Pilgrim Visits at Thanksgiving

When the chance came up to host a talented duo who travels the country in an Airstream, stopping at houses all along the way to give donation-based concerts, well, I had to take it. Why wouldn't I want to support dedicated musicians who are living their dream of creating and entertaining while also seeing the country in what I consider to be the best of ways? Two months was a long time to wait, but the day finally arrived, and Katie and Aaron--aka Pilgrim--pulled up in their Airstream with their little daughter Magnolia.

Admittedly, it was a little awkward as we met for the first time and I tried to get over being so star-struck. "Be cool, Sara" played in my head like a mantra. I tried to accommodate their needs and make them feel as at-home as possible, but sometimes I felt like I might have been overdoing it. I didn't know what I was doing; I'd never hosted musicians before! But they were very grateful and kind and pretty much had everything they needed already, so they set up and got ready, had some snacks, and our guests started to arrive.

There were about sixty of us altogether. Some guests brought their own guests as this all went down the day after Thanksgiving so some friends had family in town. "The more the merrier," I said. I set out some snacks, punch, and fruit-infused water (so fancy!). People brought their own beverages, and soon everyone settled in for the concert. The music started at 5:00, so the sun was setting and the ambiance got better and better as the concert progressed.

Pilgrim was fabulous. I don't know how the crowd received them during the concert because I was sitting towards the front, but I will say that every single one of us was experiencing our very first house concert so I would label the crowd "cautiously unwild," mellow even, because none of us knew exactly what to expect. However, that in no way meant they weren't enjoying themselves because afterwards so many people were praising Pilgrim personally during the meet and greet and telling Brian and me later both how awesome they sounded and cool they are. Here are some photos from their 60-minute acoustic set in our backyard.

even the littles were enthralled

Our guests loved them, and so did we. We got to spend some time with Katie, Aaron, and Magnolia the next morning because they hooked up to our electric and slept in their trailer on the street. Sadly, I had a race to get to in the morning, but Brian cooked up some eggs and pancakes and Katie made some toast for breakfast. When I got home later that morning, I was so pleased that I hadn't missed them. After filling their water tank and chatting awhile, they sadly headed off to run some errands and get to their next house concert that night.

It was a pleasure welcoming Pilgrim to Arizona, and if they're ever in your neck of the woods I'd recommend hosting a concert. I'd be open to hosting more events like this, but I don't really know how to track down the talent. This opportunity just kind of landed in my lap, but if you know of an artist who wants to do house concerts feel free to give them my number.

In the meantime, give Pilgrim some love and support by visiting their website. Here's a video of their latest original song, which just happens to be my favorite. Look at little Magnolia dancing in the background with the guitar strap. They're the cutest little family in the world.

Tree Hugger

It's a sad day. We had the tree in our front yard cut down this afternoon. As I listened to the chainsaws and woodchipper from my kitchen, I kept reminding myself that the tree already died a long time ago, or at least a few months or so ago. We're not exactly sure what happened to it, but a few experts have said this summer's intense heat was hard on a lot of trees. We'd been meaning to take care of a for awhile, but we called someone to do it after I caught Brian looking at chainsaws on Amazon last week.

Nope.

I found a few tree removal places, we called for quotes, and we went with the guys who could do it in less than an hour for $280. I believe it's well worth it considering taking on a project like that would have taken Brian and me an entire weekend. Plus, cutting down trees is considered a risky business.

The front yard looks different now without our tree. It had been there for about sixteen years, so it's understandable if I miss it. However, it's not all gone quite yet. We asked the guys if they could save the main trunk of the tree and larger branches for firewood. Now our tree is taking on a new purpose and getting to travel. Aww. It's like it's retired.

Time to Get Away

Although it was planned for a while, we had to get away last weekend. It was the perfect time to turn off the news, Facebook, and our phones and go live in the desert for a few days.

We visited Saguaro National Park near Tucson. Though you can't camp within the park's boundaries, Tucson Mountain Park is adjacent to the western district, so we stayed at Gilbert Ray Campground. It's a nice, big campground with electric hook-ups, so we relaxed and enjoyed our stay. The weather was pleasant (highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s), and the sun or moon shined brightly the whole time.

We arrived after dark on Thursday but still managed to snag what I feel was the best site in this first come, first served campground. Site A43 is rather far from the restrooms, but we backed up to the mountain, the view was spectacular, and the privacy shrubs were nice. 

Friday morning we visited Saguaro's Red Hills visitors center and then went on a few short hikes that began off the scenic drive, Bajada Loop. First up was the Valley View Trail. The trail is only about a mile round-trip. It's easy but has nice views of the valley below. You're very close to the giant saguaros, too.

After that hike, we stopped again at the Signal Hill trailhead. This hike is short, too, but it takes you to some thousand year old Hohokam petroglyphs that were neat to see.

We had a picnic at Signal Hill, and then we went back to the visitors center. The kids finished their Junior Ranger workbooks, got sworn in, and we bought some souvenirs.

We relaxed a bit at camp before heading out on a sunset hike on the campground trail.

While we spent all our time on Friday on in the western side of Saguaro NP (the Tucson Mountain District), we headed across Tucson on Saturday to check out the Rincon Mountain District in the East. We found a few hikes off the scenic drive, the Cactus Forest Loop. Our first trail was Mica View. It was practically paved and not too exciting after a half mile, so we turned around.

We continued on the drive and stopped at another trailhead. This one promised us a failed mine. The Loma Verde Trail took us to it, but it was nothing more than a bunch of small hills. Then we stopped at an outlook to check out this "cactus forest."

After a picnic lunch and filling up our water bottles, we took our last hike to the Freeman Homestead. It's a mile loop to an old house. Turns out, all you can see are two corners of the foundation of the old house. Who wrote the pamphlets for this place? The Rincon District didn't impress us that day but, to be fair, most of the good stuff in this district is in the backcountry. We didn't venture far off the scenic drive, so I have to assume the impressive sights are farther away.

Back at camp, we relaxed and enjoyed our last evening in the desert. We were in no hurry to get back to reality.

Matthew digs for hours.

The moon rising in the east.

Elizabeth and I played around with the camera.

It's so great to have somewhere to go and something to go there in whenever something you didn't think would ever happen somehow happens.

The First Steps to Acceptance

When I awoke at 5:15 this morning, I didn't even want to hear the news. I had a sickening feeling that any faith I had in humanity was gone. Turns out, I was right. "President Trump" was the headline, and the first sentence I read was that Obama called to congratulate him and set an appointment to talk about handing over the keys to the Oval Office. It really happened. America allowed it to happen.

Who the hell is America?

Sadly, I already know. It's those deplorables who supported Trump. It's anyone who voted for anyone other than Hillary Clinton. It's people I'm related to. It's people with whom I'm friends. I can't explain their actions any better than they can explain mine for voting for a feminist who's dedicated her entire life to public service. Because they just don't get me. And I don't get them.

So I rolled out of bed and took a long walk around the neighborhood. I literally wept for our future. Is he seriously going to put guns in schools on his first day in office? Will he really build a wall? I wonder how he'll get Mexico to pay for that wall (because clearly Donald Trump always gets what he wants). Is he really going to repeal in his first hour every executive order Obama made in eight years? Is he familiar with all 235 orders and completely disagree with each? Will gun-free zones be a thing of the past? He says he's doing all this and more on Day One. He's going to be so busy. Don't even get me started on whom he may appoint to the Supreme Court.

I don't like the guy. He doesn't make it very easy to like him, so I don't understand how half the country does like him. But we don't have to like him; we have to believe in him. And I don't. I'm against nearly everything he stands for, and I don't think he's going to make America great again. He's already made it a thousand times worse with his hateful rhetoric. His actions thus far have been the opposite of presidential.

This is what he wanted. And someway, somehow he got it. Now is his chance to start acting presidential. I'm waiting but don't have high hopes. Presidential seems a lofty goal. If he gets as far as decent human being, then I'll lick my wounds and be able to relax slightly.

I have accepted it. This is our next four years. Unless he dies. Then we're stuck with Mike Pence. Whoever the hell that is.

WTF?!

These election results are disgusting. I'm going to bed.

I don't know what's the matter with people. Who in the world finds Hillary more unlikeable than Trump? I have no idea how anyone can vote for him over a strong woman with loads of experience. The choice couldn't have been more clear.

You're blowing it, America. Though I hope things take a positive turn while I'm sleeping, I am reluctantly preparing myself to be even more disappointed in the morning than I am right now.

This shouldn't even have been close. So unbelievably embarrassing.

So Proud

When your hometown shows up as one of the top Facebook trends, you don't want it to be for something so unbelievable, so disgusting, so tragic. Yet here it is among cute puppies and happy congratulations to the Cubs.

Way to go, McKeesport. Stay classy.

The Worst Part of My Dentist Visit

I went to the dentist yesterday. Though getting my teeth cleaned twice a year is not one of my favorite things to do, it's not so bad. Our dentist is actually really cool, and the five minutes I spend with him is always entertaining. He backpacks and goes to places we dream about, so it's nice to know that any money we pay him is going to good use. Plus, my dental hygiene is exemplary so he always says, "Looks good, Sara. Keep doing what you're doing." I thrive on validation.

But as enjoyable as he is, the thirty to forty minutes I spend with the dental hygienist isn't much fun. There's the high-pitched scraper thing that spews cold water on every sensitive nerve in my mouth. Then comes what I like to call the "raw scraper" that is ten minutes of awful metal on tooth noise. The polishing tickles my gums, and the water to rinse is freezing again. But more than all those combined, the worst part of sitting in that chair is the fact that my hygienist is under the impression that I want to watch an episode of "House Hunters."

I remember being a house hunter in real life. It wasn't fun. So why do people watch these shows? Someone must, otherwise they'd stop making them because, you know, cable channels like validation, too.

So I suffer through it. I was trying to come up with all the reasons I despise those shows, but then I Googled "House Hunters memes," and I realized I'm not alone. So while these may not be eloquent, they get my point across without having to reinvent the wheel.

Yes. And it's usually said by a kindergarten teacher married to some guy who sells stuff on eBay. Seriously? Your budget is $950,000?

Right? And in most cases, the appliances aren't even built in. Sell those puppies and go to Sears!

Totally. Anyone else? I'd shout at the TV if someone wasn't scraping tartar off my teeth.

I know it's edited, but man. They all really sound like a bunch of complainers after a while.

Because who doesn't love when someone dismisses the kitchen that looks nearly identical to your own sixteen-year-old kitchen?

Sometimes the realtors are worse than the buyers. Why are you showing them this house when it's basically against everything they believe in?

Because they always do.