"Cold Temperatures and Snow welcome the Tucson New Year"

The 2011 New Year was welcomed in Tucson with snow in the mountains and freezing temperatures on the valley floor.

Few people think of snow and skiing when they think of Tucson. The Santa Catalina Mountains, however, is home to the southernmost ski area in the United States. The ski slopes are located just an hour's drive from the sun-drenched resorts of Tucson, where area visitors can go golfing, swimming and downhill skiing in the same day.

Attached are some of the photos that were taken of the mountains yesterday evening.

"Baby Iris Helps Mom and awaits Baby Sister"

Today, I spent some time with Baby Iris, who was helping her mom with cleaning and vacuuming around the house. While there, Baby Iris noticed the new baby crib that was assembled in the Master bedroom yesterday. Of course, she needed to try it out! After awhile, she returned to her special vacuum cleaner, which simulates a vacuuming noise while playing the alphabet or musical songs.

"Bringing back the Good Times"

One of my favorite magazines is called Reminisce, which is published six times a year. Captions like "Welcome to the Good Old Days!", "Does anyone Remember?" to "Embarrassing Moments" are a few of the features. Captured in my photos, are a few of the more recent Christmas publications.

"Ready for Christmas"

Well today, I barely escaped the throngs of shoppers in the local grocery store, and when I finally finished my purchases, my ear caught the singing and playing of Christmas songs by Salvation Army members. They are such a wonderful organization and do so much for people in the community.

Tomorrow, I am hosting a Christmas brunch. Much of yesterday was spent planning, preparing and organizing the final menu. Besides quiche, fruits, breads, bacon and sausages, a shrimp tray, I created a new dish, which I'm calling "Stebbino ginger and lime marmalade meatballs," which I would like to judge as very tasty, but on that note, my family members will need to decide tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

"Ringside Seat for Lunar Eclipse early Tuesday Morning!

At about 12:31 AM Tuesday morning, December 21st, we will all be treated to spectacular lunar eclipse here in Tucson and across Arizona. While lunar eclipses are not uncommon, it is uncommon to have an eclipse at the same time as the Winter Solstice, actually the first time in 372 years.

So stay up a little later this evening and then look skyward in the early morning hours at about 12:30 AM and you should have a view of one of nature's most beautiful spectacles: a total eclipse of the moon.

The Winter Solstice is Upon Us!

My good friend Jim in his TENNIS TOUSAN blog reminded me the other day that Winter had definitely arrived in Minnesota. Here in Arizona, the changes in season are not as apparent or dramatic; no snow, no ice, or below zero temperatures. While there is frost on some evenings, the only real change is the need for one to prune back summer plants, which I was doing this week on the flower beds that dot the rock retaining rock wall that surrounds. Nevertheless, Winter will arrive officially on Tuesday, December 21st at 4:31 Mountain time here in Arizona.

"Grandpa and Baby Iris hold down the kitchen while Mom and Dad attend Christmas Party"

Had great fun with Baby Iris this evening as my daughter and husband attended their former neighborhood Christmas party. Time was spent decorating the tree, eating clementines, singing songs and reading nursery stories in front of a beautiful fire in the fireplace. It wasn't long before Baby Iris was sleepy and had visions of sugar plums dancing in her head. I guess Baby Iris is one person who enjoys Grandpa's singing and I know she is looking forward to having a new baby sister in late January.

"Early morning surprise."

When I woke up this morning, I heard some noises outside the bedroom window. When I went to investigate, I saw about 7 or 8 Javelinas eating the pods from underneath one of my mesquite trees. The Javelinas are actually collared peccaries. While pig like, they are not, nor are they ferral hog or wild boar.

While true pigs originated in the Eastern Hemisphere, the collared peccary is native to the Western Hemisphere and ranges from Argentina to the southern and western parts of the United States. The peccary, is by genus an even toed Ungulate and if we go way back is a distant relative of the hippo.

Peccaries in many ways are like having wild pigs in the desert, but unlike pigs they are quite gregarious and travel in herds of 10-20 and are very interesting. Their main source of food is the prickly pear cactus and the roots of other plants, plus grubs. As a group they mark their territory by way of their sweat glands.

"Winter Travel Adventure!"

Perhaps my blog absence has been noticed, perhaps not, but for the past two weeks, I have felt like "hammered dog meat", almost literally. It all started when I boarded an early morning flight from Tucson to the Twin Cities of Minnesota on Thursday, December 2nd. From almost the moment I arrived, I had the worst cold, fever and sore throat that I could ever remember. Doing anything was out of the question, and hot chicken soup, plenty of fluids and tea were the order of the day. By the following Wednesday, after a visit to Urgent Care, I was back in the air, ending a trip that was really cut short by illness. Little did I know, however, that I left "Dodge", just in time, because what followed was one heck of a blizzard and snowstorm in the Twin Cities. In fact, the snowfall was the 5th largest on record. Since returning, my life is quietly returning to normal. My congestion and cough are gone, and I am blissfully enjoying temperatures almost 80 degrees warmer. In fact, Tucson had a record temperature of 84 degrees today. It was with this nice weather, that I did take some time to hike and climb in Saquaro National Park which is near my home.

"A Beautiful Friday in the Palm Desert."

The weather here in Palm Springs today was just perfect, sunny skies, no wind and temperature in low 70's. Started the day with a nice walk and then exercise on the treadmill at the fitness center. What followed was tennis with my son Chad and his fiance, Gina. The photos represent a view outside our Condo at Shadow Ridge and some lovely pictures of pink flamingos.

"Thanksgiving Proposal"

Thanksgiving was made particularly memorable this year with the announcement of Chad and Gina's engagement. The magic moment occurred on their drive from Denver to Palm Springs during a trek in Zion National Park. The happy couple is now looking at dates and locations for their wedding.

"Bocce Ball, Croquet Tennis and Much Fun!"

Today was a day of busy activities around the resort. The Grand kids were introduced to Bocce Ball, spirited tennis was played by Piano Man and Desert Princess, and croquet t urned out to be great fun. All the while, Baby Iris looked on with great interest. As a tennis player, I was also impressed with the well manicured grass courts.

"Sharks and Minnows and Baby Iris takes to Water"

Yesterday afternoon was spent in the pool and what a good time we had. Piano Man and Desert Princess talked Grandpa into a water game called "Sharks and Minnows". I was designated the Shark, and the object was for the shark to catch the minnows. Now, the pool was the largest I had ever seen, for me it seemed to be an ocean, because I was one exhausted shark by the end of the afternoon. In the meantime, Little Baby Iris, only 18 months was absolutely enjoying the water as one can see. And wow did Piano Man like the those giant water canons.....shot me down at least twice!!!! For tomorrow.....we will be on to Bocce Ball, Croquet, Tennis, Frisbee, and perhaps Horseshoes. Sounds like the old Shark can have a rest!!

"Thanksgiving Week in Palm Desert"

This week, our entire family is spending a vacation week in Palm Desert, which is in the Palm Springs area, approximately 400 miles west and partly north of Tucson. Daytime temperatures for this week will beher in the upper 60's with beautiful clear blue skies. Photos are taken from one of the villas where we are currently staying

"El Tour de Tucson this Saturday!"

The El Tour de Tucson is held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving and is one of the largest cycling events in the country. The El Tour is a fun ride attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and beyond, consisting of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders.

Cyclists enjoy El Tour and its festivities simply due to their passion for cycling, while others choose the event as part of a healthy lifestyle change or even as part of their wellness program as a survivor from cancer or other life-threatening illness. Many are attracted to El Tour’s fundraising programs for its many charitable agencies, for which the event raised over $1.8 million dollars in 2009. What all riders of El Tour share is a desire to get on their bikes, meet great people and have a fun time doing it!

Participants may cycle 109, 79, 66 or 40 miles, plus the 6, 3 & 1/4- mile Diamond Children’s Fun Ride, open to all abilities. Main routes expose participants to scenic areas of Tucson, with beautiful vistas of its local mountain ranges - three rising over 9,000 feet- complete with the backdrop of the mighty saguaro cactus, icon of the Southwest’s Sonoran Desert. The Fun Ride offers an exciting 6-mile route, highlighting the many special cultural aspects of downtown Tucson. Course profiles can be rolling to moderately hilly, though the 40-mile route is basically flat and great as a family affair or for beginners! Two often dry but sandy river crossings will greet 109-mile riders, while 79 and 66-mile cyclists experience just one. No crossings for 40-mile participants. All routes offer aid stations, spaced each 7-10 miles, full police support at intersections and plenty of morale-boosting volunteers and spectators