The other city in the desert - Phoenix and surroundings

In the company of die hard USC fans

Waiting for the bus to go to the game.

At the game - notice big smile on Richard's face: USC is killing ASU 44 to 17.Another attraction - in the company of exotic animals at the Phoenix zoo.

Turtles on a log

The snacking giraffe

Baby giraffe and company

It appears that both tortoises and owls are possessive about their space!


And the ever entertaining prairie dogs peer out at us.

Chronicles of our Latest Travels

On our way to Catalina Island

A view of the ocean from the Island's main street

A view of the casino/dance hall (we didn't go dancing...)

The island is known for it's buffaloes. This is the rare pizza on the ass buffalo.

And on to cheesy Orlando. Here is a lake at the resort where I had my conference.

Today is our 17th Wedding Anniversary

Time flows by, sometimes like a rushing river and sometimes drop by drop as in a leaking faucet. I think water is a great metaphor for time - at each moment water can be perceived in a myriad of ways. It can be lifesaving and refreshing, or it can be catastrophic and devastating. It can be balmy and soothing or cold and shocking. One person's pleasant water temperature will be grating for another. Too hot... Too cold...
Anyway, to the point. Time is even more subjective and elastic. So it is hard to fathom for Richard and me that we have been married for 17 years now. Wonderful, and something to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

It's uncanny how a holiday like Thanksgiving can bring out the best in people. Richard and I spent Thanksgiving with a group of USC fans in Scottsdale and Tempe, eating a Thanksgiving meal and then attending the USC vs. ASU football game. I have always found USC alumni and friends to be a friendly bunch, but it seemed that everyone at the gathering was particularly open. We met a family from Alexandria, Virginia and then ate with a grandparent/granchildren foursome from California. Although I am usually reserved and have a hard time hearing in places with lots of people, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. Then we sat next to another California couple at the football game - I couldn't believe the gentleman who sat next to me - he was a running commentary on EVERY play. He made the game quite entertaining, not at all tedious or obnoxious.
Even the usual antagonism that comes out in sporting events, especially football, did not dampen the occasion. I can't say that our little USC foursome surrounded by avid ASU Sun Devil fans was really welcomed, but all in all the encounter was more or less friendly.
It certainly was a different way to spend Thanksgiving for me!

A Tribute to Magic Scott

Magic was the inspiration for getting Coco. Magic was born the year of the original Olympic Basketball Dream Team, 1992. He was named after Magic Johnson. Although Magic was the runt of the litter, he probably made the biggest impression. Everyone who knew Magic loved him. Magic's favorite pasttime was chasing rocks down the steep walls of the canyon where he lived in Sonoita. Sadly, Magic died in February of this year. He left a big void in the hearts of all who knew him. Coco still misses him and perks up at the sound of his name. She still turns in at the entrance to the condo where Magic lived on 3rd Street while Cary was recuperating from her horse accident. Here is a picture of Magic and his favorite hangout, the canyon.