Looking Ahead

My friend Trina who has been there through 40 years of friendship called today to ask me how old I am. Why? So that I could say I was 59 years old for the last time. What a friend.... really.

That started me thinking. I am saying goodbye to my 50s but also saying hello to a future that is undefined. What a gift. For so many years life was very predictable; kids, jobs, house, yard. Don't misunderstand, I loved those years and enjoyed the stability and predictability. What is scary and thrilling is that the future is completely undefined.

Being open to different experiences and activities is my new mantra.

• How many states can we travel to?
• How many new friends can we meet?
• What creative outlets can I try that I dismissed in the past?
• What is on my bucket list today?
  

The challenge is to create a new approach and try new things without losing the the closeness of the people I love. I don't know exactly how to do it but I am working it out day by day. So to my friends and family who read this, here is a question. How do you want to share the future with me? What great ideas do you have for someone jumping into a new future? What do you have planned for your future?
I hope you send me your thoughts. One way or the other I will be 60 tomorrow. What the future looks like is a wonderful surprise. My birthday wish is that you will be there to share it with me.

Air Museum, San Xavier & the Potabis

Seeing Tucson with the Potabis

Bill & Jean Potabi from Albuquerque visited us here at Desert Trails on their way home from Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Had a blast! Too much food and drink but it sure was good. Toured the Pima Air & Space Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tubac, Madera Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Titan Missile Museum, and the Sabino Canyon Tram tour. Whew. Jean went to exercise class here at the park with me so we got a little exercise with our binging.



Tomorrow we are headed for Phoenix to catch up with Kathy & Bill Anacker and go dancing at their St Patty's dance. Should be fun.

Le Chat Noir (Mimi)... dreaming of home

Week stuffed with interesting activities

Lots going on at Desert Trails this week! On Monday we previewed a compilation of short movies called the Next US. Two movie producers are wintering here and they have created a series of shorts featuring people that are succeeding in this economy and building their communities. Very well done and an uplifting topic in these difficult economic times. On Tuesday Dave Yetman a local TV personality gave a talk and photo show on the sonoran desert and small Mexican towns. He is very knowledgeable about deserts in general and Tucson in particular. Wednesday we did a 7 miles hike on a fantastic sunny day. On Thursday I attempted some more chalk drawing with OK results. Thursday was also a party for all the folks from Washington staying at Desert Trails. Good food and probably 25 people there. This place is great. Friday we bought each other anniversary gifts, new bicycles! So of course we had to try them out. First near Desert Trails then on the Rillito River bike trail; 7 miles and our tusches knew it. Today it is windy and rainy which is a good excuse to stay in and clean a bit and read a lot. I'm reading Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons and liking it. Our friends Bill & Jean from Albuquerque arrive on Thursday so we will be tour guides of Tucson. Should be fun. More soon.....

Douglas Springs Hike-Saguaro East

After a very cold & rainy Sunday (reminded me of Seattle) we headed out for a hike on Monday. Saguaro Natl Park has two areas and we are staying near the West/Tucson Mts park. For this hike we drove about 20 miles to Saguaro Natl Park East at the base of the Rincon Mts. February was a particularly rainy month thanks to our friend El Nino so there is lots of snow in the surrounding mountains and lots of water in the washes. We passed several small waterfalls along the hike. Super day!

Saguaro NP East-Rincon Mts

Douglas Springs Hike