A New Career In A New Town

Being the last day of June, this marks one month that I've now been in Phoenix. It took me a week to find an apartment, another week before I moved in most of my stuff, and the remainder of the month to fill in the cracks. I've been wanting to post some pictures in case anyone was curious, so now everyone will know what to expect when they arrive for camping trip Round Two, at the Phoenix State Park.

The majority of homes in Phoenix lack a grass lawn. It's easiest to find grass and trees within the oldest neighborhoods. In fact, I think that some newer neighborhoods place restrictions on putting in new lawns. Dad's complete lack of watering and attention to his lawn would be warmly welcomed by city officials here. Anyway, I was pleased to find a house that had a little bit of grass, and was even happier to find that a grapefruit tree was included. There are still a few grapefruits near the top of the tree.

When you step inside, I've got a laundry room and then my kitchen. It's not a large kitchen, but it makes up for it by having an enormous old stove. The windows face east so it's a very sunny room, which is just how I like my kitchens.

Next to the kitchen is my small dining room. It's just big enough to hold my table and give a little breathing space around it. Yes, Steve and Rachel, that's a copy of Cuisine At Home that showed up in the mail the other day. Thanks for that birthday present! And yes, Janell, that's a copy of my bread book sitting on the table also. I'm looking forward to the return of cooler months when I'll be a little more apt to pop stuff into the stove in the evenings.

Stepping into the back of the house is my bedroom/office. The back wall is all windows, looking out over the lawn. It's a pleasant view, though I also have to put up with a flock of pigeons that cruise by every morning and decide to decamp in the grapefruit tree while they map out the daily parking lot beat.

More windows, and some curtains that Amber made for me.

And finally, my living room. Yes, Daniel, that's the sectional that you got me for my birthday. Thank you again. I was told that the fireplace actually works, though with these kind of temperatures (today was a high of 112!) I shudder to think about bringing heat into my home. Hopefully the winters will get cold enough to make that a pleasant thought again.

So that's my house. I'm hoping that people will find a way to come visit sometime, though I'd recommend they hold off on travel plans during these summer months. I've got some little cacti outside in the sun, and more often than not they're looking very hot and very thirsty. When a cactus is looking uncomfortable about the weather, you know it's bad.