Silver smithing in Mesa

Amenities at Mesa Regal are just a few reasons why we like it here, the 70 degree days and lows in the 50's are also a big plus. I'm getting ready for a spring show that will be held it in March a well attended event. I hope to feature my jewelry, lapidary and wood work (which has not yet been started) and this year, I might try selling a few pieces. 

A Tucson thanksgiving

Just a short beautiful drive south from our winter retreat sits Tucson, specifically Saddlebrooke where several of Gary's cousins live. This year, Mark an Ivah were kind enough to take us in for thanksgiving and it was quite a feast! Everyone contributed a dish to share but Ivah's base of stuffed turkey, ham, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, an array of sweets... Stop me, I'm so full I can't get up just thinking about it. What's more comfortable, sitting, standing, or laying down? I don't know but it was worth it and the drive home under a full moon was as beautiful as the drive down.

Jewelry in the works

What to do when you have some down time, make jewelry or polish stones to be placed in the jewelry. These are just a few pieces I've finished. More to come!

War of the roses

At times it seems like the roses have the upper hand, slowly but surely we will win this war with the roses! It's interesting to hear that some people in the park think they would like to do our job, until they see how much work it takes, how our arms are cut from the thorns and how warm the late morning sun can be and they just comment "they are really looking great, keep up the good work"! The second most asked question is "do you see many scorpions"? The answer is no, I'm sure they are around but when we are weeding and cutting the dead wood out we have no visitors of the stinging variety. Last year when Gary was sweeping behind a food truck he scared up one small scorpion, I was trying to find a tool to scoop him up to move him when Gary stepped forward and stomped on the little bugger. I guess they are not a bug worth saving. One thing I do know, small is not better, they have more venom then the larger variety.

Final day on the road

With the last push through the Mazatzal mountains, a breakfast stop in Payson and a lovely drive out of the mountains down highway 87 we reached our destination of Mesa AZ. They had a very dry summer and some major wind that caused damage. Then the monsoons came and the resort had more water than it could handle. The result was waste deep flooding of the catch basis which is also the tennis and pickle ball courts. Just before the snow birds returned the resort planned a clean up but another large rain event scuttled the repair. This last weekend the resort put all their crew on cleanup and hired a group to rework the courts. Today the leagues began and everyone was happy. We also started our work on the roses. The rains were good for the plants as everything was in full bloom when we arrived. But we have our work cut out for us, what's good for the roses is also good for nut grass as you can see in the photo? Other plants that usually bloom in the spring are blooming as well. Sadly, much of these will be done by the time all the snow birds arrive.

Anasazi Ruins

Archaeology sites

With a one night stay in Homolovi state park we had a chance to explore the ruins of the Anasazi and Hopi people that lived in this area. They stayed here utilizing the rich valley before their migration north. Not much remains of what once had between 1200 to 2000 rooms and thousands of residents because of vandalism, treasure seekers and erosion. Even with all of the destruction the area is strewn with pottery and the visitors center has some nice examples gathered from the site.  This was a new campground for us and the location near Winslow make it a good stop for the night. Blue had a walk and good nights sleep (so did I) before our final push into Phoenix. The drive through the mountain pass was spectacular.