Beauty in the Desert"

"A pleasing quality associated with harmony of form or color,excellance of craftsmanship,truthfulness, originality or another, unspecifiable
property." so says the American dictionary as I looked for a new word to put with the pictures this morning. Cousins Andrea and Bob live in the Arizona desert where they have a view of the mountains and spend both time and energy developing a garden. Here you can see for yourself how successful they are.

Color and form . . . it is right here to look at. How can such a prickly cactus give birth to such beauty? One of natures mysteries.

The long bulbous cacti comes alive in the spring.

This one must be very special as it looks like it belongs in a bride's bouquet, without the thorns of course.





Thanks Andrea and Bob for the pictures and your words. The two of you have been hard workers all your life and you deserve to retire to your lovely oasis in the desert. I just wish it were not so far away so I could stop in and have some desert with coffee and share some good company. Enjoy your seconds and send more pictures for my blog.

So today, if you feel like sending pictures of your 'place in the sun' , do so, and I'll put them on my blog to share with everyone. Each of us has a different idea of the ideal place to live and I am wondering about you . . . come on, share a picture and story with me . Granddaughter Erin sent me some pictures which I have to sort through. I don't have one of her new apartment in the city, or the special little cafe where she stops for bagels and lox . . . now that is an incentive to make a visit to the city. Friend Jo lives in a historical community, now that would make a good write up. John shares pictures of his digs in Alaska, not the apartment building but the surrounding areas. Son Michael lives in a small trailer on a horse ranch in Nevada and that has beauty all its own, in fact, I have blogged about that ranch before. Paula has a little house in tornado country and is hoping that they soon pass and leave her house standing. Now that is down right scary. Cousin Pauline lives in a huge old home in Newport, R.I. overlooking the ocean and has shared many stories about her years when she housed visitors who came to this beautiful city to take part in the special events. Home is where the heart is, so share. Make your seconds count today and everyday. Good Friday . . . silence from twelve to three, meditate and light a candle today. Hugs to all.

What a beautiful picture of their home and flowering plants. There is still a little snow in the mountains but far away from the heat of the desert.