Everyone Wants To Be On Team Godfrey

This Christmas, Ed set up a racing corner in our family room so he could entertain our guests over the holidays.

Our friend, MacG, is a big Formula One fan, so this is right up his alley.  You can see some of the racing flags in the background.  

The poster with the helmet on it represents Franco Colapinto, an Argentinian Formula One racing driver. Through family, he's also connected to our friend Marlaina (MacG's wife). Marlaina's cousin is one of Colapinto's managing executives. Small world.

Ed and MacG had fun over the holidays with this setup, but every guest who entered the house was also impressed with his setup.  And they all enjoyed playing.

But the kids next door seemed to love it the most.  The oldest girl said to Ed, with sheer amazement, "Does anyone else know this exists?"  Ed said, "Like who?"  She said, "Anyone." Then she told her mother it was a "hidden gem".

Not only does Formula One have fans, Ed has fans.

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2024: This Place Rocked My World
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Honoring The Support Of Mexico
2018: Rucks, Mauls, And Scrums
2017: The Power Of The 'Po
2016: Down The Hatch!
2015: New Year Check Up
2014: Because...Perché No?
2013: The Big Little Giant
2012: All The Color I Need
2011: Bobbin’ Around The Neighborhood
2010: Getting Ready For Bathing Suit Season With Bananas
2009: Ed Happy Little Trees Friday
2008: Sorry, no post on this day.
2007: Forty Two Days
2006: I Should Have Never Had That Last Drink!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Touched By Fire

 

While our friends Marlaina & MacG were visiting for Christmas, we decided to go to BATA for Marlaina's birthday.  We always save the "foodie" restaurants for when they are here since they're really our only friends who appreciate this type of menu.

The restaurant has received quite a bit of press, being called one of the best restaurants in the West by Sunset magazine, which described it like this: "With a 400-mile sourcing rule, the restaurant uses micro-seasonal produce and local meats, with every dish containing an element that has been grilled, seared, smoked, charred, or cooked in the coals to create a new, fire-first Sonoran cuisine."

It was mentioned in Time magazine's "World's Great Places 2023" piece

And Bon Appétit magazine included it in its "50 Best New Restaurants 2022" list. 

That's the short list of places it was written about.  There are others. 

Everything was so good that we ate everything before I remembered to take a photo. But I got a photo of these pieces of braised beef, which ironically was the only thing that wasn't completely up to my standards—it was a little dry. But with a spoonful of the sauce it came with, it was actually quite delicious.

Overall, the dinner and evening were wonderful.  Celebrating a friend's birthday, being together for the holidays, trying a new restaurant....all on my list of things that constitute a good time.

Happy Birthday, Marlaina!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Bike Prep
2017: Nailed It!
2016: Enjoy The Ride
2015: Wavin' Howdy As We Pass Through
2014: It's Got To Be Under This Tree Somewhere
2013: We Don't Even Charge For Parking
2012: Somewhere In Eastern Oregon
2011: Lighting Up The Night Griswold Style
2010: Why Fall In Love With A Gingerbread Man When You Can Have His Cake And Eat it Too?
2009: You WILL Think Of God
2008: The Queen Of Copper
2007: Eddie Wears His Christmas Present Friday
2006: The Only Way I Can Tolerate Arizona
2005: I’ve Got Lips

Dog Sitter Extraordinare

I'm not a pet person.  But I love my friend Kim.  And when she asked me to watch Jaxon at the last minute because her pet sitter bailed, I stepped up to the plate and said, "Of course!  No problem."  

And really, it wasn't a problem.  Except for a few tiny pools of pee, the day went off without a hitch.  I walked him, I fed him, I let him sit on my lap and in my favorite chair.  Jaxon loves his Auntie Salena.

I am hoping she doesn't get any idea that this is going to be a regular thing, though.  

I'm a once in a blue moon dog Aunt.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Sunset At The Oasis
2017:  Objects Are Closer Than They Appear
2016:  Freedom!
2015:  Whatcha Doin'?
2014:  Until We Meet Again
2013:  Remember The Christmas When...
2012:  Blame It On Weed
2011:  The Plum Is Missing
2010:  The Voodoo That You Do
2009:  Meet Me In St. Louis…If You Can Find It
2008:  We Don’t Eat Gefilte Fish But We Do Like The Multi-Cultural Birthdays
2007:  How To Picnic Like An Italian
2006:  Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant….
2005:  The Cactus King

The Cymro Next Door Decorates For Christmas

 

I've written about this wheel in the past.  Here it is decorated for the holidays.

Nadolig Llawen!  

That's "Merry Christmas!" in Welsh.  And a Cymro is a Welshman.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: An Artificial Cloud In The Center Of The Universe
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Standing On A Corner
2019: I Grew A Mater
2018: A Delicious Treat On My Day Off
2017: Getting Used To It
2016: Really Old School
2015: Christmas In The Sonoran Desert
2014: Boxing Day Mani-Pedi
2013: Racing Toward The New Year
2012: I Need A Support Group
2011: No One Mentioned The Elephant In The Room, But The Zebra Was A Big Topic Of Discussion
2010: White Chocolate Melts Away
2009: An Appetizer With Heart 
2008: Angelic Eddie Friday
2007: Would You Like A Fried Egg With A Side Of Influenza?
2006: Cerrado
2005: The Best Gift Of All 

Murtagh Isn't Very Merry

 

The rooster in this painting is named Murtagh. He was named after Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, from the Outlander series.

It was painted by Aimée Rolin Hoover, who specializes in contemporary animal paintings. It is on loan from our good friends, M & G.  

His gaze grows on you.  We've become very fond of him but know someday it will go back to its rightful owners and live in their home.  

We've already arranged visitation rights.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: A Modern Stroll Through The Museum
2017: Holiday Vibe
2016: Four Eyes At Your Service
2015: Good Morning, Arizona
2014: Boom! Last Load Of The Year
2013: Do You Really Need To Ice Skate At The Mall??
2012: Christmas Score! 
2011: Iowa Beef Dresses Up For The Holidays
2010: Weather, Wyoming And Wings
2009: The End Is Not Just Near, It’s Here!! 
2008: Keeping The Mountain On The Right Side Of The Fence
2007: Divine Intervention Comes A Little Too Late
2006: General Delivery
2005: Frumpy To Nicole

Fireside Chats

On occasion, we get invited to our friend's house (two houses down from us) to sit by the fire and chat.  This week they were entertaining out-of-town family and old friends so the group swelled to twelve. 

It's always a good time with lots of laughs, good snacks, and free-flowing beer (often homemade) for the fans of fermentation.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Desert Lighting
2017: Fresh Snow
2016: Easy To Find
2015: Silver Level Safety
2014: Climbing Snoqualmie With Ease
2013: In Lieu Of Snow
2012: Money Vs. Meatballs
2011: A Window To The Past
2010: A Killer Rest Area
2009: The Barn Man 
2008: Text Me
2007: Eddie Gets Impatient Friday
2006: If You Have A Note, Then It’s Perfectly Okay To Commit Credit Card Fraud
2005: Limo Scene

Drip

 

A water faucet in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.  Photo taken by my friend Vicki.

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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Gratuitous Zac
2017:  Tall, Foxy, And Toxic
2016:  Magic Shoes
2015:  Finally Fall
2014:  Fruit On Main
2013:  Circling The Shark
2012:  Unlimited 
2011:  Autumn Leaves Begin To Fall 
2010:  I Wonder What Color The Ancient Estruscans Wore? 
2009:  You Ask, I’ll Answer 
2008:  You Can’t Hide From The Eyes Of A Truck Driver 
2007:  Flurry Of Ruffles 
2006:  A Bag Full Of Dicks 
2005:  Go West Young Man!! Uh, I Mean East. East.

Bestie In The Corner

 I don't know when or why this photo was taken, and I don't know what she's doing, but this is a photo of my best friend in Tucson sitting in the corner at my mom's house.  



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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Mother Nature Needs A Kick In The Ass
2017: A Good Place To Start Praying
2016: Summer's The Best
2015: One, Two, Three, Boom! You're In The Bronx
2014: A Beautiful Time Capsule
2013: I'm Giving Up Trucking And Going Into Clothing Design
2012: Wynning Diamonds
2011: Donuts From Heaven
2010: Captain Of The Most Expensive Fried Seafood This Side Of Arthur Treacher’s
2009: Eddie Acts Like A Monkey Friday
2008: I Might Like It If There Were Some Balling Involved
2007: Very Large Cheek Pouches Come In Handy When Traveling
2006: The French Are So Romance Savvy
2005: Wyoming Clean Air Act 

Mountain Men And Vaqueros

 

I just came across this photo of my brother Michael (on the left) and a family friend, John Foss (on the right) holding the banner for the Tucson Mountain Men in the La Fiest de los Vaqueros rodeo parade. This picture was taken over 40 years ago! 

As you can see, the banner says "sponsored by Damiano's".  Damiano's was an Italian restaurant on Stone and Drachman in Tucson, Arizona.  It was owned by Damiano and Assunta Ali.  

The restaurant has since changed names and is now known as Bottega Michaelangelo, located at Magee and Oracle in Oro Valley.  This is the Italian restaurant that Ed and I go to regularly.  And the Ali family still owns it.  We always have a great meal there!

What a fun little history flashback!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: The Greening Of My Eating
2017: Backlit
2016: Theatric Reading
2015: The Trout Capital Of Oklahoma
2014: Looks Like A Regular Moon To Me
2013: Laundry Options For A Modern Trucker
2012: It Can Only Mean One Thing
2011: It’s Like Cheers, Where Everybody Knows Your Name. OK, So It’s More Like Where Just One Guy Knows Your Face.
2010: Social NOTworking
2009: Scattergories
2008: Time Isn’t The Only Thing That Flies When You’re Having Fun
2007: Anything I Want
2006: Burglar And Idiot Proof
2005: Virginia Is For Lovers

Besties Back In The Day

This photo is of me and one of the best people I've ever been friends with.  Alan and I met while working at the Westin La Paloma resort in Tucson, Arizona.  We became fast friends and for years we were inseparable.

This picture was taken somewhere around 1995 or 1996.  We were soooo young.  I miss those days.  

I haven't seen Alan in about 10 years.  Life really changed when I went on the road.  In the initial years, we did a better job of keeping in touch, but then that just fell off. 

I miss him.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Inside TDR!
2018: Simply Obsessed
2017: Downtown
2016: Post-Procedure Recovery
2015: A Wiley Coyote
2014: Quick Draw McGraw
2013: Multi-Level Fun And Games
2012: Sign Of Spring2011: ¡Buen Provecho!
2010: My Heart Melts For That Glorious Melting Pot
2009: E Pluribus Unum
2008: The Dance In Their Heads, Hands And Feet
2007: The Love Buffet
2006: Whadya Think This Is, The Waldorf?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Pleasing To The Eye

 ss

This is our neighbor's house. It's the prettiest house on our cul-de-sac.  He's worked on this property for over twenty years, doing all the work himself.  The decorative stone was spread by him and his two boys, the front sloping rocks were placed by hand, and the cacti were chosen specifically for the spots they are in and meticulously cared for so they always look great.  Our yard looks like the surface of Mars in comparison.   

His backyard is even more amazing.  He used every inch of his acreage and has walking paths and seating areas all throughout the landscaping.  The backyard is multi-tiered, with a clay chiminea, a red metal Welsh dragon, strategically placed lighting - both solar and wired, and interesting "art" everywhere.  I covet his yard.  

I will someday have a yard worthy of photographing but I can tell you right now I won't be doing any of the work myself.  I would rather find a photo on the internet of something I like, show it to a person who can do it, and then pay them to complete the work.  

Until then, I'll drive by this house and smile.  And when we're invited over to have a drink and watch the setting sun turn the mountain red, I will go and know that someday, I'll be doing the same in my backyard.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Wide Pasta Load
2018: Tucked Away
2017: Delivering Energy
2016: Cat On A Hot...
2015: Starwood Is Still A Star
2014: Transylvania Has Better Internet
2013: Can I Get An Amen?
2012: Imagine Life Artificially Sweeter
2011: Sweets For The Sweet
2010: Silver Shoes, Cliff Clavin, And A Guinness World Record
2009: A Bevy Of Pavo Cristatus
2008: How Much Happy Can A Dollar Buy?
2007: The Heat Is On
2006: The New York Catch And Release Program
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

No One Was Run Over By A Reindeer At This Shindig

 

A few months ago our lawyer invited us to a party at the San Francisco Yacht Club to celebrate his 70th birthday and the 20th wedding anniversary of him and his wife.

We stayed at a cute little lodge in Tiburon, California, and attended the party at the yacht club.  There were about 90 people in attendance, a live band, great food, and an opportunity to speak with some really nice people.  I was lucky enough to be seated next to a friend of our lawyer who had known him since they were little kids.  He was interesting and chatty - a great dinner partner.

And to top the evening off, we were treated to Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, sung by the original artist, Elmo Shropshire, who is a former client and personal friend of our lawyer.

A good time was definitely had by all!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Yellow Gaze
2019: The Beautiful Cabbage Flower
2018: Waiting In Wilmington
2017: The Wild Life Of Trucking
2016: Special Order
2015: Clooney Was Not At The End Of The Pier
2014: Where They Build Palaces Out Of Corn
2013: Modern Market Girl
2012: A Berry Good Time
2011: Traveling Through Mountain Ranch
2010: Backroads
2009: If Only I Could Fit All Of This Information On A Bumper Sticker…
2008: Gambling Haze
2007: Published
2006: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Where The Turia River Meets The Mediterranean Sea

After our week in Madrid, we headed to Valencia, Spain to spend a week with our friends, Marlaina and MacG, who rented an apartment in the seaside city for a month.

Our first glimpse of Valencia was this building, as we exited the Joaquín Sorolla train station.

The city is a mix of ancient and modern.  Here's a group of the modern, near the Plaça de Sant Agustí.

Here's a view from the apartment we stayed at in the Old Town section.  We were within walking distance of the central market, shops, restaurants, and local attractions.  

The bell tower in this photo is Miguelete Tower, on the Valencia Cathedral. It is known as El Miguelete in Castilian Spanish, or Torre del Micalet in the Valencian language. Construction of the tower began in 1381 and was completed in 1429.

Here's a shot of our friends, Marlaina and MacG, with Ed in Plaza de La Reina. As you can see, everyone is a bit bundled up.  It was chilly.  I was in heaven.

The Iglesia de Santa Catarina (Santa Catalina Church), sits at the southern end of Plaza de La Reina and was built in the early 13th century at the site of a prior mosque. The imposing bell tower, with a hexagonal base and five levels, once the site of a minaret, was rebuilt in a Baroque fashion between 1688 and 1705 using the designs of Juan Bautista Viñes. Today it still presents the 13th-century Gothic exterior.

We saw this poetic graffiti on the wall of the outside dining area near the first restaurant we ate at in the city.  The translation provided by my friend in Madrid is as follows:

I should have kissed her

I should have called her

I should have asked for her number

I should have approached her.

(The 5th line is the conjugation of the verb “I should”)

And the last line says: Remorse owes me. (Since "deber" is also “owed”)

The La Negrita Bar in Plaza del Negret.

We had such a great evening to kick off our week in Valencia.  The city was alive with activity, our first dining experience was great, the weather was amazing, and I felt as if we were going to quickly settle into the pace of the city, which I think we did.  

Cheers to Valencia!

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2022: A Hail Mary, Lucky Horseshoes, And Some Really Good Trip Planning Are All That's Needed
2021: Beautiful Freak Of Nature
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Ring The Bell For Tips
2018: Snacks & Bar
2017: So This Happened Today
2016: Agrarian
2015: Tied Off
2014: Seek And Ye Shall Find
2013: Frantically Trying To Get Back To Indonesia
2012: I’d Like Some Snow For Dessert
2011: Getting A Little Carried Away
2010: On A Need To Know Basis
2009: Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong
2008: Flying Into The Sun
2007: Riding The Rails
2006: Keeping Me Quiet With A Chocolate Snap
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Confounding Celtic Yard Art

Almost two months ago I posted about the hiatus I've taken from blogging.  I thought it was about time to check in and tell you what we've been up to.

So, basically...a whole lot of nothing.

Ed and I are still alive, which I'm hoping you're happy to hear, and we're still waiting on our trucking business-related stuff to be sorted out, but in the meantime, we're just trying to handle the oppressive heat as best as we can.

Being on the road for so long, we realized that we were rarely home during the summer months.  That's when the industry freight picks up (for us, since we do platform freight) and being on the road during the unbearable heat of the desert suited us just fine.  Oh, sure, it's hot in other places in the country, but I've got to tell you, there is no heat like desert heat.  And we're getting a giant dose of it right now.  Most days have been between 102°F to 107°F (38°C to 41°C). 

People like to throw around the "it's a dry heat" comment.  Dry, my ass!  It's "stick your head in an oven" heat.  Seriously.  People have asked me how hot it gets, and I've told them to pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and once it reaches temperature, get nice and close and open the door.  That eyebrow-singing whoosh of heat is exactly what it feels like out here in Tucson.  Not pleasant.

But there are people who love it.  Like our Welsh neighbor, who goes for a run when the sun is high in the sky, at the hottest part of the day.  Or he's outside doing yard work.  He apparently loves to feel that heat on his skin.  And sweating.  He must love sweating.  

Confounding Celtic Art - the title of the latest yard art piece in his gorgeous backyard - is visible in the photo above.  Walking his property is like being in a southwestern nature preserve. Lovingly cultivated over 20 years, he has done all of the work himself with the help of his two sons and has created the most beautiful maze of pathways through this arid, sun-baked landscape.

I wish I had more to tell you, but sadly I don't.  Oh, wait...there are lots of little baby creatures we've been watching recently - baby quail, baby ground squirrels, baby rabbits - there's nothing cuter than a tiny furry creature.  They've all been frolicking outside our living room window, so we have a front-row view.  

Oh, and we recently saw a great movie on Redbox - Bohemian Rhapsody.  I loved it.  LOVED.  Rami Malek did a phenomenal job playing Freddie Mercury.  I wasn't a huge Queen fan - I only knew the popular songs - but this movie really won me over.  I highly recommend it.

That's about it.

Check back in every once in a while.  I might not have much to say, but I'll try to post a picture here and there.  And of course, you can always find me on social media.

Have a great Fourth of July!!



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2018: On The River
2017: Reaching The Boiling Point
2016: Any One Will Do For Doo
2015: A Lazy River Surrounding A Big 'Ol Lazy Pool
2014: A Successful, Safe, Million Mile Driving Man And His Timepiece
2013: In Hot Pursuit
2012: The Spotlight Isn’t Just On The Community
2011: The United States Of American Cheese
2010: Waiting
2009: My Mother The Jihadist
2008: Perfectly Reasonable Defense
2007: Provocative
2006: Sidewalk Sushi
2005: $4,000 Worth Of Tupperware