Are Those Snow Clouds I See?

 

 

It felt cold enough to snow this weekend, which is to say it dipped below 40F here.  It did snow in the mountains, but not where I live.    Still, it was very chilly, especially for this time of year.    

 

       I love clouds.   The blue hole peeking through all the dark grey reminded me of our flying days.    If you could find a large hole (much larger than this one), it was fun to fly up through it and get on top of the cloud base.   Of course you had to be careful that there were lots of big holes so that they didn't close over and strand you on top! 

       On Saturday we went to Cave Creek to shop and explore.   It's a little higher elevation than here, and it was very chilly.   When it came time to eat lunch, I wanted to go to El Canto.    

 

      El Canto is my favorite Cave Creek Restaurant.   From the outside it's very plain, but inside it's wonderful.   You walk into a large garden that is hidden from the street by high walls.    In the center is a huge pond with ducks, geese, and turtles.   Tables line one side of the pond so you can eat outside while you watch all the wildlife.   Inside the building there are huge windows on one wall where a few lucky people can see the pond.

 

      Even though it was chilly, I wanted to eat outside next to the water.  I was certain it would warm up as the sun moved higher in the sky.   Plus there was a roof heater suspended near our table.    

 

       The ducks and geese put on a great show.   Even more fun were the little sparrows that came to our table looking for a handout.   They weren't disappointed.   We had a huge basket of tortilla chips that we were willing to secretly share with them.   One of the cutest of the little birds ate out of my hand!    

 

       Unfortunately the temperature kept dropping instead of climbing.  Not only did the sun not beam down on us, a cold breeze began to sweep through the courtyard.  The longer we sat, the colder we got.   We never complained, but apparently some other people did.   The staff began rolling out large space heaters and setting them around the porch.   One lucky table got a design that was new to me.   It actually had flames coming out of it like a mini-fire pit in a cylinder.   Very interesting as well as practical.       

 

       Of course I didn't have my camera so I didn't get any pictures of the ducks and birds or of the unusual space heater.   But if you check out the link to El Canto you can see pictures of the pond and a few of its inhabitants.  I can't wait to go back.   But I plan to bring a heavier jacket next time! 

 

       

 

        

 

 

 

 

 



Wulfenite, A Souvenir of the Red Cloud Mine Case

 

 

 

 

 

        One of the cases that I left to my co-workers to finish when I retired from life as a public defender involved the Red Cloud Mine, located in La Paz County, Arizona.   I had intended to visit the mine since it was the scene of the crime, but it's in a very remote location.   Not only would it have taken all day to get there and back, I probably would have needed a 4-wheel drive vehicle.   I ran out of time before I retired and never made the trip.   Since I had never heard of the mine or the Wulfenite that is found there before the case,  I figured I would never hear about it again.

 

        But yesterday, while we were at the Phoenix Gem and Mineral Show, I spotted two rocks from the Red Cloud Mine.   I bought one of them, which is in the picture along with the label that came with it.   Prior to this case I had never heard of Wulfenite.   But I liked the name, although it should have been spelled wOlfenite since I really like wolves.   However, it was named for the Austrian mineralogist, Franz Xavier von Wulfen, who discovered it in 1845.

 

     According to an article by The Georgia Mineral Society, the Red Cloud mine produced silver and lead ore from the 1870s to 1890s.  Wulfenite crystals were a byproduct of the silver mining operation. The mine, which had been opened and closed many times since then as a specimen mine, closed during 2003.   It was bought a few years ago by a dentist from Kansas and is currently not open.

     Jan C. Rasmussen of the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum wrote and made available a PDF article titled "Wulfenite in Arizona".   It has beautiful pictures, diagrams, and a bibliography for anyone who wants more information.    

       Many of the large, high quality specimens of Wulfenite are selling for high prices.    My little rock was well under ten dollars.  For me, that was a great price for a souvenir of Arizona mining and one of my last criminal law cases.    

     

   

 

 

 

 

 

RETIREMENT - DAY 1

 

 

 

       Today was the first day of my retirement.  It was both happy and sad.   Happy because I've been looking forward to this for quite a while, but sad because I will miss my friends in La Paz.   However, we are already making plans to see Willie Nelson when he comes to Parker next March, plus another Girls' Night Out in Lake Havasu City is in the works. 

 

       I started the day with an early morning walk.     A Harris Hawk was on the ground in one yard.  It was enjoying something freshly caught.   Unfortunately I didn't have my camera.  (Isn't that always the way of it?)   This was the first time I've seen one with a kill, too.       

 

      When I returned home, I realized that on a "normal" Thursday I would still be driving to work.   I'm really glad to be finished with that commute. 

 

     I quickly wrote up a to-do list and started in on it.   However, it is now after 5 o'clock, and  I have yet to finish it.   In fact, I'm only about half way through it.  So much for becoming super-efficient now that I'm home.

 

      So how did I spend my first day?  

 

      I did some paperwork.  Seems there's always paperwork to do.   

 

      I received some positive feedback about an article I submitted to a publisher not long ago.   A very good thing to have happen on my first day home.    Made plans for follow-up work on that.

 

       Around noon Kent and I went to Vogue Bistro for lunch to celebrate.   We've been wanting to go there for quite a while but had never made it.   They were recently featured on "Check Please", an Arizona public television show that features local restaurants.    We had their French Onion Soup, which was delicious.  They top theirs with a flaky pastry and fill it with lots of cheese and onions.    I would definitely order it again.    I also had their specialty salad, which was also excellent.    Sipped a nice Merlot with it, too.    (Something I couldn't do during working days.)  

 

         Took a little afternoon nap.  (Something I couldn't admit to doing during working days.)

 

          Visited with our neighbors who just arrived from Wisconsin.   They're snow birds who are here for the winter.

 

          Thought about going back to the paperwork stack but then I realized I need to pack up my beading supplies.   Tomorrow is Beading day at SCG.     I have to get organized for that.

 

           Now it's nearly 6 o'clock.   I should stay and work on that list some more, but the back porch is calling me.  

 

           Besides, I'm retired now.   There's always tomorrow.....

 

         

 

 

     

Happy Halloween y Dia de Los Muertos

 

    

 

Bead Show Today!

 

 
      We went to Scottsdale today to the Rings &Things Bead Show that was held at the
Chaparral Suites Resort.   Kent was a good sport about driving and looking at all of the stones with me.   I came away with a HUGE assortment of different types of jasper.   Oval ones, round ones, square ones.   Some puffed; some matte.

 

      The Mohave and Kiva rooms were filled with tables of stones, gems, beads, and other goodies.  So many different types of jasper!!!  I would have bought even more but I kept reminding myself that I have one paycheck left until retirement.  Plus I hope to go to the Tucson Gem Show in February.    

 

     The resort looked like a nice place for tourists to stay.  The location was easy to find and very close to the restaurants and shopping in Scottsdale.

 

     We had lunch at the Barrio Queen, a Mexican restaurant in old Scottsdale.   The food was good, but very small portions.   Like teeny tiny for the appetizers.   I ordered Queen's Shrimp Quesadilla, anticipating a new variation of my favorite food, quesadillas.  The price was about $9.00, so I expected a lunch size one.    But the appetizer was two small tortillas with one shrimp on each, lots of cheese, including goat cheese, and an "acitrus margarita sauce". It was delicious, but I was expecting a little (okay, a lot) more to eat.   

 

     Kent ordered a spinach enchilada entree that was much more lunch-sized.   He said it was very good.   My margarita was excellent.  If you try this restaurant, skip the appetizers and tacos.   They were also munchkin size.  The table nearby ordered some of them.

 

I'm sure we won't go back here since there are so many more places to try and much better Mexican restaurants in town.   If you're in the mood for Mexican food, come to the to Rio Mirage restaurant in Surprise.  It's the best!

 

 

PLAY TIME

    Last night we went to see "Blythe Spirit", the Noel Coward play set in England around 1900.   The Sun City Grand Drama Club put on a great production.   The acting was excellent.   I am always amazed at the talented people that live here in Grand.
     This was the first play we've attended here, but it won't be the last.   It was a great performance.   They price the tickets low enough ($12.00 each) that we retirees can afford to go often. 
     We had great seats, too.  SCG had recently bought a tiered seating system that can be taken up and down for these performances.   We were seated in the third row in the left hand tier because all of the floor seats were sold out when I bought our tickets.     Since the tiers are new, I didn't know how well we would be able to see and hear.   But no problem--our seats were fine.   
       The audience was great, too.   No talking or ringing cell phones at all during the play.   To me that shows a lot about the people at Grand.  Polite and attentive.   It's so rude when people talk during a play or a presentation.   It totally destroys my ability to lose myself in the story.          
     
       Speaking of story....earlier in day I attended the Valley of the Sun Romance Writers workshop.  I've been looking forward to this seminar for months and months.  In fact, I joined the group a few weeks ago just so I could attend this workshop.  It was free, but only open to members.
       Four speakers, all multi-published members of the group, spoke about their process.  Two focused on character and two on plotting.   Their methods were all different and all very good.   A few of the things they talked about are things I already do.  So that was reassuring.  But  I hope to try out a couple of new things soon.    Two things were obvious--they all were very talented, and they all write a lot more than I do.  I may not be able to change the first, but I can do better about the second thing, starting November 1.
      One of the members asked me what my publishing goal was for my book that I'm working on.   Since I've been working on it for a LOOOOONG time, I told her my goal was simply to finish the *>I* thing.     She laughed and understood.
      Romance writers are wonderfully supportive and generously share their thoughts, experiences, and expertise.    I was a member of the Cincinnati group for a few years when I lived in Ohio.   They were a great group, and I was very pleased to see that this West Valley chapter is equally committed to helping one another succeed.  


      

    

Patio Time

 

          Great weather has finally returned!   We're able to use the patio again, which I had really missed.   With Chef Kent doing the grilling, it's my favorite restaurant.

    

  

 I'm doing my part, too, by growing herbs.   The basil, a spicy variety, and the chives are doing well.   They came from Lowe's, which had a limited but healthy looking selection.

  The basil's tag listed it as Albahaca Basil, Nufar, which I had never heard of before.   It has a spicy aroma, which is why I chose it.   I harvested some leaves for the first tune the other night to make a few appetizers.  Using turkey pepperoni (which tastes the same with half the calories), I spread cream cheese on a Triscut and topped it with the pepperoni and a basil leave.   Yummy!

      With only 13 workdays to go to R-day, I've been busy, busy at work.   Trying to get everything in good order before the next person takes over is like rushing to clean up the house before company arrives.  Yikes!!!  
       In between all of that, I'm preparing for LAW (life after work).    I signed up for two beading classes that take place in November.   Classes fill up quickly here so getting dues paid and on the list was a must-do.   My friend, Chris, is taking one of the classes so that should be fun.
       Yesterday Kent & I went to the Sun City Grand Oktoberfest.   There were lots and lots of booths, many of them selling jewelry.  Kent used his chemistry background to help explain resins to one of the artists.  She makes great jewelry but didn't quite understand the resin process.  While they talked shop, I admired the end products.   She makes a lot of steampunk, which was fun to see.   
        I also stopped at the Language Club table and picked up the Spanish classes info sheet.   Can't wait to check them out in November!
        This week will be my last full week with XM radio.  Since I will no longer be driving a gazillion miles a day, I'm not renewing it.  But it has been a life-saver on those loooog commutes through the desert.  I even listened to the V-P debates last week during my  2 1/2 hours on the road (one way). 
         Even though I'll miss my satellite radio, I sure won't miss the driving.