Monica Surfaro of Tucson
@tucson-writer.bsky.social
Writer, zinester, culture & desert lover. Fleeing the dark places, staying in the light. Folklife, cultural traditions, my Calabrian ancestry, my son & his family are my life. As is Leigh, married 52 years.
Haven’t posted in months (family death, surgeries) but did today. Shocked at the vitriol in comments when video appeared on FB. People wishing me dead. I am 75 year old grandmother. What has happened to this country.
October 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Haven’t posted in months (family death, surgeries) but did today. Shocked at the vitriol in comments when video appeared on FB. People wishing me dead. I am 75 year old grandmother. What has happened to this country.
Rarely on social media. News & injustices so overwhelming. But our desert seems to fortify. Even in this heat.
August 20, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Rarely on social media. News & injustices so overwhelming. But our desert seems to fortify. Even in this heat.
June 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
There is nothing I can do today about all the tragedies, so I walk, work as I can, and BREATHE.
#clouds
#desert
#mountains
#persist
#clouds
#desert
#mountains
#persist
April 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
There is nothing I can do today about all the tragedies, so I walk, work as I can, and BREATHE.
#clouds
#desert
#mountains
#persist
#clouds
#desert
#mountains
#persist
March 30, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I support local resistance @indivisibletucson.bsky.social, @ld18demsaz.bsky.social @gabbygiffords.bsky.social @arizonalist.bsky.social & others with all my being, but every once in a while I need to stop, restore & take time to enjoy & honor the desert.
#dogsofbluesky #tucson
#dogsofbluesky #tucson
March 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I support local resistance @indivisibletucson.bsky.social, @ld18demsaz.bsky.social @gabbygiffords.bsky.social @arizonalist.bsky.social & others with all my being, but every once in a while I need to stop, restore & take time to enjoy & honor the desert.
#dogsofbluesky #tucson
#dogsofbluesky #tucson
#Sunset
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.”
—Wendell Berry
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.”
—Wendell Berry
March 17, 2025 at 4:53 AM
#Sunset
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.”
—Wendell Berry
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.”
—Wendell Berry
The world is upside down, but the desert still brings me a sense of peace. Tonight, after the rains. Clouds, mountains & sunset over Tucson
March 8, 2025 at 2:39 AM
The world is upside down, but the desert still brings me a sense of peace. Tonight, after the rains. Clouds, mountains & sunset over Tucson
Tucson sunset, tonight, plus
#hummingbird dinner stop
#hummingbird dinner stop
March 2, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Tucson sunset, tonight, plus
#hummingbird dinner stop
#hummingbird dinner stop
I was there. Please organize more. We can’t stop speaking up.
March 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I was there. Please organize more. We can’t stop speaking up.
March 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I say this often: The desert is not for everyone. But if it calls to you, it is like magic—the skies, the earth, its nature.
February 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I say this often: The desert is not for everyone. But if it calls to you, it is like magic—the skies, the earth, its nature.
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekIforInside
Inside my Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Cranberry Buttercream Icing. Thank you for the recipe, @nytimes.com #letthemeatcake #baking
#WeekIforInside
Inside my Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Cranberry Buttercream Icing. Thank you for the recipe, @nytimes.com #letthemeatcake #baking
February 26, 2025 at 4:34 AM
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekIforInside
Inside my Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Cranberry Buttercream Icing. Thank you for the recipe, @nytimes.com #letthemeatcake #baking
#WeekIforInside
Inside my Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Cranberry Buttercream Icing. Thank you for the recipe, @nytimes.com #letthemeatcake #baking
For #BlueSkyArtShow themed #Abandoned, this scene from downtown Tucson years ago came to mind. It was 2011 & it made me feel lonely that night.
#photography
#streetphotography
#photography
#streetphotography
February 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
For #BlueSkyArtShow themed #Abandoned, this scene from downtown Tucson years ago came to mind. It was 2011 & it made me feel lonely that night.
#photography
#streetphotography
#photography
#streetphotography
February 21, 2025 at 1:29 AM
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekHforHeroes
We need lots of heroes now, in all aspects of life.
#streetart
#JohnLennon
#WeekHforHeroes
We need lots of heroes now, in all aspects of life.
#streetart
#JohnLennon
February 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekHforHeroes
We need lots of heroes now, in all aspects of life.
#streetart
#JohnLennon
#WeekHforHeroes
We need lots of heroes now, in all aspects of life.
#streetart
#JohnLennon
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekGforGold
#GoldenHour- there are so many in Tucson, the Sonoran desert. Which to choose? #DogsofBlueSky
#WeekGforGold
#GoldenHour- there are so many in Tucson, the Sonoran desert. Which to choose? #DogsofBlueSky
February 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekGforGold
#GoldenHour- there are so many in Tucson, the Sonoran desert. Which to choose? #DogsofBlueSky
#WeekGforGold
#GoldenHour- there are so many in Tucson, the Sonoran desert. Which to choose? #DogsofBlueSky
Final day of the #BookChallenge.
I read The Sailor Dog first as a child, & then again as mom to my son. Scuppers, his ship & travels—all magical. The storybook & illustrations hold great meaning in my childhood & my parenthood.
20/20
#BookSky
#Books
Adios Book Challenge, I enjoyed participating
I read The Sailor Dog first as a child, & then again as mom to my son. Scuppers, his ship & travels—all magical. The storybook & illustrations hold great meaning in my childhood & my parenthood.
20/20
#BookSky
#Books
Adios Book Challenge, I enjoyed participating
February 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Final day of the #BookChallenge.
I read The Sailor Dog first as a child, & then again as mom to my son. Scuppers, his ship & travels—all magical. The storybook & illustrations hold great meaning in my childhood & my parenthood.
20/20
#BookSky
#Books
Adios Book Challenge, I enjoyed participating
I read The Sailor Dog first as a child, & then again as mom to my son. Scuppers, his ship & travels—all magical. The storybook & illustrations hold great meaning in my childhood & my parenthood.
20/20
#BookSky
#Books
Adios Book Challenge, I enjoyed participating
Taking a liberty for 19/20 in #BookChallenge:
Essays & Essay Writing (my Dad’s 1929 English textbook), I read in high school
Do You Belong in Journalism (1959 trade book, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund), I won in 1960s writing contest
To thank for my career: My Dad & these 2 old books I cherish #BookSky
February 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Taking a liberty for 19/20 in #BookChallenge:
Essays & Essay Writing (my Dad’s 1929 English textbook), I read in high school
Do You Belong in Journalism (1959 trade book, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund), I won in 1960s writing contest
To thank for my career: My Dad & these 2 old books I cherish #BookSky
Sunset. Tonight. Tucson.
#dogsofBlueSky
#dogsofBlueSky
February 11, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Sunset. Tonight. Tucson.
#dogsofBlueSky
#dogsofBlueSky
When I moved to Tucson I met cultural anthropologist Jim Griffin (& wife Loma) who created a festival that helped community “meet yourself” by celebrating the culture of neighbors. With their help (& Maribel Alvarez), I learned the value of folkways. RIP Big Jim.
#BookChallenge
#BookSky
#Books
18/20
#BookChallenge
#BookSky
#Books
18/20
February 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
When I moved to Tucson I met cultural anthropologist Jim Griffin (& wife Loma) who created a festival that helped community “meet yourself” by celebrating the culture of neighbors. With their help (& Maribel Alvarez), I learned the value of folkways. RIP Big Jim.
#BookChallenge
#BookSky
#Books
18/20
#BookChallenge
#BookSky
#Books
18/20
The desert has changed this city-girl. I marvel now at the tiniest desert flower. I savor the monsoon rain. I honor the thorniest cactus & hairiest tarantula. This book brought clarity to how the desert land demands fierce respect & love, & changes you.
#BookChallenge
#Books
#BookSky
#Land
17/20
#BookChallenge
#Books
#BookSky
#Land
17/20
February 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The desert has changed this city-girl. I marvel now at the tiniest desert flower. I savor the monsoon rain. I honor the thorniest cactus & hairiest tarantula. This book brought clarity to how the desert land demands fierce respect & love, & changes you.
#BookChallenge
#Books
#BookSky
#Land
17/20
#BookChallenge
#Books
#BookSky
#Land
17/20
It’s a good weekend to walk (& browse the gem, rock, bead & mineral shows in Tucson)
February 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
It’s a good weekend to walk (& browse the gem, rock, bead & mineral shows in Tucson)