Yesterday, I ditched the Chihuahuan for the Sonoran (10 hour round trip drive for just an hour or so with the camera...but I like drives)- determined to get photos of a saguaro before we left the area. They're as tall as trees! Years ago, I'd driven past them, but I'd never stood beside one before (that I can remember- it seems like I forget a lot of things these days) & it surprised me how really, really tall they are. I would have been more in awe, but I discovered that I'm a complete fraidy cat & was too busy checking out every sound to fully take it all in. Every fly, lizard, jackrabbit, chipmunk, or bird had me convinced that a mountain lion or javelina was set to attack. Apparently, I can't go hiking alone. I'd feel like a complete coward, but I probably won't ever be mauled by a wild animal...
This is another cholla- like the one in the previous post- just purple & in bloom.
This is a Palo Verde tree- the bark is smooth & green. Baby saguaros use them as "nurse trees" (same goes for mesquite)- sprouting up under their cover. The baby saquaros look a lot like barrel cacti- the easy to discern difference is in the thorns, saguaro ones are straight and the barrel ones resemble a fishing hook.
This is another type of cholla (teddy bear, I think). And, below, a prickly poppy (we have those in central Texas too).
So, just in case you're not on Facebook, we're moving to Waxahachie (leaving El Paso on the 31st) AND I passed the bar! Pretty big news & all in one week. While Waxahachie wasn't my first choice, I'm excited to be 2.5 hours from Priddy & close to lots of other family (and some old friends). Even Kansas friends and family will be a lot closer!
Cool things this week: I got to celebrate Mexican Mother's Day at work on Thursday & then our Mother's Day yesterday. Auden made a plate for me at school- he drew our house here in El Paso. Even though I Hate this house with its popcorn ceilings, metal bars covering the windows, and sand backyard, it's sweet to have that memory. Matti gave me coupons (as in he'll clean his room, etc) & asked if I was going to use them because he'd rather I didn't. He might get lucky- they might get lost in the move.
Also this week, I got a little worked up about all the negativity surrounding the Time magazine cover. I liked it, while it seems no one else did. I thought the photograph was genius & didn't feel at all taunted by the title, "Are you Mom Enough?" Maybe because I know I have a litany of shortcomings but feel like I could've sucked way worse & am doing some things pretty well.
On that note, Happy Mother's Day! Love, Sara
