I can hardly believe it's been over a week since we moved in! We played bridge with 3 other couples and have enjoyed the sunshine on our small but pleasant back patio.
On Wednesday we drove up to Phoenix to pick up Bob's sister, Aline, and the three of us had lunch at this wonderful little bistro located in a most unlikely industrial park location, just south of the airport and right off the highway. Google research paid off again. There was a nice variety of sandwiches and salads. The three we had were delicious.
She left yesterday afternoon. I don't know where that week went either. We saw the Tucson botanical garden, a moderate size space right in the heart of Tucson, and primarily a cactus garden, although they do have a tropical butterfly enclosure which we just barely got into before it closed. The butterflies were gorgeous, not the usual ones that we see around us. The enclosure also had hummingbirds flitting about, except for the two who had built nests and were sitting on their eggs.
On Friday, yet another old friend from Tufts arrived. Bob and I hadn't seen Dick for about 35 years, and once again, with the exception of a lot of gray and white hair, he looked the same to us. Aline had visited him just a few years ago, so the two of them had a lot to talk about and to catch up on. In a rather whirlwind weekend, we managed to visit Tubac on the art show weekend and had lunch in Tumacacori at Wisdom's, where they have good Mexican food and great margaritas. I'm sure we will be going back to both when my sister Paula arrives.
We also visited San Xavier del Bac, the oldest Catholic mission in the US. It is over 300 years old and has been in continuing service. Originally Jesuit, it is now run by the Franciscans. It's quite beautiful, with an interesting mix of southwestern architecture influenced by Europe. In one small alcove of the church there is an effigy of Saint Francis. The faithful and penitent approach the effigy, lift his head and kiss it, and stroke the cloth that is draped over the body. On the purple cloth are pinned many "milagros", literally "miracles", that are tiny stamped tin figures of animals, people, or crosses. When you pin a milagro you are either asking St. Francis to intercede for you or thanking him and God for a prayer that was answered or for your good fortune. We had purchased some milagros last year at a little shop and brought them with us, so were able to pin our own on the cloth.
The four of us sat at dinner one night (Dick, Aline, Bob, and me) reminiscing a bit but also just chattering away about things we had seen, the excellent food in front of us, and various small things. The odd thing about getting together with really old friends, the ones you met in your 20s or perhaps even in your late teens, is that often it doesn't seem odd at all. Perhaps it's because of the intensity of relationships that one forms in college at the same time that one is also just figuring out who and what we are and setting the groundwork for our future thoughts and ideas and philosophies.
It really was a Tufts weekend, as my other roommates Gail and Lisa also came West for the long weekend. They were here primarily to see the gem show, which is the premier gem and mineral show in the country. It was funny and a bit confusing to have three Gails at the same time (actually two Gails and a Gale), but wonderful to all get together even briefly. As people were leaving we actually remembered to take a photo of the Tufts ladies: Barbara, Maren, Gail, Lisa, and Gail.
In a previous post, I believe I had mentioned how disappointed I was in the Mexican food I had had in Arizona last year, and that one of my goals this year was to find a good Mexican restaurant, something beyond good tacos and enchiladas. Well, we found one. Bistro Poca Cosa (" little thing") has only a chalkboard menu that changes twice a day, depending upon what is available and what the chef feels like making. They specialize in Sonoran food and have many excellent choices. They also have "El Plato" which has three dishes from the menu, chosen for you by the chef. You do not get a choice. You do not get to say "I don't like red sauce". You just get to eat it. And if more than one of you at the table orders it, your plates will be completely different. It's a delicious way to try many of the items on the menu.
Today we have no houseguests, but we still have very little time to spare. I am trying to finish this post right before dinner, having spent time this morning going to the gym and then this afternoon doing a little bit of food shopping. After dinner we are having people over for bridge and to listen to the State of the Union, which here will start at 7 PM.
It's only about 50° here right now, but the sun is so warm that I went out with just a fleece vest. The sky is still "Arizona blue".
No comments:
Post a Comment