Spring is here!

On Valentines Day, our ornamental pear trees were in full bloom.

Last Saturday I took my camera to Sabino Canyon, located about a mile from our house. 

We have had a very wet spring (after many years of drought) and Sabino Creek is overflowing the bridges.

I was hoping to see the cardinal we had seen last week, perched in a tree right next to the road.

Sure enough, there he was again--and I was ready this time!

Then he flew across the road, so I could capture him backlit by the morning sun.

 

 A moment or two later, I spotted the deer.  It was a great day for wild life in the canyon!  

 
And a great season for wildlife in our yard.  Our cactus in the front yard bloomed several days ago.  The blossoms only last a day, and are usually at their peak during the night.  Bruce called on his way to the grocery store in the evening to let me know they were in bloom, so I ran out with the camera to get a picture.  By the next morning, all the blooms were gone.  I think the javelina stopped by during the night for a snack!  Fortunately, they will bloom several more times during the next few months.
 

Unwelcome visitors

Somehow we have gotten back on the javelina circuit. For many years they have avoided us, remembering the unpleasant shock of the encounter with our electric fence. But the fence appears to have grounded out because they now visit two or three evenings a week. They like to dig up the roots of the asparagus fern and wallow in the mud left by the drip system and the rain. One night I watched from the study window as one rolled around in the mud, as if the rain had washed him too clean and he needed a recharge.

We found them at our front door when we returned from our date at Eclectic Cafe. I grabbed the camera and Bruce grabbed a pitcher and filled it with water. He discovered several years ago that water is the only thing that javelina despise. One night we had javelina on our back porch where they had gotten into some bird seed. In an effort to frighten them away, he started the lawn mower...they continued to feed, undeterred. He poked at them with a sharp stick (through the kitchen window)...no reaction. Finally, he got one of the kids' Super Soakers and sent a jet of water their way. That did it!


When we opened the door to throw the water on them, they thought we were inviting them in for treats.


But no, Bruce chucked the water at them and they ran away grunting, leaving a trail of dirt on our front sidewalk. That's our clue in the mornings that they have stopped by again.


They actually can be quite dangerous. Recently we met a young woman who was attacked as she stepped out her front door. So if I happened to meet them on my morning walk, I wait from far away until they cross the road--a rare occurrence, fortunately.

Leather-clad Trio Frequents Local Cafe

Craig had a great approach to planning his date for me: Use the cash to pay for dinner, then guide the conversation over dinner to pick up as many remaining points as possible!

Since my favorite restaurant, Sandolo, where Dad proposed to me, is a two-and-a-half hour drive away (in Scottsdale) and also beyond our budget (likely another reason we have never been back), Craig asked me for another idea. I suggested Eclectic Cafe, which is close by and has become a favorite as of late. Craig picked up a few points when I ordered some of my favorite foods: salmon (though not as tasty as Dad's barbecued version, my real favorite) with pineapple salsa (my favorite fruit).

Craig set the standard for packing the most points into the conversation:
He asked why "When I Fall in Love" is my favorite song. I explained that it was because Dad sang it to me while we were dating, and then he sang it at a ward Valentine's party a year after we were married. We discussed my favorite sport to play, skiing, and how I used to arrange my schedule at BYU so that I could take classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and ski on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I said I was glad I had decided to go on a mission instead of going pro on the ski patrol at Sundance like my friend did. (Okay, so maybe I shouldn't admit all that in print.)

I told Craig about how Grandpa and I got to see an ice dancing event (favorite sport to watch) at the 2002 Winter Games. Craig asked what I liked about Cry the Beloved Country (favorite book) and I explained that I was touched by the hardships and faith of the black pastor who is the main character. Craig also discovered that I like Superman because as a child I used wish that I had been adopted so that there would be a possibility that I was really from another planet and would some day develop super powers.

Every time I answered a question, Craig took great satisfaction in checking the item off his list, racking up yet more points. Finally, towards the end, I was beginning to wonder if he was even listening. "Why is Cranium your favorite game?" "I like it because there are lots of different activities, like word puzzles, and--" But before I could finish, he exclaimed, "Check! Next question...."


Dad and Craig discuss plans for our next date....