Category Archives: Bopping Around Tucson

Hugging Saguaros

Posted on January 28, 2023 by sheilawill

I love being in Tucson, where the saguaros welcome us on the edge of Gates Pass. The mornings have been chilly. But by noon the sun shines down on the back patio. A trickling waterfall soothes me with one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, For Love of History, Managing Minneapolis, Nature Girl, Old friends, Out West, Politics, Spunky Writing Hints | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Noom and Nor

Posted on September 6, 2021 by sheilawill

Recent events in Afghanistan got me thinking about two of my favorite former students. Noom, an Iraqi American, wore an hijab every day. Nor was Palestinian American and did not. Both dressed in typical teen tight jeans. Noom and Nor … Continue reading →

Posted in America WTF?, Bopping Around Tucson, Fight wimpiness, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Leaving Tucson

Posted on July 17, 2021 by sheilawill

On September 25, 2002 — my daughter’s 25th birthday — I drove into Tucson. A vivid Southwestern salmony, purply sunset accompanied my arrival. It was gorgeous. It still is. I didn’t know what my life would be like, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Family Matters, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Old friends, Out West, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Finding Common Deliciousness

Posted on May 9, 2020 by sheilawill

Ahh Istanbul…the city swirls in my memory. Three years ago, my magic carpet ride across the Atlantic landed me in an epitome of contrasts: secular or religious, ancient or modern, hijab or no hijab? I passed a Starbucks, Gap, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Food/happy hours, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“We ain’t goin’ nowhere…”

Posted on March 29, 2020 by sheilawill

For the last two weeks an empty carton waits on the floor by my office closet, ready for me to fill it with stuff I no longer need. But closet cleaning isn’t high on my agenda these days. During these … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Family Matters, Fight wimpiness, Old friends, Out West, The Rest of the World, Visual Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Say what you wanna say…do what you wanna do

Posted on February 16, 2020 by sheilawill

Waiting for my stretch class to begin at the Tucson JCC I lift a few weights. I glance over to see if my waiting classmates are sitting by the Mind & Body classroom door. Yup. I keep lifting weights, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Bopping Around Tucson, Family Matters, Fight wimpiness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When I woke up this morning…

Posted on February 5, 2020 by sheilawill

It was an ordinary Tuesday. Nothing unusual happened walking to Starbucks for coffee with friends. We discussed the day’s big event, a scheduled oil change for my aging Toyota, to be followed by breakfast at Baja Cafe. Back home after … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Bopping Around Tucson, Fight wimpiness, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Out West, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Few Sabino Canyon Snippets

Posted on August 3, 2019 by sheilawill

I’m an eavesdropper. I’m curious about other people’s conversations. You might say I’m nosy. Or I’m creative? Early morning hike in Sabino Canyon, here’s what I heard: “When I was young I always felt like Superman.” “I go home, take … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Nature Girl | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Man’s Quest to Save Us from Gloom

Posted on June 23, 2019 by sheilawill

Jogging up Sabino Canyon a middle-aged African-American man wearing an MLK T-shirt calls out to me, “Hey kiddo, nice to see you today!” “How are you doing?” I ask. “Outstanding! Have I told you this one: Why did the raisin … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Fight wimpiness, Nature Girl, Out West, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Helping Migrants Seeking Asylum

Posted on April 26, 2019 by sheilawill

Enter the monastery. My shift was from noon to 3 p.m.; folding clothes would be my bag. The well-organized, super well-stocked free-clothing shop welcomed migrants already approved for political asylum: “Born to be UA Wildcat” onesies for newborns; jeans for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Fight wimpiness, Out West | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments