Goodbye, 2024

 

... here's to a new and better 2025! May the new year bring you all that you need.

Long-Time Abandoned Sign

This sign for Nickerson Farms, near Picacho Peak, has been here, in this same condition, ever since I moved to Arizona in 1982; it's on the road between Phoenix and Tucson. Apparently the restaurant closed sometime around 1980 and the building has since moldered to the ground but the sign lives on...
 

Bird Assortment

 

Boxing Day Glow

 

Merry Christmas 2024

 

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate... 

This stocking was made by my mom, who every Christmas Eve would embroider the year (the years continue onto the back). Some of the stitching is a bit wonky--she might have had a nip of Kahlua while she was embroidering (and to be fair, it is difficult to embroider down at the foot...). She made these for every member of the family, so by last year she had seven of them to do. 

She will be terribly missed by all of us.

A Christmas Eve Dream of Santa

 

A Tallulah Mae throwback to 2015...

Orange Sherbet Clouds

 

Grumpy

 

The members of my funny little vintage made-in-Japan Christmas orchestra seem a wee bit disgruntled...

...especially this horn player, who seems downright pissed off. Merry Christmas!

Rolling Wieners

 

Even if you enjoy hot dogs--I certainly don't--this is NOT appetizing. And what are "wrapped buns?" (This was in a truck stop, BTW.)

A Mix of Bluebirds

 

The bluebirds continue to come to our fountain, which makes me very happy indeed. There is quite a variety here: I'm not sure if this is a mix of a male, females, and/or juveniles. 

Santa!!!

 

Delicate

 

Yellow Bird in a Yellow Tree

 

Tiny orange-crowned warbler peeking out of the pomegranate tree...

Dinner at the Bowling Alley

 

...which also includes a shuffleboard court, a billiard room, and darts. Love it!

Flecks

 

Welcome, Migrating Visitor

 

A lovely white-crowned sparrow, a migratory visitor. 

A Most Excellent Sign

 

...in Tucson. 

'Tis the Season

 

Silhouettes

 

A Most Excellent Sign

 

...in Tucson.

Trees and Shadows

 

The Thing

 

I am so glad that this is still here along the I-10 in Arizona...we didn't stop in, but I'm pleased that the kitschy tourist trap endures. 

Throwback

 

Fond memories of the Hotel Congress from back in the day (1980s)...always fun to see this sign.

Thankful

...for my mom, Vicki York Steele, who passed away this morning at the age of 86. She was the best mom, and I was so fortunate to have had her for 62 years. Rest peacefully, Mommy...I love you.
 

Dove Conclave

 

Modern but Cool

 

Love a good neon sign, including a modern one. This is quite small, but it is a copy (authorized?) of this very large vintage car wash sign in Palm Springs. 

No Parking

 

Incoming Pterodactyls

 

(or pelicans, maybe...)

Sky Lines

 

Bee on Basil

 

Celebrating

 

...some fantastic news! (Also, I have the sweetest husband in the entire world!)

Cabrillo National Monument on a Perfect Day

Chicano Park

 

These amazing murals are painted underneath the 5 Freeway; the houses/streets that had been here were demolished in order to build it. This is now a National Historic Landmark.