The BBC Eats Tucson

Tucson was featured in the April issue of BBC Good Food. The writer's first impression of Tucson, upon seeing the mountains, the desert, the magnificent saguaro cactus with their "hands up!" was the same as mine: I'm in a Roadrunner cartoon! I have never gotten over the delight of that whimsical revelation. The roadrunners who dash and pause, dash and pause across my back yard are my spirit animals.

Tucson, and All That Jazz

I love this video, filmed in downtown Tucson. Look for the Snake Bridge, the old Chicago Store (RIP), the Ronstadt Center, Cafe Magritte (RIP), the stone ramada on A Mountain, the Fourth Avenue underpass, the Rialto, the old Fourth Avenue trolley (RIP), the old clock on a pedestal next to Veinte de Agosta Park (west side of Church Avenue, south of Congress--site of the Occupy Tucson encampment) and the bus stop in front of the Aloft looking toward the Palm Shadows Apartments. 

The Tuesday Night Bike Riders were surprised to roll into the live filming on the Snake Bridge, but the Sylvan Street sax player and film maker were cool with it.

Anyone know the location of the beautiful mural? 

Bees in the Trees

I noticed a swarm of bees in my mesquite tree yesterday. Their old hive became too crowded, so they crowned a new queen and escorted the old queen to my tree. They are guarding the old queen inside this swarm while they look for a new home. I am honored to host royalty in my yard. I hope they find a great location that isn't my attic. 

Milkweed is Caterpillar Food

We should all plant milkweed so the butterflies, especially the endangered Monarchs, have food for their larvae. I bought a pine leaf milkweed at Desert Survivors and was enchanted to see that it came with a Queen butterfly caterpillar. I watched it chomp on the leaves for five days, but now I can't find it. Maybe a bird got it, or maybe it has made a cocoon that I haven't located. 

UofA Bungalow and Guest House

Adorable 1937 Feldman bungalow, beautifully upgraded while maintaining the vintage character you seek. 

The main house has two bedrooms and one bath in 786 square feet. It shines with fresh paint, brand new Shaker cabinets, stainless appliances and granite counters. New oak-look tile floor in kitchen. Laundry room off the kitchen offers additional storage.

High ceilings, decorative fireplace and lots of natural light. 
Oak floors in living room and bedrooms. 

Of course, the footed tub was saved, complemented by a new vanity and sweet hexagonal floor tile. 

The 473 square foot guest house is one of the nicest you've ever seen.

Oak cabinets in sunny guest house kitchen.

Decorative fireplace in the guest house living room. Three-quarter bath and a bedroom large enough for a king-sized bed. Tenant pays $625 on month-to-month lease and can move with 30 days notice. 

 Mature desert landscaping in the private fenced yard. 

Two off-street parking spaces. The coolest location, right between UofA and 4th Avenue. The interactive floor plan is here. This property sold for $234,725 on May 31, 2017

Bullock's Oriole and Ocotillo

I put out some oranges in a suet cage to attract orioles, but the orioles are more interested in the ocotillo (oh-koh-TEE-yoh) blossoms and my home made oatmeal cookies. 

The ocotillo haven't had leaves for months, of course, but with the little bit of rain we had, plus maybe some encouragement from my garden hose, they started leafing out.

For those of you who are not lucky enough to have seen an ocotillo, here's the magnificent specimen behind my house. 

Popular Mitman Neighborhood

This home has been in the same family for 58 years. You can almost sense the many good times & celebrations that occurred here. Now a new family will start their own traditions.

The cozy fireplace invites you in, while the wall of windows frames the private back yard. The trellised patio is just right for for large parties under the mature trees. Nice little courtyard off the family room.

 10,800 SF lot may allow guest house construction; buyer to verify. Raised planters & shed await your urban farmer dreams.

The Mitman neighborhood is sought-after because of the well-built brick homes on quiet streets close to Park Place, UofA & DMAFB. Lots of upside potential for sweat equity in this lovely enclave of more expensive homes.
The floor plan is here. Three bedrooms. The main bath has a shower and tub. Powder room is between kitchen and family room.

Sold April 10, 2017 for $153,068. We immediately had five offers over the list price! I'm sad to say good bye to this home of a dear friend, raconteur and defender of civil liberties, Corny Steelink.