We moved into Phoenix proper a couple years back. It's a pretty big City. We live in a nice community but it's somewhat adjacent to "a bad part". So of an evening it's not unheard of to be watching TV and hear a bang.

To which we look at each other and go "firework or shotgun?". Americana.

That feeling when you're really happy with the work done by the tree guy, but you look at his business card afterwards.

American born and bred

Which because of where we live is all a bit dog whistley for "…if you don't want brown people doing your yard work…".

Ugh.

Flagstaff, Arizona 2018.

I love old those timey cars and trucks. Nothing like a bit of Americana.

It's that time of year again. I probably say the same thing every 12 months, but I love Halloween. Growing up in England in the late 70s, early 80s meant there really was no Halloween to speak of. Dressing up and going trick or treating was always something you saw Americans doing on TV. So it's nice to actually live here, with kids of your own, experiencing it first hand.

Flagstaff, 2018. 

It was cool driving down an iconic piece of Americana.  The kicks I got on this particular route was an awfully nice IPA in a Mexican restaurant.  Yum.  Of course I had Depeche's version of the song in my head while taking this shot.

Americana in one shot. Muscle car, massage place.

For the last 21 years the United States has been home. I love living here and at this point in my life I can't picture living anywhere else.

Guns and gun laws utterly baffle me though. I dunno, maybe it's the Englishman in me still finding the entire concept of gun ownership bizarre? I'll not forget my Dad's reaction the first time I took him to the firearms section of a local "outdoor sports" shop.

Wait, you mean you can actually buy these?

You'd think, really think, that the laws would change as a result of each mass shooting event. They don't. Politicians stand and watch offering thoughts and prayers as children are murdered in the safety of their schools.

Because that will help.

It's all heartbreaking really. But I'm encouraged to see the Stoneman Douglas students taking a stand. The NRA really have something to answer for here.

How cool is this old school Taxi? Nice bit of Americana that.

Peoria, 2017.

I love this time of year. My inner we didn't do this in England when I was a kid so making the most of it now in full effect. Americana at its finest. Looking forward to going trick or treating with our little one later. Makes me smile.

The quintessential mailbox, Americana at its finest. The newer neighborhoods here in Phoenix don't have these any more and it's a shame.