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On KXCI
On KXCI
KXCI MINI-PROGRAMS
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey: Just another day in church
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey:  Just another day in church
Spring does come early in the Sonoran desert scrub. Spring does come early in the Sonoran desert scrub that you find in the flats and on the hills surrounding Tucson. Or maybe it doesn't come early - it probably comes right on time - it just comes when we've been lulled to sleep by winter and catches us off guard.
The desert rats of the Tucson region wear down vests and long underwear when the temperatures drop below 55 degrees, so blooming Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa) on the hill sides is a welcome sight, being a harbinger of impending warmth. "Life is good again," mutter the chilled regionals.

There is nothing better than a small desert fire. The smell of burning ironwood or mesquite is glorious, but for the ultimate aroma therapy, smudge some brittle bush resin on the coals. Whoa, the desert is beautiful!

Petey Mesquitey is KXCI's resident storyteller. Since 1992 Petey has delighted KXCI listeners with slide shows and poems, stories and songs about flora, fauna, family and the glory of living in southern Arizona.