A SECOND CHANCE .......

Wishing that it would rain today, was obviously was not going to happen. Seeing how the storms krept upon the desert floor and dissapated, maybe that was way to much to ask.

Some people hate the rain, but you will never see me complain.
There are a lot of people who feel inconvenienced when a storm approaches, they run for shelter or cover their heads, but thinking about it .. that's no fun at all.

Clouds will roll in and thunder will sound, but in the deserts, rain does not hit the ground. For days on end the suits whine, because its too hot and way to dry, it is 115 degrees under a relentless sun. Here in the deserts hot wind is second to none, but when it rains they curse the sky. You wonder what the thought process is when it comes to that?


There will be rain, eventually thunderstorms will come and wind will blow, but how much fun could that be when looking out through a window? Today, if there were rain, and I would take another action, I definitely would not take it for granted! I will not run for shelter no matter how hard it rains,  just raise my arms and enjoy the gift, after all ......... it was heaven sent! I will never hate the thunder and the lightning and I have no fears of getting wet, I will grab the rain with my out stretched hands, I will catch rain on my tongue, I will probably be soaked when I am done!


 Peace everyone .......

About Me ......

I found out early in my life, I would never be destined for greatness. Kind of a shock really ( in my own mind) .. after all why couldn't an undersized little guy make it big somewhere? I mean,"hell" who wouldn't want an ex afternoon paperboy to succeed right? I did show potential ...

 After pouring out my heart and soul trying out for sports teams, I realized that being known as a "hard working athlete with no talent" .. was not going to get me paid and or laid. Through it all ...I had been restless, and motivated despite life's obstacles. This pattern continued even thru high school, and then college, but things never did quite pan out.
 
So I refocused my efforts to different endeavors. After striking out as a banker, male exotic dancer/comedian and a plumber, I turned to writing, and photography (not that anyone pays any attention to that either)! Still waiting on the money .....my dream job hasn't arrived at age 53. Being the eternal optimist, figured that once the money rolls in, the ladies and the cushy job are sure to follow. Anyway.. eventually I hoped to see my name in lights!

In the meantime construction seems to be the perfect fit. At least there he can be unappreciated, taken advantage of, and sweat my behind off waiting for that big break!

 I list my hobbies as a professional sports spectator, amateur photographer, fantasy sports participant, yelling for no apparent reason at sporting events, and singing while I work. I feel like I work too hard, get no respect, get paid too little, and would one day love to be noticed by someone important enough to help me attain my lofty goals!

 
Thank you for your consideration ........




Rick Delaney

THE OLD BARN

This is a true story .... Most of you know that barn or had heard about it. It was at the end of 65th ave. North of Thomas rd.

 Oh my god," you think, "I've got to get home this is going to be a bad !" The storm began to rage around me as I completed my paper route, and worked my way home. The wall of dust and debris were easily seen, that old mulberry tree shuddered in the wind, twigs and leaves rolled past my bike as I hurried along the path toward the other end of the field and safety. Unsure if I could make it home, I decided the only shelter was in the farmers barn. Rain was beginning to fall heavily now and lightning flashed and thunder shook the tin roof above me, I decided to look around, not making a habit of being in a place us kids were told was haunted! It seemed like an ok place, nothing like those stories that I had heard," probably to keep us from annoying the farmer and getting hurt". I found blankets and sheets folded near one of the old stalls, sharp hooks hanging from a shelve and a pitchfork was in the corner. It did look like someone had recently been in here, "Or still was, watching me!" I hurried from the barn, not exactly wanting to see who or what was making that old poor of an excuse barn a home.

The rain had stopped and the lightning was seen off in the distance, but the air remained heavy with the scent of alfalfa wet wood, and the night was settling in. Why hadn't my parents started looking for me? "damn them, I would love to see a friendly face right about now!" Maybe the evil I felt inside me, following me, had all ready got them! Not wanting to look back at the swinging doors of that barn, I hurried back along the path toward the house, I could swear I heard footsteps hurrying behind me. Sounds become louder when you are afraid, the mulberry's branches scraping along the tin roof of that barn sounded as if an evil was trying to get out and you could hear the devil in the wind. I shivered from the thought, and I was left in near darkness. As my eyes tried to adjust, I could swear I felt a hand graze my shoulder. I turned, but I could see nothing behind me on the path. Pedaling as fast as I could now, my only goal was to reach the safety of my home. Somewhere between the barn and the edge of that field, I hit a water filled hole and down in the mud I went. I heard a car door slam and sounds of running feet sloshing in the mud towards me." My God was this how my life was going to end?" The evil had found me, and was going to cut me into pieces! I felt a hand grab me from behind and I screamed!!! It was my dad ........ asking me if I was ok and he was getting worried, he had people looking for me !

I turned and looked towards that old barn once more, kind of feeling pretty good that I conquered an old childish fear. I swore I saw someone standing in the door way holding a pitchfork, or did I ? I would never go back to find out!

Have a nice day everyone....



Rick Delaney

Photographs N' Memories

Looking through old photos the other day of our treasured past. Our Youth, oh what a wonderful time we had. They say that time fly's when you are having fun
if that's the case our lives are passing by as quickly
as a car speeds by a picket fence


I pull photos from my album, one in particular catches my eye.
He is plainly not a shadow of the man he used to be
His balding head is slightly gray now, his hair it was light brown
He was an energetic youth back then,
always up to no good but always just for fun,


I close my eyes ......


Fondly remembering playing football as teenagers in the park in our hometown. Pretending I had scored the winning touchdown
the crowd going wild, hands held skyward in celebration for I could only dream.


I didn't need much, I had some wonderful friends, I always seemed to have enough.
I went out to play at dawn,
and didn't walk in the house till dusk.


On looking back, over the decades time has continued to slip by
never asking a lot for ourselves because their were little ones relying upon us. Working everyday providing for the family
because that's the way it was supposed to be done.


People do change ... perhaps we would be strangers now if by chance we did meet
We might not recognize each other in passing on the street
We age a little every day but I hope the memories never fade.


Turning back to the photograph of the one I knew from many years ago. He has aged as time on us all does show
this person was I and nearer to my life's prime
But in the end we all lose out to ageless father time.


Thanks ...


Rick Delaney

SCOOBY DOO pajamas & FUZZY BUNNY slippers .......

Knowing that the work week is over, it is important that we all take the time just to relax. Sleeping-in at least one day out of a weekend, has been my favorite past time for years, I see no real reason  to break from tradition. Every once in a while I inadvertently forget to do something, that would affect my limited days of rest and relaxation. Do you know how annoying the sound of an alarm clock is when it goes off? "of course you do!" The sounds eminating from that box is even worse when the damn thing goes off at 5:00 am on a Sunday morning! I knew it was my fault, no one to blame but myself. I forgot to turn that alarm off, but shit, making matters worse I almost got up thinking it was Monday all over again.

 Grumbling a little, tried to gather myself, I finally reached over my sleeping wife. It was still quite dark inside the bedroom, so it took me a few seconds to locate the nightstand. Leaning over my wife, half on the bed / half off I probably looked like a pretzel. Just as I hit the alarm button on the clock, I lost my balance and down to the floor I went...  as I was laying there staring at the ceiling, I was thinking how my darling could possibly sleep through that noise. Normal people ( ok that counts me out) are not supposed to wake up especially on a non-work morning in this fashion, " It just isn't natural."   I must have been quiet, my wife hadn't moved a muscle through all of this". It was obvious I was to get no sympathy from the wife. I assumed that my allotment of sympathy minutes had all ready been spent anyways.

 Instead of climbing back over my wife ( goes to show you what a nice guy I'am... but later I wished i had wakened her)  I walked up to the book case and slipped on my Scooby doo pajama bottoms. Something was missing ..... Where were my fuzzy bunny slippers? I take great pride in knowing where all my stuff is. I mean if I were to go blind I could still find shit you know?  Now I have been doing this routine for years and I like my things to be exactly where they should be. When something comes up missing in our house, it's usually one of two fur balls who are prime suspects.  We have two Pomeranians in the house, neither one weighs more than six pounds. So look under the bed or on their blanket thats where you will usually find missing stuff.  During the night one of the dogs decided to carry off one of the bunnies,   attack and tear off the nose of my Fuzzy bunny! At least I found them and the world was right again.


Walking out to the kitchen, at least the automatic coffee pot was working like a champ, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and hazelnut heaven! Gazing out my front window I saw that our mobile newspaper carriers aim wasn't at all good this morning.( whats new right?) But on top of the suck delivery, looking down the street, I could see a wall of water advancing upon my Sunday paper. At the time it didn't really matter to me what I had on, after all my sports page was in danger of getting wet. So out the door I went,"Damn paper delivery people…. At least make it into the front yard!" I went to the gutter, picked up the newspaper and held it like I had just won a trophy! I didn't realize that a few neighbors down the street had all ready spied my Scooby doo wardrobe, and were laughing hysterically. I gave them my good morning work single finger salute, " what would you have done?" Making matters worse I tripped over the garden hose and smashed my finger on the door getting back into the house!  Not wanting to feel badly about my childish response to the boys down the street,and my single finger salute, I stepped back outside. I walked back out to the sidewalk. lowered my scooby doo pajamas and showed them a pair of very white ass cheeks!

But in retrosect ... a 51 year old man has no business standing in his front yard showing his rear-end to anyone. (you feel me dog)? But I felt so accomplished!


Eventually I finally found my easy chair in the family room, placed my hot cup of coffee on the coaster, and spread the newspaper out on the table. I dumped the classifieds, and entertainment sections. I went through the Sports page first, followed by the front and then the valley section. But as I was sitting there, maybe it was the way I started the day. Battling that darn alarm clock, the devouring of my fuzzy slippers, falling out of bed, tripping on the garden hose, and smashing my fingers in the door, made me tired again. maybe I will return to bed and hold my wife .... by the way,  "where is that rewind button?"





Have a nice day everyone  ....

The Hohokam

The Hohokam peoples lived in a wide area of south-central Arizona from roughly Flagstaff south to the Mexican border.  around 300 BC, to become the most skillful irrigation farmers the Southwest ever knew. The  Hohokam developed an elaborate irrigation canal system using only stone instruments and organized labor. Before modern development obliterated this system. The Hohokam were reliant upon the unpredictable waters of the river" the salt river."
Even though metropolitan Phoenix and suburbs have almost completely destroyed any signs of those wonderful people, we were smart enough to learn from them .. and some of the canals we depend on today for irrigation follow the same path once laid down by those people.

Even though the Hohokam dissapeared for unknown reasons, I have been fortunate enough to wonder upon petroglyphs, and what was once an observatory during my hikes. Some of the drawings are of animals and maybe tell a story .... here are a few I would love to share ... 

What is awesome about the hiking trails in and around the Phoenix area, places like these are everywhere if you just take the time to look. I'am fascinated by ancient civilization. I can almost feel for what they endured without todays tools and technology.

San Diego California

Time we have left in this world is numbered. sands of time clicking by faster and faster. Everyone seems to be in a hurry and then what? The only thing for certain is our demise, something to look forward too huh?  A majority of us will be shoved in a 3'X8'  box under ground, or burnt to a crisp and placed inside an Urn. Eventually you will take up residence in a prominent location in the house collecting dust. Unless you are hooked up with JC himself and his party animal disciples .. enjoy the view .. for those of you who happen to get caught somewhere in between  before I do, stop by and visit anytime. Just make sure you give me fair warning tho, I scream like a girl and throw shit when startled!

random thoughts .....  =)

Getting older had me thinking a couple of months ago. I have never taken a vacation....  ok maybe once or twice but haven't gone anywhere in the last couple of years. Something always has happened keeping us close to home. But as time becomes a factor I at least began to think of stuff. I would want nothing more for my wife and I to get away, I think we deserve that. We have been putting up with each other for twenty years, including three daughters,a son, family issues, and jobs. Knowing that our days are numbered, staying in one place for an exended period of time may be unhealthy. I mean if you have a number and someone knows where you live, you would think it would be harder to hit a moving target.

So on the way we went .... San Diego here we come!!!

note:

San Diego commuters are fast ... not that I minded for good reason. The minute you jump upon Interstate 8 or 5 ... you best have all ready found the accelerator pedal. There must be a lot of Nascar fans here, because people will draft you, bump draft you on the straight aways and over all look displeased if you act anything like a tourist. If you happen to be going with the flow of traffic ( say 85 mph) your exit comes up in a hurry. If you haven't done your homework, reading maps using Sea world as an example.... you could end up in Oxnard before you know it. What amazes me is that I have never seen an accident, or a California highway patrol officer setting the pace,especially when you are going 30 MPH over the speed limit.

Once you finally are lucky enough to get where you are going, I have noticed signs requiring that we pay a fee in order to park in the lot. So why in the world would a person be charged a fee in order to shop at a store? Even at a cvs drugstore I saw a pay box in the parking lot. A sign attached to this box read, " First hour inside store is free for all customers, therafter, pay the $ 2.00 per hour in advance and write your space number upon envelope provided" all unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at owners expense. Now wait a frigging minute! This drugstore wants you to spend time in their store, but hurry up? Silliest thing I have ever heard of.

Ocean Dreams ......

When I dream of oceans, I see sand, and gently rolling surf. Couples walking hand in hand, leaving foot prints in the wet sand. Light ocean breezes blowing, seagulls flying overhead, and as I gaze out to sea, the suns reflection glimmering off the water. At times the sunlit pattern is undisturbed, but in time fingers of light appear bending and twisting into new patterns before they come ashore.What do you see when you picture oceans and sand?

Some of us see romantic scenery, just another experience to share with the one you love. The most important thing is to appreciate your surroundings, after all life is a gift when nature calls. What is beautiful and wonderful doesn't have to make sense or have a purpose. Even if you have seen the ocean a million times, some people take things for granted, and to a few, what I'am saying might seem peculiar, different and strange. it takes happiness to appreciate even the most intricate change. Deviating from what you feel in your heart is not the answer ..

appreciate your inner child  and cherish .

Have a nice day everyone ... be safe


.

Fun Times ...

"I have one head that wants to be good,
And one that wants to be bad. And always, as soon as I get up,
One of my heads is sad."

.... The battle between good and evil was played out at my house. Cops and Robbers, and Cowboys and Indians were my favorites. I was always the good guy I have you know! We never seemed to worry about a lot of things back then, all my buddies were terrific, and our parents cared enough to keep us on a short leash. I was a good kid most of the time ( most) .. even though I have to admit I did have my transgressions.

 My parents always believed that they felt secure enough in our decisions to let us be ourselves to a point. The rope was attached to a firm hand just in case, and knowing that our behinds would be on the receiving end kept us for the most part on the straight and narrow!  I'am not saying knowing that there were ramifications for our actions kept us entirely out of trouble,  sometimes as a youngster you just have to push the envelope...

Most of my youth experiences were fun, and exciting, even though later....  could be classified as poor choices. Just sometimes you had to do things .... and one in particular  I would like to share.

 Old man Berry gets his wake up call ......

A majority of my friends went to Maryvale High School in Phoenix, and usually on a home game Friday night we would gather a bunch of friends and head to the game. On the way back home from the games, we did what kids do, " have fun". Old man Berry lived in a house bordering a huge field, this field seperated our homes from the new subdivision , being the route of choice for those not willing to walk around . Every Friday night Mr. Barry had a habit of leaving his window slightly cracked and watching the news in his underwear. All of us on the way home could set a clock by this guy, his routine never changed.

On this special night A few friends including myself decided that we needed to liven Mr. Barry up a touch. On the way from the game we tied a bunch of "wildcat" firecrackers together and hoped Mr. Barry was in his usual position on the bed. A few of us ran up to his window and peeked in. It was better than we could imagine, he was asleep! I pryed the screen away from the frame and another buddy lowered the bundle of twenty firecrackers onto his table in front of the window. We had tied a long fuse to the bundle beforehand and had just enough to strike that match from outside the frame. We lit the fuse and ran !!  BAM BAM BAM!! Old man Barry screamed like a little girl ...We felt hiding in that field was the best place to be .. until Mr Barry turned on his huge flood lights ! This guy was going nuts .. he was standing on top of his roof in his underwear screaming at the top of his lungs, that he was going to kill all of us ! I was never sure what he would have done if he was able to get his hands around one of our necks ...but somethings are left to the imagination. We never did tell our parents and they never found out ... remember that hand at the end of the rope ?  lol   

later all .......

No Work? No Tacos ?

Pro immigration vs. anti illegal immigration forces have fought it out in the last several months.The future of the Mexican worker ( not to stereotype) and all illegal aliens, hinges upon what takes place in Arizona regarding SB 1070. Has anyone ever sat down and thought of the ramifications of our actions once 1070 became law? I made a list of pros and cons, but of course the pros were a landslide. I was unable to find any real good reason to continue this "open gate policy"  And since I don't agree with the pro illegal groups, I would be considered racist.

We have not seen the last of this ... more news, more stories and same old bullshit from politicians like Mccain. Who got us in this position to begin with. But watching Mccain spew his dumbass comments on a daily basis , and how he wants to secure the border all of a sudden makes me sick to my stomach. But I expect to watch inept, so called experts line up as it gets closer to an election, telling everyone how great they are and why they should be elected is suited for a late night comedy show. No one should take these clowns seriously. 

Then I watched a quick video of those buses being loaded over in Los Angeles and headed for Phoenix last week. Are you F'N kidding me? And as I was watching a rally the other day, and admiring how  many people could actually climb in and out of a greyhound bus, I saw the sign that might change the way I feel regarding the plight of the illegal alien. The sign read, " NO WORK? NO TACOS ! 

Shit .... all that work on my pro/con list was quite extensive, I busted my ass preparing a list, a majority of you would have been amazed,  BUT just those few powerful words got me thinking, that someone had done their homework! Sure attack my favorite fucking food why don't you! geeeeeeeesh ! How could we possibly survive without tacos? Hell Mexican food in general? What if all Mexican restaurants and vendors boycotted the anti illegal crowd? We have to sit down at the table and discuss this boycott before it gets out of hand.

VIVA LOS TACOS !!

Photography.... My take

I consider myself a descent photographer, I love nothing more than being out in the elements with my camera. At times my photography borders on excessive. I don't have the very best equipment, and I don't have photo shop software in order to help when a photo shoot goes bad. I have two lenses, tripod, and a remote control and a 2 GB memory card .. it will hold 482 fine photos. My Sony DSLR A -100 was a gift from my wife, and I thank her everytime a photo comes out well .

Photographing anything takes a lot of thought process. I try to tell a story, my camera is my pad and pencil, and my photo is the culmination of my hard work.

I do not take photos just to take them, in my mind everything has to be right.  Every photo I shoot are memories that my family and friends can enjoy together long after I leave . Every photo I shoot means something, every photo I shoot is a celebration of life.

I have special places throughout the valley with wonderful vantage points. Sometimes you have to be above it all to see everything. Sometimes you have to be on the roads less traveled away for the city lights in order to take advantage of a photographic opportunity. It really isn't important in what direction I go, the experience is what drives me.

Recently I have been after a lightning shot on a hill over looking  Phoenix, my hometown. I have always wanted a photo from that vantage point. Twice I have set up a mini camp  and waited for the right condition, and a storm to roll across the valley floor. I have had descent photos from this location but still not completely satisfied.

Wish me luck

Arizona Weather thoughts ..

I have been a big fan of the weather for sometime now. I have never been a fan of those who actually do weather for living. I'am sure there are very knowledgeable people in the meteorological field, who do know their shit, but I haven't seen one. Even with today's new tools and toys including Doppler radar,  computer models, and satellites measuring probably everything, including the sweat off our knee caps, they seem to get it wrong more often than not! The boys/girls at the National weather service ( NWS) are Lucky that the weather is an inexact science. Where else can you work for a living, stare at a computer all day, make a forecast, send it off to the media, and then not giving a rats ass whether you were wrong or right?

Some people say that I'am too harsh and should be careful what I say. Those same people are concerned that a few "real" meteorologists might take offense to the fact ( in my humble opinion) they are as dumb as a box of frigging rocks! I was writing for the Arizona Sky warn website a while back, a site frequented by the old guard and quite a few ham operators, who never seemed to have any issues with what ever I had to chime in about. I considered this a vote of confidence ... after all I never have worked for the NWS in any capacity, but have had a lot of friends who do and they have taught me a lot.

Believe it or not I do have pet peeves. I despise those paper pushing, fluorescent light riding, no account media meteorologists who are more concerned about their frigging hair, smiling, and what they have on than placing an accurate forecast, with real time pertinent information. I watch the news most afternoons, why do newscasts feel the need to discuss the weather every ten minutes for two frigging hour straight? When those media darlings decide to discuss our local weather, the first thing they mention " it is "hot" out there!" No Fucking way ! Really?  I 'am sure glad they told me , because I was fixing to throw on my winter coat and rush out there and toss a few snow balls! How would they know whether it was hot outside or not? Everyone of them seem to never get out in the sun, maybe they could get their white zombie looking asses outside and experience what a majority of us all ready knew before they told us!

Enough of my ranting .. I appreciate your patience. At least I can catch my breath for a while, and get my second wind. My philosophy is this .... If it is hot outside it will be this way for a while, unless something extraordinary happens like rain or a cold front! This is not likely especially when hell and Phoenix have switched places. If there are clouds in the sky and they happen to be floating in our direction, The probabilities of rain will increase accordingly, determined by a couple factors, 1) the thickness there of 2) whether pretty little bright streaks are shooting out from underneath said clouds or 3) whether a brown cloud is visible, this could  be a big indicator of a dust storm. Then and only then do we still have a 50% chance of rain ,.. it either will or it won't .. I always lean towards the latter.

A Train in the distance ..

I heard a train in the distance, you could feel
the slow rumble of its wheels upon the tracks.
If you listened close  you could hear
the faint whine of it's horn carried by the wind.
This is where I go, when closing my eyes
day dreaming of far off destinations,
so much better than this ......
vacant landscapes are all that I see ...
asphalt and pot holes, concrete and dirt
telephone wires and traffic.
City noise invades the solitude,
but in my mind ...
The sound of the train whistles reverberate off of canyon walls,
 mountains, and trestles, over crystal clear running streams.
Mountains tops not to far in the distance, as thunderstorms reach
ever skyward from the horizon I see ..
the train rolls along glistening tracks
Wispy clouds overhead ....
as if they were sails attached to a passing schooner ...
riding the waves of an invisible ocean.
Everyday brings an opportunity, and the promise of a better day ahead
through it all the train continues rolling along

without me ....

A refreshing change

Usually spring is a reason to celebrate, flowers blooming, and trees are getting their canopy of green. Good times to say the least. But ... In  the deserts of Arizona this only means the heat of summer is just around the corner. I think we all tolerate the heat of summer, but not excited about sweating our ass off. The rest of the year is wonderful,and this winter has been no exception.We have had a wonderful winter, much colder than usual and much wetter. Snow pack has been huge this year, and all dam's around the valley had to release water down stream. There are signs the long term drought is over, but we know this is a desert for a reason.

 Standing out along the river bank of our normally dry "salt river" its nice watching the water flowing, kind of soothing actually. I can only imagine what this river looked like before we turned this river vinto a wasteland. I have been told that years ago Cotton wood trees lined the river bank. Lush green grass and plenty of shade was every where. Families would  load up there wagons and spend the day enjoying the cool water and the desert oasis. I see why  why people were drawn to this valley if nothing else for that! But that was an easier time ..nothing but memories.

Just looking out my back door this morning, I could see Shawe Butte to the Southeast, shrouded in low clouds, and off to the East Moon Mountain had a crown of clouds as well.  I could imagine standing here just a 100 years ago, looking up at the same view, without buildings light poles, and electrical lines this would have been a beautiful sight. Sometimes progress is not a good thing. All the recent rains have turned the dingy desert brown into a sea of emerald green. The smell of the desert has changed as well, nothing like the aroma of a desert after a rain. I noticed that water is actually flowing in normally dry washs and creeks for the first time in years. 

Even though the intense heat of our summers will soon take a strangle hold, everyone needs to get out and enjoy this time of year,wild flowers should be in abundance as well. A carpet of color as if an artist was using the desert floor as a canvas! A lot of wonderful photo opportunities await in just about every direction you go from the Phoenix metro area. Just take your camera and GO !

Eventually the summer will take hold, the green will turn into brown, the Rivers will dry up and the rains of 2009/2010 will be a distant memory. I have taken this experience in like a sponge, on day trips to no place in particular, hikes into the hills and trails around the valley, train ride into the Verde Canyon, chasing snow flakes in Prescott and hanging out in shops in Jerome. I have photographed the Four Peaks with it's crown of white,  Eagles on their nest, and desert lakes.  I have talked and visited with some wonderful friends, and met a few more who all have stories to tell along the way. Yes this has been a very good winter .. we are truly blessed.

Thanks everyone ....

Have a wonderful day   =)

Rick Delaney

Earthquakes ....

I think about things a lot, from earthquakes to aliens, weather to sunbathing on a nude beach, and from getting my nails done to what will we have for dinner. Now I was kidding about the nails getting done though. Sometimes you just have to throw out things like that from time to time, to see if anyone was paying attention. I have been fascinated with earthquakes, tectonic plates, super volcano's and the chaos it generates. It is amazing to me just how fragile, and at the same time how resilient our world is.

I do actually have an earthquake website I visit and an E-mail notification service to be one of the first to know when the big one strikes. Being one of the first to know, even though I imagine those lucky people at "ground zero", would have the slight advantage in the notification department. I witnessed an earthquake years ago, well found out later that it was, let me explain.

My wife and I spent a few days with other family members in a little town called Idylwild California, a beautiful town actually, elevation 7,000 ft. From the top of this mountain you could walk out to the edge of the property and look down upon the valley below. On a clear day ( free of Los Angeles smog)  you could see the Pacific ocean glimmering in the distance. The cabin was one of a kind, and in order to gain access, you had to walk over a little bridge onto the porch of the second floor. Not like a lot of cabins this one was octagonal, with a huge fireplace as the center piece. The lower floor contained the bedrooms, and each elevation was surounded by a wrap around porch. This was a place you could deffinatley hang out especially during the summer. It was a small  town with it's quaint shops and restaurants, pine trees, and secluded enough so you could actually just sit back and relax.

Our bedroom was very cozy, queen size bed, wood paneling, nice picture window, and a huge down filled comforter on the bed . If you took that same comforter and covered your head with it, no one would know you were there until they sat on you. On those cold mornings you would hesitate to climb out of the warmth and onto the cold wooden floors. We  enjoyed our quiet time and wasn't in to big of a hurry to join the rest of the family out in the kitchen on most mornings.

When my wife and I finally made it out to where the family was, all of them wanted to know if we felt that earthquake? "what earthquake"? They all looked kind of puzzled at My wife and I, and we just shrugged our shoulders. My father in law couldn't understand how we didn't feel the cabin shaking, and hear the boulders tumbling outside. I told my wife later I thought it was just us. she just smiled and told me not to say a word.

have a nice day 


Rick Delaney

Weather or not ...

After all that rain we have had in the last couple of month's, the weather has become somewhat benign. Temperatures were in the low 80's today with an occasional wispy cirrus cloud passing overhead. I would have liked to see the warmth of spring come just a little later this year.

Having all this rain and so much at one time is a novelty for us desert dwellers. To the right is a map of our yearly rainfall totals beginning in 2006. As you can see, we seem to have rain early on, and now until the Monsoon season we basically flat line. It is not unusual to show no significant amounts of precipitation for long stretches.

What is interesting, our official Phoenix rain gauge at Sky harbor International airport, has not received more than eight inches in the same span. I'am sure that orographics, and a slight elevation difference has some effect upon our rainfall totals. Maybe because our home is farther north by almost 15 miles from city center plays a role.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Rick Delaney