March 1, 2014

We left Las Cruces on Wed, February 26th on our way to Tucson, Arizona.  

Organ Mountains in Las Cruces

Not very far into our trip we were asked to pull over for an immigration check. We are American citizens, born and bred.  Yet a feeling of apprehension came over both of us.  We could not imagine what a Latino, American born and bred, must feel driving up to one of the checks.  They waved us through with no questions asked. We did not meet the profile.

Immigration Check

We saw many Union Pacific trains.  They were long and on a straight and level rail.  The mountains behind them made quite a picture.  We thought of you Bill Chapman and Woody and Tom.  Choo choo!!!

For miles and miles the beautiful Arizona desert stretched before us.  The saguaros are beautiful.  The mountains in the far background are gorgeous.  The Arizona sky is breath-taking both night and day.  It may be because of the magazine Arizona Highways that was part of our youth but Arizona truly does take your breath away!

When we got into Tucson our host, Pat MacCorquodale, was at a University of Arizona basketball game.  Pat was a Kellogg fellow with Cathy and they have remained "sisters of the heart" over the years.  She has taught at Arizona about thirty years.  She now is Dean of the Honors College.  Her husband, Philip Krider, has been at Arizona in one form or another for over fifty years. He is an expert on lightening and is called in to be an expert witness in many trials. He also was very gracious.  Together they have invested time, talent, resources and love into UA.

Philip and Pat

After eating at Old Chicago Pizza with a packed house that was cheering heartily for Arizona (they are ranked #3 in the nation), we met Pat and made our way to her home. It is a Southwestern home set in the midst of Arizona beauty. When we walked the wash in the daylight we were overwhelmed with the abundance of natural beauty.  The cacti, the palo verde tree, the evidence of wild pigs and pack rats (they really exist-we thought it was just a name for people who saved things!), overwhelmed us with the joy of the outdoors.

Philip and Pat's House in Background

On Thursday Pat took us to San Xavier del Bac Mission.  Founded in 1700 by Padre Kino it is a stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture and religion. It is currently being restored to its original vibrancy by delegates from Rome.  The use of carved wood and stone throughout is an example of the craftsmanship of the time.

Native American Saint

Smiling Angel

Blessed Mother

Pat and Cathy

Father Kino

Father Kino

When we returned home we met Pat and Philip's daughter, Kate, and their granddaughter, Charlotte.  Charlotte made us miss our grandchildren!  She was a fun little lady!  We went out with them for Mexican food and had sopapillas (Cathy's favorite which is not found in the NE) for dessert.

Charlotte and Katie

On Friday we met with Meg Hovell who is chair of the board of OLLI-UA.  They have a state of the art facility.  Their fee structure is what she called "all you can eat" because you pay one fee and you can attend as many classes as you like. The fee is much higher than the other OLLI programs that we visited which may make it out of reach for part of the population.  Meg also said that there is lots of competition for retired populations in programs offered through the university.  Overall, they were offering fewer choices for courses.  They have two satellite sites and with all three sites they have just under 1,000 members.  If they reach 1,000, they will be eligible for another million dollar endowment.

Meg Hovell

We went back to the university to meet Pat.  We found an open air Greek restaurant where we had a delicious lunch while we waited for Pat to get done. She gave us a tour of their Women of Honor Monument.  Pat's name is on the arch for being the first female Dean of the Honor's College.  She and Katie also have leaves that were purchased by their families to honor them.  The Monument was created by the Women's Studies Program and includes diverse women from AZ who have made significant contributions to our history.  Pat has been a mentor, friend, sister, supporter and role model for me for over twenty years.  Seeing her honored in this monument made me happy to see how much others appreciate her too.

When we returned to Pat and Philip's home, we shared our Hatch Green Chile wine.  It was quite a hit.  We again shared dinner with Katie and Charlotte at Guisesppe's Fine Italian Dining.  The food was outstanding, almost as good as the company!!  We seem to be heading to bed by nine most nights because we are exhausted from all the wonder we are taking in.  We are so fortunate to be on this journey of renewal and revisiting people who have enriched our lives.

Arizona Love

Where does it begin?

The butterscotch sunlight

streaming through huge windows?

Sheer palo verdes swaying?

Saguaros stretching to an azure sky?

Breath-taking mountains

dominating the horizon?

Cacti sprouting colorful blooms?

Natural beauty everywhere

Stunning southwest architecture

bringing the outside in?

Muted colors that reflect nature?

Glowing sunlit churches once missions

ministering then and now?

A physically beautiful university

vibrant, growing, serving?

Man-made beauty everywhere

A gracious, loving family?

Love of state, university, and treasured family

spoken fondly and forcefully?

A flowing mane reflecting

Arizona shine?

A lightening bolt husband

sharing in life and love?

Daughter and granddaughter

completing a moving family mosaic?

Family beauty everywhere

Arizona Love

We left the next morning for the Grand Canyon.  It was pouring rain, a unique weather day for Tucson!