The Burrow

This is where Miss Vicki and I turned around today. It's a very pretty sign, isn't it? The Happy Ladies' Club Serious Hiking Group (of which I was once a member) did the entire outer loop last week.... all 14.5 miles of it, Today I managed about 10% of that, and, for the first time, I understood the wisdom behind   "don't compare yourself to before " My right now was pretty wonderful. That's the path adjacent to the parking lot. Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation gently developed this multi-use park 15 minutes from my driveway. It's not Mount Tam , but it's mine. I could pause and take a picture when a crested saguaro appeared.   There's not much change of elevation, which was a good thing. When I got tired, I could stop and wonder what happened to this guy. And what's this guy's story?  He certainly has one, don't you agree? Is he carrying a loaf of bread home from the market? Is sh...

Our neighbors had a few tons of cacti delivered last week. This is not as simple a task as it might appear. There's really no equipment designed for the job. The men charged with the task created a platform lined with packing materials which they attached to an hydraulic lift on their flatbed. The cactus was secured to the platform with rug remnants, duct tape and the occasional bungee cord. Despite their height, saguaros have a shallow root system. Wrapped lightly in burlap, the tendrils were protected during the 10 mile trek from their old home to the pre-dug holes next door. I'm always impressed by designers who can place a plant before it arrives on the scene. It's a skill I lack. Digging the holes before the plant material arrives makes the installation a simple matter: aim the back of the truck in the general direction of its final destination and tilt. With 5 strong men supporting its weight (upwards of 1000 pounds for the really big ones) the crew leader re...

There is a lot of wildlife where I live. The quail eggs have hatched and the babies are little puffballs waddling across the road with mom in the front and dad in the middle of the street watching for traffic. Seriously - he looks both ways and squawks at the last one to hurry up and waits until they are all on the other side of the road before he flies - low to the ground, it's more skipping than actual flight - over to join them on the sand. I've seen at least 2 families - one has 6 or 7 chicks and the other parents are just tending to 2 - in our front yard today. There are other families along the street; one stopped traffic in 2 directions at the intersection this morning. Shades of Make Way for Ducklings . A coyote just walked across the street. He's one of two who travel through our neighborhood. I've never had a nodding acquaintance with a wild animal before. It's very strange. The first few nights we slept here we were aggravated by the teenage boys hootin...