Quiet days March 14, 2013

We've been researching another place to stay for next year.  Jim loves Tubac, the oasis look of it, the less dense housing complexes and the extremely green Tubac Resort.  The golf course is really spectacular too.  So we've wandered around Tubac and Green Valley.  We have 2 really nice town homes on our short list.

The weather has warmed up.  Today, I have s sleeveless top and will probably not need a sweater. Previously, we dressed in layers until the sin warmed up.  Today the temperature was 59 at 7am.  Summer is coming.  We get a slice of sunshine on the patio from 8:30 till 9:30.  Today I finished Follet's Third Twin while sitting in the sun on the patio.  It was a very good book.  I found Follet from the historical fiction triology of "Fall of the Giants." Both Jim and I have done a lot of reading.   This is my list.

Feb , 13	Standing in the Rainbow	Fannie Flagg
Feb , 13	When were Grownups	Anne Tyler
Feb , 13	Fall of Giants	Folliet
Feb , 13	Union Quilters	Chiaverini
Feb , 13	A Trick of Light	Louise Penny
Mar, 13	Ladder of Years	Anne Tyler
Mar, 13	Wedding Quilt	Chiaverini
Mar, 13	Third Twin	Folliet

I also brought yarn to knit a sweater, a Christmas tablecloth to embroider, and Christmas sequin felt ornaments.  We can't always 'talk" to the cacti!!!

We also catch the local lectures about this area.  Yesterday was Wild Flowers of the Sonoran Desert. God's creation is amazing.  The "ephemeral flowers" require temperatures of 59 in the winter and no higher than 80's in the spring.  They prefer no more than 1/2 inch of rain from October through June.  Any variation means some won't bloom at all. Since I've come to appreciate the brown, dried up "gravely" desert views, I am very interested in how plants survive here.
Today, we'll attend a discussion of the Books of the Apocraph, part of the Lenten series at Mountain View Methodist Church.   The church welcomes snow birds and it is interesting to hear the pastor explain some of these ancient books.
Saturday there is a digital lecture on Hiking the Grand Canyon.  Last year I traveled about 100 yards on Bright Angel Path and KNOW I will not ever hike to the canyon.  Saturday, I'll see it digitally from a folding chair.  

I forgot to tell you about the Tucson Festival of Books. 450 booths on March 10.  There is always so much to see and lots of used books for sale.  I got some for the grandkids and some rare Tom Swift books.   Here's a picture from last year.                                                          
The Festival goes for 2 days, but Saturday was a cold and rainy day,so we went to Tohono Chul on that day for their exhibit. Sunday was sunny and cool-perfect for hiking among crowds and seeing all the exhibits.

 University of Arizona Garden on the Mall Fairy Duster plant in bloom

The only Boojam tree that I have found is also in the U of AZ Garden.  It has lots of small branches with tiny green leaves.  














Off to the pool!!