Just in time for Christmas! MUST HAVE!
Made from baby Jesus kisses I bet.
Category: Uncategorized
Whatever happened to the curtsy?
I really thought the curtsy would be more of a thing based on my upbringing. We even had a section of P.E.which we had to practice the curtsy. Unfortunately, my legs were so long & skinny; like toothpicks with knobby knees poking out like skewered olives, that my curtsy was not demure or sweet at all. I THOUGHT I looked like Disney’s Alice or 1940 actresses. My curtsy was more spider-ish with pointy elbows and legs everywhere. Oh, one must still curtsy when meeting Royals & when in GB last summer I was ready. We did NOT see any Royals so another part of my education wasted. I do like the formality of the curtsy as a sign of respect and kind of wish it were still a thing. However, now that I have the “one good knee” there is a high probability I won’t get back up. For those not fortunate enough to have learned the curtsy in P.E. class, there is a tutorial in 5 simple steps here in wikiHow. Good luck with curtsy practice. I’m off to order something from the ACME corporation & wait on the side of the road in the desert for my package to be delivered so I can catch that roadrunner… or even go find some quicksand.
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Goin’ Postal
We need stamps at work & decide to order them online. I used to think the “Forever” stamps were named as one could use them forever. Due to recent events I now think it’s because these stamps take forever to get in the mail. 
Don’t be fooled into thinking that your postal worker will simply grab a couple of rolls and bring them tomorrow with your regular mail. Nope. Apparently the Post Office believes it is better to ship them from Missouri.
Not only do they come from Kansas City, MO these particular stamps make quite a journey around the city! We ordered on the 6th of December & it takes 2 days to process. Below is the tracking. Notice how well traveled this roll of stamps is through the fine cities of Kansas City,MO to Kansas City, KS then (through amazing planning and forethought) BACK TO KC,MO! Two days journey and 3 zip codes through the heartland of America!
Someday soon it will leave one of the Kansas Cities and head west…probably on a Conestoga Wagon.
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Teddy Bear Guy & Other Annoyances
Last evening I stopped at a crowded grocery store with very long lines. The shoppers in the “10 items or less line” had spilled across the only aisle that crosses the front of the store creating a blockade. A tall young man wearing mirrored aviator sunglasses & earbuds was standing near the end of the line & was also holding a giant teddy bear. He had his face, well mostly his lips, pressed against Teddy’s furry nose. I maneuvered across the line which was difficult as neither Teddy lover nor the shopper in front of him moved an inch. Uuhhhgh. I was tired and now I’m irritated that they didn’t part and make a courtesy space required for others to get through. A few minutes later I was ready to checkout & happy the line had reduced to 3 people. The universe was not finished getting my attention as the first customer couldn’t get her credit card to work & the next woman wrote a check. A Check. The last guy wants cigarettes that the store doesn’t carry anymore. We all find this out together after the (more tired than I was) cashier conducts a thorough search behind the customer service desk. Finally my turn and I am released back out to the world. As I drive off toward a beautiful sunset I notice Teddy Bear Man walking along the side of the road. He’s still wearing aviators & carrying his giant bear. NOW I notice he is sweeping a white cane with a red tip back and forth. Awwww DAMmit. Teddy Bear guy is awesome. Oh & brave like I can’t imagine.
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Hooty
I spent last night upstairs on a couch outside my mother’s room. All night long I heard an owl that apparently perches just outside on the chimney. Mom says the owl also likes to sit in the tallest Palo Verde tree next to the house because it can take off better to hunt. Either way the owl is announcing his presence at the exact moment I think I am finally falling asleep. (Like it KNOWS)
The hooting of the owl into the wee hours of the night made me think about my Dad all the more. He had actually written a story in his book “Jackie” about an owl that sat outside he and his brother Jim’s bedroom window when they were children.
Below is an excerpt from his book :
In fairer weather the boys occupied the same upstairs bedroom. A window was at the foot of the bed on one side with a large tree close by. The night breezes and bright moon made shadows dance through that window. A large Hoot Owl took residence in that tree, and for nearly a whole summer the boys hid their fears under the sheet pulled tightly over their heads. Earlier that summer Jackie had won the argument to be called Jack now that he was older. He was admonished by his parents that if he was big enough to be called Jack then it came with the responsibility to be not afraid. Jack had to put up with the owl. The critter was huge and noisy! Well they got used to it after a while and when they called to Hooty, he would answer. After that it was kind of fun talking to “their owl”.
So now I am thinking that ~Life just gets curiouser and curiouser ~ and just like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird when she suddenly sees Boo Radley behind the bedroom door I whisper “Hey Dad”.
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Baby Sandra Day O’Conner
Random find in the tiny town of Clifton, AZ in a small museum resides the high chair of Sandra Day O’Conner. Arizonans are so proud of the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. I asked permission from the stoic caretaker to take the picture. Of all the mining subjects in the museum he wondered why I chose this object to photograph.
I wanted this picture to remind me that even one of the most influential women of my lifetime started the same way we all did. Our choices, our decisions, make us who we are. She is such an inspiration and example of responsible citizenship.
“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.” Sandra Day O’Conner.
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Your Soaking In It
Found this gem this past weekend the Kachina Mineral Spring and Spa.
Nothing fancy but very clean and relaxing inside.
The staff is so welcoming and made us feel comfortable immediately. We had a few minutes wait and learned a lot in just a few minutes. They were all so knowledgeable about essential oils, reflexology and massage.
We chose the Full Spa Package which is a 15 minute soak in hot mineral springs followed by a massage then another relaxing soak. We were taken to a private room leading to another private soaking area. Very quiet with soothing music playing. I was pleased to see how clean it was, especially the the soaking area! (I had been a little worried about that part). Feeling confident in our surroundings, we slipped down into the hot mineral water. Soon tension, aches & pains vanished. I could even breathe better. It was extremely relaxing, rejuvenating, for body and spirit. All massage should begin this way!
G and I had side by side massages which really made me feel comfortable. Each of us were convinced our masseuse was the best. It was our topic of discussion on the 2 hour drive home. I actually have never had such a good massage. G says his was in the top two he has ever had (which is saying something, he is very picky and has had many ).
This is Brian my masseuse. He’s hiding those wonderful hands.
I highly recommend Kachina Mineral Springs. TURN HERE!!
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Clifton Hanging
Last Saturday was all about hanging out in Clifton, AZ an old mining town. The road climbs winding through the mountains and suddenly drops down between the rugged red canyon walls to this little town.
We saw a few signs and thought it might be interesting and it doesn’t disappoint. 
This is the outside of the jail that is actually a cave in the rock. The holes you see with bars are the windows about 10 feet above the floor of the jail. The sign says the first prisoner built it himself! 
The Rocks they used to build the wall are so beautiful. It’s open on the other side (and you know how I feel about open doors). Let’s go in!
Down a few steps and G says “I hope somebody doesn’t lock the outside door.” just as I am stepping into total darkness. (THANKS G!) The cave jail it very spooky. It doesn’t smell like a cave, really has no smell at all for having been used as living quarters. We don’t have a flashlight with us so I have to use the camera flash to see where we are. Below is an overexposed shot of one of the cells .
I saw a rusty dirty chain on the floor illuminated by a little bit of sunlight from the “window” above. I picked it up and when I realized it was bolted to the floor it made me sad and horrified at the same time. I got out of there fast.
We go further back within the cave jail. It’s not getting any better but at least there is electricity this far back. Feeling very medieval as it is still pretty dark I took another flash shot to see what was in front of us. It came out looking like the very end of The Blair Witch Project.
Unimaginable spending any length of time down here. I’m ready to leave now G.
Outside the jail is this kick ass stem engine, Copper Head Coronado Railroad.
Absolutely beautiful view from the bridge. Very quiet here, well until I stepped on a loose metal panel and the whole bridge sounded like it was falling down. 
Ramshackle buildings contribute to the charm of this old town. A look inside an abandoned building reveals an old couch, a TV with an old style bubble screen, and various trash. It would be interesting to find out when it was abandoned, who lived here, and the stories associated with the once booming mining town. 
There is an occupied apartment in this row of crumbling buildings below. An American Flag waves in the breeze in the distance. 
Layers of time …..
Old church on Chase Creek Road is part of the Historic Restoration of Clifton.
Below is an example of the steel door to a cave. They may have originally been used as cellars to preserve food. During Prohibition caves like this were used for storing Whiskey (of course) and we are told that is when the steel doors were added. Later they actually were rented out to miners as rooms. Every house against the cliff seems to have one.
Oh and when you can’t find an awning just use a fender. 
The whole street is peppered with various renovations like this 3 story conglomeration.
So peaceful.
Clifton is the last remaining old mining town of this area. The Morenci old town has been buried with mine tailings as a large copper vein went right through it. I can’t wait to return to this place to explore someday soon.
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Safford Surprises
G & I have established a Thanksgiving tradition of finding nontraditional places to hike. This year’s adventure took us to Safford, AZ located just 2 hours from Tucson. If you have read my travel posts before, you know G is always on the hunt for coffee. Always. That’s how we found the wonderful establishment Candy’s Ice Cream Company.
This lovely throwback establishment is a coffee/ice cream/ deli/Friday night band havin’ shop that simply charmed us.
We ordered coffee laced with an espresso double shot fresh and delicious. Visiting with the Barista/soda jerk/sandwich artist, she proudly states that the Owner is the former Mayor! In fact he normally plays in the band on Friday nights.
However, there wouldn’t be a live band tonight as SANTA was coming to Safford, AZ. She invited us to a town wide party & we promised to return for the festival.
Fully satisfied we had explored the Main Street downtown, On to the hiking at Black Hills Byway.
Black Hills Byway is on BLM land. This info sign states “no shooting ”
There is also a sign designating the center of a fire agate cache. Collecting is even encouraged.
Fire agate lying on top of the ground.
We came prepared with shovels and buckets but I kept getting distracted by the sheer beauty of this place.
High desert splendor came complete with a pair of camera shy hawks and a random grave. The marker says “Convict Shot 1916”.
We traveled through several ranches. Some of the ranches have been in families since the 1800’s like the Twin C Ranch.
I found it cleaver that the local ranchers had an abundance of white cows. They really show up against the black rocks. We saw several high on the cliffs and wondered if they were big horn sheep, no just cows. This one has found a way to hide in plain sight.
Since I was unable to secure a room at the local bed and breakfast we stayed at a Best Western. I thought I would be disappointed but earlier that morning, back at Candy’s, we had shared our hotel choice with our Barista . She said had a cousin, Leslie, would be working the front desk by the time we would check in. She & G came up with a scheme that he would pretend to know cousin Leslie. She shared several details about her cousin and sure enough Leslie was manning the front desk. The shenanigans almost worked until G said he had gone to school with her. Leslie doesn’t miss a beat though and says “I KNOW! You were the troublemaker” and THAT is how Leslie and I instantly became friends. She even upgraded us to the Honeymoon Suite. SCORE!
Clean up and off to dinner at Manor House for a $9.00 prime rib.
You might think that a $9.00 prime rib couldn’t be good but it was delicious.
These dead heads always freak me out a little. Especially while eating meat.
He looks quite judgmental and seems like he is yelling.
The food was great and we had a fun waitress who was also looking forward to the end of her shift so she could head out to the festival.
Main street seemed ready to welcome Santa and we were not disappointed.
The street filled with food booths, human snow globes, bounce houses,stations for children to make gingerbread houses and ornaments, a movie in the park, lots of Christmas shops and even an “ice skating rink”.
The town burst at the seams with all the families. It seemed no one stayed home. I am not sure what that woman is doing to the little girl in the picture below, but I assure you she is not blindfolding her for a kidnapping. Probably.
I was mostly impressed by the friendly atmosphere of Safford. Also I found that during the festival there was a lack of trash on the street and general goodwill these neighbors had for each other. I have lived in a few small towns but never experienced this sense of community I felt here. Safford-ians are a unique bunch of kind folks. We snuggled down in our warm comfy Best Western Honeymoon Suite looking forward to the next day’s adventure. Who knew Safford Arizona would be such a treat.
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Suspended!
Eating breakfast in Ranch county and “never met a stranger ” G admires this guy’s suspenders. 
Mr DH proceeds to tell him exactly how they are made.
He says to go to the thrift store and get yourself a woman’s bra. They have the best eleastic. When I laugh he turns to me and says emphatically “They really do”.
Finally in the end DH points to me “she can help you”. He picks up his 2 cups of coffee (one for him and one for momma) and proudly walks away showing off the fancy suspenders he made.
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