Rawhide

  I’ve been watching lots of Western movies lately–Appaloosa and 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe are two of my faves. So tonight, my daughter and I felt like a taste of the Old West in person. We went to Rawhide Western Town at Wild Horse Pass here in Phoenix.

It’s a quaint Old West main street with lots of shops, games, and shows. I roped a steer head with a lariat. My daughter and I had a shoot-out with real guns (but not real bullets).

The highlight was a dinner at the Steakhouse:  mesquite prime rib, green chili pepper cornbread, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn salad, fresh asparagus, and salad. It was yummy.

I’m gathering lists of places to take visitors when they come down, and this is definitely one.

Now–back to the movies.

A Rosson House Docent

  Today was my first day as a Docent, leading costumed tours through the historic Rosson House here in Phoenix. It’s the same thing I did in Colonial Williamsburg, but I don’t get paid. Oh well, I wanted to do it. The costumes are not historically accurate, but very cute– floor-length black skirt, white blouse, and a ruffled white pinafore with a picture of the Rosson House embroidered in black.

I shadowed a delightful Docent named Maggie to learn the ropes. She has been a Docent at the house for 27 years, so I got to learn some juicy tidbits. For instance, Dr. Rosson died of gastroenteritis at the age of 47, but he had taken out large insurance policies shortly before. There have been rumors–either that he committed suicide or was poisoned by his wife, Flora. Who knows? That’s part of the fun of being involved up-close-and-personal with a historic sight. You get to see and hear things the average tourist doesn’t.

Two fun incidents happened during the tours today. First, a little boy asked if the house has ghosts. I asked, “Are you worried about that?” He nodded solemnly. His father then proceeded to tease, “Look! I just saw one peeking out of the turret!” It took some persuading to get the little boy to enter the mansion. I had to tell him that I never saw any ghosts there, and anyway, they only come out at night.

A different guest wasn’t so shy. The TV show, Antiques Roadshow, is coming to Phoenix soon, and an antiques appraisor had arrived early to do some sightseeing. He was very knowledgeable about the furnishings, even going so far as to point out, “Hmmm, a Wooton desk.” That’s a large desk that swings open to show innumerable cubbyholes. As the sales brochure from the period says, “You can close it up and wheel it onto your yacht.” He he.  Maggie said in all her 27 years, no guest has ever told HER that it was a Wooton desk. 

All in all, a very pleasant afternoon, stepping back into 1895.

The Road to Phoenix

 ”I hope you didn’t Lucy me,” DH teased.

Remember that funny old movie, The Long Long Trailer with Desi and Lucy? It was all about their adventures hauling a trailer across the U.S. Lucy collected rocks from each site they visited, and they had a heck of a time getting the heavy trailer over the mountains. That’s what we felt like recently, moving things from Nebraska. Now, I’ve been known to collect rocks in our trips to Colorado, but this time, the heavy load was books.

We borrowed a huge van from DH’s carpet store and attached a U-Haul to the back of that. With 50 boxes of books and other things, it was a heavy load, believe me. But we got over the mountains just fine.

Now, like Maureen O’Hara in another good old movie, The Quiet Man, I’m happy because “I have my things about me.” It didn’t really feel like home until I unpacked my boxes and set up my office. More things will be coming from Nebraska on future trips. For instance, we have to bring two cats on the two-day drive. But for now, I can settle in.

I figured I’d better change my blog title and look. Hope you like it.

Rosson House

   1895. It was a momentous year. Among other events, Oscar Wilde had his downfall that year and went to jail in England. And Dr. Rosson built his house in Phoenix, AZ. A beautiful Victorian mansion it is.

I went today to Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix, where the town first began. (Actually where it “rose like a phoenix” from the ashes of the disappeared Hohokam Indian settlement.) The Square is Phoenix’s answer to Colonial Williamsburg although, of course, on a much smaller scale. And you know what a sucker I am for historic houses! Back then, the Rosson mansion was one of the most prominent homes in Phoenix and cost $7,525 to build. 

Within walking distance are the ASU campus, the Arizona Science Center with a planetarium that shows “billions of stars,” and the Phoenix Museum of History. Also a British pub, The Rose and Crown, to have Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie.

I couldn’t begin to do it all today, so will have to go back–many times since the area is a lovely one. So much to do in Phoenix! I’m making lists so I’ll know where to take visitors when they start coming down.

Phoenix House

  Here’s a pic of our new Phoenix house. It’s Spanish style, which most houses are down here. Almost new and very comfortable, with an office where I can have all my books in their bookcases. Also a guest room for visitors. The front yard came landscaped, but the back yard is completely bare and empty. It’s going to take a while before we can get to that.  One thing we especially like is no steps! As we get older, we think that’s going to be important.

It was a foreclosed house, which makes me sad for the people who lost it. But there are tons of these here in Phoenix–three more on our street alone, including the one next door. It’s a good time to buy while prices are low.

I never imagined I’d end up in Phoenix. But DH wanted to, so I’m along for the ride!

Visit to Phoenix

  So I’m spending the month of March in our Phoenix house with my daughter. DH will come down in a week to join us. The weather and desert are enchanting. I’ll never tire of palm trees, saguaro cactus, and the purple mountains surrounding the Valley of the Sun.

A visit and tour through Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West was thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a magical place, and now I’m reading the biography of Wright’s life. Also took a hike with my cousin through the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, soaking in the desert ambience.

Looking for a  job has not been as pleasant or easy as sightseeing. I apply online, but it just disappears into the ether (err…into the desert heat?). Haven’t gotten a job interview yet. I think I’ll just have to dress up in my suit and walk into places. Wish me luck!

Moving to Phoenix

  2009 will bring big changes. We are moving to Phoenix, Arizona! 

My daughter moved there earlier this year and loves it. When we went down in November, we liked it and bought a house. Now it just remains to quit my job at Verizon and do the move — not a small task.

I’ll certainly have more to blog about this year. Guess I’ll even have to change my blog title to “Desert Communications!”