Intangibles

One year ago, 366 posts ago, I began this daily blog - a journey from my heart, sharing my love of our city.  I began by making a list of 100 things I loved about this city, but found that I still had 265 more days to fill.  I had friends help me with ideas along the way, and I have great photographer friends who gave me photos along with their city favorites.  Noan Dublinski, Jim Ekins and Bob White helped fill in a few days for me on my two extended vacations, which saved me.  
Today is about the items on my list for which I could not find good pictures, including:
-the smell of the desert after the rain - especially the creosote bushes
-the variety of storm clouds over the valley, all at the same time, especially a distant rain storm cloud like yesterday, hugging the McDowells, exposing just a peek at some snow on the peak
-the wonderful, friendly people who have chosen to make Scottsdale their home, especially my neighbors
-the native Arizonans that share rich stories of their heritage
-the drive to Carefree up Scottsdale Road (or Pima).  Though you don't get the roller-coaster ride of the past when you could catch air on the bumps, you still can see pristine Sonoran desert
-the commitment of Alison King and others to preserve our mid-Century architecture
-the hundreds of dedicated teachers that make our schools the best in the state
-the thousands of teenagers doing the right thing, getting good grades, working jobs, playing sports and staying out of trouble, making me proud to be a teacher
-watching these same students grow up, have children of their own and choose to live in the same neighborhood as their parents and grandparents
-a community of concerned citizens active in politics, volunteering for charities and organizations that donate umpteen thousands of hours and dollars to our city
-my fellow Scottsdale Sister Cities members who volunteer to bring Scottsdale to others around the globe, making this world a little safer and happier place
-the feeling I get when I walk down the street or go to the mall knowing that I am going to be safe and accepted
-the many churches, synagogues and temples that open their doors to all
-the sounds of owls and coyotes at night and mourning doves and quail in the day
-the feel of the sun on my skin and the feel of dipping into the pool on a hot summer day
-the option to be in the mountains in less than two hours or at a lake in about 30 minutes which means you could snow ski and water ski on the same day!
-being able to see nighttime phenomena such as eclipses without worrying about cloud cover
-and nearly constant blue skies. . . I love Scottsdale!!