Patricia Paul Properties

Saturday and Sunday, November 12 & 13, 11:00 - 5:00

This weekend, the annual Artists Open Studio Tour is happening all around town.  Last year there were over 200 artists participating.  All types of mediums will be represented.  This will be the second year I am participating with a group called Maiden Arizona.  We will be located at 106 N. Irving.  I'll be showing some of my handmade lampglass beads and some of the jewelry I've designed.  If you're looking for something fun to do, get out and take a look at some of your local artists.
 
For more information:     www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org
 
 
Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com  ***  (520) 548-2078

Look what stopped by my back patio this morning:





And then it put on another display:

We had some friends over tonight and it made me reflect a bit.  I'm really grateful that I know such good people.  It's great to be among people you know and care about, and who feel the same about you.  People with whom you've created and shared memories.
 
Friends help you celebrate life's happier moments, and comfort you through the tough times. 
 
Friends come and go over the years, but each one enriches our lives in a special way.





Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com  ***  (520) 548-2078

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a rather unique event put on by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.  It was entitled "Oz With Orchestra".  It was a full length screening of the timeless movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, projected on a huge screen and with the full Tucson Symphony Orchestra also up on stage accompanying and playing the entire soundtrack live.    
 
It was fabulous!   They didn't miss a single cue, and it was amazing how much the live performance added.  The scary parts were scarier, and the sweet parts were simply  wonderful.  It doesn't get much better than watching Judy Garland sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" accompanied by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
 
What a fine way to reach out to a broader audience.  The ages of the crowd ranged from about 5 to 95 (kids of all ages), and they all seemed to love it as much as I did!

 
Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com  *** (520) 548-2078

                                     
 
 
I wish you all a year of happiness, peace, and good health! 
 
                  May 2011 be one of your best years yet!


 
Patricia Paul, GRI *** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com  *** (520) 548-2078

No, this is not a class in entomology, but you might find it interesting....





        Fishfly

          After you've been a desert rat for a while, you tend to forget what it's like to witness the multitude of desert critters for the first time.  I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and the worst bugs I remember there were mosquitos the size of small birds, and the annual infestation (only near the lakeshore) of fishflies.  It only lasted a week or two, but the quantities of these insects was incredible.  I didn't like the constant fluttering of their transparent wings until they landed on a surface somewhere, and they clung on for the rest of their short lives.  You'd have to sweep them off your screen doors and windows.  The sheer numbers of them accumulated under street lights at night caused a rather disgusting sound as the tires of your car squished through them.   They actually have been known to cause car crashes.
 




      Mormon Crickets

      Jump forward to the late 1980's and the next most disgusting insect experience I can recall occurred in Utah.   I unexpectedly and unwillingly witnessed the migration of Mormon crickets while we were on an ATV rally.  There were literally millions of these large insects roaming en masse across the roads and countryside.  I have never seen so many of one insect in the same place before.   Even more disgusting to me was the fact they are cannibalistic and they prey upon each other.  Again, as our tires squished through the mass of insects it made a terrible sound.  More importantly, I needed to keep moving so they wouldn't find their way onto my body.




 
        Charcoal Seed Bug
 
       By comparison, this little guy shown above, the charcoal seed bug, is actually kind of cute.... when there is one of them. Their black body is rimmed in red.  This past July they hatched and in the span of 1 day there were thousands of them in and around the outside of my home.  They tend to hang out around lighted areas.  They don't bite or hurt you, but they are able to fly, and they land on you and annoy you.  They are particularly attracted to fruits and vegetables left out on the kitchen counter.  Business owners were also having a heck of a time dealing with the quantities of this bug.   The pest control company told me they were so prolific this year due to the fact that last year was a light monsoon season, and this year there was more rain and foliage.  He said they were particularly heavy in the homes near the foothills, where there are fewer homes and more foliage.   I'm happy to say they seem to have run their cycle, and I only find an occasional one now.
 
     Now my mother is temporarily staying with me, and I never realized how freaked out she gets about bugs.  The charcoal seed bugs above made her crazy.  She'd call me to rescue her every time she saw one.... and believe me, she saw a lot of them!  Also helping to educate her in the ways of the desert she got to experience first hand a desert tortoise, a snake, a tarantula, and a Colorado river toad.  Of course, she kept a sizeable distance while observing.   Maybe next year when the insects hatch she'll be an old pro and they won't even bother her!
 
Patricia Paul, GRI *** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com *** (520) 548-2078 

             
                 Mimi                                               Oreo                                              Jacob
 
Oh, how angelic they look!  Hard to believe these little guys could be such troublemakers when they're awake.  Yet I can hardly imagine life without them!
 
 
Patricia Paul, GRI   **  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com   **   (520) 548-2078

                                          
 
 
Does my dog have the right idea, or what?  This is Jacob, and when I walked by him he looked soooo comfortable I had to go get my camera and snap a shot.   I should take his lead and hit the sack myself!
 
Jacob is one of our dalmatian trio.  All three are adorable!
 
Do you have any cute pics of your pets?  If so, please send them to me.  Be sure to identify them with their name and breed. 

 
Patricia Paul, GRI ** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com ** (520) 548-2078 

                                                     


Here are a few suggestions if you're looking for something fun to do this 4th of July, 2010...

FIREWORKS! 

Tucson's main site for fireworks is atop "A" Mountain, on the west side of town.  You can see them well from most anywhere on the west side of town.  Or, you may park in the TCC parking lot B (off Granada  near Cushing St.)  Between 7 to 9 there will be food vendors around.  The Southern Arizona Mustang Club is planning on showing some of their club vehicles at the same time.

The Tucson Toros baseball game and fireworks starts at 7 pm.  Tickets are from $6 to $10.  There are also fireworks shows planned at the Hilton El Conquistador, City of Marana, and other locations around town.  

For a rockin' 4th of July, consider heading to the Pima Country Fairgrounds for a free concert called  "Red, White, and Boom!", featuring Jackie L., Savor, and The Jons.  After the concert, stay for the fireworks!  Gates open at 4:00.  Music starts at 4:45.  Fireworks start at 9:00.

A BIT MORE UNUSUAL!   

Beat on the drum!  Bring a chair and a drum or other percussion instrument and join the crowd that meets at Himmel Park (1st Street & Tucson Blvd) on Sundays from 3-6 pm for the  "Community Drum Circle".

Head up Mt. Lemmon to a free concert series called "Music on the Mountain".  On Sunday, July 4 Kevin Pakulis Band will be playing.

Attend a very special concert Sunday at 3:00 at Saguaro High School Auditorium (545 N. Camino Seco, Tucson, AZ 85732) entitled "Let Freedom Ring".  Over 100 voices will put on an exciting show of patriotic music.  Event is free, but donations will be accepted.

So, get out there and do something fun!  There's lots to choose from!

                                             

                                      Happy Birthday, Max!
 


Patricia Paul, GRI ** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com ** (520) 548-2078