Tuesday, March 31, 2015

3-31-15


Me: Photo from Sunday's ride. I rode around the mountain (ATM) with Team Vitesse & then to the towers. We had a large group ATM & a smaller group that climbed to the towers. It was a good ride; but the hardest & longest I've gone in awhile (60 miles).
It was so hard & long that I bonked at mile 59…just ONE mile from our house. BONKING is what happens when you lose all power & zest, usually from lack of food or being too hot or going to hard for too long (I was all of it & feeling light headed). At mile 59 I just needed to sit in the shade…so I did. I took 15 minutes; drank water, called Bob who was in PA, took this selfie & then slowly rode home. To recover I ate a huge breakfast burrito, drank a TON of water & spent much of the afternoon on the couch. Time to increase my biking miles, get into better shape & take enough food on my next long outing!!! 

3-30-15



Me: Ater seeing the wonderful photos from Mike & Abbie's trip to Ireland, Paris, & Italy…I coincidentally came across two pics from when Bob & I went to Italy in 2004 (found the photos in a kitchen drawer). Here we are in Venice!
This green door is in the Cinque Terre (the 5 villages we hiked along the Mediterranean). It was such a great time…just hard to believe it was 11 years ago. Ouch! 
And here's a photo Bob sent from Pennsylvania. Hanging out with family; Bob, Pat, Jason, Noah, Luci-Jo, Anna & Marlayna. He's having a GREAT time. Next time I'm going too!

Sunday, March 29, 2015

3-29-15



Me: So Abbie & Mike just got back from a really cool 3 week European vacation. One stop was to see this crazy leaning tower. ;-) Here are a few more pics...
Their first stop was Ireland…they visited Mike's sister, her husband & 2 kids. Mike's brother-in-law works for Intel & has a work exchange in Ireland for 15 months (they return to the states in June).
They toured much of the Irish countryside. This old stone building has a "deal making" post out front. See the hole at the top of the post? When two people each put their thumb through the hole and touch thumbs…they've made a deal!
After Ireland came Paris & the Eiffel Tower.
And the Louvre (they saw the Mona Lisa & other famous & amazing art).
Then off to Switzerland & the Matterhorn (doesn't this pic look old-timey - I like!).
Snow and glaciers and...
yummy fondue while viewing the Matterhorn. (now that's lovely!)
Next stop Venice. They said Venice was their favorite place.
Bob & I were in Venice several years ago and I have a Murano Glass necklace that we bought on Rialto Bridge (shown in above pic).
After Venice was a 2 day stop at the Cinque Terre. This was a favorite trip of ours…Bob & I hiked the 5 villages of Cinque Terre. Colorful homes all along the cliffs of the Mediterranean.
Vernanzza - Bob & I rented a boat right here (I feel like we're reliving our trip) :-)
Abbie & Mike spent 2 days in Vernazza & Corniglia (one of the other seaside villages).

After Cinque Terre, Mike and Abbie visited Rome plus London before heading back to the United States. They packed in a ton and checked off some top tourist attractions. It was fun to hear about their time and see so many wonderful photos!
Like this one…isn't this a beautiful cathedral. 

Hope you all had a great weekend. Good night!

Saturday, March 28, 2015

3-28-15


Me: So they are displaying one of my photos in a Scottsdale gallery!

(early April fools joke). ;-)
My good friend, Weldon (who has skills in computer photo magic) sent me some fun shots today…
Apparently my book has just been released at Barnes & Noble!
A local artist painting my portrait!
AND, I'm featured on the back of the BIG RED BUSES in London. Just getting ready to drive over the Tower Bridge!

Speaking of London…our niece & nephew, Abbie & Mike just returned from a 3 week European vacation. Last night Bob, my mom, & I (plus others) got to see all their photos & hear about their wonderful adventure. I'm going to post some of their pics tomorrow.

And speaking of traveling: Bob flew to Pittsburgh today to meet his parents. They're visiting our PA relatives for the next 3 days. Bummed I couldn't join them :-( but I look forward to hearing about their time with family.

Speaking of family: My brother, Rod & sister-in-law, Kathy arrive tonight for a little vacation from Iowa. 10:30pm arrival.
So, it's busy everywhere! Safe travels to all.

Thanks again, Weldon for these & your other fun photos. The pics make me smile!

3-27-15


Me: Playing around with the next window design. This window is quite a bit larger & requires more dishes. Mom & I picked up some dishes at Goodwill & garage sales today.
Here's another option…simpler…but maybe too simple. Before I glue any dishes down I'll paint the frame white. These are fun projects to work on.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

3-26-15



Me: This past week the cucumber cacti have been blooming.
Fuscha flowers popping up all over the desert; low in the valley & high on the mountains.
Can't believe the number of blooms on this cacti!
About 30!
I love the beauty amongst the thorns!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

3-25-15





Me: Riding San Juan Road with Wendy & Kris when we got a "not so nice" surprise. I guess he's just a harmless Bull Snake but I still don't like snakes!
We followed up the snake sighting with a climb to S. Mtn towers. Beautiful morning outing at a civilized start time (8am instead of our usual 5:30am start).

3-24-15


Me: More photos from yesterday's Butterfly Wonderland...
So many different kinds.
So many unique colors!
So many fun patterns!
Halloween butterfly?
Pumpkin butterly?
The well known Monarch!
 Nice to share it with Mom, Joan, Carol, Janna & the kiddos.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

3-23-15


 Me: Four of my favorite butterflies from Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale…
Beautiful Blue
 Zappy Zebra
 Gorgeous Green
Boldly Brown

Mom, Joan, Carol, Janna, Kavan, Riley and I enjoyed the MANY colorful butterflies. Especially when they landed on our shoulders, legs and toes. :-)