Views from my week

Posted on November 5, 2021 by E.A. Wickham

sun setting in the desert — Almost sunset the other night in the neighborhood.

Besides sitting down writing this week for NaNoWriMo, I went for walks, enjoyed sunrises and sunsets and was entertained by Olive the cat and our friendly quail. FYI, I’m almost 10,000 words into my 50,000-word challenge. My husband took off to help our son move so I’m alone and will have lots of quiet time to write. I’m stressed because he didn’t leave himself enough time. He may be on his way back home in an hour. It’s out of my control, but it’s the type of thing that makes me anxious.

My son is moving from his apartment of five years into a house with more space. My son needs help because he isn’t supposed to lift anything due to his August shoulder surgery. My daughter said, “Only my brother would plan a move when he wouldn’t be able to pack or lift anything.”

She’s looking to move as well, so my husband might be moving her if she finds a place this weekend. She looking at apartments this very minute. Funny, the house my son is moving into is 700 feet from the house my daughter gave notice to leave. It wasn’t planned and I’m sure they’d like the close proximity, but it just worked out that way. My son is moving for more space and the black mold they discovered doesn’t agree with him. My daughter is moving because she’s in a co-op with a total of eight people and she’d like to try living alone. She said she’s tired of other people’s messes. Just wait until she has kids someday!

cat peering through cat grass looking out a window. — Olive hides behind her cat grass waiting for the quail to appear on the patio.

Quail out the window where I sit and write.

A bunny hangs out with the quail.

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Anybody have more exciting plans than mine of sitting and writing? What are your plans? How much time do you give yourself at the airport when you travel?

Morning walk views

Posted on August 10, 2021 by E.A. Wickham

This is my last desert walk for a few weeks. I’ll be walking along a beach instead. I took a few pictures of things that caught my eye, including prickly pears and bunnies. Then it was time to take Olive in to board

This bright green ocotillo was bare and dead looking when we moved in.

The wild lilac in our yard is blooming. It’s also known as purple sage according to my plant ID app.

A few of the dozens of bunnies I saw this morning. We’ve been hearing the bobcat at night climbing up a tree out or window and on our roof.

We’ve made the first leg of our journey to visit my dad. Then it will be another day before we head to Summerland. The weather today is 104 degrees with flash flood warnings. Can’t wait for the beach!

Highlights of the week

Posted on June 12, 2021 by E.A. Wickham

We tried out the Tonto Bar and Grill for lunch yesterday. It was located on a golf course and this is the entrance. The shrimp tacos were pretty good. I’m on a quest to find the best fish and chips and shrimp tacos.

I see dozens of bunnies whenever I walk. I spotted tiny babies a few weeks ago, but they are quickly getting bigger. I like how the ears are translucent in the morning sun.

My Aunt gave me this beautiful painting of our cabin in Robe, Washington. It was painted by my grandmother. My parents built the cabin with their own two hands. It’s long gone. But we still own the land and have family reunions there. I had the painting framed and picked it up this week.

Here’s a photo of my cabin from the 1970s.

My husband and I spent Thursday evening at the lake again. We had a new pop-up tent that didn’t blow away.

When I went to the Farmer’s Market in Carefree, I ran across this slide in the park. If I were a kid, I’d be terrified of it. How about you?

I’m spending my afternoons reading in our casita. It’s a really good book called “Next Year in Havana” by Chanel Cleeton. Olive keeps me company by resting on the top of the sofa next to me.

How was your week? What were some of your highlights?

Favorite sights from the past days

Posted on May 4, 2021 by E.A. Wickham

gorgeous Arizona sunset — I walked up the street to find the best view of the sunset this past weekend.

I’ve had some interesting sights this week. The desert is bursting alive with blooms. Baby bunnies are everywhere. I had bright red cardinals in my trees. A red-headed woodpecker sucked all the red juice from the hummingbird feeder I hung out and he’s pecked holes to make nests in our saguaro (not our favorite bird.)

We went for a hike in the nature’s preserve across the street and decided to veer off the trails we know. I thought the trail Hawknest would save us time, but it added. It didn’t loop back but headed straight down the preserve away from our house. It’s unsettling to not know where you’ll end up, but finally we found a trail crossing that we knew would lead us back home. Next time, I’ll bring a paper map! The phone was not cutting it.