Well... I was a slacker and didn't do a blog for July. So, here's one covering two months!

The monsoon season really ramped up in July, and during July and August, you could at least spy a rain shower on the horizon someplace or another a good portion of the time. This also meant cooler temperatures (more 90's, less 100's) and higher humidity (oh joy - I thought I escaped that!). I'm a sky gazer anyway, and it's been a glorious time to watch the drama unfold above.

On a hot day in early July, I took a trip up to Mount Lemmon to escape the heat. At over 9,000 feet, it was nearly 30 degrees cooler on the mountaintop than down in Tucson. The trek is a little time consuming, but well worth it. During the monsoons, though, part of the key is finding a time when it's not raining up there, as the mountains get so much more rain than the city does.

The wildlife sightings weren't as plentiful over July and August, but we did see our first tarantula spider outside the apartment. He didn't bother us in the least and I thought he was pretty interesting. I know, I know, I'm a weirdo. We also had a few onslaughts of Sonoran Desert Toads (aka Colorado River Toads) in the depression outside our apartment, which the monsoons filled to make a little lake. They make the weirdest (loud!) noises and depart as quickly as they appear. I was totally baffled the first time they showed up until I figured out what the racket was.

I also got to spend some time in the Tortolita Mountains, just north of Tucson, while house/dog sitting for my second cousin Kim and her sweet dog Murphy. Kim and her husband Ian have built a beautiful home that is surrounded by a rocky desert wonderland. It was like a mini vacation in our own backyard.

The fam along the coast in Newport, Oregon

August was, well... full of love. The first week of August, I took a trip to Corvallis, Oregon, to see my sister and her family. As a bonus, the icing on the cake was that my mom was there, too. We had lots of fun and laughs and a trip to the coastal town of Newport, where the high was 60 degrees - not a temperature I've seen in a while!

I visited my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, the last week of August for a whirlwind few days. Having never "moved away," it's a new thing to visit home and figure out the logistics of how to cram in visits to everyone who's been an important part of nearly 40 years of your life. I was sad that I could not arrange a way to see every one of the many, many lovely people whose faces I miss. I had many more great intentions than I had days and hours, and unfortunately time seems to have a way of evaporating when you’re trying to meet new babies, celebrate milestone birthdays, help moms, catch up on major life changes, check in on puppy dogs that own your heart, attend weddings... you get the picture. I did my best and that's all I can do. I can't wait for next time!

And now, art! I think I did pretty well considering that I took two trips. I started making 2"x3" size "miniature paintings" and have really had fun with these little studies. Many have sold and they've proven to be a popular item.

"The Land of Stories" I & II, all framed up and ready to go to their new home

I also received a really neat commission. I was asked to recreate one of my miniatures as two 5x7" paintings. The scene, which was from a trail at Madera Canyon, Arizona, made the customer think of the stories she reads to her grandchildren. She said it felt “like you could walk right into a land of tales and mythical creatures.” She plans to have them help her hang her piece and to help them hang theirs. Then she will tell them that when they look at their painting she will look at hers, and they’ll meet in the “Land of Stories.” So sweet!

There are, of course, still pieces waiting for you in my online shop. I hope you'll hop on over and see if one of them takes you to a special place, too. Shop now ›

"Sonoran Suitor"For sale as of this blog posting — "Sonoran Suitor"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Cactus Cartel"For sale as of this blog posting — "Cactus Cartel"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Fetish Pottery Still Life 2"For sale as of this blog posting — "Fetish Pottery Still Life 2"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Newport, Oregon: 8/5/18, 13:05:08SOLD — "Newport, Oregon: 8/5/18, 13:05:08
SOLD

"Newport, Oregon: 8/5/18, 13:05:08"For sale as of this blog posting — "Newport, Oregon: 8/5/18, 13:05:08"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Tucson, Arizona: 12/24/17, 15:21:20"For sale as of this blog posting — "Tucson, Arizona: 12/24/17, 15:21:20"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: 5/27/18, 19:22:12SOLD — "Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: 5/27/18, 19:22:12
SOLD

"Armory Park, Tucson, Arizona: 5/19/18, 14:59:29"For sale as of this blog posting — "Armory Park, Tucson, Arizona: 5/19/18, 14:59:29"
For sale as of this blog posting

"Bahía la Cholla, Sonora, Mexico: 6/20/18, 12:14:32"SOLD — "Bahía la Cholla, Sonora, Mexico: 6/20/18, 12:14:32"
SOLD

"Madera Canyon, Arizona: 5/10/18, 12:48:27"SOLD — "Madera Canyon, Arizona: 5/10/18, 12:48:27"
SOLD

"The Land of Stories I" and "The Land of Stories II" - SOLD (Commissioned pieces)

"Tortolita Mountains, Marana, Arizona: 7/28/18, 19:33:28"SOLD — "Tortolita Mountains, Marana, Arizona: 7/28/18, 19:33:28"
SOLD

"Tucson, Arizona: 8/17/18, 19:14:22For sale as of this blog posting — "Tucson, Arizona: 8/17/18, 19:14:22
For sale as of this blog posting

"Tucson, Arizona: 8/11/18, 19:09:32"For sale as of this blog posting — "Tucson, Arizona: 8/11/18, 19:09:32"
For sale as of this blog posting

Shop now ›

I left the Medford Airport before sunrise, driving north through foggy mountains. I had a date, and I had promised that I would be there for Memorial Day morning breakfast.

Teressa & Dee at Tyee Wine Cellars' hazelnut grove

It had been nearly two years since I'd seen my sister Dee and her lovely family, who reside in Corvallis, Oregon. Thankfully, as it often is with family, the two years melted away almost immediately. In fact, my sweet 9-year-old niece Sarah was outside when I pulled up, and I got a good preview of her running skills as she rushed to be the first to hug my neck. As I had hoped, she was by no means too big for me to pick her up and swing around.

Sarah and her brother Case, 6, also demonstrated their enthusiasm with a chanting session: "Auntie Tree! Auntie Tree!" They sure do know how to make an old lady feel kind of cool (I still have no idea why I'm such a big deal, but I'm really grateful that I am). Flanked by one of them on each side, we chowed down on a yummy breakfast and got reacquainted.

The afternoon was spent in a field at Tyee Wine Cellars, sipping wine, snacking, hiking through the woods, listening to bands play, and hanging out with Dee and her husband Steven's friends. The kids frolicked through a mossy hazelnut grove and my nephew got a little carried away collecting the little kernels.

The week flew by. The kiddos relished waking me each morning to snuggle a bit, Sarah would make me her special oatmeal for breakfast, they would head off to school, and on a few days, I was able to enjoy lunch with my "twin" sister before school let out. It's fun to relive the part of our childhood where we are incessantly asked if we are twins (we aren't, but we are just a year and a half apart in age). We've spent our entire adult lives thousands of miles apart, so most people in our daily lives haven't seen us together. There were definitely more than a few double-takes.

Friday night was a carnival fundraiser at the children's school, which kind of gave me flashbacks to the fundraising events of my career. I found myself giving advice, watching to see if people were using the correct starting bid and bid increment in the auction, and also tucking away a few cute ideas for possible future reference. The kids had a great time eating cotton candy, playing games, and selecting prizes. They were a bit wild with sugar by the time we got home.

Sarah had a 5K race on Saturday, and Dee accompanied her on the trek around Oregon State University's campus. Case and I saw them off and then had a coffee date while we awaited their return. After the race, Case had asked to surprise me with a date to eat Mexican food, and we filled our bellies. The afternoon was completed with pedicures, a first for Sarah, who enjoyed it tremendously. A perfect way to top off a 5K run!

Sunday was my last full day with the family, and we had a leisurely afternoon. We chowed down on pasta and then the kids practiced riding bicycles. They made lots of progress in such a short time. We capped off the day with some early birthday cake for my 41st celebration. I couldn't believe that Steven found an almost identical cake to what I had described as my favorite from Sweet Stuff Bakery at home (lemon with buttercream icing and lemon curd filling).

I was sad to say farewell on Monday morning, but I had a timeline to keep. I headed east for a change, full of Sarah's special oatmeal, lots of love, and many kisses.

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