When is a tree not a tree....?

 
When my daughter comes for a visit and sees a moose in the tree.  
 

 
This tree is across from my patio and I have looked at it every day since moving into this condo.  I often thought of taking a picture of the strange shape of its trunk. But not until my daughter noticed that the shape resembled a moose did I really take notice and grab my camera.  Now when I sit on the patio and have my morning cup of tea, instead of a tree, I see a moose.  

What do you see? 

Before her visit was over we took a road trip and stopped at one of Sedona's landmarks since the 1970's.  Tlaquepaque.  It's a quaint village of art galleries, shops and restaurants. Large Sycamores and Cottonwoods shade its visitors from the hot Arizona sun, with lovely

 

walkways that lead you through four different courtyards surrounded by iron railings, hand painted tile work and niches with unique architecture and specialty shops far removed from the commercial stores of other areas.

Later we were discussing what Tlaquepaque meant.  Not sure myself, I did some research and discovered that first of all this was a dream of one man, Abe Miller, who employed Mexican artisans and builders to construct the arches, fountains, plazas and shady verandas that are now this tranquil village.  It was named for a picturesque suburb of Mexico's Queen City, Guadalajara formerly known as San Pedro Tlaquepaque.  With further research I found two meanings for the name.  In English Tlaquepaque means "The best of everything".  I also found that it derives from the Aztec language, which means, "place above clay land", and that leads us back to the town in Mexico. 

This is an original picture from Guadalajara, Mexico

        

I'd say that Abe did a pretty good job of replicating the look and feel of the original Tlaquepaque. 

       

Farewell Small Yellow Songbird.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will be missed.  Your informative and amusing blog has given me great insight into my own body, mind and life itself.  Your shared resources have fueled my desire to keep active and healthy in my aging years.

 

I understand the need to set the yellow songbird free.  New beginnings are sometimes more healing than holding onto what is comfortable and safe.

 

Thank you for being brave enough to share your healing process and experiences with us.  Being able to express your private feelings and thoughts gave many the courage to express similar feelings and fears.  Your encouragement and support was always appreciated.

 

I wish the small yellow songbird much success in her flight and look forward to your new blog sometime in the near future.  In the meantime I will catch up with you at r m mccormack writes.