A Christmas Computer

Our grandson, Zach, is an exceptionally bright 8-year-old in the third grade in Billings, Montana. We made a the decision to bring them to Tucson for Christmas and to purchase a MacBook computer for Zach's use in his studies at Lockwood School.

As you will see, it was not under the tree during the opening of other presents. Kathy brought it out from our bedroom and the rest is evident in the video below.

New Car

The Internet is a wonderful thing. Kathy has been looking for a new car for a couple of years. While she looked at several makes and models, her dream car was a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Last week, she received an email from a salesman in Peoria, Arizona (north and west of Phoenix) that they had a used 2008 model that had been leased for a year and only had 6100 miles.  The dealership hired someone to drive it from Peoria to our house in Tucson where we signed the purchase papers on our dining room table.  Kathy will now have a ride for her 40-mile daily commute that gets 27 miles to the gallon in the city and it has seats that better accommodate her tender lower back.

Landscaping

The landscaping, including a dining patio by the pool, dresses up the backyard.

Landscaping

Desert landscaping adorns the area around the new swimming pool.

Renunion

Bill and Lorie Hougland, my sister and brother-in-law try out the new swimming pool.

Reunion

The first weekend in October featured a mini-reunion of sorts as my sister Lorie and her husband, Bill, from Houston, and our second cousin, Judy, from near Melbourne, Australia, came to Tucson for a short two-day stay.

Judy had visited Tucson nearly five years ago. Lorie and Judy had not seen each other since she had moved to Australia in the 1970s.

Gully Washer

For those of you who think Kathy and I live in a bone dry desert here's proof to that it rains from time-to-time. Last night it rained harder than we have seen in a long time. Here's the proof, a rain gauge that Kathy deployed about a year ago. It reads 2.8 inches of rain.

Gully Washer

The rain gauge used to be in the middle of the backyard, but was displaced by the swimming pool. Now it resides at the back wall.

Waterworld

Kathy's Daughter Carla and grandson Zach are spending the weekend, flying in Thursday night from Billings, Montana.

Waterworld

Zach uses a water toy.

Waterworld

Kathy's grandson Zach enjoys the new pool.

Waterworld

Carla and Zach have been in the pool constantly during their visit.

Waterworld

Carla uses one of the float tubes to blow water at Zach.

Waterworld

Zach is pleased after his morning swim.

Pool update

Before the water comes the pebble tech.

Pool update

The pebble-tech grew coates the inside of the pool shell.

Pool update

Ready for a quick dip. The water temperature was 91 degrees without using the heat pump.

Pool update

Kathy couldn't wait.

Pool update

Kathy starts the never ending battle to rid the pool of leaves and other debris.

Pool update

Kona was happy to see the pool was ready to use.

Pool update

Kato just plain beat by all of the pool construction.

A lazy Sunday

After the chores are done on Sunday morning, the dogs like to spend time in the laps of either Kathy or Dave. Here we see Kato laying half on Dave's chair and half on the end table. He's actually guarding the remore controls.

A lazy Sunday

Kona rides shotgun for Dad as he uses his computer from his easy chair.

Pool update

The decking and patio were coated today. No word on when the pebble tech will be applied to the inside.

Pool Update

Kathy just couldn't wait for the water.

Pool Update

Where's the water?

Pool update

Halfway done. The concrete was poured for the pool.

Pool update

Not enough water for swimming yet.

Pool update

Mr. Kona demonstrates what he thinks of the pool construction.

Pool update

The forms for the pool decking were formed on Wednesday.

Pool update

The deck for the pool was poured on Thursday.

Pool update

It was about 105 degrees as this concrete worker was finishing his task.

Pool update

We arrived home today to find the concrete guys putting the finishing touches on the bottom of the pool. Kathy wanted to fill the pool and jump in but she returned to her senses and decided to allow the concrete to set.

Momma bird

This morning dove and her two babies have taken up residence in Kathy's cactus planter at the front door.

Pool

The iron was installed, as well, last week. Next up are the electricians.

Pool

The pool filter system and a heat pump tp heat the water were also installed last week.

Pool

The plumbers were here last week to install drains and feed pipes.

Pool

The construction foremen, Kato and Kona, are on the job.

Pool

Digging on our latest adventure began on June 12. This image was lifted from video taken by Kathy.

Pool

The ground was fairly hard so an electrical jackhammer was needed to break it up before the backhoe could dig it out.

Pool

A front end loader takes the dirt to a waiting truck at the street.

Pool

A swimming pool in the making.

Pool

That trench will carry the electrical and water supply to the pool.

Hayward pilot feels the need for speed at Reno Air Race

Here's a link to a story about one of Reno's best pilots:

Mother at work

Every spring the morning doves find creative places to start their families and they don't even pay any rent. The one above took up residence in the cactus planter at our front door.

Geraniums in bloom

The geraniums that Kathy's Mom bought when she visited at Thanksgiving are in full bloom on the back porch.

Oleanders in Bloom

The red oleanders that belong to our neighbors were in competition with our pink oleanders.

Reno 2007

While working through the pictures taken at the National Championship Air Races in September 2007 when I discovered a picture I did not realize I had taken.

This picture appears to show Formula One pilot
Jason Somes flying over the crash site of fellow pilot Gary Hubler near the first pylon on the race course. Hubler was killed as a result of the crash and Somes was able to land safely.

This picture seems to show that the plane piloted by Somes appeared to be under control immediately after the collision with the tail of Hubler's plane.