Why? You tell me...

My very faithful house-checker sent me this photo of what is going on up north.  As you may have heard, it has been bitter cold since Dec. 20 when we hightailed it out of town in front of a storm

Meanwhile, in the SW the birds that left the north country in September are enjoying their winter here too.  Actually, this guy never comes up north.  He is an Anna's Hummingbird, the only one with a red crown.  Ours is the Ruby Throat and has red, wait for it.... on it's throat.

This was taken in the pond in the cemetery next to where we stay.  It is called Paradise Memorial Gardens.  Nice thought but the Paradise I look forward to, has angels in it, not swans.

Something is always blooming down here, which reminds me of Hawaii without the ocean.

The Saguaro Cactus take years to put on their first arm.  I can't imagine how old these babies are.  

It amazes me how much water is used for things other than drinking and washing in the desert.  I hope someday they don't run out cuz what would the golfers do?

On one of our hikes I spotted this enthusiast.  What a honkin' big lens; 600mm actually, and it weighs a ton.  My little Lumix has the same reach but without the huge lens.  I'll take mine.

Another hike to see these Burrowing Owls in a park next door to a field where they hunt their favorite food, mice.  These guys, like so many of us down here, didn't have to build their place of residence.  These PVC  pipes and other piping material are used by the owls, rent free, and make for an interesting birder stop. 

I usually associate Owls as nocturnal but these guys were awake about noon.  I couldn't get them to open their eyes very far because like us, they squint in the bright Arizona sunshine.

I told this guy to stop squinting or it would make a crease in his forehead.

Another beautiful example of what chance and enough time can create over millennia.  Yeah, right!

Who says Cactus don't have personality?  Unfortunately he doesn't get many hugs.

Just in Time - Christmas 2017 and January

We left GF a day early to escape the coming snow and bitter cold that was predicted.  Fortunately, though the forecast was right and we didn't have to deal with either by leaving early.  The trip was uneventful (other than a request to evacuate our room at 11:00pm in Oklahoma City because of a suspicious package in a nearby MeDonalds.  The bomb squad came and gave the "all clear" at 12:15am.  M slept through it, though I evacuated)  We stopped three nights before arriving in Santa Fe for Christmas.

One stop for lunch was in Amarillo, Texas, at a famous steakhouse that I remember from seminary days.  If you can eat a 72oz steak and the trimmings (potato, salad, shrimp cocktail) in less than an hour it is free.  Otherwise it is $72.  No, I didn't try, but some young woman weighing around 120 lbs. ate three of them in less than that!  Seriously!

When we arrived at SF, we walked Canyon Road in SF where all the artists display their works of art. On Christmas Eve it is packed with carolers and thousands of people viewing the luminaries.  Us old folks "did that, done that," so skipped it this year. 

Then it was off to a farmer's market... yes, in the winter there were all kinds of fruits and veggies, baked goods etc.  Here I am being carried out in M's backpack. 

I couldn't pass this up for Son-in-law as the Bison play again in the national FCS football championship January 6, 2018.

These two decided that the tired bear was more to their liking.  What a beautiful day!

We saw some lights in the square and then it was off to Christmas Eve at  Cuz's church.

Seems a bit strange being a parishioner instead of a Pastor at such events.  I requested from Cuz to get there early enough so we wouldn't have to sit in the back row as we have twice previously.  Guess what row we are in? 

Christmas Day we drove 56 miles north of SF to the Abiquiu Inn located near the Georgia O'keeffe studio for a wonderful buffet. 

After our 1 o'clock seating, it was off to view the landscape.  We only made a couple of U-turns in the middle of nowhere. 

The country has it's own unique beauty; aided by beautiful skies.

It was good seeing Cuz again and she still enjoys photography,  birds, music,  sports, her friends, and good food.

We stopped at Echo Canyon but didn't hear our echo... didn't hear our echo.

After four days it was on to our destination in Scottsdale.  And what beautiful weather they greeted us with.  Up north it is setting records for cold and down here it is the opposite... mid 70's most days and sunshine.

I'm not sure I could handle Arizona in the summer but it is hard to beat in January.

One of our favorite places to walk. 

And another favorite walking place... Fountain Hills, just ten miles up the road.  We're thankful for a safe trip and being able to enjoy God's interesting creation in the South West.  Happy New Year!