Karen Funk Blocher
@mavarin.bsky.social
Bookkeeper, editor, fantasy novelist (pending), Democrat, Tucsonan, Whovian, sometime birder, & amateur photographer. One husband, two dogs, no kids, no cats. Bots, p*rn accounts and strangers who DM me will be blocked.
On Thanksgiving I didn’t get to the gym for the first time in months, because their shorten hours conflicted with the church service & potluck. I did my best to make up for it with a hike at Saguaro National park: 2.76 miles from Broadway Trailhead to Cactus Forest Drive, and back via Shantz Trail.
November 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
On Thanksgiving I didn’t get to the gym for the first time in months, because their shorten hours conflicted with the church service & potluck. I did my best to make up for it with a hike at Saguaro National park: 2.76 miles from Broadway Trailhead to Cactus Forest Drive, and back via Shantz Trail.
John and I have a holiday compact: I cook Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner, not both. The other holiday we eat out, or buy take out, or maybe get a heat and serve deal. But last year we got a Beef Wellington meal from Whole Foods and I ruined our oven spilling creamed spinach. So… 1/3 🧵
November 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
John and I have a holiday compact: I cook Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner, not both. The other holiday we eat out, or buy take out, or maybe get a heat and serve deal. But last year we got a Beef Wellington meal from Whole Foods and I ruined our oven spilling creamed spinach. So… 1/3 🧵
More from Sunday on Mica View Trail. #saguaros #TucsonSunsets
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
More from Sunday on Mica View Trail. #saguaros #TucsonSunsets
Another Target sunset.
November 25, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Another Target sunset.
Sunday sunset on Mica View Trail. #TucsonSunsets #saguaros
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Sunday sunset on Mica View Trail. #TucsonSunsets #saguaros
It rained pretty much all day here in Tucson on Saturday. Is that why my knees hurt so much, or is it the result of all my exercise, as careful as I am? John teased me about my “rumatiz.” The solid overcast onditions weren’t good for photos but I tried to capture the rain splashing in the birdbath.
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 AM
It rained pretty much all day here in Tucson on Saturday. Is that why my knees hurt so much, or is it the result of all my exercise, as careful as I am? John teased me about my “rumatiz.” The solid overcast onditions weren’t good for photos but I tried to capture the rain splashing in the birdbath.
More from Thursday’s brief sunset at the Broadway Trailhead. #TucsonSunsets
November 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
More from Thursday’s brief sunset at the Broadway Trailhead. #TucsonSunsets
Thursday sunset at Mica View Trail. I’m noticing that I’m getting much less out of breath now on this familiar route with its slight incline.
November 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Thursday sunset at Mica View Trail. I’m noticing that I’m getting much less out of breath now on this familiar route with its slight incline.
On Sunday my destination on the Shantz Trail was this distinctive saguaro. 🌵 I call it the SID: Saguaro in Distress. Aside from its unusual shape, it has signs of damage or disease (I think). I had not hiked the Shantz Trail for over a year, so I was glad to see the SID is still hanging in there!
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 AM
On Sunday my destination on the Shantz Trail was this distinctive saguaro. 🌵 I call it the SID: Saguaro in Distress. Aside from its unusual shape, it has signs of damage or disease (I think). I had not hiked the Shantz Trail for over a year, so I was glad to see the SID is still hanging in there!
Clouds on a drive across Tucson, late afternoon on Tuesday.
November 19, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Clouds on a drive across Tucson, late afternoon on Tuesday.
April 10, 2025 to November 18, 2025. 75.2 pounds lost to date. One of my interim goals was 75 pounds down by Thanksgiving. I beat that date by over a week. I need to lose just under 50 pounds more to qualify for knee replacement surgery, and will try to lose more after that. 1/2
November 19, 2025 at 8:42 AM
April 10, 2025 to November 18, 2025. 75.2 pounds lost to date. One of my interim goals was 75 pounds down by Thanksgiving. I beat that date by over a week. I need to lose just under 50 pounds more to qualify for knee replacement surgery, and will try to lose more after that. 1/2
Shantz Trail on Sunday. My second time this year on this fairly easy trail. I had a particular goal this time, and will show you that in my next photo post.
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Shantz Trail on Sunday. My second time this year on this fairly easy trail. I had a particular goal this time, and will show you that in my next photo post.
It rained in Tucson Sunday morning, but that was over by afternoon, leaving behind dramatic clouds.
November 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
It rained in Tucson Sunday morning, but that was over by afternoon, leaving behind dramatic clouds.
Apple Butt takes over half the couch (again); Kito’s on the mooch (again).
November 16, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Apple Butt takes over half the couch (again); Kito’s on the mooch (again).
from Thursday on Mica View Trail. #saguarosunset
November 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
from Thursday on Mica View Trail. #saguarosunset
Just an ordinary Tucson sunset when the sky is streaked with clouds. No aurora, but it’s still beautiful!
November 14, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Just an ordinary Tucson sunset when the sky is streaked with clouds. No aurora, but it’s still beautiful!
Still more from Shantz and Cactus Forest Trails on Sunday. I didn’t get out to try to see the aurora tonight, but if it’s back tomorrow I’ll be there.
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Still more from Shantz and Cactus Forest Trails on Sunday. I didn’t get out to try to see the aurora tonight, but if it’s back tomorrow I’ll be there.
I was getting bored with Mica View Trail, so I tried to go to Freeman Homestead Trail instead. But the Saguaro National Park main entrance was blocked off, so I went to Broadway Trailhead anyway - for short walks on the Shantz and Cactus Forest Trails. Different saguaros to photograph!
November 10, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I was getting bored with Mica View Trail, so I tried to go to Freeman Homestead Trail instead. But the Saguaro National Park main entrance was blocked off, so I went to Broadway Trailhead anyway - for short walks on the Shantz and Cactus Forest Trails. Different saguaros to photograph!
A year ago today, Tucsonans were driving up Mt. Lemmon to enjoy a modest amount of early snow.
November 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
A year ago today, Tucsonans were driving up Mt. Lemmon to enjoy a modest amount of early snow.
Five years ago today, I photographed these saguaros near the Signal Hill area of Saguaro National Park West, way out in the Tucson Mountains west of the city. I would not dare drive out there now because my Prius, I’ve since learned, is really not good at surviving long drives on dirt roads.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Five years ago today, I photographed these saguaros near the Signal Hill area of Saguaro National Park West, way out in the Tucson Mountains west of the city. I would not dare drive out there now because my Prius, I’ve since learned, is really not good at surviving long drives on dirt roads.
Six years ago today, on and off Cactus Forest Trail.
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Six years ago today, on and off Cactus Forest Trail.
Tonight was the All Souls service at St Michael’s. As lector I read Wisdom 3:1-9: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God….” 509 names were read of our deceased loved ones. Later I took more pictures of the church’s ofrenda, with some of the many photos lying flat on the crowded altar.
November 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Tonight was the All Souls service at St Michael’s. As lector I read Wisdom 3:1-9: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God….” 509 names were read of our deceased loved ones. Later I took more pictures of the church’s ofrenda, with some of the many photos lying flat on the crowded altar.
Brother Dave asked and parishioners delivered! Thanks for helping out with more food for the church pantry, which is expected to have an influx of additional people needing food. We give out “cook” and “no cook” bags of shelf stable food on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9-10 AM.
November 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Brother Dave asked and parishioners delivered! Thanks for helping out with more food for the church pantry, which is expected to have an influx of additional people needing food. We give out “cook” and “no cook” bags of shelf stable food on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9-10 AM.
Another parking lot sunset. This one greeted us as we exited the Target on Old Spanish Trail. #TucsonSunsets
November 4, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Another parking lot sunset. This one greeted us as we exited the Target on Old Spanish Trail. #TucsonSunsets