THROWBACK THURSDAY

The early 1960's.  Pressed into action on a day off to shoot film of a building fire.

(Yes, it was "film" in those days and it had to be processed before we could see what we had.  And, yes, I really was that slim once upon a time.)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

IN AND AROUND

On our recent visit to "the Valley" we visited one of my favorite places - the Phoenix Art Museum.  I told you about the Hollywood Costumes exhibit last Saturday.

Here are some other photos I took in and around the museum.

LUNCH AT THE GARAGE

We had our appetites' whetted by seeing a segment on the Valley's PBS station's program, "Check Please", about a bar/restaurant called "The Garage".  It actually is a former garage and the sign out front is from the car-fixing days.  Inside, it is decorated somewhat eclectically.

A bicycle hangs from the ceiling at one point.

Where we sat, a huge propellor is mounted on the red brick wall.

But what we came for was the food and we weren't disappointed. We started with an appetizer of a tiger shrimp cocktail.  Two for each of us but they disappeared so fast I failed to get a photo.

Then Judy had the chili dog with waffle fries.

I selected the patty melt with onion rings.

Oh, yes, a couple of pints of amber ale sweetened the experience.

"The Garage" - nice place, great service from a constantly smiling Tony, good food, good drink.  We couldn't finish our sandwiches so we boxed up the leftovers and popped them in a cooler for our trip home and enjoyed them for a light dinner.

Should you find yourself in Phoenix and looking for a place for either lunch or dinner, you might want to try it.  It's just west of 16th Street and Bethany Home Road.  Salut!

NEED A BIT OF A PROD?

If so, you might try a Red Hot Poker!  I have a photo.

The gals down at the Prescott Valley Nursery assure me that's the correct name for this plant.  Although it also is known as a torch lily or a tritoma.  Technically it is a Kniphofia.  It was named after Johann Hieronymus Kniphof, an 18th Century German physician and botanist. Don't think he ever made it to Arizona but his plant did.

The blossom only lasts for a few days but the lower part is an evergreen and stays year-round.

And that's your botany lesson for today.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!

While down in "the Valley" this week, SWMBO (Judy) and I stopped at the Phoenix Art Museum to see a special exhibit.

"Hollywood Costume" features more than 100 costumes from a century of film making.

The exhibition was originally curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum of London.  The Phoenix Art Museum showing, which runs to July 6th, is the second showing in the United States and the final showing.  Once it closes the costumes will go back to private owners and studio archives.  So it's a great chance to see costumes from some famous movies.

One can envision Elizabeth Taylor in this costume from Cleopatra.

Or Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady".

Right next to this much flashier costume worn by Streep as Donna in "Mamma Mia".

Glenn Close wore these costumes as Cruella De Vil in "101 Dalmatians".  You will notice the video screens where the characters' heads would be.  They play videos of the actual actors.

Warren Beatty's costume worn for the lead role in "Dick Tracy".

Some other gun-toters from "True Grit".

And Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress that blew up over a New York subway grate in "The Seven Year Itch".

There is much more and, if possible, you'd be well-advised to pay it a visit before it goes away.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

My friend, Steve, enjoying one of my jokes.

And finally, the cat.

Have a spectacular weekend, folks!