Winter Solstice at the V-Bar-V

We visited the V-Bar-V historical site on December 22, the Winter Solstice. Though we didn't stick around to see what the "light show" would be, we did get some nice photos of the petroglyphs and ancient solar calendar.



You may view a slideshow by clicking here

Miss Tillie's Portrait

Just to add something new, a portrait of Miss Tillie

Beaver Creek Campground

Debbie, Sparky and I went camping last weekend to Beaver Creek campground, just outside Sedona. Fall colors are in, and Sparky was again the ultimate camping dog. He loves to travel, doesn't mind napping in the T@B when we go visiting neighbors, and at night he serves as a heater. He crawls under the covers and sleeps next to us providing warmth without a generator running! Best part is he doesn't toss, turn, kick, or need to go out in the middle of the night. Too bad you can't say the same for Deb or me!

The Patio Kitchen Project

Here is a link to the photos of the patio kitchen project this summer.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2BasnLlyyZOMg

Life Imitates Art?

What do you think?!? Sparky poses with a toy.

We now have a 6-pack...Welcome Tillie!!!

I never thought we would have six dogs, but it has been an easy transition from the pack of 3 we originally had, to the current "6-pack". Miss Tillie will be 12 years old in August. She was found wandering the railroad tracks in Congress, AZ in March. A brief stay at the local shelter, then several weeks with a great foster family (Jan & Bud) have worked to help return her to good health and happiness. She is a doll, and is very bright. She has blended into the pack without so much as a growl from anyone.



She is in the final stages of recovery from heartworm, and is a bit arthritic, but we'll work on both of those. Figgy couldn't even jump on the bed when she came to us, and now she runs and jumps like a pup. As a matter of fact, her age was recently guessed to be about 4 by a Greyhound group. They were shocked to hear that she is really pushing 9!

So, welcome Miss Tillie. As Debbie so well put it, "It wasn't much difference to us, adding one more...but it sure made a difference to her!"

Put it on my T@B!

We purchased a (slightly) used T@B travel trailer recently. It's just too cool. It's big enough that you can stand upright in it, but small enough that it fits in the garage. You can seat 6 people around the dining table, which later folds down to combine with the seating to make a queen-size bed.

Other creature comforts include: Air conditioning, a heat pump, furnace, 2 burner gas stove, 3-way refrigerator, sink, powered roof vent, double-insulated windows, and tons of storage. We added in a microwave and a 2000 watt Honda generator. Planned additions include a hot water system and an ice maker (who says you can't have it all!?!)

Our maiden trip was without dogs and just an overnighter up on Mingus Mountain. Next time we'll add a "navigator", probably Sparky or Tasha.

It's been awhile...

Yes, it has been awhile since the last posting. It's hard to believe it's been over three months since Mom passed away. Life is getting back to "normal", whatever that means. We have been quite busy with many projects, and active in the Greyhound adoption world, as well as the fund raising for the local Humane Society.

We are going to Kanab, Utah in May with the Greyhounds to attend the "Greyhound Gathering" event. Imagine around 300 Greyhounds all in town for a convention! We will report back on this one.

Here's one of my latest "art pieces" for the Greyhound world.

Lydia Christine Hunseder

Lydia Christine Hunseder, 73, of Cottonwood died January 21, 2007 at Country Care, under the kind care of Northern Arizona Hospice.

She was born Feb. 22, 1933 in Tehran, Iran to Russian parents. The family came to the U.S. in 1946, where they became naturalized citizens. Lydia attended Hollywood High School.

She met the love of her life, Fred, while on a train going to California. They married in 1952 and lived in Goodyear, AZ while Fred was stationed at Luke AFB. Later, they moved to Southern California, and she remained there until 1993, when she moved to Las Vegas, NV. Lydia came to Cottonwood in Nov. 2006.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Fred Hunseder, who passed away on Jan. 26, 1985. After 13 years alone, she met her second love, Brooke Blackwood, and they were married in 1998. Brooke passed away on Feb. 7, 2004.

She leaves behind her only son, Nick Hunseder and his wife Debbie, of Clarkdale.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 26 at 2pm at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood. A video slideshow tribute may be viewed here

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Verde Valley Humane Society building fund or to Northern Arizona Hospice.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com