Colors of the Sky at Sunset

Last evening's sunset was very colorful. 

Roadrunner

Over the past few days, we've had a curious roadrunner come onto our porch and walk around the house... over and over!  He's hard to photograph because he runs away when he senses movement. 

Handprints

One afternoon while our family was gathered at the ranch in June, each of the grandchildren painted t-shirts and they dipped their hands in paint to make hand prints on canvas.  I spent a few hours yesterday sewing pillowcases from their hand print canvases.  Love this pillow of hand prints!

Mowing

It is rare that mowing needs to be done on the ranch.  Today is one of those days, after all the rain of this summer season.  Papa is mowing around the house with a weedeater.  Its nice to see the stonework at the base of the house plus a bit of walking space. 

Grazing

After being away from the ranch for a week, with Audrey's family at Lake Geneva, the horses were happy to see us.  They ran into the house yard to graze.  We're happy for them to "mow" the grass!

The Boulders

Papa and I flew to Wisconsin from the Phoenix/Mesa airport, so we had a good excuse to 

stay over at The Boulders Resort.  We enjoy The Boulders in summer for a short getaway.  

We got up this morning and went to the spa.  While we were there a storm blew up, 

which was beautiful and brought much needed moisture to Phoenix.

Weekend at Lake Geneva, WI

A few months ago, Audrey invited Papa and me to join their family for a weekend at Lake Geneva.  They won the weekend at a silent auction for Lauren's preschool.  We flew up on Friday morning, and met them early afternoon.  We explored Lake Geneva, getting ice cream and going on a 

boat ride.  We went to a petting zoo and we had fun on a nearby playground.  Mostly we enjoyed 

the time with Audrey, Dan, Lauren, and Taylor, who said "Wuwu and Papa," over and over!

 

 

 

Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains

Papa and I drove into Tucson this afternoon.  As we approached the city, we saw smoke in the mountains.  It was a small amount of smoke, up one canyon.  Within four to five hours, the fire had spread over a much larger area and is now (as I write this) burning up to the top of what is visible from the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the northern boundary of the city of Tucson. 

This photo taken over the top of our nearest neighbor to the north.

Summer Green

In every direction we look on the ranch, we are blessed to see green grass.  We love summers on the ranch, and this one is special. 

Our Toad Friend

Every summer, like clockwork, after we have had several rains, our toad friend appears on our porch.  Of course, we don't know if it is the same toad, but there can't be that many, at 5420', a half mile uphill from a seasonal creek, and in the desert!  He's back!  He knocks on the window as he catches bugs.  He feels like an old friend!