© 2012 Rachel 7828505078

Leah, Bicentennial Babe – Brandi Fenton Park

Dear Tucson,

Our special relationship began on August 20, 1975. It was your 200th Birthday, and the day I became one of Tucson’s Bicentennial Babies. It was a fun title to have as a child, and I enjoyed the celebrity that came along with having my picture in the paper and cutting the cake with the Mayor.

But I did not fully appreciate my hometown until I left for many years and brought my own family back to live a few years ago. Admittedly, re-entry was not smooth. Three months of 100+ degree weather is not for the faint of heart. We’re still trying hard to coexist with the critters, and I’ll never be ok with the thought of lurking rattlesnakes or busy little packrats nesting too close to home.

I have always loved the big blue sky and the dry air. I have grown to love mornings. Quiet, cool, still. Wildlife out in full force. Such a special place, when so many plants and animals can not only survive, but thrive in such harsh conditions.

I love the mountains. They ground me, connect me to the earth and remind me where I am. I miss them when I’m away. I love watching the light change on the Catalinas throughout the day, the seasons, the year. One good storm in the winter months, and we can see the snowcapped mountain from our yard, reminding us that it is in fact winter, despite our perpetually sunny days.

I realize now though, that the harsh summers are a blessing too and I have grown to enjoy the quiet that descends on Tucson in the summer months when the Snowbirds roll out of town, temperatures soar and life slows way down. These quiet, hot months are providing the backdrop for childhood memories for my little boys, and so Tucson creeps under my skin a little more. Hours upon hours in the pool, non-stop giggles and cannonball splashes. Sitting under our porch with popsicles in hand watching monsoons brew. Spotting a bolt of lightening, then counting “One, two, three…” waiting for the boom of thunder. Savoring every drop of rain that falls and splashing in the puddles after the skies clear and the temperature drops a few degrees. Playing outside after dark.

I love Eegees. And proudly, so do my boys. The End.
Leah
LeahWall1082012
===
It could not be more fitting that on Tucson’s birthday that one of Tucson’s Bicentennial Babies, Leah, shares her love letter to Tucson. Leah was born and bred in Tucson and after a little time away in much wetter climes has brought her family back to live in Tucson. You can find Leah on the web at The Sweetness of Doing Nothing, where she blogs about taking action, making stuff, parenting, and being green.

We braved the heat with our children to take photographs in Brandi Fenton Park. Leah shared that she loves this central park bordering the Catalina Foothills. Not only as a place to bring the children to splash, but also to enjoy the beauty of both the park and the outstanding views of the Catalinas. You can find more photos from her photo shoot on Love Letters to Tucson’s Flickr account. Happy birthday Leah.

One Comment

  1. Posted August 25, 2012 at 4:28 pm | #

    I didn’t realize you were born on 8/20! I was born on 8/21, but strangely enough my arrival in Tucson was on 8/20/94, and of course I didn’t realize I was arriving on an anniversary. Very cool. And of course I love that you’re a Leo too…;)

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>