Castles in the desert

As a girl raised on Disney movies, I assumed castles either existed in Europe or fairy tales.  Some of those in fairy tales are based on the ones in Europe.

For all time, it seems that I have gone past a castle of my own right here in the desert.  Tovrea Castle was built in the late 1920s and is now owned by the city.

Like most castles, it is deceptive.  It is actually only 5000 square feet, but is surrounded by cacti gardens (approximately 44 acres of those).

Originally intended to be a hotel turned family residence.

I guess I don't have to have my passport reissued after all!

April is national poem writing month ...

 OK, so I'm not a poet
At least I know it.
~ L

When I was in college, one of my professors seemed to have a thing for Gertrude Stein.  She of a rose is a rose is a rose fame ...

In the desert, a rose is not a rose when it is attached to either a prickly pear cactus (see above and to the side) or a hedge hog (see below and below to the side).

Frankly they don't smell all that sweet, but they sure do attract the bugs and the bees!

Welcome to the desert, please leave your ice on the cactus of your choice before you go home!

a picture is worth a thousand words - can I apply these to NaNo?

My vision of a perfect autumn day ...

Closer to reality in the desert on an autumn day ...

how to tell the seasons in the desert ... welcome to fall

winter

spring

summer

fall