Halloween

White Elephant Parade in GV, Az

Red

Did you know that RED is the favorite color for those that restore old vehicles.

Pena Blanca Lake

Several years ago, Pena Blanca Lake had to be drained because of huge toxic levels of mercury. Prior to that it was a great place for fishing, family picnics and birding. Then in following years it was left an ugly mess. Twenty years ago it even had a log cabin store and German Restaurant.

Now the hills surrounding the lake are yellow with these very small daisy like flowers.

Roadways and picnic area are fairly cleaned

up but they need more trash receptacles.

Fisherman cast from the fishing dock,

and birds have returned.

There is an organization called "Friends of Pena Blanca Lake" that is overseeing the restoration. A boat ramp is being put in at the north west end of the lake. Lets hope that it will be small electric motors for fishing only. At the parking/picnic are on the south east is a large poster of the plans for the future.

40th Wedding anniversary

Forty years ago in Reno Nevada. The same evening Brenda Lee sat on Ralph's lap. Had a photo but lost it over the years.

Lost a lot of other things over the years.

Hair, money, 3 dogs, waist lines, etc. etc. etc.

Lovely night last night. Full moon. Red sky.

Good omens.

Moses spent 40 years in the desert.

We have been 22 years in the desert.

Polar Bears in the wild

These photos were taken by my sister from the ship The National Geographic Explorer sailing in the Archipelago Svalbard north of Norway.

Bear sniffing the side of the ship.

Sow with two cubs

Posing for photos

Bear and his reflection

gone missing -not

Some readers have thought that Az Buddy has 'gone missing'. Not so. Just busy teaching Olli classes, taking Olli classes and tearing my hair out over this ridiculous campaign season.

I did see three movies in four days. Not a record for me but nearly one. Secretariat was reviewed earlier. It was a very satisfying move with great direction.

Red was good to get your mind off of politics. A movie with a great older cast playing "Retired Extremely Dangerous" CIA operatives. A movie so baaaad that it was good.

Social Network was excellent. A story about the start up of the social network FACEBOOK. The irony is that Mark Ekerberg was the most a-social young man at Harvard. He says the film is false but the makers of the film did excellent research in interviewing many people and examining many documents regarding the law suits surrounding the questionable start of FACEBOOK. He was truly, as stated in the movie, a real ass hole. Brilliant however. He said he didn't do it for the money. The film implies that he did it for revenge.

Secretariat - Movie review

The reviews for this movie have been all over the map. From C- or 1* to B+ or 4****. I am with the latter. I loved this movie; it's story, its energy and acting and musical score. A great cast featuring the owner (Diane Lane), the trainer John Malkovitch, the jockey and the groomer. And of course the horse Big Red who had to be renamed "Secretariat" to meet the rules of competition. And competition is a key here. We all know that the horse won the triple crown but the story still has suspense. The kudos go to the Director Randall Wallace (Blind Side). Through great cinematography, close ups and music he manages to provide suspense even in the face of predictable outcomes. The story illustrates the macho world of the early 70's and more particularly the horse racing environment. Penny manages to overcome the house wife role and take her horse to victory and raise two teen age daughter's to find their own pride and purpose.

Blessing of the Animals

Since St Francis of Assisi is the patron Saint of Animals it is appropriate that St Francis in the Valley offer a Blessing of the Animals. Lots of dogs, a surprising number of cats and a cage of black chickens and a black and white snake named Oreo.

More on Trees

The Palo Verde with its colorful yellow bloom in spring is common desert tree, both in the wild and in Green Valley landscapes.

The Silk Oak is less common. With colorful and unusual orange blossoms it is a favorite of the Western Tanager in the the spring time. There is one in Desert hills IV up on the hill from Canoa Hills 15 th golf hole. Another one is on the east side of Camino Del Sol by the Acres.

Pine trees are also a frequent part of Desert Landscaping.

A neighbor has this magnificent Fig Tree.

And not native to the desert, Green Valley has many stately palm trees.

Trees in the Desert

I have lived in the desert for 22 years and have never lived where there is such discontent and polarization about the tree. To have or not to have them. How to trim them. HOA's take over control of your tree. Driving or walking through various neighborhoods will tell you exactly what these rules are. Most of the old areas along Abrego will tell you that trees were never an issue in the past. Walk thought the Legends and many newer areas and you will see the contrast.

Here we have the undecided trimmer who can't seem to decide how to trim the tree.

Personally I like my trees "au natural". They provide shade,

take up CO2 and give off O2 and even this magnificant tree does its part in keeping the global warming down.