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Archive for ‘Observations’

I Love My Job!

The programs of the Environmental Education division of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation were the feature story of this week’s Caliente insert of the Arizona Daily Star. The reporter did a great job detailing some of our activities geared to youngsters and families (though we offer a wide variety of programs for all ages).

I’ve joined an exceptional team of talented folks. We get paid to share the wonders of our amazing Sonoran Desert with the public.  It’s what I’ve been doing for most of my life, as many of you who’ve hiked with me can attest.

My belief is that if people understand something they’ll care about it and if they care about it they’ll take steps to protect or preserve it. So I like to try to help people understand…

 

Images from the article.

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I’m on Antiques Roadshow!

Last year on May 30th I volunteered to help the crew film Antiques Roadshow here in Tucson. The first of three episodes finally aired on 03-28-16, the second on 04-04-16, and the final one should air on 04-11-16.

It was a very looong day, exacerbated by a small electrical fire that morning. I was on my feet from 6:30am until 7:30 that night! It was well worth it to meet the appraisers, watch the process, and see all the treasures folks brought in.

Did you know the appraisers are also volunteering? They do it for free, reaping the benefit of their names and company information broadcast on PBS. It is one of the highest rated series on PBS. Only the film/production crew members are paid (it is public television after all and the budget is tight).

As a volunteer I was permitted to bring in two items to get appraised. I now know that there is no danger of anyone selling off our family heirlooms – they aren’t worth a darn thing!

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That’s me with the blonde pony tail, blue shirt, tan shorts – and yes, the camera does add ten pounds (at least). Watch me artfully guide an attendee in the Tucson Hour 1 episode from 28:55 to 28:59. Priceless, I know.

 

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The Almost Obituary of Wylie Ann Kitty

A certain someone is lucky to still be alive today. I came home last night after working 12 hours to find this:

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My Thomas Edison Battery Oil bottle that I found while “Black Friday scavenging” with my Aunt and her friend was shattered on the floor. A 100-year-old antique bottle that had survived being thrown by the railroad tracks and had avoided being crushed by 1,200 pound bovines met its demise in my house, thanks to a rambunctious, young cat.

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I believe she just used up another of her nine lives. Is this a guilty face or what?! Bad kitty, bad!

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3 Birthdays, Turkey, and Belly Dancing

That’s a lot to be thankful for! Our Thanksgiving weekend started with a celebration of Scott, George, and Coralie’s birthdays (all within a week of each other). Desiree and I topped the cake with 205 candles (their cumulative ages). We couldn’t get them all lit before the heat melted the icing and started a small fire. The flaming cake was hysterical! Luckily, we didn’t need the fire extinguisher and some of the cake was still edible.

Thanksgiving Day was blustery and cloudy, very Fall-like which made staying inside and eating lots of delicious food quite desirable. During our after dinner stroll through town we admired some of the fine architecture. The evening was capped off with belly dancing by Deborah.

On Black Friday we “shopped” for treasures along an old, abandoned rail line: netting one dime, an intact Thomas Edison battery oil bottle, flowery painted pieces of Southern Pacific china, 3 devil’s claws, and 2 barrel staves.

Good food, laughter, and random activities = one of our typical family gatherings.

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