Myrtle Kraft Library & IronHawk Elevator - Portal, Arizona

When I stopped at the Corporate Offices of Ironhawk Elevator (Raising the Standard) to ask directions to the library I thought Managing Member, Laura Mullen, was pulling my leg when she said they ran their operations from downtown Portal. I mean, they ARE downtown Portal!!

I got the door prize for my reaction.

Kathleen, a psychologist, was staffing the library. It began life  in the 1920s as an extension of the Post Office. After a period as the school, it finally settled in.

The Friends of the Library Bookstore, next door, is almost as big as the library itself. Hardbacks are fifty cents, paperbacks a quarter. I hauled out two stacks for $12.50 and hadn't progressed more'n 'bout six feet from the front door. 10 am - 2 pm Tues thru Saturday -- Turn left at the Country Store; it's on the right at the turnaround.

Eastbound

Trundlng toward Sonoita, I stumbled into Le Cegeunita Natl Conservation Area, an attempt to restore the Black-footed Prairie Dog. Remnant Sacaton (tall) grasses from pre-cattle days add perspective to the devastation of over-grazing. Didn't see no dawgs tho'.

There're (note correct grammar rather than vernacular: there's) two camping areas but you'll be hard-pressed to distinguish 'em. No tables er far rings. Jus' designated areas with scattered locations whar thuh grass's been trodded away. Dispersed camping is allowed except in certain "zones."

Eastbound. Doesn't Phoebe sorta remind you of Zippy the Pinhead? Cowboy hat on dash is ready identifier as: "one of them."

Bud Lite

Evry good ole boy'll tell yuh that there light beer is the best iffn yer watchin' yer figure.

You kin hear  'em sayin', "Why honey, ah lawst three hole powundz in nahrly az minny munths drinkin thayut stuff."



Yes, I picked it up and deposited it to a recycling receptacle.

James Joseph Roderick & Our Lady of Guadalupe

Up -- on the walls -- through the end of the year, in Ajo, Arizona, is a show by James Roderick.

On Our Lady of Guadalupe day (not MY Lady of Guadalupe!), Suzan and I were touring The Plaza when we found James' work. It's in the lobby area at the entrance to Art Under the Arches gallery caty-corner of the Visitors' Center/Chamber of Commerce.

Roderick's rich colors vividly capture the pathos that surrounds this iconic figure. But it's his unique take on the gal that makes the work interesting: Our Lady astride a Harley; warming her hands at a campfire; contemplating her likeness on candles.

Approx 14 w x 24 h

After Georges-Pierre Seurat

He also has a coloring book.

Roderick has had a long-term interest in goddesses and has painted images from Buddhist and Hindu mythologies as well. 

James' contact info:
phone:  505-982-1183
email:   roderickartworks@gmail.com
Website: james-roderick.fineartamerica.com (both upper and lowecase work)

Ironwood Forest National Monument

It's West of Tucson and campable.  Scenery is nice enough and it's relatively quiet.

Tucson Ho!!!

This could be my next blog banner. There was rumor the shorts had fallen into the fire, but they resurfaced. Hah!!

The photo I'm holding was one of many by Eadweard Muybridge, famous for his "motion studies."
Poetry in motion; don't you agree?

A painting bought from a cafe in Ajo, Arizona. The proprietor said the artist had returned to Michigan to die of cancer. It "livens" each day for me.

View from the west wing: Feet up. Sunshine. Freedom!!

ABQ Vignettes

My first suspenders were castoffs from a production of You Can't Take It With You. I don them for special occasions such as a visit to ABQ.

Soon after I left for my four-month sojourn, Michelle began a re-do of the house. Along with remodeling the bathroom, she had a new roof with skylights put on, re-landscaped the front yard, bought a new stove and, shown below, got some new drapes for the living room. She thought the feather behind my ear leant just the right touch. I'm considering having a feather-holder implanted. 

It was at the dinner table she noticed this splendid bit of abstract expressionism in a Cat Lackeys To-Do list.