We visited the Tucson Museum of Art yesterday. They have a few pieces by well known artists such s Rodin and Sisley. The majority of their collection provides a wide view local art — Native American, Spanish, etc. The museum is built on land that used to be Tucson’s China Town, then became a lively Hispanic neighborhood. One building from that era is restored and focuses on this part of local history. Here is a pic of about a third of an El Nacimiento. Comparing this El Nacimiento to a Nativity scene is like comparing a model T Ford to a rocket ship. The nativity is in the upper right.

Another section focuses on Native American art. The largest reservation in southern Arizona is for the Tohono O’odham. This is a group I hadn’t heard about before. This modern pot caught my eye.

For food, we start with the hotel breakfast, have a nice lunch out, then have salad and sandwich in the room for dinner. But yesterday we took a 40 minute bus ride to Pinnacle Peak. This is a low cost steak house popular with locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is surrounded by small shops (notably including a chocolatier) and a small train ride, all with an old-time western motif. Some 30 years ago, I joined Danita on a business trip to Tucson. The place hasn’t changed at bit. The restaurant’s hook is that if a man comes to dinner wearing a necktie, the waitress will cut it off. The ceremony includes a cow bell and a loud speech denouncing neckties. The ceiling is covered with tie remnants. I now have two ties immortalizing my visits to Tucson.

I hope this finds everyone doing well.