May 2017 Photo: Ramada

There was sliver of the moon over the ramada at Mission Garden in Tucson.

Pergola at Mission Garden, Tucson

The spiny “branches” across the top of the roof come from the ocotillo plant. You can see what they look like growing in the desert in the photo below.

Ocotillo

 

Runner up:

I loved colors and shading in this handpainted parasol at Phoenix Comicon!

Unikornis Art parasol at phxcc

Side note: I wasn’t sure how widely the word “ramada” was used outside the Southwestern U.S. for describing the type of covering supported by posts you see over picnic tables etc., like a roof without walls. In the U.K., I thought they might call this a “shelter.” My Twitter poll on the topic only received a few votes – all in favor of ramada – but my friend Kelli did mention that she thinks of a ramada as made of brick and of this as a “pergola”.

Ramada in tucson

Perhaps the thing itself is just more common here in the Southwest, where you need shade more than protection from rain or snow and desert trees may be too sparse to provide it.

Anyway, if you use a word besides ramada, the language geek in me would love to know!




Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space

March 2017 Photo: Geraniums

It’s been a really colorful spring with lots of wildflowers and a few new additions to our patio garden.

So, for March, I chose this photo of a couple geraniums Phillip rescued from some plant department clearance bin. We also have blooms on our nasturtiums and our dwarf pomegranate tree. The hummingbirds are loving it all, and so am I.

Geraniums

Runners up:

I considered posting a photo either from Southwest Maker Fest or coffee painting at CraftHack, like these two mini masterpieces by Niecy.

Coffee painting

Also, we spotted this bus the other day that said “Let’s be better humans.” I don’t know what the story is behind it, but it’s a good message!

Bus

Update: I found the Instagram account for the bus! I’m still not totally clear on what their campaign does, but they describe themselves as “a movement in love and humanity,” and that sounds like a good thing to me.




Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space

February 2017 Photo: Purple Sage

When we drove to Tucson for the world premiere of the opera Riders of the Purple Sage, I was on the lookout for things to photograph that might complement the story, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to take photos of the actual performance. We stopped on the way to take some photos of desert landscapes and considered pulling over when we saw a few wandering cows.

Purple sage

Our first stop in Tucson proper was Mercado San Agustín for lunch at our new favorite, Seis Kitchen.

Phillip pointed out purple blooms in the planters outside, “I think this might actually be sage.”

A text to my Master Gardener Uncle confirmed it: Salvia clevlandii, chaparral sage.

Perfect.




Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space

January 2017 Photo: Mansion View

You asked for it! My Photos of the Month are back!

This January’s photo is a view from the historic Picket Post Mansion, which overlooks Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It was open for a rare public tour this January, and we jumped at the chance to peek inside!

Picket Post mansion view, Superior, AZ

 

Runners up:

I also considered either a photo from the Women’s March or the travel ban protest, partly because they are part of this moment in time. However, even though both rallies were positive experiences, they were in response to things I feel are very wrong. Which may be why looking at them makes me feel a bit agitated, while the landscape of the Arboretum makes me feel peaceful.

Travel ban protest


 

PS Speaking of photos, you still have time to share the love by tweeting/instagramming pics of art* from your community with hashtag #localartloves

*Or an art space!




 

Microblog Mondays: Write in your own space