It's Good to Wash Every Morning

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In what has become a bit of a tradition with us, Melisse and I are once again spending the holidays with our good friends Kay and Gary at their beautiful home in the Sonoran Desert outside Tucson, Arizona. Melisse and Kay have a close friendship dating back to when they both worked at Chase Studio in southern Missouri. Kay has since started her own studio with her husband Gary. So once again, friends from the exhibit world are providing us with home, hearth and friendship.
It is sublime to wake up in the desert in winter. Melisse, Quito and I arise and, prior to anything else the day might bring, go for a brisk walk in the wash that is just across the road from the house. There is a bit of a chill in the air to start with but it quickly dissipates as we trek up the road to the wash entrance building up body heat as we go. Over the years as we've taken this spectacular yet subtle hike each morning we've seen all sorts of wildlife, lizards, rodents, numerous birds including the Gila woodpeckers that nest in the saguaro cacti. Once we even saw a bobcat who was out hunting. There is plenty of evidence of coyote. Scat abounds plus you hear their otherworldly chorus of singing every night. Local legend has it that some of the braver neighborhood dogs will go carousing with the coyote pack when the moon is just right then drag ass home the next morning after a night of canine debauchery. On this day, a great horned owl sweeps down the wash taking a good look at Quito and deciding she is just a bit too big to easily carry off. If Quito was a chihuahua, a different conclusion might have been reached.
As we cruise on, we are ever watchful for interesting shapes and textures. Some of Melisse's jewelry pieces have been borne out of this place. Both of us also find heart rocks that we treasure. I presented Melisse with a particularly lovely one the morning of her birthday. A better present I could not have given her. We feel happy to be here once again sharing this special place with friends who are so warm and embracing. Quito loves the fact that she has Finny, Nick, and Riley to play with. Kay and Gary open their home to strays of all species not just us human vagabonds. We will be here until the new year then off again to who knows where.

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Photos

Kay and Gary
Making bloody marys Christmas morning

Gary and Kay
opening Christmas presents

Hippy Hangout
Rumor has it that some nomads lived here in the 60s

Quito Keeps Watch on Her Domain
The view from our guest room

Gary's joint
Notice the pictures in the background. From Melisse's Burroughs show in February.

The Finster
He couldn't believe how Quito likes him after his unrequited love for Dylie

Comments

[Stub]

Road trippin'
You've done a great job chronicling your visits and photographing some highlights... makes me want to hit the road for the high Sierras, sample some wine and live more moments of the West... happy trails...