Miami - AZ that is

A couple weeks ago as the thermometer crawled near 100 degrees, Pat and I took a trip out east to explore in the Globe/Miami area where it is usually 20 degrees cooler. We are no strangers to this area, for some reason I am drawn to Miami. Check out one of our earlier trips to the area here. It is another old mining town that has seen better days. Even though they have resurrected mining in Miami, most of the town is filled with rundown and abandoned buildings. I have a photography project in mind that has me looking for interesting doors and Miami had plenty available.

 This pharmacy was for sale. A lot of buildings/businesses are for sale in Miami.

 One of my favorite doors.

 This one actually is a private residence, or so that little sign says if you could read it. Do you see Pat in the reflection?

 On the way home we stopped at Los Hermanos in Superior for dinner. This place was featured in Arizona Highways Best Restaurants 2013 edition. It is a small town tavern/restaurant popular with locals as well as tourists. The food was really good, authentic homemade Mexican food. I had Chiles Relleno, more than I could finish; Pat had a burro and cup of green chile and a large margarita. Everything is reasonably priced, I believe our bill came to sixteen dollars and we were stuffed. Definitely will stop here again when out in the area.

Happy Golden Birthday, Mike!

 No longer a teen, not sure I believed I would survive Mike's teen years. The past seven years have seen their share of ups and downs as Mike struggles to find himself and his place in this world. I am not saying he has found either yet, but as I look back, I can see that he is making progress. Change is not and never has been easy for Mike. There have been a lot of changes in the past seven years for him and I believe he is learning to adapt and I have every confidence that Mike can and will do some amazing things in his life. He has been blessed with many gifts, not the least of which is his intelligence. A mind is a terrible thing to waste and I do not believe Mike will waste his.

 Big surprise at where Mike would want his birthday dinner, I am pretty sure he has picked NYPD for all his birthday dinners since we moved here. 

After dinner it was time for presents and dessert. Mike received a gaming keyboard and mouse for his new computer. When Mike got home from school mid-May he built himself a computer with all his "requirements" for gaming. Now with the addition of a keyboard and mouse he is set for many late nights.

Another of Mike's regular requests for his birthday (I did mention his dislike for change, right?) is a cookie birthday "cake". 

 My wish for you as always is that you follow your dreams, enjoy what you do and above all for you to be happy. 

Happy Birthday, Mike. Love, Mom

Happy Mother's Day!

 My mother and me.

Pat and his mother.