Saturday, March 26, 2005

Saturday Somethings: Day 9

Rocky was at it again today. There was a really nice dove that came to visit and was eating some food off Cheryl's balcony. Suddenly she looks up as she heard a scuffle and saw bird feathers flying all over. The bird got away (thank goodness) but Cheryl was mad at Rocky. She told him he has plenty of food and can play with the birds but not hurt them. Rocky went and scoured the balcony, eating the birds feathers wherever they landed. Did you know that cats like feathers? I didn't. This cat sure loves them.

Cheryl locked him out for a good part of the day. He was mad and stood by the glass pane looking in; whining to be invited inside. We ignored him. Then he tried to get cute and rolled around the balcony to gain our empathy.

He was so cute we had to let him in.

Later in the day we needed to do some shopping. We had discount coupons for the local Albertson's so we handed them out to customers. Some were surprised, some very grateful, others were sort of rude. Hmm. Why would you be rude about getting a free $5.00 savings? We weren't sure.

It was an uneventful day but very beautiful out. The days were in the 70s, and at night the stars are bright and the full moon welcoming against the glorious royal blue sky.

We tried to take pictures, but you can only see the moon and some clouds...not all the blue and contrast like in real life.

Friday, March 25, 2005

Not-so-Good Friday, Day 8

Today Cheryl was in a bad mood because of the neighbors having the car alarm on for 24 hours and she didn't get any sleep. So, instead of getting work done and then doing fun stuff, she had to work all day.

I took some more pictures of the sunsets and mountains.

I want to get up and also see the nice sunrises.

I had fun with Rocky too. I gave him some organic catnip on a plate. He was so funny. After eating some, he breathed in more and starting doing kitty sneezes in a really cute way. Then, he started to roll around in the catnip and then lick himself wherever the catnip ended up. It was funny to try to see him get it off his cheek. He is a really silly cat with unique personality.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

White Dove of the Desert: Day 7

Mission San Xavier del Bac


This is a beautiful Mission in the Southwestern part of Tucson. Inside the church it is quite small, but extremely beautiful. They have been working several years of restoration to get off all the wax and soot from candles burning that had affected the statues and paintings.

Cheryl started to film inside and the priest had to tell the folks not to do it during mass. She was pretty embarrassed. So, we don't have any film to share but there are photos on the website.

This mission is both beautiful inside and outside.



Here is a little history:
"From the earliest times, the Tohono O'odham settlement in which the Mission is located was called Bac, "place where the water appears," because the Santa Cruz River, which ran underground for some distance, reappears on the surface nearby.

The celebrated Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited Bac in 1692. Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church, some two miles north of the present site of the Mission. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier, the illustrious Jesuit "Apostle of the Indies."

In 1768, Fray Francisco Hermengildo Garces, a man of outstanding personality and prodigious accomplishments among all missionaries in Arizona, established his headquarters at San Xavier. From here this Franciscan Friar set forth on his many missionary explorations.

The present church was built from 1783 - 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. Little is know about the actual labor of the construction of the church, who was the architect, who were the artisans, but many believe it was the Tohono O'odham who fulfilled these roles. Why the one tower was never completed is still a mystery, but hopefully one day this question will be answered.

San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture, yet the blending is so complete it is hard to tell where one type begins and another ends."

To read more, visit their website click. There is also information here.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Day 6: Rocky does a bad thing

Today we spent half the day cleaning up after Rocky. He was having a terrible temper tantrum and got very anxious and whiny. He was talking and complaining very loudly. We tried petting him, feeding him and talking to him but nothing worked. Finally, he went out and peed on Cheryl's balcony. The odor was horrible. She was not happy. It was very hard to clean up because of the porous floor. Most already soaked in. So, after many hours, the smell is still there. We have to try hosing it down again tomorrow.

Cheryl got very mad and told the neighbor he needs to change Rocky's litter box regularly; that was why Rocky was acting that way.

So, I didn't get to do much or see much because of that cat. I am not sure we will be friends anymore. Take a look at his guilty face by clicking here.

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Computer Hacker: Day 5

Today we didn't get to go anywhere because someone hacked Cheryl's website and computer. So, I spent the day helping her document and recover her files.

Then, I went to the swimming pool. I was going to dive in, but remembered that it might damage my sensitive skin.

So, instead I lounged on the chairs surrounding the pool and listened to the birds sing. There sure are a lot of birds that visit here this time of year. I saw finches, doves, crows, and a really noisy raven.

Then, I played tennis on the tennis court with some kids who were out having fun. I got a good workout. I hadn't played tennis before so they taught me what to do. They even created a special racquet for me to use.

Monday, March 21, 2005

A Taste of Mexico and Movies too! Day 4

Later in the afternoon we went to the famous. I really enjoyed the great food; especially the salsa. The staff was kind enough to pose with me in photos. The first photo is Abel holding me:

Here I am eating my veggie tacos:

We went to New Life Heath Center and I got my picture taken with the clerk, Lynn:

Then off to two movies. First, I got my picture taken with the ticket booth operator.

Then, I got my photo taken with the two ticket takers inside:

Finally, inside the movie, I took a picture of Nicolas Cage in

National Treasure and Cheryl took a picture of me in the seat watching.

After, we watched A Very Long Engagement.

It was a fun-filled day!

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Day 3: Sunday's Adventures

Today was a relaxing day. I read the Sunday paper and checked out the news stories around Tucson. Rocky came over and was in and out all day. He was rolling around in some catnip acting kind of crazy. I was laughing really hard. He was a little afraid of me at first. Then he came up and decided he liked me. We played for quite awhile. He was rolling around on the floor, grasping me with his legs and paws. He was very gentle. Nonetheless, my host was worried he would damage my clothes so she scooped me up and sat me on her chair. She made sure to take a picture of us first.

The most exciting part of my day was when Cheryl let me drive. My legs were not long enough to reach the pedals, so she let me sit on her lap and gently guided the steering wheel. However, I was the one who was really controlling the wheel.

See below:

I got my picture taken with my host:

Then read some magazines and watched tv before going to bed.