Herp's, The Desert, Funny Potatoes and My Kitty

My mom is in the process of downsizing from the horse property she's been at for more than 20 years. One of the pets she couldn't take to her new home is a tortoise we've had for about 30 years. After a few inquiries, I found we could take her to Phoenix Herpetological Society. We went there this evening and there are tortoises of all sizes, snakes, lizards, and big bugs. I want to volunteer there. We were also surprised to hear that our tortoise, Shelley, is not native to Arizona.

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I wanted to take this lizard home, he was very curious and fun.


BIG snakes.


Sorry about the reflections. BIG python.


In the short time we were there, two different people brought in baby tortoises. There's a rollover in the center of the photo, I turned the baby over.


BIG python.


Rows and rows of reptiles in rescue. This is why you should never buy that cute little baby snake/lizard/frog in the pet store. They grow up and end up here.


My little mommy, getting ready to fill out the paperwork.


Another row of reptiles in rescue.


BIG bugs. Admittedly, I think these are cool.


They were unloading reptile produce while we were there, they had very fresh produce.


Two newcomers.


The desert I love.


Even sharp objects can provide a thing of beauty.


Driving home, it's raining and I love how the desert smells when it rains.


Rainy sunset in Peoria, AZ.


Rainy sunset in Peoria, AZ.


Rainy sunset in Peoria, AZ.


I found a face when peeling potatoes to make potato soup.


My favorite (and only) cat.

The Tortoise and The Flower

Does anyone know the name of this plant and/or its flower?





When I was a kid, in the 1970's, I grew up in the area of Cactus Rd. and 23rd Ave. Anyone familiar with Phoenix knows Shaw Butte Mountain used to be accessible for hang gliding, and they would land in the field by my house. One day, I found a tortoise walking down our residential street, so I picked her up and took her home. I vaguely remember sticking it in the face of my then-step-father who was terrified of snakes. The tortoise head looked enough like a snake to send him running out of the room screaming like a girl. Kinda funny now that I think back on that. My mom has kept the tortoise in good care ever since I brought her home.