Geo: 33.4479, -112.083People who don't know her, haven't been plowed under by the craziness that's endemic to living with Down Syndrome, they don't really get it. They smile and say it's sweet when she hugs her mom or says thank you. But they haven't seen the times she drowned out the choir's practiced notes with her slightly off-tempo, but surprisingly in-tune, gusto. They haven't felt the heartbreak when she's been asked NOT to sing in the church choir anymore...haven't had to tell her no, Daisy, not this time, when she tries to get up and go sing with her friends.And they haven't seen how she makes her 12 year old sister cry because she doesn't want to walk anymore...how she just sits down in the middle of the sidewalk and won't go on, making said sister ... read more

Geo: 33.2112, -111.875Every place we visit has it's unique look--some more unique than others, but here's what I love about our neighborhood.... read more

Geo: 33.3787, -111.691Not our usual 8pm activity, tonight was date night and we did it up fine at the Howdy Dinner Extravaganza. Billed as "A Rib Ticklin', Knee Slappin', Hand Clappin', Tummy Fillin', Gall-Darn Good Time," and boy was it.We had great fun at this dinner theater in the coolest little old west town. You'd never know it was smack dab in the middle of Mesa as you wend your way through a cave-like entrance complete with stalactites and dripping water walls. We looked at each other, "Where in the world are we?"The show was rollicking and the food, great, but you know what was the very best? During the before show entertainment we noticed this Down Syndrome girl sitting under the window writing in her workbook, grinning at nobody, singing along to herself...Well, the singer ... read more

Geo: 32.2215, -110.97Tucson's Barrio Historico is my kind of place. Color everywhere. Lavender. Blue. Fuchia. Acid Green. Orange. Acid green and brilliant blue TOGETHER, same house. And just in case the house colors aren't enough--add snappy bougainvillea and cactus. It's maybe a 6 square block area that used to be all Mexican-American and still retains that great Mexican feel with flat roofed adobe homes and roofs made of saguaro ribs and packed earth that keep out the intense desert sun.It's quiet streets and vibrant colors present a dichotomy though. The one, neglect--the other, a fiesta.Don't expect tourist heaven if you go there. They couldn't care less if there's a tourist in sight. It's a calm, quiet residential area of private homes with a smattering of businesses--an architect, an artist, and on the corner nearest Tucson's central ... read more

Geo: 31.5686, -111.052After leaving the cousins we headed south a few miles/kilometers to Tumacacori, site of Arizona's first Spanish mission.First a note about mile markers south of Tuscon. They're metric. I-19 south of Tuscon is marked in kilometers, which plays with your mind as a kilometer is only about 2/3 of a mile. It seemed like we were flying--29 kilometers takes a lot less time than 29 miles.Weird.Anyway, on to the hard to pronounce non-town of TumaCAcori. Say it: Tuuuum-a-KA-koree. They say it's from the O'odham (original Indian populace) meaning "hard, rocky place."Fitting.Established in 1691 by Father Kino, a Jesuit priest, it was the first of the "New Spain" empire in Arizona. Now wouldn't we be a different place if King Carlos hadn't recalled them like a bad peanut.... read more