I expect that very few people who read this don't already know that Greg, Tomoko, and Ariana were here for a few days. So we had a Grandparents' weekend.
We picked them up in Phoenix on Thursday and drove on up to Cottonwood to see the family there. Mom was doing well and everybody else is healthy so we had a good visit.
Friday we played and visited. Greg and Tomoko took advantage of free childcare to go see a movie. Ariana is tireless, so we decided we should keep her here as our personal trainer. Saturday we had a little cookout with family and friends. Weather was perfect. Food and company were great. Then, today we took them to the airport. Casey came yesterday and stayed today to work on a quilt for her friend's baby.
I have 3 more weeks on a sub job, then we will leave for AK. Peggie has four or five projects in process, so I'm sure she will stay busy.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sharpening those skills
Today was one of those run-of-the-mill absolutely perfect first-day-of-spring type Tucson days.
Ho-hum, what to do, what to do.
The air show at DMAFB? Too many people, traffic, yada yada.
Renaissance Festival? Too many people, traffic, dust, yada yada.
Fourth Ave. Street Fair? Too many people, traffic, yada yada.
Peggie suggested a Sunday drive. Yay! I'm always up for a drive. Poppies are blooming.
We decided to head over to the San Pedro valley to see if the hills are all golden yellow yet.
Yes, they are. Not at peak, but gorgeous, still. Also lupine, daisies, penstemon, and several others we don't know the names of. The hills along the highway to Winkleman from Mammoth, the self proclaimed "Wildflower Capital of the World," are golden poppy yellow and new grass green along with the new green of the cottonwoods along the river. So we were having fun.
Then we came to Aravaipa Canyon and Peggie says, "Let's go up that road, I've never been on it." That's why we are still married. Going "up that road to see where it goes" is my purpose in life. It is my mantra. My rezon d'entendre. You get the idea. So I flipped one of those police-chase U-ees in the road and headed up Aravaipa Rd. I had been part way up twice before. Once with the rock hounds to gather alabaster, and once just to see. I didn't go far enough either time.
We came to the end of pavement, but continued intrepidly on. We were in a Jeep, after all. I have always thought that the road ended at the mouth of the canyon where only permitted hikers were allowed to continue into the wilderness. Instead, we could now see water in the stream bed, always a pleasant sight, and a sign announcing the next eight miles (eight more miles?! outstanding!) were private property, so no camping or hunting. Okay. These are people who have found the good life. Maybe thirty properties right on the creek. All with acreage in pasture or orchards. Some rustic, some modern, all way cool. An additional 3 miles brought us to the wilderness trailhead, beyond which is permit hiking only. Peggie walked back up the road a quarter mile to get pictures of rustic fences and such. I read the info about the wilderness area.
My eyes perked up (if ears can do it, why not eyes?) at the mention of bighorn sheep on the ridges. So I hauled out the binoculars and began to scan. I was, and soon will be again, a PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE SPOTTER. It behooves me (see the little pun, there?) to keep up my skills. No luck. But the cliff I was scanning was stunning in its coloration and erosion. As Peggie was returning from her jaunt, I turned around and scanned the shaded cliff on the other side. REWARD!!! Bighorn sheep. Standing right there snacking on a bush. He looked at me, so I knew, that he knew I was there. I spoke softly. "Peggie, bighorn." She said, "Quarter." She was photographing a flower, and had spotted a quarter. Then she took the binoculars and watched the bighorn for a while. The quarter was forgotten. I have never ever seen a bighorn in the wild before. Grand Canyon doesn't count because they are practically zoo animals there. Most bighorns live out in places you can't drive to. Like on ridge tops. So, although the road never crossed the creek, and our tires stayed dry, the bighorn made it a great outing. It was already a really, really good outing, just discovering where "that road went."
Peggie did not tip me with the quarter. So this was a nonprofessional outing.
Ho-hum, what to do, what to do.
The air show at DMAFB? Too many people, traffic, yada yada.
Renaissance Festival? Too many people, traffic, dust, yada yada.
Fourth Ave. Street Fair? Too many people, traffic, yada yada.
Peggie suggested a Sunday drive. Yay! I'm always up for a drive. Poppies are blooming.
We decided to head over to the San Pedro valley to see if the hills are all golden yellow yet.
Yes, they are. Not at peak, but gorgeous, still. Also lupine, daisies, penstemon, and several others we don't know the names of. The hills along the highway to Winkleman from Mammoth, the self proclaimed "Wildflower Capital of the World," are golden poppy yellow and new grass green along with the new green of the cottonwoods along the river. So we were having fun.
Then we came to Aravaipa Canyon and Peggie says, "Let's go up that road, I've never been on it." That's why we are still married. Going "up that road to see where it goes" is my purpose in life. It is my mantra. My rezon d'entendre. You get the idea. So I flipped one of those police-chase U-ees in the road and headed up Aravaipa Rd. I had been part way up twice before. Once with the rock hounds to gather alabaster, and once just to see. I didn't go far enough either time.
We came to the end of pavement, but continued intrepidly on. We were in a Jeep, after all. I have always thought that the road ended at the mouth of the canyon where only permitted hikers were allowed to continue into the wilderness. Instead, we could now see water in the stream bed, always a pleasant sight, and a sign announcing the next eight miles (eight more miles?! outstanding!) were private property, so no camping or hunting. Okay. These are people who have found the good life. Maybe thirty properties right on the creek. All with acreage in pasture or orchards. Some rustic, some modern, all way cool. An additional 3 miles brought us to the wilderness trailhead, beyond which is permit hiking only. Peggie walked back up the road a quarter mile to get pictures of rustic fences and such. I read the info about the wilderness area.
My eyes perked up (if ears can do it, why not eyes?) at the mention of bighorn sheep on the ridges. So I hauled out the binoculars and began to scan. I was, and soon will be again, a PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE SPOTTER. It behooves me (see the little pun, there?) to keep up my skills. No luck. But the cliff I was scanning was stunning in its coloration and erosion. As Peggie was returning from her jaunt, I turned around and scanned the shaded cliff on the other side. REWARD!!! Bighorn sheep. Standing right there snacking on a bush. He looked at me, so I knew, that he knew I was there. I spoke softly. "Peggie, bighorn." She said, "Quarter." She was photographing a flower, and had spotted a quarter. Then she took the binoculars and watched the bighorn for a while. The quarter was forgotten. I have never ever seen a bighorn in the wild before. Grand Canyon doesn't count because they are practically zoo animals there. Most bighorns live out in places you can't drive to. Like on ridge tops. So, although the road never crossed the creek, and our tires stayed dry, the bighorn made it a great outing. It was already a really, really good outing, just discovering where "that road went."
Peggie did not tip me with the quarter. So this was a nonprofessional outing.
Monday, March 15, 2010
March-ing on
It is March, so we must post a new entry.
Last week I took the trailer to Cortes, Colorado. Our friend Greg wanted to go interview home builders and I volunteered to provide the housing. You all know this was a real hardship for me 'cause I hate road trips. We drove up on Sunday, March 7 with beautiful weather between all the storms we've been having. We located an RV park and went to check out his lot. It was buried in thigh deep snow. We know that because, of course, we had to walk out there.
For the next three days, we visited homes with the builders to check out their work and to get to know them. It snowed off and on the whole time. We found time to visit the Anasazi Heritage Museum, but decided not to try Mesa Verde. It was cold.
We saw some interesting homes, and I think Greg selected a builder. When it was time to come home, voila, the skies were clear again.
I stayed in Cottonwood an extra two days to help Mom celebrate her 85th birthday. Because some people in the family still work for a living, we had to have one party at lunch and another at dinner. Nothing wrong with that. Vada made a truly ugly devil's food cake with fudge frosting that fell apart and didn't set right. But it tasted great. Once you cut it up, the original appearance doesn't matter. And we have had uglier cakes baked by Mom, herself. The famous Silver City cake of 1958 was remembered fondly.
While I was gone, Peggie quilted....then she quilted some more...after which, she decided to quilt.
Good thing we got that table finished. I've been home for three days. What do you think Peggie has been doing all day, and is doing right now?
a) quilting
b) quilting
c) quilting
d) all of the above
Last week I took the trailer to Cortes, Colorado. Our friend Greg wanted to go interview home builders and I volunteered to provide the housing. You all know this was a real hardship for me 'cause I hate road trips. We drove up on Sunday, March 7 with beautiful weather between all the storms we've been having. We located an RV park and went to check out his lot. It was buried in thigh deep snow. We know that because, of course, we had to walk out there.
For the next three days, we visited homes with the builders to check out their work and to get to know them. It snowed off and on the whole time. We found time to visit the Anasazi Heritage Museum, but decided not to try Mesa Verde. It was cold.
We saw some interesting homes, and I think Greg selected a builder. When it was time to come home, voila, the skies were clear again.
I stayed in Cottonwood an extra two days to help Mom celebrate her 85th birthday. Because some people in the family still work for a living, we had to have one party at lunch and another at dinner. Nothing wrong with that. Vada made a truly ugly devil's food cake with fudge frosting that fell apart and didn't set right. But it tasted great. Once you cut it up, the original appearance doesn't matter. And we have had uglier cakes baked by Mom, herself. The famous Silver City cake of 1958 was remembered fondly.
While I was gone, Peggie quilted....then she quilted some more...after which, she decided to quilt.
Good thing we got that table finished. I've been home for three days. What do you think Peggie has been doing all day, and is doing right now?
a) quilting
b) quilting
c) quilting
d) all of the above
Friday, February 26, 2010
Happy Birthday, Tucson Aimee!
Hope you're having a great day and doing whatever you want to be doing.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
It's finished!
The table had a shelf attached to the front for book display. We decided to move the shelf to one end and add a piano hinge and folding legs. When I need additional space I can put the extension up and the lip on the edge will keep any large quilts from going over the edge. When that happens the weight of the quilt adds drag to the needle and then it's easy to end up with messy stitches.
Placing the machine so the needle is about 11 inches from the front edge of the table is great. My arms rest on the table and I think it will make quite a difference in comfort.
I have some appointments tomorrow so I won't be spending the WHOLE day in the studio but I'll definitely get some good time in there!
Placing the machine so the needle is about 11 inches from the front edge of the table is great. My arms rest on the table and I think it will make quite a difference in comfort.
I have some appointments tomorrow so I won't be spending the WHOLE day in the studio but I'll definitely get some good time in there!Saturday, February 20, 2010
A Great Sewing Table!
It's been a couple years since we turned the garage into a studio for me and it's a great place to hang out. I have room for my Gammill Longarm quilting machine with its 12-foot table as well as three other work tables--cutting, sewing, and "stuff". It's easy to find enough room when friends bring their sewing machines over and join in on playtime. Four of us have played in there at once and we weren't tripping over each other--well, not all the time.
One thing I've always wanted is a table that would allow me to drop in my sewing machine and have a large level work surface. Those tables are commercially available but I've had some ideas for making one of my own (with help from Bill, of course). Two years ago I ordered an acrylic insert that was made to fit around my Bernina. Last year a Borders bookstore was closing in Tempe in Casey's neighborhood and selling off its furniture and fixtures. I bought this very heavy oak table thinking it would be great as a sewing table.
Then...we went to Alaska for five months so no progress or need for the sewing table.
This week we started the sewing table project!
The machine and insert will be placed so the needle is about 11 inches from the front of the table. This will allow my arms to rest on the table and keep the tension out of my shoulders.
The oak is incredibly thick and I think we've gone through four blades on the saw getting this done! It took one of us a "spotter" and one of us as jigsaw operator to get the cuts finished. We took turns with that but it was mostly Bill as jigsaw operator with me telling him what to do--I do that part very well!
Bill used the part we cut out as the shelf for the machine.
This morning we added quarter round to the inside edges of the cutout and the acrylic insert will be placed on that. After a break for rain we went back and added a piano hinge to the book display shelf that was on one side of the machine. We'll add folding legs (or something) to this shelf and I'll be able to open it when I want an extended table.
One thing I've always wanted is a table that would allow me to drop in my sewing machine and have a large level work surface. Those tables are commercially available but I've had some ideas for making one of my own (with help from Bill, of course). Two years ago I ordered an acrylic insert that was made to fit around my Bernina. Last year a Borders bookstore was closing in Tempe in Casey's neighborhood and selling off its furniture and fixtures. I bought this very heavy oak table thinking it would be great as a sewing table.
Then...we went to Alaska for five months so no progress or need for the sewing table.
This week we started the sewing table project!
The machine and insert will be placed so the needle is about 11 inches from the front of the table. This will allow my arms to rest on the table and keep the tension out of my shoulders.
The oak is incredibly thick and I think we've gone through four blades on the saw getting this done! It took one of us a "spotter" and one of us as jigsaw operator to get the cuts finished. We took turns with that but it was mostly Bill as jigsaw operator with me telling him what to do--I do that part very well!
Bill used the part we cut out as the shelf for the machine.
This morning we added quarter round to the inside edges of the cutout and the acrylic insert will be placed on that. After a break for rain we went back and added a piano hinge to the book display shelf that was on one side of the machine. We'll add folding legs (or something) to this shelf and I'll be able to open it when I want an extended table.
The plan is to finish this project tomorrow, move it into the studio and ENJOY it.
It's just right! I love it!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Running washes
Don and I got to go wash running today.
He arrived Tuesday and leaves tomorrow, so today was for jeeping! We went north of Oracle and explored a wash that did, indeed, cut unobstructed through the mountains behind the old Tiger mine. I fully expected a fence or two to keep us out of mining property, but there was no fence. The tracks in the wash showed it to be a pretty popular short cut from Mammoth. The rocks in that area deserve further study. I don't even know what all they are. Then we followed a gas line north until we came to another wide flat wash. Don guided me over a 3 foot drop that is the only obstacle in that whole area. He also opened about a dozen gates. We got our wheels wet in the permanent water of Camp Grant Wash before heading up into the hills to come in behind an old lime quarry from the San Manuel days. The grass is greening up nicely all over the area and young cows are out on it. Two of them ran from us up a narrow part of one wash for half a mile before finally turning into the brush and letting us go by. The older cows just stare at us as we go by. We did see one llama-mule deer mix. It was a muley, but when she stopped to stare back at us with her ears straight up she looked a lot like a llama. We saw a lot of zone tailed hawks paired up, as well. And of course plenty of red tailed and unknown hawks. It was a glorious weather day.
He arrived Tuesday and leaves tomorrow, so today was for jeeping! We went north of Oracle and explored a wash that did, indeed, cut unobstructed through the mountains behind the old Tiger mine. I fully expected a fence or two to keep us out of mining property, but there was no fence. The tracks in the wash showed it to be a pretty popular short cut from Mammoth. The rocks in that area deserve further study. I don't even know what all they are. Then we followed a gas line north until we came to another wide flat wash. Don guided me over a 3 foot drop that is the only obstacle in that whole area. He also opened about a dozen gates. We got our wheels wet in the permanent water of Camp Grant Wash before heading up into the hills to come in behind an old lime quarry from the San Manuel days. The grass is greening up nicely all over the area and young cows are out on it. Two of them ran from us up a narrow part of one wash for half a mile before finally turning into the brush and letting us go by. The older cows just stare at us as we go by. We did see one llama-mule deer mix. It was a muley, but when she stopped to stare back at us with her ears straight up she looked a lot like a llama. We saw a lot of zone tailed hawks paired up, as well. And of course plenty of red tailed and unknown hawks. It was a glorious weather day.
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