A New Year

Happy New Year to all of our family and friends! Our holidays were spent with friends and loved ones, one of our favorite pastimes. 

Recently we were privileged to witness the 25th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows of our friends Ray and Marla. Sam and Ray have been friends since they worked together in two different companies, where their wicked sense of humor ensured they had way too much fun. Ray is also a gifted musician and we've admired his talent in numerous venues. 

Ray asked Sam to "vandalize" their car, as a surprise for Marla. Who knew graffiti could be so much fun?

We spent a Saturday at our neighboring Mescal Movie Set with Dean and Peggy, which is always fun. They also invited us for Mexican Christmas lunch, with Dennis and Lucy and several others.

The afternoon wrapped up with a pinata to whack on. Sam did it justice, but the winning blow was by Kris, the smallest female in the group!

Over Christmas break, Sam helped our friends Kathie and Bill spruce up and make repairs to their little park model in Tucson. We also dragged them along to the Christmas lunch. 

A sad and also joyous occasion was the memorial service for Jackie Wilson, a wonderful, godly woman I've known since 1981 and the mother of our good friend Linda. I reconnected with longtime friends Karen and Sandy, two sisters who were summer camp and teen retreat friends from a long, long time ago!

Many of Sam's students had special Christmas concerts, and we had fun attending several. 

He also discovered one day that evidently a bus driver's pot of gold is right there on the bus!

Sam had fun surprising the kids with his innovative head gear.

And one night at a high school football game, he witnessed firsthand the launch of a Space X rocket from California, visible from over 400 miles away.

Of course, many of our most special times are with our "kids", Frankie and Dingus.

Frankie often takes a nap with Pop during his break from work. 

Dingus was bored at home one day, so he rode in the car with Pop on an errand in the neighborhood.

Some of the other creatures spotted were this beautiful black racer, a big one, and a roadrunner couple who have been coming around regularly. 

We also occasionally see a blimp passing over the ranch, which is always exciting. I think aircraft tend to fly along the freeway, but stay a couple miles away so they can see it and still skirt around the mountains. 

One morning I woke up to a foggy day, a welcome but unusual sight around here. It intensified the quiet and lasted several hours. 

A week later, we woke up to two inches of snow!

The cats enjoyed it, but didn't stay outside very long. 

Within a few hours, most had melted, but we had snow on shady ground for a couple days. 

It sure is magical. 

For the past eight months I have really enjoyed volunteering every week at Endeavor Gallery in Benson. This is our gift shop area.

My friend Pam and I had fun at an arts and crafts show in November, and I sold one painting. 

I have also sold two at the gallery, including this third painting in a series featuring Mescal Movie Set. I called this one, After the Monsoons. I always ask for God's help when I'm painting, and he has blessed me with encouragement! I'm very thankful. 

Here's to noticing more of the beauty in our lives this year and being thankful for it all!