I recently attended a high school graduation and what an entertaining evening. REALLY. I’m not kidding. Okay so here’s what happened. G & I arrived about 10 minutes early to packed stands. We took the first two openings we saw, row 2 on the 30 yard line farthest from the stage. (There were also chairs set up on the field for people with tickets). Soon “Never-met-a-stranger-G” was entertaining our section of the bleachers. A family with 4 of the most well behaved children I have ever seen were right in front of us and the kids immediately started interacting. What happened next was entirely G’s fault as he encouraged the kids per usual.
Kid 1; “Hey Mister, Where did you get that hat?” G-“Mexico”. Kid 2 ( adorable girl 5 years old) “You mean real Mexico?”
Kid 3; (Middle girl trying to get in on older brother and younger sister’s action) “Mister, Why are your boots so pointy?” *All 4 kids, their parents, and an old man left of G look down at his feet* G-“That’s so I can kill the bugs in corners.” Now, I could see the emotions pass over their face, ‘should I laugh or am I going to get in trouble if I laugh?’ He smiles, they laugh. Old man next to G: “What did he say?” His wife: “He kills bugs. BUGS”. Old man looks back down at G’s boots visibly irritated.
At this point I have to interject that the procession of 367 seniors had begun through a gauntlet of parents on the field (you know, the ones with tickets). They lined up in 2 lines for the grads to pass through all the while taking pictures. At times, in their zeal, they completely blocked the progress. Three songs played…then started over again. Therefore our banter wasn’t making us miss any action on the field. Plus we were on the second row and a gaggle of people with balloons & signs were still streaming in trying to find seats blocking any idea of a view. Okay. Back to the conversation;
Kid 1: “Mister, (pause…looks up while he is thinking ) You’re reeeallly old”. Kid 3 (Middle Girl not to be outdone) “You’re older than my grandpa!” To which G replies-“I AM OLDER THAN YOUR GRANDPA.” *Parents nervously laughing*
Mom of the inquisitive kids: “How old are you?” G answers-“73” ALL FOUR KIDS EXCLAIM “WOW!”. (Kid 2-, the adorable 5 year old covers her eyes).
Old man to the left of G (not their grandpa): “What did he say?” His Wife shouts: “He’s seventy-three” (people behind him laugh and nod at G)
Mom of 4 inquisitive kids: “I thought you were in your fifties! You look young”. Old man (who I think is not yet even close to 73 but looks older than G) shakes his head, GETS UP, MOTIONS TO HIS WIFE & THEY LEAVE!
Preteen Girl on my right who has been listening: “Are you in love with him?” (which I think is kind of a weird out of the blue question but hey, we ARE the entertainment during this turtle walk the grads are doing so I answer) “Well yes, we have been together 25 years” Teenage girl: “Woah. That’s quite an accomplishment!” to which the surrounding couples above her chuckle too. We are all sitting in the bleachers to celebrate accomplishments so I roll with it. The mood around us remains festive, total strangers striking up oddly personal conversations all thanks to my G.
For the rest of the night our section enjoyed the celebration together. We all shared a belly laugh when unbeknownst to the owner of a huge bundle of balloons, a wind had blown the balloons to engulf a man walking past in the opposite direction. The poor man was trapped in a sea of blue, gold and black. The trapped man panicked, struggled, batted and swam his way out of the mess. What WE saw were balloons, elbows, balloons, knees, man twisting around, more balloons. What we HEARD was Squeaky squeaky squeak “Sorry dude” just as the balloons finally set the captive free. They just kept going walking away in opposite directions like it never happened.
We all listened to the same speeches together and a collective wave rippled through the bleachers from over 30 year old onlookers as we questioned why so many speeches by the top graduates referenced TV Shows as inspirational. One recounted episodes and praised the accomplishments of a fictional character as if she was presenting that character an award. The only other quote was taken from Cardi B. Not one literary quote in ANY of the speeches. None. No standards like Walt Whitman, or Mark Twain. Perhaps my time as a lover of books is old fashioned now. I’m the old woman in the stands thinking “kids these days…do they know how fascinating it is that Harper Lee is still relevant?” Perhaps the student speech givers knew that their peers understood why the quote from Cardi B was special, and why Kim Possible or Ron Stoppable is inspirational even if I wasn’t in on it.
Every speech from the hall of fame inductees to teachers to students had some reference to the support received from the community. Whether it was from fellow students, family, teachers, or the community itself, all of them called out each other for kindness and support they received. I found that so comforting and somewhat unique in the political rhetoric speeches have become today’s norm. Perhaps that is the epicenter of this school’s success. A community celebrating each other’s accomplishments.
This diverse school had nearly 5 million dollars worth of scholarships, so many awards to the senior class including awards in academic decathlons, a 92% rate of continuing education from this class alone, national awards in things like ROTC, and even in Fashion. These were opportunities we didn’t even have “in my day”. It came as a surprise to me that the biggest cheer of the night was for the principal like he was some kind of rock star. What a great time to be a graduate. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the school is exactly that, making us all wish we were one of them.
Two and a half hours later many families had already duck-walked in front of us out of the stands as soon as their grad received a diploma. I KNEW their student had received a diploma because 3 foot pictures of their grad were produced, screams, horns & booming confetti cannons shot over us all as the names were announced. The confetti cannons were such a hit with our new friends that, for a while at least, the children were occupied with collecting. “I get red, you get blue…” Those of us in our little section stayed to the end. Together. We helped each other gather belongings, amble out of the bleachers and bid goodbye like we were long lost friends. Kids gave hugs to G, hands were shaken, good luck offered.
We looked for my nephew who we were there to celebrate and met the family off to the side of the common area, out near the vending machines. He was number three Senior in his class and remained humble and grateful for the support from his parents, brother, aunts, uncles and cousin who were present and gathered in a circle around him taking pictures in terrible lighting. Oh and score! We got out of our parking space onto the street like the parking gods were watching. Yep we REALLY had a blast at this graduation.
Lorelei: (aka kid 2 -five year old adorable girl ): “Hey Mister, are you gonna come to my graduation?” G- “Yes I am so you better work very hard.” Lorelei: “Okay I will.” and runs to her dad.
See you in 2031 Lorelei.
By today’s standards the boys would be considered too young to be making a fire, climbing trails, staying on a mountain all day, shooting 22’s at an imaginary enemy. It is their experience to share and their memories together.
When someone shares a piece of their artistic soul, their art, you just KNOW that you are holding a piece of their heart in your hand.
Thank you Uncle O for such a memorable gift.
Rising high above the desert Babo Peak has been written about for centuries as a beacon for those who travel through the valleys. Unfamiliar with the permits required for hiking on the reservation, and not knowing the trails, I searched and found an archaeological tour group heading to I’itoi Cave. I was thrilled to finally climb that famous peak. 
The archaeologist and guide is Al Dart from 
Al was quick to point out that the tee pee is not part of the Tohono O’Odham culture but had been used for this particular ceremony and overnight stay. He went on to describe the history of the area in great detail. Even at this early stage of the tour we could tell this would be a wonderful experience.
The campground area is beautiful and worth exploring. 
Above us and surrounding us like a giant hug stood Babo Peak. 
The hike to I’itoi Cave is a little over mile on a trail rated difficult. 
Fortunately our guide made frequent stops along the trek pointing out both man made and natural wonders along the way. 
He included reading excerpts of early European explorers during our rest stops.The views are spectacular and unspoiled from this vista. 
What a perfect day to hike.
The cave has a tiny triangular entrance behind an outcropping of rock. 
It’s a wonder anyone found it at all. It is said I’itoi still lives there as protector of the Tohono O’Odham people. Iitoi is sometimes referred to as “Older Brother”. Some traditions have him entering the cave through a labyrinth and others refer to him as the man in the maze.
We were met by the caretaker/shaman of the Baboquivari Wilderness Area who was waiting by the entrance. He is said to be over 60 and makes the climb three times a week.
He told us stories about I’itoi and Eagle Man who had been sent to earth by the creator. Both of them were tasked with making people so they each set out to make people of different colors. Eagle Man’s people did not survive but I’itoi’s purple people were strong and became the Tohono O’Odham.
The shaman/caretaker was asked why he let non natives enter the cave. More specifically, why he would let Catholic or Christian symbols be placed as offerings. His answer was beautiful. He said he had thought about it many times, and had meditated about it for a long time here in the cave. He said he believes that there is one god, different to the different cultures, but still one. He said their story is similar to a Christian story. They share a flood story, and I’itoi died and rose again. As long as people are respectful, he wants to share this sacred cave with the anyone seeking it’s peace.
Finally our turn came. We aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the cave and I can see why. Whether or not one believes in I’itoi as a deity or not, there is a unique reverence entering the darkness. A shaft of light is just enough to see the uneven walls of the cave and shines deep toward the sloping back wall. What lies inside are the prayers, hopes and dreams of those who had come before. I noticed a faint scent of incense as I knelt down to add two little purple flowers that I had brought from home. I gave them my own meaning as I placed them in the fine dust on the floor so they would just catch the corner of the sunbeam. My own experience was energizing kneeling there on the soft dirt. Following the sun I exited out the triangle hole and slid back to the real world.
Refreshed we all headed down the mountain to the next stop….Petroglyphs.
There is an outcropping of rock on the valley floor peppered with petroglyphs
Protected by an overhang they have been here for centuries.
Some of the red pictographs are dated at over 5,000 years old. The whiter carved petroglyphs more modern, around 500 years and have Hohokam influence.
Some areas had holes used for grinding. A new tradition to toss coins into them as a prediction of future events.
As the sun faded to a glorious Arizona sunset it was time to say goodbye.
Our sins exposed like the ruined adobe wall holding little bits of paper, our wishes.
My wish is here too. It is a symbol of what breaks my heart leaving it here for a higher power to handle when I can’t anymore.
My favorite story about this shrine is that it’s presence stopped a highway from cutting through this old part of town. Thank you Juan Oliveras for your unknown contribution to the preservation of Tucson over 140 years ago. Just shows you that even sinners make a difference.
Hard to imagine now while we struggle for decent ground water. Lush and green many people enjoyed this area for health & entertainment. Now the area is dry as can be. Little touches everywhere.
Continuing on through the neighborhood there were a lot of interesting textures.
This is the theater located off a side street.
Mr DH proceeds to tell him exactly how they are made.
Soon we pulled in to the tiny town of 
We drive up a long forest road to higher ground and find a good ol’ hollowed out tree to sit under for a picnic.
I decide to crawl inside this burnt out tree for no other reason than to see what it feels like to be INSIDE A TREE. It was EASY going in but once inside I can’t figure out how to get out without touching one of the thousand spiderwebs. There is no graceful way to exit and I am trying not to get eaten. G thinks it’s hilarious since he told me not to try it.
There are many 
Putting my boots on the ground made all the difference today. I hugged a tree, smelled the fresh air, got bitten by an ant but NOT a spider, laughed hysterically, crunched through the fallen leaves, lost my sunglasses, brushed against the soft grass, touched my favorite Manzanita trees, imagined living in an old town, and mostly celebrated nature as my father taught me. Thanks Dad.
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