"Endless Season" continues!

Today was spent playing some great tennis with my good friend and old tennis partner, Jim Miller. Over 48 years have passed since we first looked over the net at one another. During that time we have had many competitive matches which have been accompanied with some great memories and some good stories. Several years ago we commemorated our tennis by creating a traveling trophy called the "Endless Season". This trophy is given out whenever one of us is victorious. Well today, Jim whomped me in two sets. Afterwards, we shook hands and then I proceeded to break both of his racquets. Just kidding....our endless season continues!

Following tennis, I went for a run around the Lake of the Isles which is near my sister's home on Lake Harriet. The Lake of the Isles route is 13.1 miles, but my run was only four. The total trail system around Minneapolis extends over 50 miles and winds along many lakes and many elegant homes.

Minnesota arrival completed!

After driving nearly 2000 miles and traveling along many famous historical trails like the Sante Fe, the Oregon and the El Camino Real, I finally arrived safetly in Minnesota on Monday evening. Overall, the trip went without a hitch and the car performed admirably. Little did I realize the battery problems that lay ahead today on Tuesday and the need to call AAA for assistance. In the photos, my good friend Jim is showing the Minnesota registration of my Honda next to the Arizona plates. That's me with the jumper cables, and the Italian Pie is where we had a wonderful luncheon, not as planned, but delayed by three hours. Good anyway! Well tomorrow is a new day.....and we have some great tennis planned...plus back-up transportation if needed!

Denver Visit!

Visited my son today in Denver. We played tennis twice, and despite some wind, had a great time, while Josie looked on. Chad and Gina live in a very nice area of South Denver on Washington Street near Washington Park and Pearl Street. Today, Pearl street is a lively mix of businesses and exciting eateries. A leisurely stroll down Old Pearl street certainly harkens to a simpler time. Besides that, I also got a look at my son's new Scooter...Yellow, no less!

On the road again..........!

Adventure is headed my way tomorrow, as I head out to Minnesota from Tucson for a visit with family and friends. Along the way, a stop will be made to see my son in Denver after I pass through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. In some ways, I couldn't help but thinking about the lyrics to Willie Nelson's song, 'On the Road Again'

On the road again -
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
The life I love is making music with my friends

And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again

Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again

The Springtime flowering of Cactus!

Right now, there are a number of cactus in my front and back yard that are flowering. There blooms are magnificent. Please enjoy my pictures and the special video and song that I found on U-Tube.

Cactus, the common name for a family of desert plants. The plural is cacti or cactuses. Most species bear sharp, needle like spines, which protect the plants from foraging desert animals. Cacti are famed for their ability to resist drought, which they owe to the fact that moisture from inside the plant evaporates very slowly through the plant's skin.

Cacti grow in hundreds of different shapes. The fibrous, juicy stems may be globular, cylindrical, branched, trailing and vine like, ribbed, grooved, or knob-bearing. Only two species have true leaves, but many have flowers, which then turn into fruit during the summer, which can then be harvested for the making of jams, jelly's and syrup. Anybody for a prickly pear Margarita?

Baby Iris and Desert Princess Celebrate Birthdays!

On Sunday afternoon, our family celebrated the birthdays of our two grand-daughters, Little Baby Iris who turned one on April 28th and Desert Princess who will be nine on May 5th, which is also Cinqo de Mayo. In way of presents, Desert Princess, received her first sewing machine, and Baby Iris, was welcomed to Wall Street, and opened her first investment account. For dishes, Grandma prepared one of our favorite deserts which is Pavlova, which was named after a famous ballerina. In turn, I prepared a medley of dishes, including Tabuli, Italian Caprese, Tomato Tuna Boats, and a special salsa in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Photos of each dish are included with this blog.

Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex-Go Minnesota!

The cheers were for Minnesota this weekend, as I cheered on my "now older" tennis buddies from Minnesota. They were down from the Twin Cities and were representing the Northern Region in the 60 men's senior division. In the photos, you'll see Denny and Bill and then two of their opponents from the Texas region. All the matches were close and either were won or lost by a 2-1 match score. Even though there can only be one winner amongst 16 regions, it is indeed a fantastic honor to represent your part of the country and be able to show that great Minnesota spirt and have great fun!