Monday, April 30, 2018

BIRD BRAINED

We've had lots of activity at the bird bath recently.

Along with a plethora of house finches, goldfinches and doves it was also visited by a woodpecker . . .


a mockingbird . . .


and a robin checking the water.


Then he used his toes to see how cold it was.


Satisfied with the temperature, he dived in and took a rousing bath.


He splashed and ducked until he appeared to be sopping wet.


Then he launched his now-heavier body into the air.


But he didn't go far.

Just into the tree above the birdbath where he preened himself for probably 10 or 15 minutes.


And when he was finally clean and preened and combed and brushed he flew off to find a lady friend to impress.

Robins.  I could watch them forever.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

NEVER TOO OLD

Some people can't resist a challenge.

One of these is the BRD's Beau Jack.

When a client of his expressed a desire to climb Granite Mountain, Jack said he'd go too.

Never mind that Beau Jack is no spring chicken anymore, in fact 14 years older than his climbing companion.

Never mind that Granite Mountain tops out at over 7,600 feet.

That makes the climb nearly 2,500 feet.

There are trails but it is still a challenging climb.



They planned their excursion well, taking lots of fluids and caching a supply partway up for the return to normality.


"Here Jack, have some Gatorade!"


Somewhere down there . . . way, way down there . . . is where they started this insane trek from.

And finally, after approximately five hours, they reached the summit.





Jack's only regret?

He left those expensive sunglasses at the top and thought of going back for them but, perhaps wisely, changed his mind and left them for the next intrepid climber.

Back home he plunged into his whirlpool spa.

Two days later, he looked none the worse for wear as we celebrated my birthday in a local restaurant.


Beau Jack says next on his list: Mt. Everest.

We.  Don't.  Think.  So.

Friday, April 27, 2018

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES


That's if we have anything to celebrate.

Well, the leaders of the two Koreas each crossed the line between them yesterday.

So that's a start, I guess.

But, Gentle Readers (hiya, Karl), let's see what's in the humor files this week.








All right folks, you know the drill.

Tip-toe through the tulips and make a timely tintinnabulation throughout this weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .


Tuesday, April 24, 2018

ONE MORE TRIP AROUND THE SUN

I became 78 years old today.


Still crazy after all these years

Friday, April 20, 2018

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Uh-oh.


To those of you Gentle Readers who are not well-versed in Cheech and Chong movies, today is April 20th.

i.e. 4-20.

And 4:20 is a universal code term for the smoking of marijuana dating back to some California teenagers who used to meet for that purpose when their classes ended at 4:20 p.m.

Here in the United States, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York today plans to introduce a bill to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level.

There are some negatives about the use of "weed".




But despite it's popularity, some people still stick to old favorites.



And some of those deleterious effects mentioned above may not be the result of your particular taste in "moral decay".




So I'll leave you to your choices for romping riotously through a ribald weekend but remember . . . always keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .


Wednesday, April 18, 2018

AT THE SPRINGS

Ah, Gentle Readers, today was a day like any other day.

Any other day, that is, when an infrequent meeting of the Rock Springs Rumble is held.

Baseball Steve organized this lunch gathering at the famous Rock Springs Cafe.

Steve is shown here accepting the plaudits of the other participants.


Or perhaps doing a perp walk, one can never be sure.

Others on hand included Legendary Lew Ruggiero.


That's just water with lemon, not a gin and tonic.

And King Karl Kindberg, here about to attack a giant plate of nachos.


Karl told me today I should drop that "Gentle Readers" crap from these posts.

In spite of my high regard for the man who for reasons I can't explain acquired the nickname "Doc", I shant.

And a new "mystery guest" to these gatherings, as Steve put it.

One of our number who still actually works for a living, Al "Bert" Macias.


Oh, yes, and your scribe was there too, though my photograph comes from my files.

And though it may resemble it, not from beyond the grave.


As usual many tales of long ago were told.

Some of them true, one would guess.

I shall not repeat any of them here, regardless of the statute of limitations.

Suffice it to say a good time was had by all, as always, and none of us got arrested.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

POTPOURRI


That ought to wake you up and get you prepared for mailing off your 2017 tax return, if you haven't already done it.

I e-filed mine back in early February.

It's a pretty simple return and I haven't had to give the IRS any money for years.

One of the advantages of a retirement income.

* * * *

SWMBO had an ear ache yesterday, following a couple of days of a runny nose, apparently caused by spring allergies, which are rife here in the Central Highlands of Arizona.

So this is for her.


Actually, I think it's about over.

* * * *

On the political front, the best headline of yesterday came from the Stephen Colbert show: Hannity Insanity.


"Who, me?"

* * * *

And for all of you Gentle Readers who have grown fond of my birds-at-the-bird-bath pictures, let it be known that I have been bested not once but TWICE by my companions on the Great World Wide Web.

This morning it was Steve in London, who posted these amazing pictures from LONDON on his blog Shadows & Light.

And yesterday my friend Lori, who used to live down the street but now is across town since we moved, sent me this link to an eagle's nest in Decorah, Iowa where three eaglets have been born and are being raised by a pair of adults.

The live camera views are simply fascinating.

So I've been outdone, not once but twice in less than 24 hours and may have to retire my bird bath photography.

Oh well, I've still got my cats.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

AVIAN-ONICS

Red stopped by this morning for a dip in the pool.


After a soak and some vigorous splashing he perched on the edge and slaked his thirst.

Guess he'd never heard mama saying "Don't drink the bath water!"

And then he flew away again.


And this afternoon, just a few minutes ago, we had another visitor.


A mockingbird!

But no bath for this nervous fellow.

Just a couple of quick sips and a rapid departure.


Friday, April 13, 2018

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES


Gentle Readers, please relax, in spite of the day/date.

You must remember that triskaidekaphobia is only a superstition.

Nothing to worry about just because it's Friday the 13th.

After all what can happen?


Well, yes, there is that.

But let us persevere and move on to some jocularity.









Oh sure but can he/she do the Downward Dog?

While you're pondering that, Gentle Readers and Yoga Practitioners, let me wish you a scintillating weekend full of frolicking among the flowers.

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Hmmm, a bit of a tight fit . . .)