A GRACIOUS PLENTY: A SPRING TRILOGY

Very Early Spring

The fields are snowbound no longer;
There are little blue lakes and flags of tenderest green.
The snow has been caught up into the sky--
So many white clouds--and the blue of the sky is cold.
Now the sun walks in the forest,
He touches the bows and stems with his golden fingers;
They shiver, and wake from slumber.
Over the barren branches he shakes his yellow curls.
Yet is the forest full of the sound of tears....
A wind dances over the fields.
Shrill and clear the sound of her waking laughter,
Yet the little blue lakes tremble
And the flags of tenderest green bend and quiver.

--Katherine Mansfield

Spring I - Spring Break in Tucson

With a fresh foot of snow on the ground here in Flagstaff, I decided Tucson would be a perfect place to spend spring break. Mark and Cindy both had the week off, and generously offered their spare bedroom. I planned to visit with them, brother Mike and some of his family, and several friends. I'd let the rest unfold, in a more-or-less WILLY-NILLY manner.

It was 47 degrees when I left Flagstaff Thursday morning, with highs in Tucson predicted in the 90's. Ready? Oh, yeah!

I'm off!

Leaving Kachina Village and (still) some construction at Munds Park.

Off the Mogollon Rim, and the Verde Valley opens before me.

(No the road didn't tilt..I took pix while holding onto the steering wheel..I rather like the effect!)

New territory: through Phoenix, and a view of Picacho Peak, the major landmark between Phoenix and Tucson

I've arrived at Mark and Cindy's home. Mark likes to keep the place flagged!

That afternoon and evening was spent enjoying the beautiful weather and visiting with Mark, Cindy, Cindy's Mom Dorothy, who lives with them, and M&C's daughter Monica, visiting with her two boys, John Michael and Carter. What a pleasure to spend personal time with family!

Friday I visited friend Pat at her new place in Trails West Retirement Community..she won't retire for a couple more years, but she's thinking ahead!

This photo is from a real estate site..she doesn't have a golf cart (yet). It's a really cute place, and suits her and her cat Magic to a tee. We visited all day, interrupted only by two delicious meals she prepared.

Saturday we had a full schedule. First, we went to a presentation by the Christian Youth Theater of The Secret Garden, in which Emily, the daughter of Cindy's best-friend-from-high school, had a lead part. It's musical theater with top notch talent, of which Emily is at the top. Amazing voices, amazing costumes, amazing sets. A professional production at every level.

This enchanting classic of children's literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers", spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.

That evening, Cindy had a 91st Birthday party for her Mom, Dorothy. Lots of family and friends attended, and Dorothy had a good time.

Sunday Cindy, Monica, me and niece Jennifer participated in the Susan G. Komen 5K Walk for The Cure. The route was around the University of Arizona campus, and there were a scad of booths set up in the mall area. Many of the booths had free giveaways, and experienced participants go straight to the booths with their favorite items.

Beautiful weather and a fun event for a good cause.

Early Monday morning Mike stopped by, and we enjoyed a walk along the Rillito River Park, which is a mostly asphalt trail that runs beside the Rillito River, and is minutes away from the house. When we got back he invited Mark and I on a favorite hike at Saguaro National Park West, near where he used to live. We agreed with alacrity.

Cindy and I devoted the rest of Monday to shopping at my request. I've been unsuccessfully attempting to buy another swim suit as a back-up to the one I have, not knowing how long suits last. They're highly seasonal in Flagstaff, and on-line has the fitting problems. It was my hope that the season was earlier in Tucson. Cindy had several stops to make, and we ended up at the mall. Dillards first, where they had several ($$$$$) nice possibilities. Sears next...I don't claim to be a spring chicken, but the styles were not to my taste. JC Penney next, with an expectation they'd be similar to Sears...lo and behold, their advertising campaign has some truth to it. Not only did they have suits similar to those at Dillards, but they were half the price ($$)! Since I would have purchased the suit at Dillards if it came to it, I chose to go ahead and buy TWO suits for the same price, giving me a back-up suit to my back-up suit. Oh, was I tickled!

The first two are the new purchases, the third the suit I already had. I'm now in great shape for swimsuits!

Our final stop was REI, where I wanted to look at a new daypack. I carry water for the dogs while hiking, and have wanted to get away from the tear-drop style pack with hipbelt canteens. That's OLD-FASHIONED! The past two summers I haven't done a lot of hiking, and I used a very broken-in pack of Mom's that I'd kept. While her pack was still usable, the shoulder straps are attached with plastic rings, and there's a very audible squeak with EVERY STEP. I've been saying it's Mom still talking to me! It's time for a new pack. Sure enough, REI had the pack of my dreams. All the zippered pockets I could ask for, plenty of room, a sturdy waist belt, and a dynamite color. I scored again!

Mom's pack is on the left, and my new Royal Purple pack on the right. I tried it out on the two hikes mentioned below and it performed admirably. I have a winner!

Friends Sally and Jon were in Tucson from Kanab staying with their daughter Becky and husband Uri. Becky recently gave birth to their second child, a little girl. Sally and Jon were assisting in those myraid ways new Moms need help. They invited me over for a visit, so I spent Tuesday afternoon and evening visiting, admiring the baby, and counting the time-outs her 3 year old brother brought upon himself. That's a level of energy I can't imagine!

I stayed for a delicious steak dinner provided by Jon and Sally. It was great to take the opportunity to see Becky's family and visit with good friends.

Wednesday Mark, Mike and I hiked the Cactus Wren Trail in Saguaro Nat'l Park.

Our loop included Signal Hill.

At the top of Signal Hill are many fascinating and well-preserved petroglyphs.

The day was warm but overcast, perfect for hiking.

Thursday, Mike, son Matthew and I hiked at the Sweetwater Preserve.

The Preserve was purchased by a private group to prevent it being developed, then turned over to Pima County as a park. The group then put in about 10 miles of connecting trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. It's a real jewel, an oasis of tranquility in an urban area.

Warm temperatures were again alleviated by high cloud cover.

Driving back, Mike swerved to miss a large snake in the road. He turned around to see what it was, and upon discovering it wasn't a rattler, Matthew initiated the Great Snake Rescue. Mike pulled mostly off the road, and we got out to do some snake wrangling. The snake didn't perceive good intent, and avoided assistance by snaking his way up into the engine compartment of the truck.

Matthew was able to locate it, but despite a valiant effort not able to make it let go of the axle.

Mike joined in the effort.

SUCCESS!

Thursday afternoon Mark, Cindy and I indulged in our infatuation with all things Oz and saw Oz the Great and Powerful at the theater. It was enjoyable enough. Despite some name actors and cool special effects, the original is still THE BEST!