Big Red Fire Truck

Today I went to an Arts Festival in Tempe. The fire department had a beautifully restored firetruck on display. It was so pretty I had to photograph it.

When I was a kid I remember getting a tour of a firehouse in my home town. I had a few relatives who were firefighters and my father-in-law is a retired firefighter. Now-a-days they do more than fight fires as they are called on almost anytime there is a car accident.

Firefighters, I salute you and p.s. please continue to wash the trucks outside of the firehouse with your shirts off.

Float like a Butterfly

Julia Butterfly (Dryas julia) Yesterday my sister-in-law and I ventured out to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. It was a beautiful sunny day. The temperature was in the 80's. A perfect day for some walking and looking at desert plants.

I recently bought a membership to the gardens but had not used it yet. They were having a butterfly exhibit in their Butterfly Pavilion. You entered the pavilion through some heavy plastic hanging strips. These were in place so that the butterflies could not get out. The inside of the pavilion had many flowering plants, some trees and a small artificial pond. We were instructed not to touch the plants or butterflies. We could however take photos. Some of the butterflies seemed to almost pose for the cameras.


A program and identifier guide was provided but I could not identify all of the butterflies we saw.
Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)

Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Queen (Danaus gilippus)

Have a Nice Day

Ever have one of those days? I love the sentiment in this poster. I must confess my sister sent this to me and it made me laugh.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

There was a time when I would get up and dance a jig on St. Patricks Day. I've hung up my hornpipe shoes but still think about it now and again.

First Sign of Spring

One of the first signs of spring for us in Arizona. The tips of the Ocotillo plant start to sprout. (Pronounced - Oh - Koh - Ti- Yo for all of my friends from the mid-west) This means soon the rest of the plant will green up with little leaves between the spikes and a beautiful red flame-ish flower will bloom at the tips. Ocotillo means candle-flame. My Mac's Field Guide calls the Ocotillo the "Coach Whip" It flowers from March - April so the timing of my buds are right on time! Go Ocotillo!

I need some Feng Shui

I need some Feng Shui help. I have been "working" on my "studio" room for over a month with not much progress. I have too much stuff and don't know what to do with it all. I have a hard time tossing things. If I can just get the clutter out I might be able to breathe..... Goal this weekend - declutter.

Fortune Telling Coffee

I've heard of reading tea leaves and palms but now I am wondering if my coffee can do the same. I see a definite R in my coffee this morning. What could it stand for?.... Relax, Riches... Raise!

Life is Good!

I saw this happy boy from my car today. He looks so happy. Life is good!

x

Shack on Wheels

I saw this on the way to work the other day. Someone had made the bed of their truck look like an old shack in the hills. I was in my car so it was sort of hard to photograph. I just thought it was very amusing and creative.

Here I am trying to catch up to get a photo.

You can see it has a rusty tin roof, a porch, and decorations on the side .I wish I could have gotten better photos. Very unique.