Introducing my sister, Nancini Sushimi, celebrating her fortieth birthday. Traditionally, this day is one of the very few occasions that brings together both O'Brien and Ellis families. She loves the sushi, but refuses the saki. More for Matty and Grandma...

  

Nancini enjoys trading her clothing for stuffed animals in ruthless barters to be reckoned with. Mostly of the German Shepherd variety. Anything for a fresh new stash of O'Btique tees, eh, Nancini?

She also enjoys the creation of tall tales regarding horses:

Nancini Sushimi lives in Camp Verde, Arizona, which is approximately an hour and a half north of my little homestead. She doesn't drive, so our frequent visits require me for transport. Generally, the thought of the drive makes me grumpy. Then I take it, and not only do I have a moment to myself, but this is what it looks like:

Yep. Poor me! The sky in Arizona is one of the very best perks of living here. The architecture and vegetation both stay close to the ground, for cooling and hydration, so usually the sky captures at least fifty percent of your outdoor visual intake. The scene is ever changing, beautiful, and crisp as a cucumber. 

There is so much sky within eyesight, that it is often possible to see rain touching down a bit to the Northwest (for example), yet still sunny more to the Northeast (for example). On this day, Matty and I are driving Nancy home, and such a scene did occur. Rain and blue sky all in one shot: 

After filling Nancini's closet with brand new clothes, yet and inevitably to be traded for new stuffed German Shepherd best buds, we toured Jerome.

We walked up a long, winding staircase, complete with children dressed in old fashioned clothing that giggled and darted across the way

until we reached absolute proof that we were somehow residing in a story book; a haunted hotel.

The lobby of the hotel contained gifts, and also photos of the apparitions that resided within. Nancini was spooked, but I was intrigued. I told her that those photographed ghosts were the work of Photoshop in order to buy myself the time to nose around leisurely. Bob, our host at the front desk, didn't take too kindly to my blatant lies and proceeded to tell a few tales that left even Matty pale and tempted to make a reservation.

Then we were tired. We ate and went home.  Happy fortieth Nancini Sushimi...

See you again soon...