Officially Inactive

 

I am now officially inactive.   Since I spend most days being sedentary, the change may not be visible.   But a change it is.   As of February 1, I became an “inactive” lawyer in Arizona*. 

        I became an attorney on Friday, November 6, 1981, when I was sworn in, along with three of my best law school buddies, by the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.    The following Monday my friends and I opened up the second all woman law office in Dayton –Bates, Riley, Sorrell & Tell--and waited for clients to show up.  

         Dayton’s economy wasn’t doing very well at that time, and there was a glut of office space.   We were able to get a really nice corner suite on the seventh floor of the 111 Building at an affordable rent.  It was very close to the courthouse and its free law library, some upscale clothing stores (The Metropolitan, Rikes, Elder-Beermans, and BMT) and some great restaurants.   Everything new female attorneys needed.

         We each put in $2000.00 for operating capital to see us through the first six months, by which time we expected to be earning enough to pay the overhead.    The plan worked.  We were fortunate to never have to add any additional family money into the business.  We worked hard and kept the overhead low.   In those days there were no computers to buy.   One of us had an electric typewriter she brought in until we could afford a new one.   Someone else donated office furniture that her husband’s business wasn’t using.   Another partner’s mother volunteered to answer the phone and do a little typing.   Everybody pitched in, got on court appointment lists, and did whatever it took to earn some fees.    

         I doubt that a new lawyer today could start a practice the way we did.  Most are saddled with huge student loans, and the courts here in Arizona now require all lawyers to file electronically.   A used typewriter and a ordinary phone won’t suffice.   Computers, cell phones, faxes, copiers, Lexis or WestLaw for on-line research have all become necessities.    Simply buying the basics requires a big investment upfront and monthly service contracts.     

        After the initial excitement and fun, we had to knuckle down and work of course.   Like all lawyers we had good clients and bad; good outcomes and some that weren’t so good.    Gradually my partners went on to do other things.   One went into law enforcement.   Another became a judge.   I left private practice after about eight years and became a ward of the state—first working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and later as a Deputy Public Defender.     Criminal law is always interesting, sometimes heart-breaking but more often hilarious, regardless of which side you’re on.    

        So it wasn’t an easy decision to become “inactive”.    But since I’m retired and not working as a lawyer, I couldn’t justify the extra cost just to remain active in name.   I thought of all the beads I could buy with the savings.     Besides, I didn’t delete my legal knowledge; I just gave up the privilege of representing other people.  

          Today I’m doing some consulting, and I’m dabbling in another venture—making and selling jewelry as “Desert Dabbler”.        Both of which involve more sitting and thinking.    Guess I really am inactive.

        

 *I am still officially active in Ohio because the two states have different reporting times. 

Adventure in Aventurine

      Since I've retired and joined the Grand Stitchers, I've been making a lot of jewelry.   The one pictured above is made from a bead I bought in Cave Creek at Cosmopolitan Beads and oval tubes made of Aventurine that I bought at Fire Mountain Gems.       Aventurine is a type of quartz that comes in shades of both red and green.
       According to the legend, Aventurine is said to bring good things to you.   Love, jobs, adventure.  Whatever you are longing for.   I don't know if this is true, but Aventurine has been a good stone for me.   
        Earlier this month the Stitchers held another boutique, and I participated with my own table this time.   At the last boutique I had worked the "community table".   Although I sold many items, none of them were my creations.    But this time I had more jewelry to offer and a table of my own. 
       One of the items was a necklace made with ovals of red Aventurine that were a lovely shade of orange/yellow.   They reminded me of orange sherbet.   I added a little of the green Aventurine for accents, too.     I finished it a few days before the boutique, but in the rush of completing everything I forgot to photograph it.   
        I can't photograph it now-- because it became my first necklace sale!    The legend of Aventurine held true.    I went on that day to make two more sales of a different necklace and a decorated bookmark.    Great fun!
         I've used up all the green ovals, but I still have some ovals and small square tubes of the red Aventurine.    Here they are on the beading tray, waiting to be made into something:

      The next boutique will be February 16.  I'm planning to participate again.   So we'll see if the good luck continues...
       We also had a great adventure of a different kind at Olive and Ivy, a restaurant in Scottsdale.  We went there last week to celebrate Kent's birthday.    The day was beautiful, and we sat outside on their patio.    The food was excellent.   Kent had one of his favorites, salmon.   I had sweet potato cannelloni--different and very yummy!   Of course I had to support my goat friends so we started our feast with some delicious spinach and goat cheese bruschetta.    They have a nice wine list, too.  I was able to support more wildlife (at least in name) by having a glass of Elk Cove Pinot Gris.  
        We will definitely come back here again.
     
     

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

The Sonoran Plaza at Sun City Grand is a winter wonderland--

minus the real snow and cold of winter. 

 

 

      We left Arizona in mid-December and returned a few days ago.    Luckily, we flew back to Ohio at just the right time.   Our travel day was clear and sunny, but we woke up to rain.    And it kept raining and raining.    Then it turned to snow.   

 

 

       Keenu, our Alaskan Malamute grandpuppy, loved it!

 

 

    I like looking at snow, but I was really glad I didn't have to shovel it.   Or try to drive on those icy roads and get to work on time.   We were lucky on the way home, too.   By the time we were scheduled to fly back to Arizona, the roads were clear.  

    

     Unfortunately we brought the cold weather back with us.   It has frosted here at Sun City Grand for two nights in a row.   Everyone is trying to cover plants and hope for the best.    So we'll see what survives.   

 

     It's really funny to see some of us (like me) bundled up in winter jackets and hats while our snowbird neighbors are running around in sweaters and shorts.    I've totally acclimated to Arizona weather and feel like I'm freezing if it dips below 50F.    

     Too bad I can't bottle up this cold air and save it for next July.   I'll be wishing for a cool day then.     

 

 

 

 

   

         

Grand Stitchers' Christmas Party

 

 

        Today I attended my first party as a retiree--the Sun City Grand Stitchers' party.

 



 

The halls were decorated.

 

So were Chris, Corgi, Kay & me.

 



 

Along the walls were quilts from Christmases past.

 

 

 

 

    It was fun to see everyone dressed up and to see so many other "stitchers".   I'm one of the beaders, and I usually only go to the sewing center on beading day.  

 

     There were lots of door prizes, but not enough for anyone from my table to win one.    We were only a number or two off, but "close" didn't count.    Maybe next year.   

 

      Most of the food was the typical banquet menu --  chicken, tossed salad, and some broccoli.   But the garlic baby carrots were unusual and very tasty.    And the cupcake, which was HUGE, was delicious.   Of course I never met a cupcake I didn't like. 

 

       This Friday the beading group has their own party.  I'm loving retirement! 

      



 

Las Noches de las Luminarias

        Christmas is coming...  
        Since we've been in Arizona we've started the holiday season with two events, the Holiday Home Tour and Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Gardens.  The home tour, a money-making event for Sun Health, consists of private homes and yummy appetizers.   It's a fun way to spend a Saturday, but no photos are allowed.  On Sunday evening we went to Las Noches de las Luminarias.
       

     Near the entrance Mariachi Pasion played Mexican holiday Mariachi songs.  A festive and lovely start to the evening.
     The Desert Botanical Gardens looked magical with thousands of twinkling lights.    This spot has a fountain, too.

 

 

      Around the Gardens were different musical groups.   On the patio Groove Merchant Horns played jazz.   Near the wild flower walk, one of my favorite spots, island Christmas music was being played on steel drums by J.T.'s Island Steel.   

       Another favorite of mine is the Native American group Estun-Bah and the Duncans, who are story-tellers.   The Apache burden basket and cradle board shows up better in my picture than they do, but I was at the back of the audience.       

    

 

 

         The desert at night was beautiful.   Hundreds of luminarias lined the paths and walkways.  The Gardens are always beautiful, but at night they look magical.

          Two special exhibits are on display through the spring.  "The Four Seasons" by Philip Haas are huge sculptures of faces with vegetables and flowers.   "Whispers of a New World" by Carolina Escobar are sculptures of other-worldly flowers made from steel and resin.   I can't wait to go back in the day so I can get a better view.

 

 

 

A great start to the holidays!

 

 

     

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.