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.
Three years ago today, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band rocked Ronstadt Music Hall.
September 19, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Three years ago today, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band rocked Ronstadt Music Hall.
A year ago today, as I was too distracted with back pain and a PT appointment to take new photos on Thursday. But I do have a way forward to heal from this. #TucsonWeather #TucsonMonsoon
September 18, 2026 at 8:16 AM
A year ago today, as I was too distracted with back pain and a PT appointment to take new photos on Thursday. But I do have a way forward to heal from this. #TucsonWeather #TucsonMonsoon
A year ago today. This Wednesday was at least as rainy but less photogenic, and I got no new photos. I’m still dealing with major pain from a muscle strain and will be seeing a physical therapist in the morning.
September 17, 2026 at 7:47 AM
A year ago today. This Wednesday was at least as rainy but less photogenic, and I got no new photos. I’m still dealing with major pain from a muscle strain and will be seeing a physical therapist in the morning.
When I picked up our 2025 tax return this morning, I saw something highly unusual nearby. The entire three eastbound lanes of Broadway Blvd were blocked off completely at Prudence! My tax guy said that Monday’s brief storm had been so violent that one or more telephone poles were damaged.
September 16, 2026 at 8:20 AM
When I picked up our 2025 tax return this morning, I saw something highly unusual nearby. The entire three eastbound lanes of Broadway Blvd were blocked off completely at Prudence! My tax guy said that Monday’s brief storm had been so violent that one or more telephone poles were damaged.
“Do you think it’s going to rain?” my friend asked when I dropped her off after shopping. Five minutes later I was driving in a cloudburst down Golf Links Road, with flooding and ten feet visibility. I stopped at Safeway, which had a brief power failure. 1/2
September 15, 2026 at 9:20 AM
“Do you think it’s going to rain?” my friend asked when I dropped her off after shopping. Five minutes later I was driving in a cloudburst down Golf Links Road, with flooding and ten feet visibility. I stopped at Safeway, which had a brief power failure. 1/2
Monday sunset (last week) on Mica View Trail.
I’ve hurt my back somehow, specifically my lower back between my spine and my left hip. Massage, acetaminophen, stretching not helping. I’ll probably try urgent care in the morning.
I’ve hurt my back somehow, specifically my lower back between my spine and my left hip. Massage, acetaminophen, stretching not helping. I’ll probably try urgent care in the morning.
September 14, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Monday sunset (last week) on Mica View Trail.
I’ve hurt my back somehow, specifically my lower back between my spine and my left hip. Massage, acetaminophen, stretching not helping. I’ll probably try urgent care in the morning.
I’ve hurt my back somehow, specifically my lower back between my spine and my left hip. Massage, acetaminophen, stretching not helping. I’ll probably try urgent care in the morning.
Saturday sunset. Better views were available but I was very late for the gym and didn’t have time to drive to a more scenic spot.
September 13, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Saturday sunset. Better views were available but I was very late for the gym and didn’t have time to drive to a more scenic spot.
More from Radio Ridge last Saturday.
September 12, 2026 at 7:54 AM
More from Radio Ridge last Saturday.
Wednesday in the LA Fitness parking lot looking east, at 6:30 PM and 9 PM. Sometimes we get better sunset views looking north or east instead of west. Later I pointed my iPhone camera at distant lightning. There were no individual bolts visible, but the light poles made interesting patterns.
September 11, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Wednesday in the LA Fitness parking lot looking east, at 6:30 PM and 9 PM. Sometimes we get better sunset views looking north or east instead of west. Later I pointed my iPhone camera at distant lightning. There were no individual bolts visible, but the light poles made interesting patterns.
Saguaros on Saturday near Sunset.
September 10, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Saguaros on Saturday near Sunset.
I had no idea that Star Trek was having theater screenings today (Tuesday) until a co-worker asked me whether I’d gone to one. There were a number of different double features, but the only one that worked for my schedule was The City on the Edge of Forever… 1/2
September 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
I had no idea that Star Trek was having theater screenings today (Tuesday) until a co-worker asked me whether I’d gone to one. There were a number of different double features, but the only one that worked for my schedule was The City on the Edge of Forever… 1/2
I found my 40-year-old Star Trek shirt late last night, at the bottom of my bag of vintage shirts. I’m therefore out of compliance with the office dress code today.. Happy Star Trek Day! Watch out for salt vampires and don’t wear a red shirt!
September 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM
I found my 40-year-old Star Trek shirt late last night, at the bottom of my bag of vintage shirts. I’m therefore out of compliance with the office dress code today.. Happy Star Trek Day! Watch out for salt vampires and don’t wear a red shirt!
How Star Trek changed my life, aside from general influences on my personal interests, activities, and philosophy:
Because of Star Trek, I was writing for, editing, and publishing fanzines before I was out of high school, developing skills I still use today. 1/2
Because of Star Trek, I was writing for, editing, and publishing fanzines before I was out of high school, developing skills I still use today. 1/2
September 8, 2026 at 9:57 AM
How Star Trek changed my life, aside from general influences on my personal interests, activities, and philosophy:
Because of Star Trek, I was writing for, editing, and publishing fanzines before I was out of high school, developing skills I still use today. 1/2
Because of Star Trek, I was writing for, editing, and publishing fanzines before I was out of high school, developing skills I still use today. 1/2
Mediocre Monday sunset, and a bunny. #Tucsonsunsets #saguaro
September 8, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Mediocre Monday sunset, and a bunny. #Tucsonsunsets #saguaro
On Saturday after Windy Point and a stop at the Mt. Lemmon General Store, I drove up to Radio Ridge near the summit of Mt. Lemmon. There is a rather steep-looking dirt road there that I’d hiked up maybe once before, years ago. It was time to do it again. 1/2
September 7, 2026 at 10:27 AM
On Saturday after Windy Point and a stop at the Mt. Lemmon General Store, I drove up to Radio Ridge near the summit of Mt. Lemmon. There is a rather steep-looking dirt road there that I’d hiked up maybe once before, years ago. It was time to do it again. 1/2
I only managed a mini-gallivant on Saturday. Following a trip to the gym, I just headed up Mt. Lemmon. First stop, as usual, was Windy Point. Less usual was the fact that I used a restroom there to change from workout clothes into jeans and my “The mountains are calling and I must go” T-shirt.
September 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM
I only managed a mini-gallivant on Saturday. Following a trip to the gym, I just headed up Mt. Lemmon. First stop, as usual, was Windy Point. Less usual was the fact that I used a restroom there to change from workout clothes into jeans and my “The mountains are calling and I must go” T-shirt.
More from The Loop at Rillito River Park on Thursday. I hope to gallivant something the next 48 hours.
September 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM
More from The Loop at Rillito River Park on Thursday. I hope to gallivant something the next 48 hours.
My writing group meets at IHOP (Grant and Rosemont) on alternate Thursdays. Sunset in Tucson is currently around 6:45 PM and I normally get to IHOP at 7. So today I drove out to Rillito River Park off Swan to grab some sunset shots before the meeting. Well worth the detour!
September 4, 2026 at 8:39 AM
My writing group meets at IHOP (Grant and Rosemont) on alternate Thursdays. Sunset in Tucson is currently around 6:45 PM and I normally get to IHOP at 7. So today I drove out to Rillito River Park off Swan to grab some sunset shots before the meeting. Well worth the detour!
Wednesday sunset at Golf Links and Wilmot. #Tucsonsunsets
September 3, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Wednesday sunset at Golf Links and Wilmot. #Tucsonsunsets
Reposted by Karen Funk Blocher
This is why you can't have healthcare. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/ice-buy-robot-dogs-immigration-enforcement-rcna594897
ICE plans to buy robot ‘dogs’ for some immigration enforcement operations
The doglike robots are equipped with cameras and sensors that can detect chemicals and would be used in situations that
www.nbcnews.com
September 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
This is why you can't have healthcare. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/ice-buy-robot-dogs-immigration-enforcement-rcna594897
I’ve waited a long time to post this, and in my darker moments, I started to doubt I’d ever get here. But here I am, 150 pounds lighter than when I started on 4/10/2015. That was when I got my new smart scale, my prescription for Ozempic, and my marching orders from PCP and knee surgeon. 1/2
September 2, 2026 at 1:08 AM
I’ve waited a long time to post this, and in my darker moments, I started to doubt I’d ever get here. But here I am, 150 pounds lighter than when I started on 4/10/2015. That was when I got my new smart scale, my prescription for Ozempic, and my marching orders from PCP and knee surgeon. 1/2
Still more photos from Saturday pre-sunset on Mica View Trail, Saguaro National Park East. #tucsonsunsets #saguaros
September 1, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Still more photos from Saturday pre-sunset on Mica View Trail, Saguaro National Park East. #tucsonsunsets #saguaros
More from Saturday pre-sunset on Mica View Trail - portrait mode. #saguaronationalpark #TucsonSunsets
August 31, 2026 at 8:51 AM
More from Saturday pre-sunset on Mica View Trail - portrait mode. #saguaronationalpark #TucsonSunsets
I made it out to Mica View Trail at Saguaro National Park on Saturday, and the sunset did not disappoint. The first shot I took a few miles away after distractedly missing a turn. The rest are from the first few minutes of my 1.7 mile walk. Much more to come!
August 30, 2026 at 9:55 AM
I made it out to Mica View Trail at Saguaro National Park on Saturday, and the sunset did not disappoint. The first shot I took a few miles away after distractedly missing a turn. The rest are from the first few minutes of my 1.7 mile walk. Much more to come!
Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area and a tiny piece of the Arizona Trail, five years ago today. This is the former site of a prison camp, whose inmates helped to build Mt Lemmon Highway. 1/2
August 29, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area and a tiny piece of the Arizona Trail, five years ago today. This is the former site of a prison camp, whose inmates helped to build Mt Lemmon Highway. 1/2