And the last of the trip...

This week has been too busy and I am behind  on blogging. Big changes happening around here! My hubby has put in his resignation from his federal government job and is opening his own law practice this summer. Apart from three dismal weeks at McDonalds when he was a teenager, Gordon has never worked for anyone but the government! But he has finally had enough and after talking about it for ten years(!) he is going to return to being a lawyer. But instead of being a Crown prosecutor, he'll be a defence lawyer practicing criminal, immigration and mental health law (and who knows what else! He used to do criminal and tax law.) So wish us luck, because it's a huge change. I am looking forward to seeing more of him as he leaves behind his two-hour-plus daily commute.

Most people have been very supportive, save for a couple of friends who seem to think Gordon is crazy for quitting a job that is completely unfulfilling but very safe.  It surprises me when people aren't supportive about Gordon's plans, because really, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing! Some people act like he's quitting his job to become a pole dancer. But he was very happy practicing law for many years, and misses it, and I know he'll do exceedingly well. He also has more books he wants to write. But I guess some people think job security is the only thing worth living for. Hubby and I both have other priorities in life!

Anyway, I finally have the last of the pictures from our Arizona trip. Enjoy...

This was taken from the airplane and I can't remember if this was New Mexico or Arizona or some other state, but I have always been curious about these "crop circles." Can anyone explain to me why farmers plant this way? It's very pretty from the air.

And then came mountains and desert...

Finally we flew over Tucson...

City in the desert!

Our last day in Arizona was uncharacteristically rainy. We decided to visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac. This Spanish mission was found in 1692 by a Jesuit. It sits on the Tohono O'odham San Xavier Indian Reservation.

I admit to having a weakness for Catholic churches. This may stem from being brought up Catholic, with an Irish grandmother who attended Mass every day. Even though I gave up religion over 20 years ago, I still like visiting beautiful religious buildings!

The church itself dates from the late 1700s...

Read more about its history here. 

And on a hill outside the church is a grotto with shrine...

From the hill, I looked down to see people's names written in stones on the ground. Not sure of the significance!

 

The exterior of the Mission.

That night we went into Tucson for dinner. I found the courthouse to be very attractive:

And that's it for Arizona photos. It was a great trip. Now back to your regularly-scheduled chickens and bees. We are splitting our beehives today. Stay tuned!

PS: Be kind to civil servants taking the leap into private industry! ;)