Living in the Foothills

We bought our home in the Foothills in 2008, when we were living on the ranch, to use as our “city house.”  After we left the ranch, we looked at different houses in various areas of Tucson, but we liked our location best and our home suits us.  Our neighborhood suits our neighbors too.  There is rarely a home for sale.  

Over the past week, there has been a different energy in the area, because an 84 year old woman has been missing from her home, just 1.5 miles from us.  We are concerned for her and the whole family.  The woman’s daughter is a host of NBC’s Today Show, and she made a short video of Tucson a few months ago.  The video was filmed in places we know well and enjoy.  We are grateful to call the Foothills of Tucson home.

https://www.today.com/video/savannah-guthrie-returns-to-her-hometown-of-tucson-arizona-251395141731

Lunch at Victoria Cocina Mexicana

We met our Boys and Girls Club kids that were available for lunch on Saturday, at one of our favorite restaurants, Victoria Cocina Mexicana.  Our friend David, was in Tucson for a few days, so it was a good reason to get together.  We realized that the four original people in our group at Boys and Girls Club, were with us, over 13 years after the first time we met.  Those four are enjoying life today - David is finishing medical school and will move in June to Northern California to his first real hospital job, Alan works as an academic advisor in the sociology and psychology department at the University of Arizona, Rudy is an architect working for an engineering company, and Natalia is the mother of an adorable 7 year old daughter.  We are proud of each of them, as well as their partners.  It was a special lunch for us!

Full January

January has been quite full for Papa and me.  I started working with a trainer once a week, to learn and add some exercises to my repertoire.  I have enjoyed getting to know my trainer, Rene, whom has gotten engaged this month while running a marathon in Orlando. Papa has recovered from surgery on his left arm in late December and is now back at the gym 3-4 days a week.  

 

I invited an artist friend/neighbor, Sarah, for coffee and she has in turn invited me twice, spending time in her studio, pouring over her art - that I love! We’ve hosted three dinners for neighbors, always with interesting conversations.  We enjoyed a brunch with our friend Yadi and dinner with Jennie.  Papa and I have each had annual checkups and follow up appointments with our doctors.  I had my haircut at my salon downtown, and was lucky to stop in front of my favorite Tucson mural.

 

I have spent many hours planning a seven week spring trip to Southeast Asia, Australia, and India.  There are a lot of details to work out.  Planning has included reading history of the places, and choosing the best things to see and do when time is limited.  I have also arranged time with friends along the way, in Singapore, two different couples in Sydney, and in Brisbane. 

I continue to hike every day, and continue to be awed by the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains covered with saguaros and other vegetation native to the Sonoran Desert.  

Some favorite pieces of my friend Sarah’s art.

 

New Year’s Weekend with Family

This New Year’s weekend has been very special, because we had all four of our children and 3 of 4 of their significant others, and 7 of our 8 grandchildren with us in Phoenix, in a rented property.  Greta had ice hockey games in North Dakota, so she and Corey were not with us.  We spent lots of time talking inside and outside, going on walks, playing games, getting in the jacuzzi every evening, playing pickle ball, and eating together.  Papa’s sister, Mary joined us for much of the weekend too.  We celebrated Papa’s 80’th birthday (in advance) and our 45th wedding anniversary (on 3 January).  Three granddaughters plus Claire ran a track race.  We love our family!