What is it about fountains that we find so attractive? It probably has something to do with the artistry of the water flow and the rushing sound it makes. In Scottsdale along the paths at the area called the Scottsdale Waterfront is this fountain.
Remember those old slides I found last summer that I scanned? Here are three more. These slides didn't have dates on them which is surprising but I'm guessing these were taken in the late 70's.
The closest post office to me is right across the street from this restaurant that I haven't visited in a very long time. It's a place called Greekfest, a local Greek restaurant.
When I stopped at the post office recently, I noticed the patio and decided to take a closer look. I'm glad I did or I would have missed this pretty blue gate that can be seen at the back of the restaurant.
Another thing I found at the back of the restaurant was this fenced in garden. There were all kinds of herbs and a few fruit trees growing in this little patch. I had no idea that they were growing their own herbs and some fruits. When it's safe to eat out again, I'll make a point of visiting this place again.
I had a different post ready for this morning but I felt compelled to move it to another day because yesterday turned out to be a day that will go down in American history. I spent the day with that tingly, nervous, jittery feeling that I had on 9/11 almost twenty years ago. What I watched on the news coming from Washington DC was something I thought I would never see.
I've known from the beginning that our president was not fit for office and I've been appalled as he unfurled one chaotic situation after another. And I've been dismayed as his loyal followers became more and more irrational. I admit that I've been a bit on edge ever since the November election simply because of all the people who believe a perfectly normal, completely well run election was some how fraudulent. I watched yesterday morning as congress started the process of certifying our election eager to see a bit of history unfold. I did not expect to see a completely different bit of history. A very horrible piece of history and one I will never forget.
As I write this, congress has reconvened and the election will be certified. Good riddance 45!
I have a few more shots from that evening I spent at the Desert Botanical Garden for the Luminarias event. The big hill to the south of the garden was lit up with lights.
The yucca and aloes were lit with colored lights. They kind of look like fireworks in this photo.
It was magical walking along the lighted paths especially when the trees were twinkling with lights too.
To the right is one of several very large candle holders that were set up all around the garden. I'm glad I went.
A few weeks before Christmas, I had a craving for some Mexican food. I had recently learned that one of my favorite places, Los Sombreros had opened another restaurant that I thought might be closer to me than the one in Scottsdale. So I drove over there and ordered one of my favorites - smoked chicken enchiladas - to go, of course. I waited outside and discovered this little patio off to the side of the restaurant. That's where I saw this great mural. It looks like guests might be sitting on a patio in a Mexican village.
The inside was very pleasant also. A sign of the times is that this place was very quiet. There was one table of guests on that patio and one table inside on the opposite of this room. I'm not comfortable eating at a restaurant these days. I'll continue to do take-out or cook at home until I know it's safe.
Taking part in Monday Murals.
I took a walk in the neighborhood directly behind me called the Biltmore Estates. I've pictured some of the huge homes back there before on this blog. This time I have one that has an appealing symmetry to it. It's well balanced in both style and landscaping.
The owners of this house behind these gates have added those giant numbers to the gate recently. This was the first time I noticed that gold "75" on the gate.
I also took a photo of my favorite tree in the area. It is only now starting to turn colors. I'll have to go back soon and see if it's starting to shed those leaves.
This tree in another location was getting a very pretty red glow to it.
As I've said before, our desert climate shortens the tree cycle. As soon as these leaves fall, the new buds will start to show. It's one of the advantages of our climate.
I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today. I'm taking a close look at some interesting sculptures.
I'm not sure what prompted me to remember this house but about a week before Christmas I drove down this street to see if they still had all those giant orbs hanging on trees. I first spotted them back in 2010 and I don't think I've driven by since then.
You see, the street dead ends so it's not one you would even occasionally drive on. When I got to the end of the street and was about to turn around, I found this house hidden behind these two enormous trees.
Those trees are so massive, you can hardly see the house as you approach. It wasn't until I got right in front of those two trees that I could see the house behind. The trees on this short street are quite magical. It gave me the feeling that they might have secrets to share.
City Daily Photo bloggers usually post a favorite photo from the past year of pictures on January 1st of the new year. I scrolled though my posts and picked this photo from back in February. I took this shot of the moon descending behind Camelback Mountain. I zoomed in to the top of the mountain to capture the moon behind those trees. It made the moon look rather other worldly like I might have been walking on another planet. Little did I know back then just how much our world would change in the very near future. Other worldly has become the new normal.
To see other bloggers favorite photos of the year, click here.
It's been a year that will not be missed by anyone. The pain that this last year has cast upon us has touched every corner of our planet, some places more so than others. I realize that we will be carrying the baggage of this world-wide health crisis into 2021 but, at least there is hope on the horizon. I hope the vaccines that have become available will help to reduce fatalities and move us to a place where this disease can be controlled.
For us here in the United States, we are hoping for a smooth transition to a new presidency. But that change too will carry some heavy baggage with it. Half of our country seems to have descended into some sort of madness where reality does not exist. It's one thing to have divergent political views. It's entirely something different to follow a notorious lier over the cliff and into an abyss of conspiracy theories and destruction.
I for one have my fingers crossed the 2021 will be full of hope and health. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Yesterday I mentioned walking at the garden. It turns out, I didn't stay there very long. It was much busier than I expected and I noticed large groups of people walking together and most of them not understanding the concept of sharing the path. Under normal circumstances I would have excused myself to get past but with the dreaded virus running rampant again, I found myself standing around waiting for people to move out of the way. I finally decided to leave. I still wanted to walk some more so I drove to downtown Scottsdale and took a walk along Main Street. There were hardly any people walking the street there. So I started admiring all the pretty things in the shop windows. Like this cute piece of pottery. I love the grasshopper just above the young girl's head.
These glass bowls were something different.
This piece of Native American pottery was extremely appealing. It must have taken a lot of skill to create that pueblo scene.
I found some humorous things to go with the pretty things. This cowboy-Santa group made me smile. I especially like Rudolph standing there between Mr & Mrs Claus.
I took another walk at the Desert Botanical Garden last Sunday and I couldn't resist a close up of the bright red poinsettias scattered all around the garden.
There is a new sculpture in front of one of my favorite galleries in Scottsdale. This time it's Amelia Earhart taking a rest on that park bench. The last person I photographed here was Albert Einstein and before him it was Mark Twain. Sculptor Gary Lee Price does an amazing job bringing these people to life.
I love the quote that is printed on the bench. "Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?"
I wasn't excited about going inside an enclosed mall so I made a strategic plan. I'd make my way to the store, the shortest way possible. That way was a quick walk through Nordstroms. That's where I saw these holiday decorations. I stopped long enough to snap a couple of iPhone photos.
After snapping the photos, I made my way to the store, made my purchase and then exited as quickly as I could.
Life has certainly changed drastically! At least the stores are still open. There are many places around the world where that is not the case.
I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today. I had a great apartment when I worked in Chicago. Take a look.
Early last week, I needed to pick something up at the local Williams-Sonoma store at Biltmore Fashion Park. I parked my car in the parking lot and noticed there were a few more cars than I've seen here lately but, that made sense. We were days away from Christmas.
As I rounded the corner toward the store I heard music playing and then I saw this crowd of people all gathered at the center of the mall.
I spotted that fellow with the blue shirt and his dog who was wearing reindeer antlers and from a safe distance, I asked if I could take a photo of his handsome, four-legged friend. I was hoping to get those great antlers but this fellow was so happy for the attention, he struggled to sit still. Isn't he cute?
Merry Christmas one and all!
I hope everyone is having a great Christmas in spite of all the restrictions. Here's hoping Christmas next year will be one we can celebrate in style!
The Christmas tree at the Desert Botanical Garden this year.
That is my sister Judy standing on the left and my sister Pam in the middle and me on the right.
We always spent Christmas Eve at our grandparents house and that is where this photo was taken. I can even tell you what we had to eat because grandma always made the same thing for Christmas Eve, her version of sloppy joes.
My sister Pam texted me a few days ago asking if I remembered those skirts. So I dug around in the photo box a found this photo.
Yesterday I mentioned this place that goes all out for Christmas decorations. I hadn't been by this house for several years so I wondered if it was still there drawing crowds. Indeed it was.
This place has so many lights that it's hard to know where to point the camera (or in this case, the iPhone). As you can see from these photos, there were a lot of people there to take in the scene.
When I drove home from the botanical garden last Thursday night, I decided to take a little detour and see if I could find some colorful Christmas decorations. This one was looking very cheerful with the candy-cane lights lining the sidewalk.
