Reminder of What Is Important

This pretty dove decided to set up her nursery in the eave outside our living room window. We've watched her for several weeks now, and her intro to motherhood has not been easy. One of her eggs fell out of the nest and was lost. Poor Leigh had to do the burial. But one chick made it. We have been blessed every morning to see this baby grow and grow. We also enjoy observing the pretty dove mom mature in her mothering responsibilities. She has become quite adept at feeding and sheltering and entertaining her chick each day.

When the newspaper headlines of war, natural disasters or economy woes get the better of me, I go look at the mother dove and her chick, and know that some things are right in this world. We only need to take time to look for them.

A Bridge, A Birthday, A Memory

Yesterday was the 125th birthday of the famous Brooklyn Bridge. I am just another enthusiast adding my story to countless others who have romanced this beautiful bridge over the century-plus of its history.

Do you know this Roebling marvel? You should. It is an engineering wonder, the first suspension bridge of its kind in the world. Its intricate web of cables appears like a magnificent lace veil across the NY skyline. And at night the lights of the bridge look like a string of pearls. I love the Brooklyn Bridge.

I worked on the 90th anniversary Brooklyn Bridge celebration in the early 1970s, when I was just out of college and dreaming about a career in urban journalism. With Don Moore and Margot Wellington (two visionaries who gave Downtown Brooklyn the jump start to the popularity it is enjoying today), I worked day and night on our festival. Thousands crossed the bridge that day to a celebration down at Fulton Ferry landing (remember General Washington and your American history?). We had great ethnic food stalls, music and a fireworks tribute to a wonderful bridge.

In Tucson many years ago I found a treasure -- the hardcover commemorative program produced for the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24, 1883. This book is priceless to me.

And I now know that my son, Brett, appreciates the heritage of this magnificent bridge and will someday treasure this little dusty volume produced by the Brooklyn Eagle printing company. Brett walked the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday. Rambling downtown, he took a walk past Atlantic Avenue shops and ended up in Prospect Heights.

More than 35 years ago Leigh and I walked those streets. Enjoying, appreciating and envisioning the future. Well, here we are in the future, with a son making his own footprints in the Brooklyn sand. Amazing.

Support Downtown Tucson Artists

Leigh and I always enjoy the open studio art tours in Tucson. So many artists generously open their work spaces (and homes), welcoming us with conversation as well as insights into their art. The tours are fun, educational and of course nice shopping treks.

A more somber, tangential element to our tour this weekend was learning of the potential rail link issue for some of the artists situated off 6th Street. A proposed new alignment for the railroad lines down there potentially will hurt the community, cutting artists off from downtown, creating safety issues and dividing some neighborhoods. Please visit the artists' website for more information on this urgent topic.

And please support our very vibrant and funky art scene. I am so glad it is a strong player in this place called Tucson.

Friend, Crafter, Wonderful Mom

I'm guilty of not posting lately on Tucson Cowgirl only because of freelance work (that's good) and other matters. Today, though, I'll find time for a special recognition. Although I am not a fan of commercially-induced holidays, it's Mother's Day weekend and time for a post to honor my mom.

She and my grandma were the first crafters in my life. My mom's forte was meticulous sewing, but I also admired her talents in drawing and, later in life, her collage artwork. She would hand-letter artful commemorative announcements, then burnish the paper in some way and finally craft her artwork onto an old matchbox, book or piece of wood. I did not have a formal wedding or invitation. My mom, wanting me to have a memory of my special event, hand-lettered and crafted an invitation for me. Of course I still have her art, and treasure it more than any expensive commercial stationery I could have purchased. I grew up watching my mom's appreciation of handmade crafts. That's how my love of crafting was formed. Thanks, Mom, for that great gift.

Beyond crafting, my sister, brother and I thank my mom for so many things. Her quiet goodness was a model for our lives. Her devotion to family ensured that her children share a priceless family bond for eternity. Her work habits (into the night, doing typing jobs to help pay the bills) reinforced the importance of responsibility in our lives. Her commitment, love and friendship with our dad gave us all a goal to shoot for in our own relationships. Thanks, Mom, for a value system that has served so well in my life.

Finally, a personal thanks to my mom for helping me be the best mom I could be for my son. I was a working mom in the early 1980s. Family and the workplace still didn't mix well in corporate life and it was almost impossible to grow a management career and be a good mother. My mom was there to give me encouragement and babysitting support. But mostly I treasure her just being there - always - with her generous love, offered with no qualifications.

On this Mother's Day, I honor my mother, Mary Conti Surfaro. I also celebrate motherhood, and pray that it continues as a positive, nurturing and healing force for all living things, for our earth and whatever is beyond.

Say Hi to Hogs at Downtown Tucson's Rally

I'm a fan of Harleys -- those machines are sexy Americana to me. Their riders symbolize a bit of the wild west, live-free-or-die attitude that's so much a part of my quirky Tucson.

I'm happy that the Arizona State Hog Rally is being held in downtown Tucson again this year. It's a great weekend event -- The lineup of bikes and people along Congress is incredible. There's a lot pride among the riders and so much camaraderie. They're a welcoming group, too - they don't mind sharing stories or allowing a photo to be taken.

Go downtown and take a look. Tip your hat to a great American brand -- Harley-Davidson -- and to the people who support it. The scene is fun and and it's a great slice of funky life in our Tucson.

Southwest-inspired surprise balls, handmade and full of fun

Do you enjoy surprise balls? Do you remember them from your childhood or as holiday gifts? They can be pretty balls of wonder, with magical tiny treasures inside. Here is one of my surprise balls, this one covered in vintage fabric pieces (and soon to be tied with ribbons and an interesting charm).

My friend Peggy (who also creates beautiful purses) connected me with a wonderful woman downtown who has lovely milagros and paper flowers....so this surprise ball contains milagros as well as buttons (vintage and Italian-crafted) and a piece of local turquoise. I like fashioning the ball out of repurposed fabric pieces and papers -- is this therapy or art?

Soon I'll have my website so visitors may purchase the surprise balls, collectibles or other handmade items or gift baskets. In the meantime, please contact me if you're interested in a surprise ball made in the sonoran southwest!