by James Cowlin
I’ve been thinking a lot about water this year. We had a very dry summer here in southern Arizona. I could barely do enough watering to keep the trees and shrubs in my yard alive, and they are adapted to drought conditions. Then finally, in October, we had a couple of big rains, two and a half inches one weekend and an inch and a quarter a couple of weeks later. It was like a miracle to watch my oak trees grow new leaves and flowers I didn’t know I had, sprouting and blooming.
As I was thinking about my 2026 calendar, I was inspired to feature photographs of water I have encountered along US Route 89. Of course, there are the big bodies of water like Lake Powell and Yellowstone Lake. I chose a few images of lesser-known lakes with beautiful reflections. I also looked for more intimate images, such as water flowing over rocks in an unnamed stream in the Santa Rita Mountains. Above all, I chose photos that I hoped you would enjoy spending time with over the course of a month. The gallery below is a preview of the 2026 calendar photographs.
When open, the calendar measures 10.75 x 16.5 inches and notes holidays and significant observances. There is plenty of space to add your important events. This year, I have included moon phases to encourage you to spend time with the night sky. The equinoxes and solstices marking the passing of the seasons are also highlighted, along with lunar and solar eclipses.
The price is $20 plus shipping. Order your calendar from the printer, Magcloud, where you can use a credit/debit card to complete your purchase. Take a look at your holiday gift list and consider ordering several calendars. For orders of 10 or more, a 10% discount applies.
