Backyard Beauty: Puffballs

May 25, 2019

These are a couple of the dozen-odd, newly-hatched Gambel’s Quail chicks that are roaming the back yard this morning. According to Wikipedia, Gambel’s quail chicks are precocial: The yearly brood ventures out of the nest within hours of hatching, under close supervision of their parents. The species was first collected, and named for, William Gambel […]

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Winterland in Scottsdale

February 22, 2019

A rare winter storm brought an extended period of rain to the Phoenix area, with snow levels dropping well into the higher elevations of North Scottsdale. A friend sends these images of Pinnacle Peak hiding in the snow clouds.

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USS Hornet

February 14, 2019

At the February 2019 Knights of the Round Engine Table in Scottsdale, the honoree was General Jimmy Doolittle. Fittingly, the late Paul Allen’s marine archeology team located the wreck of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) in the South Pacific last week. This article from Navy Times has some chillingly beautiful photos, […]

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Holidays in Arizona

December 25, 2018

The weather has been pretty mild in Southern Arizona so far this year. But there has been a little upper-level moisture that has contributed to a string of fantastic sunrises and sunsets. This was Christmas Eve sunrise from Apache Junction, in the far East Valley of the Phoenix area. And here’s Christmas Eve sunset, looking […]

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Bob Vairo, Gentleman and Citizen

December 10, 2018

I was very sad to learn from a friend today of the passing of Bob Vairo, longtime North Scottsdale resident, citizen, and advocate for the ideals that built Scottsdale and made it unique among area cities and towns. In addition to, “United States Marine,” and, “Korean War Veteran,” his obituary says: Bob was very active […]

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When the long shadows point due west

September 17, 2018

When the long shadows Point due west, I hear ancient Hohokam Voices whispering, “Summer is almost over.”

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Quote of the Day: On Purpose

August 8, 2018

He’s got to learn to be himself, but on purpose. Fast Eddy Felson (Paul Newman) about flaky pool hustler Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise), in The Color of Money, a 1986 film written by Richard Price, based on the novel by Walter Tevis.

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Quote of the Day: Who You Truly Are

August 7, 2018

The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. Carl Jung (1875 – 1961), Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Jung also developed concepts such as extroversion, introversion, collective unconscious, synchronicity, and individuation (the process of fulfillment of each individual “which negates neither the conscious or unconscious position but does justice […]

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Easter Lily Cactus, Round 3, 2018

August 7, 2018

I think our last bloom for the Easter Lily of 2017 was in October. We’re on the 3rd bloom this year, and I’m wondering if we’ll see more going into the cooler months ahead. At least I HOPE they are cooler SOON. Meanwhile, here’s Round 3 of 2018, for your viewing pleasure:

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Last Goodby to the Little Sea Cow

June 21, 2018

Who couldn’t love a tiny, shy marine mammal nicknamed “the little sea cow,” that wears mascara and lipstick, and has an eternal smile? Us humans, apparently. The five-foot long, 150-pound Vaquita porpoise, with calf The most endangered marine mammal in the world lives only about a four-hour drive south of metro Phoenix, in the Sea […]

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