Tucson Festival of Books

Papa and I got up early this morning and left the ranch by 7:15.  We drove to Tucson to attend the 6th annual Tucson Festival of Books.  We arrived just before Rebecca Eaton's presentation about her book, written about her experiences at BBC, with Masterpiece Theater over the past 30 years, most recently with Downton Abbey.   She was personable, funny, and had lots of stories to tell.

We walked all over the Festival, held on the University of Arizona campus mall, learning about things we didn't know, enjoyed a Frost gelato, and people watched.  The weather was perfect and over 100,000 people attended.  The children were adorable!  We enjoyed every moment!

Blooming Yucca, Five Days Later

Blooming Yucca

I planted a few things native to the area, in our garden, inside our rock walls, and just outside the back door.  I looked out yesterday morning and noticed that my yucca plant has a bloom.  Yucca is hardy and has very sharp pointed leaves.  This yucca is a transplant.  Its bloom is beautiful!

Clouds in Sepia

Papa and I rode Bob part way across the ranch this morning, under cloudy skies.  There was light rain all about, but only a few drops on us.  It was a gorgeous morning!

Spring Flowers

Southern Arizona is in the waning days of the warmest winter on record.  Its been gorgeous!   The warm weather has brought an earlier than normal "spring," with flowers blooming and bees buzzing.

Flandrau Planetarium

Papa and I visited Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, on the University of Arizona campus, a few days ago.  We spent most of our time in the Sky Islands exhibit and the minerals exhibits.  Princeton recently shipped their collection of Arizona minerals to UofA, dating back over 100 years. 

Rain in the Desert

We had rain on Saturday, the first moisture since December 21, 2013.  We woke up to beautiful clouds over the Catalinas on Sunday morning.  We drove back to the ranch to find 1.6" had fallen on the ranch.  The cows will be very happy.  We're still enjoying clouds over the ranch today.

Guitar Concert

Papa and I came to Tucson early Saturday morning for lunch with the Boys and Girls Club Board.  We stayed overnight in Tucson so we could go to a David Russell concert on Saturday evening.  David Russell is an internationally respected classical guitarist.  He was born in Scotland but has lived in Spain since he was 5.  He won a Grammy in 2004.  He has been coming to Tucson for 33 years to teach in the University of Arizona Classical Guitar Program.  He is Artist in Residence, coming every spring for several weeks.  The concert was superb and David Russell was quite gracious, playing three or four encores, and then coming out into the lobby afterward.  We enjoyed every moment!

Planning a Trip

Papa and I are planning a trip to Europe, April 8-May 1.  I really enjoy doing the research and working on the details of travel.  On this trip, we will fly to Paris, then take the train to Yvetot, in Normandy.  We will spend three days prepping for our family to join us on April 12.  We will stay at Chateau Sommesnil for a week, seeing as much of Normandy as is possible with a party of 18.  We'll take the train back to Paris on April 19.  Grammar will stay with Papa and me for two nights in Paris.  We will be there on Easter Sunday, so we are looking forward to sharing in French Easter traditions.

On April 21, we will fly to Vienna for 1 day of sightseeing.  We intend to take the train through Slovenia, to Croatia, arriving the following afternoon.  We will rent a car in Opatija, staying on the Istrian peninsula for two nights, then driving south to Trogir for two nights and to Dubrovnik for two nights, with plenty of stops along the way.  We will fly to Rotterdam on April 28.  We'll stay in Leiden for two nights and Delft one night, while also visiting Amsterdam and Keukenhof Gardens, the world's largest flower garden.  The tulips should be in bloom.  We'll fly back to the US on May 1.  A lot to do and see!  I'm having fun planning!

Roadrunner on the Roof

While in Tucson yesterday, a roadrunner flew up on the roof of the guesthouse and ran 

back and forth for a bit.  We don't have roadrunners on the roof everyday!  Was fun to watch.