in March, sister-in-law Debra won First Place in the baking contest for the South Texas State Fair! Needless to say, we’re all quite proud of her.
The Desert Botanical Garden exhibit last year for orchids paid off for us. In April Steve and I each won an orchid at our monthly volunteer meeting! That was a nice surprise … and I had just the perfect spot for them! ❤️
Also in April we visited the Tempe Center for the Arts’ “Return of the Force” exhibit, an interesting take on Star Wars from the Navajo perspective. We loved it!
Our home gardens have had another year to mature and have been putting on some beautiful shows of color this year.
Our summer garden was amazing. Our cactus just kept putting out the most beautiful flowers.
Even in the heat of summer we kept up our early-morning walks along the Salt River (near Tempe Town Lake from the Tempe Marketplace). Starting before sunrise, it was always such a lovely, peaceful way to begin our day.
I finished up my first weaving in over 50 years! It was nice to get back to more fiber arts after such a long time. Also more contemplative slow drawings and some small handmade booklets. Creating certainly helps with the craziness
After the Docent season ended in May, our Sunday team had a fun get-together at our wonderful Day Captain Susan’s home.
In July we visited family in Boise then headed to the coast for an awesome trip along the coast. Headed first for Astoria, Oregon for a few nights, ending the day with a scrumptious dinner with a view.
Next day we traveled over the bridge into Washington to see the lighthouse, then back to Astoria and a visit to the Maritime Museum.
From Astoria, we headed south with wonderful walks along the beach and tide pooling . . .
Throughout the year we attended many protests . . . in Phoenix, Flagstaff and even in Boise. Being with everyone was fun and so very heartening.
Also throughout last year we had many wonderful get-togethers with our Yellowstone family of life-long friends.
Decorated our home for Christmas . . .
Helped with the Desert Botanical Garden’s Luminaria . . .
And ended the year celebrating our anniversary with my sister Marian and her husband Dick at their home in beautiful Sedona. All in all — given everything going on here and around the world — it was a good year full of love, joy, and friendships.
