Verna and Bob's Weblog

Arizona

A New Rock and Cactus Garden Accessory

Radio Flyer Toy Wagon

There is a new addition to my rock and cactus garden west of the RV drive; it’s a toy replica of a Radio Flyer wagon that has been popular for many years. I put some of my cactus cuttings in pots in the wagon to see how they will do out there.

According to the Radio Flyer website, they have flourished for almost a hundred years and are still going strong:

An American Icon For 98 Years

Just like our original red wagon, the Radio Flyer brand has become an American icon. It began with a classic story of humble beginnings, where Antonio Pasin was in search for a better life, and came to America where he found his calling. Not only did he find a better life for himself, but his dreams put a smile on the face of millions of children across the nation.

For 98 years, countless voyages of childhood fantasy have been launched with Radio Flyer toys. Their beauty, simplicity, and standards of safety encourage adventure, discovery, and capture the wonders of youth. Antonio created a legacy of toys that continue to spark the imagination, as Radio Flyer is rediscovered with each new generation.

With a solid commitment to creating the best childhood experiences, we are developing tomorrow’s innovative toys with the same classic quality, and sense of outdoor, active play that have been our trademarks from the beginning.

Radio Flyer is dedicated to delivering smiles and warm memories that last a lifetime, and we are proud to be a timeless symbol of childhood freedom.

May 19, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Nostalgia

The Curve Billed Thrasher Nest

Nest Caretaker

We peeked in the Curve Billed Thrasher nest in the cholla cactus in front of our courtyard a few days ago and were delighted to see several chicks had hatched. I took this photo of one of the parents tending the nest as it was getting ready to depart to forage for more food for the hatchlings.

There has been a nest in this cactus and little thrashers have hatched every year since we have been here. This year, the nest is almost inaccessible to our camera as it is buried deep within the spiked arms of the cholla.

May 12, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Wickenburg’s Welcome Wagon

Welcome Wagon

The alliteration in the title refers to the Conestoga seen in the image above. The wagon, along with an Arizona State Historical Marker sit on the southwest corner of the intersection of US 60 and Vulture Mine Road. Click on the image to enlarge.

The marker is dedicated to Vulture Mine which is about 13 miles south of it along Vulture Mine Road. The wagon is used to welcome visitors to town and is often decked out with a banner advertizing this or that event.

Last summer, the wagon was blown over and the cover ripped to shreds by a violent microburst thunderstorm. We are happy that the town and the ‘powers that be’ have restored the wagon to even better than it was before the storm.

May 6, 2015 by Arizona Culture Photography

The New Flagpole

The New Flagpole

After the new flagpole was installed, we had to wait a few days for the silver paint to dry and cure. When the pole was ready, we put up the American Flag with the Arizona Banner under that.

I took this photo of the flags as seen from the courtyard a couple of days ago when the wind was just right. They look great!

Click on the image to enlarge.

May 5, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden

Red Bird of Paradise Spring Revival

Red Birds Growth

Every November, our Red Bird of Paradise shrubs go dormant and we cut them down to just a few inches above the soil. Each April or May, they start their comeback. We have three of the Red Bird shrubs in the courtyard that have been there for four years now.

Two of the three started their revival a couple of weeks ago. At the lower left, is the west side of the courtyard shrub, at the right is the center and the top is the eastern shrub. You can see that the two on the bottom have a good start on revival, but the top one has only one tiny bipinnate leaf pair, which we hope is revival and not a weed.

In a few weeks, we should have our first bright Red Bird of Paradise flowers. We should be getting them all summer long. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 4, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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