Working at the Rodeo.................

A few dudes at the rodeo.................

Realizing all the work that it takes to put on this 10 day event, my many years of fun attending the show was truly appreciated yesterday. Last night I came home, kicked off the cowboy boots and landed on the couch watching the golf channel (Accenture Match Play Golf Tournament) on TV that is happening just 1/2 mile up the street from us. (Tiger got bumped out of the tournament yesterday, so some of the buzz will settle down for the rest of the weekend.) My job at the rodeo involves a lot of standing, as I'm the gate keeper for the Rodeo boys, the media, and anyone else that wants access. Of course, if you're a cute little kid with a cowboy hat on, you get in with a smile.................... Today is my second day at the rodeo so I'm certain my MO for tonight will be the same!

A mutton buster getting ready for his ride..........

Dude Ranching............

Tanque Verde Ranch

There is a special place on the east side of Tucson nestled just at the foot of Saguaro National Park East, The Tanque Verde Ranch. An all inclusive dude ranch that lets the locals in on Tuesday and Saturday nights to enjoy their cowboy cookout under the western stars and cottonwood trees. Ribs, chicken and all the trimming. The honey buttered bread is to die for......

Accenture Match Play Tournament...........

Sergio Garcia taking a potassium break.......

The Accenture Match Play Tournament started it's practice day today. It's the best time to see the players in a more relaxed pace as they get familiar with the course. It's also a good time to get some candid pictures and it's much easier to get autographs. (Actually, cameras are not allowed once the tournament begins.) The World's top 64 players will pair off starting Wednesday. It's Tiger Woods' first tournament since his surgery and recovery and all eyes will be watching to see how he performs. Last year Tiger won the tournament so he is back defending his title. Tiger is the top seeded player and Sergio is number two. While there wasn't a Tiger sighting today, I did see about 50 of the other players and got a few autographs.

Me & Pete Hanson........he's from Sweden

Cinco Hombres...................

We're here to tame the wild, wild west...........

Ada & Don have been having a great time with Anita and her parents. After taking them to the Arizona Hat Company and getting them fitted for their Stetsons, they were ready to conquer southern Arizona as true natives. Must see places included the Desert Museum, Tohono Chull Park, Sabino Canyon, barbeque at the Tanque Verde Ranch, dancing at the Cactus Moon Saloon, High Noon shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, the Arizona State Museum Indian Art Festival, Kartchner Caverns, and a sunset horseback ride along Pusch Ridge. All the fun captured in the slideshow to the right. I think we are sending them home exhausted, but a good kind of tired. They can sleep on the plane................

The British are coming....Hurrah Hurrah.........

Anita and her parents have landed at Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix from England and we await their arrival in Tucson. Certainly, a long non-stop flight, they will arrive very tired after the two hour drive to Tucson. Tomorrow will certainly be a rest and relax day and then they will be off to see the sights. Anita, after many visits to Arizona, will be there expert tour guide (we will pick up the slack) and I'm sure they will see as much as Anita can possibly cram into 10 days. From rodeo's to Indian Art Festivals, and Tiger Woods golfing in a tournament in our back yard, they won't know where to start. Tombstone anyone!

Happy Valentines Day

OH MY........... I almost forgot. Us old folks celebrated last night as we wanted to get ahead of the crowds. And it worked. The restaurant was fairly empty and the service was great too. We went to an Italian restaurant, "Bellisimo", and it was......... We even had dessert!
Enjoy your Valentine today.

Ada & Jen walk for a cure……….

Ada and Jennifer Wessell are putting their organizational skills to work by walking and raising funds to champion an annual event that has been held in our community for almost two decades; the North Shore Medical Center’s Cancer Walk, which is being held on June 21st, 2009.
Together, they have created a walking team, and fundraising website, in honor of Jennifer’s sister Mary, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. While as individuals they have always contributed to this event, this year they wanted to do more and something in support of Mary. We hope you will visit their fundraising website and make a contribution to our team: “There’s Something About Mary”. And better still, they invite you to become a team member and walk the walk along side Jen and Ada, and of course, Mary and so many others walking for a cure.

Unfortunately, we have all been touched by this disease; some closer than others, but with events like this raising millions for improved treatment and care, the future for all the Mary’s will certainly be brighter and hopefully cancer free.

To make a donation, please visit our fundraising website: www.firstgiving.com/theressomethingaboutmary

Thank you...........

Salem Trolley Welcomes back Dave and his new partner Jim………

Along with us (Amelia Payson House), the Salem Trolley this year celebrates 25 year of superior service and I’m glad to report that my friend David Butler, and his partner Jim Hurrell, now re-own the Salem Trolley. And……. all the better for us, as we have partnered with them to offer our guests a truly special promotion when booking their April reservation by March 25th; a complimentary Trolley Tour. How great is that!
You might remember Dave and his wife Brenda from the Las Vegas blogs. (I knew Dave could not stay retired for long.)
Dave & Jim have been fixtures in downtown Salem for decades. David also owns the Trolley Depot store, Salemdipity at Pickering Wharf and the Wicked Goods store. Jim is the owner of the Witch Dungeon, Witch History Museum and the Pirate Museum. Certainly they will be a tourism force in Salem and I expect a lot of special things happening for visitor with combination tickets and more………. Don and I wish them great success!

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE……………

Sunrise on the golf course.......

When you live in a golf community and you don’t golf, chances are you are not getting the full value of your homeowners association dues. To make up for that fact, our Board of Directors recently saw the wisdom of allowing residents to walk the golf course once a week, on Thursdays, as long as you get up early and get your walk in by 11am. Of course, you’re sharing the path with a number of speeding golf carts, so you have to be ready to step aside. As you can see, beautiful scenery is everywhere. Rethinking, maybe golf should be in my future……..

Out of the tax closet………..

It’s seems like the numbers have had control of my life for weeks, even though it’s only been a few days. Caught up in the daunting task known as the Tax Return, blurry eyes and junk food aside, hallelujah it’s finally done! Every year I pledge to stay on top of it all, but once June hits, all bets are off. Motto: why do on time, what you can put off till February………Regardless, the finished product still has it’s rewards. A true sense of accomplishment.

Now, it’s time to go have some fun.!!!