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.
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.
What I’m doing: Ozempic; a high protein low carb regimen with careful attention to specific nutrients; and exercise, currently shooting for about 2 hours a day. I’m working around knee pain as best I can. Progress!
November 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM
What I’m doing: Ozempic; a high protein low carb regimen with careful attention to specific nutrients; and exercise, currently shooting for about 2 hours a day. I’m working around knee pain as best I can. Progress!
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.
Tucson, Arizona. Not the most dramatic, but not bad.
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Tucson, Arizona. Not the most dramatic, but not bad.
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!
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
The St. Michael’s ofrenda is now crammed with photos, food, sugar skulls and candles. On Wednesday, our All Souls mass will include a reading of the names parishioners submitted of their beloved dead, including my parents, brother, and 6 friends. I will also give the first reading (Wisdom 3:1–9).
November 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The St. Michael’s ofrenda is now crammed with photos, food, sugar skulls and candles. On Wednesday, our All Souls mass will include a reading of the names parishioners submitted of their beloved dead, including my parents, brother, and 6 friends. I will also give the first reading (Wisdom 3:1–9).
Sunset in the east. The view to the west was boring.
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Sunset in the east. The view to the west was boring.
I ended up with a relatively modest Halloween display. I got a late start waiting for John to finish mowing, the box of skulls and bones never turned up, and I didn’t bother with the raven or the bat. But it looks okay anyway, and I’ve given out 28 bags so far - about double last year’s total. 👻🙂
November 1, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I ended up with a relatively modest Halloween display. I got a late start waiting for John to finish mowing, the box of skulls and bones never turned up, and I didn’t bother with the raven or the bat. But it looks okay anyway, and I’ve given out 28 bags so far - about double last year’s total. 👻🙂
This year’s model. The white greasepaint didn’t last, except to interfere with my iPad’s Face ID.
24 kids so far. Definitely more than last year.
24 kids so far. Definitely more than last year.
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This year’s model. The white greasepaint didn’t last, except to interfere with my iPad’s Face ID.
24 kids so far. Definitely more than last year.
24 kids so far. Definitely more than last year.
Some looks from past Halloweens. I’ve also been a pirate and a tiki.
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Some looks from past Halloweens. I’ve also been a pirate and a tiki.
The ofrenda at @stmichaelallangels continues to develop. Today I took new pictures, and looked up the symbolism of the monarch butterfly. Monarchs migrate south to Mexico in early November, and are associated with the souls of departed loved ones returning for a visit.
October 30, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The ofrenda at @stmichaelallangels continues to develop. Today I took new pictures, and looked up the symbolism of the monarch butterfly. Monarchs migrate south to Mexico in early November, and are associated with the souls of departed loved ones returning for a visit.
Here are some of the trees I photographed from a pullout near the Sunset Trail on Sunday. The leaves were even less colorful IRL than you see here. Too early, too late, or not going to get dramatic this year at all? #AutumninArizona
October 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Here are some of the trees I photographed from a pullout near the Sunset Trail on Sunday. The leaves were even less colorful IRL than you see here. Too early, too late, or not going to get dramatic this year at all? #AutumninArizona