Monday, October 31, 2011

A HALLOWEEN STORY

Looking at this picture may make you wonder whether that electrical cord is plugged into the Jack-o-lantern or into the cat.



It is Halloween and our black cat, Blackwell, seems intent on something.  I wonder if it's a mouse.


Aha!  It's his little sister, Muggles.  You will notice how cautiously she enters the room.

She circles around, keeping a close eye on Jack and Blackwell.


Having circumvented the two perceived threats, she settles down at a safe distance to study this bizarre creature.  Blackwell appears to have gone to get something to eat.


Having satisfied her curiousity and abated her fear, she heads for the other room for a nap, taking one last closer look at Jack.


But, is she safe?  She may think so but she's apparently forgotten Blackwell.  He, however, hasn't forgotten her. 

EEEEEEYYAAAAAHHHH!

That's the end of my Halloween story.  If you can do better, have at it!

BOO!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This is called a Halloween Hop. It allows you to check out a number of blogs and join the ones you enjoy. Give it a try.

Friday, October 28, 2011

3-D

Google has come up with an amazing way to promote their LG Optimus Android phone.  (I think that's the correct way to describe it but I'm not real tech savvy on these things.)  Anyway, they showed a phenomenal 3-D video on the wall of a building in Berlin that you just have to see to believe.  And even then you may not believe what you've seen.  Anyway, take a look.



JUST LOOKIN' AROUND


I spotted this Roadrunner the other day and grabbed my camera.  Amazingly he just stood and posed for me while I took several photos.  This one was the best.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

OCTOBER LIGHT AND CHANGING LEAVES

It is softer, somehow.


The leaves are changing color, going from green to gold.


They are beautiful though they presage the days of no leaves at all, of much colder weather, of snow.  But for now . . a lot of green and gold . . . and RED?????

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

TJ'S IS COMING ALONG

Construction on the much demanded and much maligned Trader Joe's store is moving right along just below the Gateway Mall in Prescott.  Here are a couple of views.




The store has been much demanded by people who have shopped at Trader Joe's stores elsewhere and have come to love them.  The much maligned part comes from those people who object to the city offering tax advantages to the parent company to lure the store to our area.  Most of these people have never darkened the doors of a TJ's, as evidenced by their comments about the high prices in stores that are only supported by the well-off.  Nothing could be further from the proof but if those folks choose not to shop at the store it will just make it that much easier for folks like me, who can't wait for the store to open.

We got one of their Fearless Flyer's in the mail the other day and after going through it, SWMBO exclaimed "It just makes you want to go to a store right away."  She, and I, are among those anxious shoppers waiting for the store to open.

Sometime in 2012, according to a sign at the site.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

MUM'S THE WORD!


Believe it or not, this is a chrysanthemum.


Part of a beautiful plant brought to our Sunday brunch by our guests, the BRD and her Beau Jack.



As I was photographing them this morning, I was being carefully observed by my assistant, Blackwell.  He's always Johnny-on-the-spot when something new is happening.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

SUNDAY BRUNCH

We had a brunch today.  SWMBO and I and the BRD and her Beau Jack.  BJ had a new jersey.


That's Larry Fitzgerald's number with the Arizona Cardinals.  Unfortunately the Cardinals were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers today.

But that's okay with the BRD, who has long been a Steelers' fan.


But the true objective of this event was FOOD.  SWMBO outdid herself.




A couple of quiches, ham steak, muffins, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas.

Good food, good drinks, good friends.

A good day.

Friday, October 21, 2011

TGIF

Here it is Friday eve and I can't think of a thing to blog about.  So, in times of stress, do what I do.  Turn up your volume and hit the arrow and dance like no one is watching.  You'll feel better.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

STILL SMOKY

Apparently the wind has shifted.  Today the smoke from the continuing controlled burn south of Prescott is blowing over Prescott Valley, making for a very smoky day.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

BUNNY HOP

Sometimes, with the profusion of buildings and cars, one forgets that we still live in the country.  Witness, for example . . .


Did you see him?  Way down there at the far end of this meager stretch of grass next to a medical building and its adjoining parking lot?

Take a closer look.



Yes it's a bunny rabbit.

He would hop a few steps, then stop and look around, nose twitching, checking for any sign of danger.  But I stayed quietly inside my car as he kept hopping closer.  Finally, he stopped directly in front of me.


And, thanks to the marvels of photo editing, I got my close-up.


It's a long time until Easter, granted, but . . . oh, heck, Gene, sing it!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

SMOKY SKIES

This is not fog.  Nor is it a low-lying cloud.  It's smoke.



Here's a pulled-back view that gives you a better idea of its scope.


The smoke is billowing up over the Bradshaw Mountains from a controlled burn in the Prescott National Forest south of Prescott. The Forest Service hopes, by doing these burns, to prevent an out-of-control wildfire. The forest comes right up to Prescott and could do serious damage.


A few years ago, just such a fire scared the daylights out of a lot of people in Prescott and several outlying homes were lost.


So, in spite of a certain number of people who complain about the smoke drifting into town every time there is a controlled burn, it's probably a pretty good idea.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

AUTUMN

Some afternoon sunlight through a screen door.


Changing colors in a bamboo plant


Fall colors on leaves


Ivy climbs a fence


Pampas against a blue sky


A wider screen view


The underside of a mimosa tree


And a mimosa pod


Autumn, sweet autumn

Saturday, October 15, 2011

TRAGEDY


This is a shrine, probably about a mile or less from where I live.

Wednesday evening, around 7:30, a vehicle was being driven at a high rate of speed, went out of control and overturned on the passenger side.  A 12 year old boy who was a passenger was ejected and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.  Another passenger, a 9 year old boy, had a broken leg.  The 21 year old driver of the car suffered only minor injuries.  He is in jail, facing a number of serious charges.  Police say drugs and alcohol may have been involved.

These shrines erected at the site of fatal accidents have been growing.  I can remember seeing much more simple ones from much earlier days.  This one has stuffed animals, notes to the deceased, candles and other decorations.

It was a tragedy, regardless of the cause, for many people.  The driver of the vehicle probably will go to prison.  The 9 year old will be haunted by the experience for years.  The family and friends of the dead boy will suffer.  And a young life has been snuffed out for no good reason.

It is all very, very sad.

Friday, October 14, 2011

BIRD BRAINS

I swear this will be the last post I do for awhile with amusing (?) photos of birds.  So, let's get started.


"O.K.  Is everybody on board?  Staying dry?"



"Say, that's not a bad idea."



"That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen."



"Oh, just shut your trap, willya."



"In my Easter bonnet . . ."



"Heh-heh-heh.  That's all, folks!"

Thursday, October 13, 2011

DINING OUT

The subject of today's blog is the avian world and its members search for a good meal.

Sometimes that involves a bit of disagreement over whose meal is whose.


It seems this struggle goes on with smaller birds, as well, though perhaps a bit less strenuously.


Some of our colorful friends prefer to be fed directly by the chef, though this fellow seems to be considering the daily fare with some skepticism.


And always, in the bird world as in the human universe, there are the gourmets, who gaze on their impending meal with a curious eye and an imperious attitude.  Even a piece of cheese can be dissected for provenance, for appearance, for aroma before the ultimate test, taste.


I hasten to add that I took none of the preceding photographs and I know nothing of their creators.  As I said yesterday, they came in an e-mail, the modern way of receiving something "over the transom."