tradition

Funny how I never really thought about Thanksgiving traditions until it hit me that I won’t be participating in them this year. After that sank in the other day, I scrolled through the thousands of pictures on my computer for a few from some more recent Thanksgivings. Turkey day usually means a trip to Tucson. So. Maybe a pitstop at Rooster Cogburn’s, a trek up “A” mountain, a drive to the summit of Mount Lemmon or Bisbee, the same picture, over and over, at the Arizona Inn. And then taking the long way home through Julian to pick up a Christmas tree. This may be a totally self-indulgent post, but needed to make it to feel connected to something familiar. Going to be doing a little something for the holiday here, but you can’t imagine how strange it feels to be thinking about warm comfort food like mashed potatoes, dressing, and pumpkin pie when summer is just around the corner! 

Ward Thanksgiving 101

Try to keep the boys calm as you drive them to the pet hotel for a few day's stay and a "spa day"

Maybe pull off at Rooster Cogburn's to feed the deer, ostrich, and lorikeets. 

Pose in front of the house. Maybe turn the chicken dance from Arrested Development into a turkey dance to celebrate the day. 

Head to the Arizona Inn. Walk around the grounds, spot adorable rabbits, pose again. Marvel at their gingerbread house, eat as many desserts as you can, and try not to cry when champagne gets spilled all over your favorite silk dress. 

Break character at some point in the evening and go delirious. Make everyone take pictures in the big chair like when they were kids, have a fit of laughter, take silly pictures of everything.

Spend Black Friday at La Encantada. Over the next day or two venture to "A" mountain, Mount Lemmon, Bisbee, Tombstone, Saguaro National Park, or the San Xavier Mission. 

On top of A mountain

Looking out over Tucson

Snow! In Tucson! At the summit of Mount Lemmon

Hanging around Bisbee

Optional: take a tour of the mine

Enjoy the view (and the wind) at a lookout point over Saguaro National Park

San Xavier mission

Pull into the same, familiar tree lot in Julian. Pick out a nice, tall tree with lots of room for ornaments. Mosey around town and pick up some cider, jam, candy, caramel apples, and pie. Always, always stop at Dudley's and buy a king's ransom of bread. Eat the best pieces (the ends!) of the Shepherd's loaf on the drive home. 

Finally make it home. Pick up the dogs and have a good cuddle. Or go back to the home you're taking care of and love on the ones there. Either way, end your day with some animal loving. 

 So that's Thanksgiving. Should be interesting this year. It's been a truly weird last few days, so please excuse the slowing down in posting. Brian and I are over. Yes- it was bad. No- I don't want to talk about it. But honestly feel like there's no better place to get over heartbreak than Hightor. So many things to be thankful for this year.