Duo Assad

Last evening, we went to Duo Assad’s concert at Holsclaw Hall on the University of Arizona campus.  The auditorium holds just 200 people and it was sold out for the second night in a row.  “Called “the best two-guitar team in existence” by The Washington Post, the Assad brothers have electrified audiences around the world with their unparalleled technical brilliance and emotive performances. Honored with multiple Latin Grammy Awards, the Assads have performed or recorded with Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor, Dave Brubeck, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.”  “Nearly six decades after the Brazilian brothers, Sergio and Odair, started performing publicly and almost 40 years since they started coming to Tucson, the Assads are making their final North America tour.”  During the concert they called Tucson, “Mecca for guitarists,” because of the guitar program at UA.  We enjoyed every moment of their concert!

Weekend in Phoenix

Last week was busy with medical procedures for Papa, a lesion removed from the top of his head by our dermatologist on Wednesday, then bladder surgery at Mayo Hospital on Friday in Phoenix.  We drove to Phoenix on Thursday morning, and met our friend, Noah, Director of Global Studies at ASU.  We were treated to two virtual reality shows before lunch, one about the Hagia Sophia and the other about the Tomb of SETI 1.  Both were excellent, well done and in virtual reality format, we felt as if we were in the midst of each.  

Papa’s surgery at Mayo on Friday morning went well.  We stayed in a hotel next door to the hospital, just in case of any complications.  Fortunately, there were none!  On Saturday morning while Papa rested, I drove across town to watch Claire and Whitney finish the Mesa Marathon, both doing personal best times and under 3 hours 30 minutes.  They were very tired after the race!

I drove back to the hotel to pick up Papa, picked up lunch, and we had a picnic in Claire’s backyard, after she and Whitney lounged in the jacuzzi for a bit.  We talked for a couple of hours, always fun to catch up with each other, books recently read, etc.  We cherish the moments we spend with our family!

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!

Breakfast with Friends

We met several of our Boys and Girls Club friends for breakfast on Saturday morning at First Watch.  Alan will turn 30 in February, and he reminded us that we have been in his life almost half his life!  We met several of our BGCT friends in 2013 when we started volunteering, and they were in high school.  We volunteered for five years, and we’ve stayed in touch with ten of them ever since.  

Tatiana is living in Los Angeles now, and was in Tucson to visit her parents for Christmas.  She texted that she wanted to get together.  Gabi drove down from Phoenix.  Meybelyn, Alan, and Natalia were in town.  Others were working or still visiting relatives elsewhere.  We had a wonderful time, trading stories, showing photos, and catching up.  We love each of them!