Aloe

Aloe come in all shapes and sizes.

Kids

   We had our first school group yesterday.  153 Third Graders, their teachers, and several parents for each class.  There are five volunteers so each of us got one class ( about 35 students).  I was dreading it to say the least.  They arrived in three school buses about 10am ( 15 minutes late.)  All five of us leaders were standing out front waiting.  We had spent two days preparing the subjects and the demonstration foods for the event. 
    I was the third person to get a class.  I identified myself, and had them follow me away from the chaos.  We walked a short ways to the bathrooms so that the kids could "start out fresh".  when they were finished, I told them my rules: " I am always at the front.  When I raise my hand you need to be quiet.  Use your inside voices even though we are outside.  Don't pick any flowers or plants."
    There were five stations, four of them were plant related and along the arboretum paths.  The fifth station was in the children's learning center where we do more of a classroom type activity.  The whole program is to get kids outside and to let them learn more about their environment.  It's actually a great idea. 
     The day went much better then I had anticipated.  I didn't use my notes as much as I had thought.  Oddly enough, it was fun.  You feel like you have great power when you are walking from one location to another with 35 kids following you.  Such power and influence.

Fun as it was, I was happy to see them head for the picnic area and their lunches.

 

Lunar Eclipse

The clouds allowed us a pretty good view of the event.  I got a photo with my phone and enlarged it just a bit. 

Progress Report

   Randa and I have been at Boyce Thompson Arboretum for 20 days.  The learning curve has been steep, but we are used to cramming information into our brains for the first weeks, so it is ok.  Both us us have given our first general tours.  I had 21 visitors on my tours yesterday, half of them were from Canada.  Guiding folks around this place and showing them this interesting and beautiful place is fun and actually, easy.
   We have settled into a routine, sort of.  The boys get me up about 6 ish.  I try to postpone it but we are usually walking the trails of the park by 7am.  It is peaceful walking around before the park opens at 8 so we are virtually by ourselves. The boys love it because interesting smelling spots are everywhere.  I need to be aware of where the dogs are putting their noses because most of the plants here have barbs or spines.
    General tours are at 11am so if we are the guides, we are there to greet visitors about 10:30.  The general tour takes about 2 hours.  It makes a circle around the park but only hits the high spots. There are many, many other paths winding around the garden.

 Ice Plant

Evening View

Last night the Arizona skies gave us a fabulous show.

Morning Walk

On my morning walk with the boys here was my view of Ayer Lake.  Not bad, huh?

Mother Rain

   The weather prediction was correct.  We had rain last night.  It started as we were getting into bed about 10 and lasted 12 hours.  Another Oregon evening.  It is still gray and foggy.

    The Tohono O'odham people called the winter rains "Mother Rains".  Quiet, steady, nourishing.  The rains of late summer were called "Father Rains"  violent, loud, sometimes destructive.  We have enjoyed two Mother Rains since we have arrived.  We feel welcomed.