Staying behind in Tucson

So what was I up to while John was away in Alaska?

On that first Friday night, my friend Michelle and I went to Monterey Court to hear the local band, Southbound Pilot. I didn’t do a good job with the one photo I took – it doesn’t do justice to the lead singer, Vasanta Weiss. She is actually very dynamic onstage with an excellent vocal range.

On the way out there, Michelle came over and we carpooled to Monterey Court together. When she arrived at my house, it was in the midst of a big thunder and lightning storm. Tucson has regular flash floods during the summer monsoon rains, and I worried that the streets would soon be filled with water. I decided to take John’s 4Runner rather than my new little electric BMW i3. I also wanted Michelle to be able to leave her car off the street in my driveway, so I had her pull in, which blocked in my i3. (Given the excess number of vehicles we have, it’s a wonder I found a place for her on the driveway at all).

We hopped into the 4Runner, and as I started to back out (still in a blindingly loud thunderstorm), I could feel the car hesitating and balking. I checked – did I leave the emergency brake on? Everything seemed fine, so I backed out, shifted into drive and started on our way. It still seemed to run a little rough, but it was hard to tell in all the commotion and noise of the storm, and getting the wipers going, etc. But after about a block, the engine light turned on. Uh-oh. Did I somehow break his car? I circled the block, came home, and parked the car. Time for plan B.

I figured it would be fine to take the i3; I just wouldn’t be fording any arroyos. I opened the garage to unplug the i3, Michelle backed her car out of the driveway, I backed the i3 out, she parked back in the driveway and hopped in, and I nearly forgot to close the garage door. Michelle had to remind me. I don’t have an automatic garage door opener for the i3 yet, so I had to run back out in the rain and lightning to close it. Whew, by the time we were on our way, I was well rattled. Too much at once!

But we got there ok. I had already made reservations and crowds are slim during the heat (and storms) of the summer. We scored an excellent table in an alcove along the side quite near the band.

The venue seating is outside, but it is mostly covered. And I don’t think that part of town got any rain anyway. Our summer storms are very localized.

The food is good at Monterey Court, and the band turned out to be excellent too. We both danced. There were a few people who danced to nearly every song. I have no idea how they had so much energy, especially in the heat. And they were not young! It was nearly all women out on the dance floor, everyone having a great time.

The next day I met up with some of my friends from the Master’s Naturalist class I took last spring. Everyone was thanking me for putting it together, but all I did was email asking where people wanted to go and when people were available. I’d periodically do a reply-all email summarizing what they were suggesting and next thing we knew, we had a plan. We met at a family friendly brewery in the central part of town that was just perfect for a Saturday afternoon. I had never heard of it, so I was glad someone suggested it. We had a great turnout, and hopefully we’ll do it again. I forgot to take any pictures though.

Then the following day I went out again, this time with my new friend, Sam (she/her). I met Sam a few months ago when she came to an event I had scheduled through my “Let’s Dance” group I started on the Meet-up app. Here I am taking a random selfie while waiting for her.

That venue, called 3 Canyons, has a rather beautiful beer garden.

Unfortunately, the food is terrible and there’s no table service.

The band was good, https://www.conniebrannockband.com/little-house-of-funk/. Connie Brannock is the lead, and she has different musicians with her at different times. Her voice and style isn’t for everyone, but she is a talented musician and a good entertainer. Her back-up bands and other singers are good too. I think the one I particularly like is Aria Ratcliff. I’ll be watching out for her in upcoming shows.

And for those of you wondering about John’s 4Runner, now that he’s back from Alaska he’s working on fixing it. Turns out the 4th cylinder is misfiring.

Next up, my trip to California – during which I’m guessing John will fix his car. And maybe he will get the Mini Cooper sold too. Stay tuned.

To send me a comment, email turning51bykristina@gmail.com.

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