The 3rd Saturday Of March Dawns Potentially Dusty In Arizona

This morning I stepped outside for a closer look at the view from my primary viewing portal on the outer world at my current location at the heart of the Valley of the Sun on this 3rd Saturday of the 3rd month of 2012.

Stepping outside set off the security system resulting in bright lights being turned on me. I felt like a POW in a German WWII prison camp, caught trying to escape.

I quickly returned to being inside the "camp". Eventually the security lights turned off.

As you can see, below, it is currently a relatively chilly 59 degrees at my current location. At my former location, north of being deep in the heart of Texas, it is currently 65 degrees.

Apparently we are being advised that dust may be blowing here today. Maybe I will be seeing one of those giant dust storms that blow through this valley fairly frequently.

I have an hour and a half to go before my sister arrives to take me to the Phoenix Botanical Garden, if my time calculations are correct.

I realized this morning that I have not heard from Elsie Hotpepper since I left Texas. I do not know how to issue a BOLO for a missing person from my current remote location.

Friday BBQ In Arizona With Spencer Jack, Super Hot Potato Chips & Refrigerator Slide Shows

Spencer Jack & Brittney Arriving

Today was not the first time I have experienced the unreliability of smart phone based GPS direction locators.

Everyone who used a GPS to find my sister's house in Chandler today got mis-directed. Eventually old-fashioned methods, like maps and directions, given over the phone, facilitated successful arrivals.

For, instance, the late arrival of Spencer Jack, which you see in the first picture. When it was ascertained that Spencer Jack was in the neighborhood I was instructed to sit on a bench in the front yard to act as a navigable landmark.

Until today I had not seen Spencer Jack since early August of 2008. I had not seen Spencer Jack's dad since April of 2006. I had never met Brittney. I am not sure how Brittney spells her name. Spencer calls her Brit. I rather like Brittney.

Videographer Spencer Jack

Spencer Jack just turned 5.

I have not been around all that many 5 year olds in a long long time. Apparently 5 year olds are now adept at taking digital pictures and video and uploading pictures and video to their computer. Spencer Jack has his own password.

In the second picture you are seeing Spencer Jack shooting video of my sister's pool's waterfall. Spencer took a liking to the waterfall.

The second group to arrive, after being mis-directed by a smart phone GPS, were Spencer Jack's maternal grandma's sister, husband and son. I'd also not seen them since April of 2006.

Four Generations Of Jones

At some point in time Brittney took a picture of Spencer's dad, grandpa and great-grandpa and Spencer. That would be my nephew, brother, dad and great-nephew.

I took a picture of Brittney taking a picture.

At one point in the evening I found myself playing something called Ladder Golf. Spencer Jack and I were on one team, playing against Spencer's dad and Brittney.

Ladder Golf is a grueling sport involving dual golf balls on a string. Its seemed sort of dangerous. Spencer and I misunderstood the rules and for awhile thought we got points by hitting his dad and Brittney with the golf balls. As far as I know there is no photographic evidence of this.

Spencer Jack Celebrating His Ladder Golf Win

After Spencer Jack and I won the Ladder Golf game, it was time to celebrate, which Spencer did quite boisterously, including squirting people with a bubble gun and dancing.

I forgot to mention, the BBQ was quite nice. Very smoky. My pictures of the BBQ did not come out well, so there is no photo documentation. Suffice to say there were burgers and beer soaked brats.

Along with all sorts of fixings. And potato chips with a 3,000 Scoville Rating.

But no Dungeness Crab.

My sister's kitchen is the most high tech I have been in, that I remember. The refrigerator is a jabber mouth who likes to give advice. Like making ingredient suggestions. Or mentioning that the milk supply is low.

Ruby Jean On My Sister's Refrigerator

If you are in my sister's kitchen and you are feeling lonesome for one of my other nieces or nephews, or any number of other things, you just say, I'd like to see Ruby Jean and Ruby Jean appears on the refrigerator door.

When it was time to leave I left with Spencer Jack.

Spencer Jack's dad followed my mom and dad back to Sun Lakes so Spencer could take a quick tour of that location.

Spencer Jack flies back to Washington early tomorrow. I am here for another week. Tomorrow, early, I am going to the Phoenix Botanical Garden.

Friday Morning In Chandler For McDonald's Breakfast Burritos With Meyer Lemons & The Remains Of A Palm Tree Forest Fire

What you are looking at in the picture is a pair of very big Meyer Lemons growing in my mom and dad's backyard.

My mom and dad and I just returned from a Grand Tour of Chandler to have some homemade Meyer Lemon Meringue Pie.

Meyer Lemons are rounder than your regular oblong type lemon. Rounder and sweeter. Meyer Lemons are a cross between a regular type lemon and Mandarin Orange. Which explains their origin in China.

On the Grand Tour of Chandler we found another of those cool McDonald's restaurants, like we went to yesterday. At this one I had something called a Breakfast Burrito.

After the Breakfast Burrito the tour continued through downtown Chandler, eventually going past a big forest of Palm Trees that had been badly burned in two Palm Tree forest fires.

The remains of a Palm Tree forest fire looks very unusual. I regret I was too busy gawking to take a picture. Maybe I will be going by the Palm Tree forest fire again whilst I am in Arizona, and take a picture.

In an hour or two I will be back in Chandler for a BBQ. Spencer Jack may be there.

A Second Sun Lakes Walk Without Getting Lost This Time

If I Had A Pole I Might Go Fishing

This morning, unlike yesterday, I managed a walk along the Sun Lakes greenbelt without managing to get lost.

I did not get lost and I managed to find two more of the Sun Lakes.

My lungs are really appreciating breathing in all this clean air.

The Sun Lakes are also clean. I learned this via signs posted next to the lakes. During some months of the year you must release any fish you catch, but, with most months of the year, releasing is not required.

I saw catfish among the types of fish that can be caught in the Sun Lakes. So, a Texan would be right at home fishing here. You are restricted to using only one pole. This seems reasonable to me.

I Am Planning On Moving To This House

I don't remember if I have mentioned, previously, that the Southwest style of architecture is my favorite. My house in Mount Vernon, far north of the Southwest, was Southwest inspired, with a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright thrown in.

I liked the house you see in the picture. It faces one of the Sun Lakes. It has a driveway that leads to the greenbelt's paved trail. In the driveway sat an electric golf cart.

A lot of these Sun Lakes people motor about on electric golf carts.

With no golfing involved. You can drive to the Sun Lakes' Basha grocery store in your golf cart.

I have seen no electric Volt cars motoring on Sun Lakes' greenbelt's paved trail.

We are currently in a BBQ cooking frenzy here in preparation for this afternoon's BBQ in Chandler.

This morning, for breakfast, among other things, I picked a grapefruit. Making this the absolutely freshest grapefruit I've ever had. Freshly picked oranges, too. But, I did not pick the oranges.

I have been told there is a pass for me to go swimming in any of Sun Lakes' 5 swimming pools. These are heated pools. I do not know if my delicate sensibilities can handle a heated pool.

The 3rd Friday Of March In Arizona

I am up well before the arrival of the illumination providing sky orb on this 3rd Friday of the 3rd month of 2012, looking out my current viewing portal on the outer world.

I see no swimming pool, this morning, no matter what window I look out. Which is probably for the best, since it is only 57 degrees in this semi-chilly Sonoran desert. It is 10 degrees warmer, right now, at my former location in the humid State of Texas.

Last night I slept better than I have slept since I don't know when. It is so quiet here. The air is so clear. I know this Valley of the Sun metro zone has some air pollution woes at some times of the year, but it does not seem to have any right now.

Last night I did not need to use any medicinal spray to keep my respiratory system functioning. I am having no eye burning woe.

I am beginning to think that the air that I breathe in Texas may not be as salubrious for ones well being as one might wish it would be.

Today I am scheduled to go to a BBQ at my sister's house. No one I have spoken to has yet heard from Spencer Jack's dad. Or Spencer Jack.

Tomorrow I am going, with my sister, to some sort of function at the Phoenix Botanical Garden.

So far I am sort of enjoying being in Arizona.

Getting Lost In Arizona With Giant Saguaro Cactus & Tall Palm Trees While Being Late For Dinner

A Big Sun Lakes Saguaro

Well.

I am enjoying my first evening in Arizona. For the most part.

Around 5 I indicated I wanted to go for a walk to check out the local flora. My mom gave me the directions to get to the green belt where I would find lakes, cactus and palm trees.

It was fairly easy to find my way to the green belt via my mom's directions.

I walked around Sun Lake #4. I think there are 5 lakes in Sun Lakes.

After walking the green belt for a distance I decided it was time to retrace my steps.

Somehow I managed to get lost. My mom and dad live on Olive Lane East North. I somehow got on Olive Lane East South. Olive Lane East North and South do not at anytime meet.

Sun Lake #4 With A Tall Palm Tree

So, no wonder someone easily confused, such as myself, might get lost. That and the roads in Sun Lakes are a confusing maze of twists and turns.

When I took off to take a walk my mom asked if I had my phone with me in case I got lost.

When I realized I was lost I called. But I got a wrong number. I thought it was Tootsie Tonasket, but it turned out it was my sister I accidentally called. My sister was able to tell me I needed to find Olive Way East North.

I walked north on Olive Way East South all the way to its northern end. I was totally bum puzzled.

Bum puzzled is a new term I recently learned on Survivor.

Just as I was being my most bum puzzled my dad called to tell me it was time for dinner and that I was late. I told my dad I'd gotten lost, but my sister had pointed me in the right direction. At that point in time I thought my sister had pointed me in the right direction.

A few minutes later I realized I had no idea how to find Olive Way East North, so I called my mom's 24 hour help line. When I told my mom what intersection I was at she was able to direct me back to my starting point.

Where I had dinner.

Have I ever mentioned before that I don't usually eat dinner?

My First Day In Arizona With A Double Filet-O-Fish & Lost Bets

Desert Mountains East Of Phoenix

In the picture I am about 30 miles from being on the ground in Phoenix. It'd been about 3 years since I've seen scenic scenery of the mountain sort.

I was surprised by the big lake to the east of Phoenix. I later learned it was called Lake Roosevelt. Washington has a Lake Roosevelt on the Columbia River behind Grand Coulee Dam. I saw no dam that accounted for this Lake Roosevelt.

I had no annoying incidents flying US Airways today. Except for the fact that the last time I flew this airline it was still US West and then, in addition to something to drink, they also threw you a bag of something to open up and eat.

Hiking Through Sky Harbor Airport

Today was my first time experiencing the new thing, to me, of ordering small morsels of food and paying for it with a credit card swiping device.

This was also the first time I've flown since virtually every airline, except Southwest, charges to check in a bag. This charge to check in a bag seems to have caused people to try and take too much on board, which resulted in the overhead bins getting too full and causing those with wheeled on carry-ons to be told they had to check in their bag.

I said earlier today that my only walking today would likely be via the long hike through an airport. This turned out to be true. So far. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport helps speed up the walking with a moving sidewalk. At the end of the moving sidewalks I had to do some auto-walking en route to the baggage claim area.

When I finally saw the baggage claim area I also suddenly saw my mom and dad and sister. Soon my sister was driving us out of the Phoenix Airport. My sister said it was the biggest airport in the world. I did not disabuse my sister of this notion because I'd already been humiliated by saying that Susan Lucci had never been on Dancing with the Stars. My sister made a bet with me on this issue and then quickly used her smart phone to prove me wrong.

McDonald's Is My Kind Of Place

The loser of the Susan Lucci bet has to get into my sister's swimming pool. Methinks this may have been what is known as a sucker bet, with my sister, apparently, not knowing that me getting in a pool this time of year is no problem at all.

After we finally left the world's biggest airport my sister drove us all over looking for a place to eat.

I have to say, one thing has really struck me, so far, every where I go in the Phoenix zone the land is landscaped. Every intersection, every freeway exit, everywhere. It is such a contrast with a certain other area of the Southwest with which I am familiar that does not even landscape the freeway exits to its top tourist attraction.

Eventually my sister found this really cool restaurant called McDonald's. My sister told me all the McDonald's with which she is associated have been re-tooled into the slick ultra modern type one she took me to today.

Heavy Traffic In The Desert Outside Phoenix

I had a Double Filet-O-Fish. With some other things. One of which was a Mango/Pineapple Smoothie.

Soon after we left McDonald's, we left civilization and passed through desert that is Indian land. Eventually this led us to Sun Lakes and my mom and dad's place, which is where I am now.

It is rather warm. I don't know if air conditioning exists in this part of the country. I suspect it does, but it is not running at my current location.

I just checked. It is currently 84 degrees at my current location on the planet. The location I left a few hours ago is currently 74 degrees.

I think I'll take a walk around the grounds and take some pictures of palm trees, citrus trees and cactus.

The Ides Of March Dawns Warm & Humid In Texas

I am looking out my primary viewing portal on this 15th morning of the 3rd month of 2012 being very beware of the portentous date that is the Ides of March.

On this day, over a couple thousand years ago, in 44 B.C. to be precise, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death, from 23 knife pokings, by a conspiratorial group of Roman Senators.

Even though our current American Senators and Representatives are held in low regard due to their partisan squabbling, I guess we can take some solace in the fact that the politicians who represent the American Empire are better behaved, for the most part, than the politicians who represented the Roman Empire.

Changing the subject from assassinating Romans to the weather.

It is currently 68 degrees and humid at my location. It is 56 degrees and not humid at the location I will be located at in about 8 hours.

I have no idea what I will be seeing via the view from my primary viewing portal on the outer world tomorrow morning. Maybe a cactus, palm and blossoming orange tree.

The sun is now arriving to begin its illumination duty. This means it is time to go swimming one more time before I depart for a colder climate.

One Last Walk With The Keechi Creek Indian Ghosts Before I Relocate To The Sonoran Desert

Today was the last day for awhile for me to walk with the Indian Ghosts who haunt the Keechi Creek Natural Historical Area, formerly known as the Village Creek Natural Historical Area.

Currently the Keechi Creek Blue Bayou is being the Keechi Creek Green Bayou.

Today is being cloudy and humid in North Texas, at 76 degrees.

I think I will leave this humid zone for awhile and go spend some time in the Sonoran Desert.

Tomorrow I think my only hiking may occur via walking through airport terminals.

I got gas today on my way to walk with the Indian Ghosts, so I called my mom and dad to tell them I got gas and how much it cost. My mom told me I could have waited and just given them this important information tomorrow in person.

I had not heard from Elsie Hotpepper today til just seconds ago when she informed me that she had no clue. I have no clue what Elsie has no clue about.

The 2nd Wednesday Of March Dawns Warm In Texas Cooler In Arizona

The shadow of the soon to be skinny dipping thin man is up early on this 14th day of the 3rd month of 2012.

With about a week to go til spring I have my computer room window open this morning. It is currently 66 degrees outside at my location.

I see a long swim in my future this morning.

Spencer Jack and his dad are flying to Phoenix today. I don't know if I will be seeing them until a Friday BBQ at my sister's house in Chandler.

I keep forgetting to inquire if I should bring cool weather clothes with me to Phoenix. This morning I realized I could just check the Phoenix weather and draw my own conclusion. As you can see, it is colder, currently, in Phoenix, than it is in Fort Worth.

And Fort Worth's 5 Day Forecast is a bit warmer than the Forecast for Phoenix. I don't think I will shivering in Phoenix, though, unlike summer in Tacoma.

Ths sun is starting to provide its daily illumination service. It is time to go swimming.