Paris - A Door That Doesn't Surprise

 I stood in line at a coffee shop called La Grande Orange. Phoenix. 40th Street, just above Indian School. The air was dry and smelled of roast beans.

The woman in front of me said she had an apartment in Paris.

I asked her about it. I didn’t wait for a pause.

“An apartment in Paris? How do you do that?”

She smiled. Said it wasn’t really hers. She rented the same one each time she went. Same street. Same walls. Same bakery. It made the place feel like home.

I thought about that.

I wanted it. The sameness. The way a street could greet you. A door that doesn’t surprise. I wanted to step off the train at Les Halles, walk past the flower stalls, head down Rue Montmartre. I wanted the corner of Etienne Marcel to mean something.

The bakery. The restaurant. The small things that let your body know you’re in the right place.

It took me three trips. But on the third, I stepped out of the metro doors, turned down the street. My shoulders dropped. The breath came easy.

I was home.

And it was good.

Phoenix - A Slow Sip and a Good Read: My Weekend Coffee Shop Escape

 

There’s something special about starting your weekend at a coffee shop—no rush, no emails, just a cozy corner, a good book, and the comforting aroma of fresh espresso. Over the weekend, I carved out a little time for myself and made my way to my favorite Starbucks, tucked away from the usual hustle.

As I walked in, the morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting a golden glow over shelves stocked with vibrant tumblers, colorful merchandise, and rows of coffee beans just waiting to be brewed at home. I picked up a bag of beans for the week—nothing beats the smell of a fresh grind in your own kitchen.

For breakfast, I treated myself to a warm bacon gouda sandwich, half of which was devoured almost immediately, and a jumbo blueberry muffin that looked too good to pass up. The muffin was rich and crumbly, with just the right amount of sweetness—perfectly paired with a hot latte and a tall glass of water to keep things balanced.

I found a quiet table and opened my book, diving into its pages while enjoying bites of breakfast and sips of my drink. There’s something deeply grounding about reading in a public space—surrounded by soft chatter, the hiss of steaming milk, and the scent of roasted coffee beans. It’s a kind of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

It was a small moment, but deeply satisfying. I left with a full belly, a few new coffee beans for home brewing, and a few chapters further into my book—just the kind of peaceful start I needed for the weekend.

Phoenix - An Afternoon Pause at Essence Bakery

 Today I found myself at Essence Bakery on Indian School Road and 36th Street a little later than usual—just around 1 PM. I normally swing by in the early hours, when the air is filled with the smell of warm butter, and the pastry case practically glows with flaky croissants, fruit-studded tarts, and rows of golden-brown delights fresh from the oven.

But this afternoon, the shelves told a different story—almost bare, the morning rush having swept through like a tide of sweet-toothed regulars. Only four cookies remained. Four.

So I chose one—studded with cranberries and white chocolate—and paired it with a rich cup of Miscela D’Oro coffee. I took a seat and let the calm settle in.

The café’s interior, with its warm wooden beams, soft lighting, and gentle hum of conversations, felt like the perfect place to slow down. The cookie? Buttery and crisp on the edges, soft in the center, with just enough sweetness to feel like a small indulgence. The coffee, strong and grounding, made the moment linger a little longer.

Even though I missed out on the full pastry lineup today, there was something comforting about the quiet rhythm of the afternoon—the way a nearly empty bakery can feel like it’s saving a spot just for you.

Next time, I’ll come early again. But today’s simple cookie and coffee were just right.

Phoenix - A.T. Oasis Coffee & Tea Shop: A Warm Slice of Ethiopia in the Desert

 

Tucked away in a quiet plaza on Thomas Road, A.T. Oasis Coffee & Tea Shop offers more than just a caffeine fix—it serves up a soulful experience. From the moment you walk in, the warm aroma of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee greets you like an old friend. The interior blends cozy café culture with vibrant African heritage: hand-carved wooden maps of Africa, colorful woven baskets, and traditional jebena coffee pots line the walls and shelves.

The space is bright and inviting, perfect for lingering over a flaky, savory quiche and a rich cup of house-roasted coffee. On any given morning, you might find a few locals chatting at outdoor tables under red umbrellas, or someone quietly reading a Hemingway novel with a steaming cup at their side.

The vibe is relaxed, the food homemade, and the coffee full of heart. A.T. Oasis isn’t just a place to grab a latte—it’s a local gem where the Phoenix community meets culture, comfort, and tradition in every sip.

Phoenix, AZ - American Indian Rodeo Events

 These are my four favorite events to photograph.

Saddle Bronc Riding - Similar to bareback riding with with a saddle.  Riders must stay on the bucking horse for 8 seconds, using a bronc rein (rope attached to the horse's halter) to control the ride.

Bull Riding - One of the most intense events, where riders myst stay on a bucking bull for 8 seconds, using just one hand on the bull rope.

Ladies Breakaway Roping - A timed event where a female rider ropes a calf and lets go, with the rope "breaking away" from the saddle horn once the calf is caught.

Ladies Barrel Race - Female riders race around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, aiming for the fasted time without knocking over a barrel.

Meet the Rodeo Zamboni: A Tractor’s Time to Shine Before the Dusty Action!

 The first subject of the day wasn’t what I expected when photographing a rodeo—it wasn’t a wild bull, a cowboy mid-ride, or even the crowd. No, my first shot of the American Indian rodeo was… a tractor. But not just any tractor! This massive machine rolled out like it owned the arena, prepping the dirt for the main event, much like a Zamboni does for an ice hockey game.

As I snapped photos of it chugging along, the driver gave a little wave, like he knew he was the unexpected star of the show. The sheer focus of this behemoth smoothing out the arena floor with its mechanical grace was mesmerizing. It had the aura of a backstage hero, quietly setting the stage for the high-energy drama about to unfold. I couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking, “Who needs a Zamboni when you’ve got a rodeo tractor?”

Stay tuned for my upcoming photo set—yes, even the mighty tractor has its moment of fame. You’ll want to see how this unsung hero transformed the dusty arena into the perfect playground for rodeo magic!

Phoenix, Arizona - Pink Full Moon

April 7 presented the Pink Full Moon, which was also a Supermoon.  We are to stay home due to Covid 19,  so the normal group gathering could not happen.  I decided to capture it from my street.  I regret that I didn't put it on a tripod and tried to capture it with a hand held camera.  There is a little blur.  My fault!  But I want to save it here.  My lesson learned is to set up the equipment as I know that I should...no shortcuts!

Phoenix, AZ - Ikebana at Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Friendship Gardens held the 7th Annual Ikebana Exhibit in January 2019.  The Gardens are beautiful and serene, in the middle of Phoenix.  And the Ikebana Exhibit had a wide variety of styles.  I spoke to two little sisters and they showed me their Ikebana that they learned to make.

Here are my photographs of a few of the Ikebana flower displays, a feel of the beauty of the garden, and my friends the koi fish.  I had to really work to get food to them and away from the lightening quick ducks!

My favorites were the BBQ Grill and the Embroidery Hoops.

Link to Japanese Friendship Gardens
Link to Exhibit Information

Phoenix, Arizona - Scottish Highland Games

The Scottish Highland Games are held by the Caledonian Society of Arizona.  This year 2018 the event was held at Steele Indian School Park for two days in the beginning of March.  There were many food booths, entertainment, and "heavy athletics" with both women and men divisions.  The general idea is to throw the furthest, the highest, and carry the furthest.  Interesting event with a lot to see and eat.  And a note on parking for next year.  I drove around the park but there were no spaces.  Then I saw a sign that a free shuttle was running from Park Central and decided to go there.  You can also take the Metro Light Rail because it stops near the entrance to Steele Indian School Park.  $20 entrance fee for adults and then discounts for children, seniors and military.

This is a grouping of the practice for the women's events on throwing various items.

Kilt study.

This event involved carrying this huge pole the furthest.

 This is a swing it around then let it fly event.  Furthest wins, not the highest.

 Time to break out the Scottish attire for the weekend.

 Another "swing it and throw it" event with the participants queued waiting for their turn.

 This event was a hay barrel toss.  You make it over the bar, you go to the next round.

 Higher and higher the bar went.  Crazy!

It was a beautiful day and a fun event.  This was my first "Scottish Highland Games" and to those who were asking throughout the day via text messaging, no, I did not find Jamie.  (Outlander fan question).

Phoenix, Arizona - Arizona’s Largest Laundry

I often write about"laundry while traveling" as if I don't have laundry adventures at home. Little did I know that "Arizona's Largest Laundry" was in my neighborhood. 

Periodically I take my large comforters to this local coin-less laundry. This entails finding my coinless card and hauling everything that needs cleaned but requires a washer and dryer larger than my home model. By the way, this is also a great way to finish washing and drying clothes when the family takes a trip. Done in about an hour. Bring the fam along as part of the folding adventure. 

My original cash card didn't work so I found an attendent. She informed me that they had a new system and set off to help me. She put my $7.15 on a new card as $8 (nice and friendly policy), demonstrated how the new system works, and handed the new card to me. 

The washing machine sizes range from single load to ten loads. I selected a four load model  for my two comforters. Done in 25 minutes. I moved to a large dryer and they are done in 27 minutes.

Phoenix, Arizona - Blood Moon, Blue Moon, Eclipsed Moon

January 31 and we had slight clouds throughout the day.  This is the "Blue Moon" because it is the second full moon in a month.  It doesn't happen often, hence the phrase "once in a blue moon".

I went to my "Secret spot #1" at 4:30 AM.  I didn't get the moon changing from a brightly lit orb to a Red Moon.  As the eclipse progressed and there was a slight bit of white remaining, the red color became more pronounced.  It was too high in the sky for my camera to capture the moon and the city below.

By the way, I had big plans to get the Super Moon (very large) and the Total Lunar Eclipse all at the same time.  I soon figured out that a huge moon that is not lit is not much to photograph!

Another intent was to capture the full moon low on the horizon, but it was blocked by the White Tank mountain range 40 miles away.  As the sun rose behind me, I packed up my gear.  Then, to the north, I spotted the pyramid shape of Hunt's Tomb.

I packed up the Jeep and headed to the office.  The moon rise later that day was about an hour after the sun set, so the skies would be dark. I hoped that I would be able to capture a back lit "Four Peaks".  You can see the mountain range in dark purple here.  Suddenly the clouds began to reflect the moon and I had to readjust my direction.  It was so exciting to watch the moon come up.  The facility guard walked up to me and started the discussion about how I needed to move.  I told him all about how incredible the  moon was going to be, and that I would only stay until it was above the horizon.  And that I was harmless and that I saw some others up here.  He allowed me to stay for a little while.  I invited him to come back to admire the show, which he did!  This is my "Secret Spot #2".