Tuesday, September 30, 2014

LIFE IS A STRUGGLE

If one pays too much attention to the daily news, cycled and recycled endlessly on television, newspapers and the Internets, it can become almost a struggle to get out of bed some days.  So I urge you to take a break or take it in small doses.  Do something else with your time. Create something perhaps.  Or just appreciate something of beauty.

Even in the most desolate of places, we can find Mother Nature coping and manifesting pretty objects.  We can too.


Monday, September 29, 2014

GOLDEN FIELDS

After our recent rains, in the area to our east that my poetic wife refers to as "The Savannah", the growth had turned a dark Irish green.

In more recent days, the color had changed to this rich golden hue.



It reminded us both of the day in 1985 when we took the TGV high speed train from Nice to Paris and went through the wild mustard fields around Dijon.


These golden fields, I fear, are just weeds.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

RAINY DAYS AND BEETLES

Here's what the street in front of my house looked like yesterday afternoon after a tad of rain.


While we were in a nice dry house watching the rain, there were other creatures caught outside in the downpour.  One of them was a fat black beetle, slowed down by his drenching but still keepin' on.


Today the sun is back out.  And why not?  It is Sun-day.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

KING BLACKWELL

A somewhat indelicate story.

Our black cat, Blackwell, coughed his cookies twice on the bedspread on my bed this summer.  I cleaned up the first mess but the second time was too much and the cover went into the washing machine, then the dryer, then was folded up and placed on an unused corner of the dining room table prior to being packaged up and put in storage for awhile.

A few minutes later I walked into the room and here's what I saw.


I don't know why cats do those types of things.  It must be something about claiming its territory.  Or a somewhat familiar smell.  Or, most likely, just seeing something unfamiliar and having to test it out.

At any rate, when I showed SWMBO this picture she shooed him down to the floor.  And he ambled away.  Sometime I'll have to shoot a video of his amble. When he's not in any hurry he walks just like John Wayne.

Friday, September 26, 2014

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Ah, we're back once again with some chuckles, guffaws and horse laughs for your weekend.  

My next door neighbor's yard crew with their VERY noisy leaf blower cranked it up at 7 o'clock this morning.  Grrrr.  I had to find some way to keep my (and SWMBO's) temper under control.  
So . . . . . . . 


I feel better now.










And to put a tail on this collection, a different kind of cat tale this morning.


Have a totally splendid weekend, folks, and keep smilin'.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

THROWBACK THURSDAY


Days of wine and madras.  One of my proteges, Bob Barclay, and I. Note the sunglasses atop heads.  Note, also, that it is night outside. Two wild and crazy guys.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

COOLING OFF


High (for him) atop a wall in my back yard, a lizard rests in the shade, taking a bit of relief from the sun.

Here's a closer look.


As I watch him, he glares back.  The question becomes . . who's watching who?

I wonder, if lizards think . . what does he think of this huge human approaching him?

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

HOUSE PROUD


This lovely old cottage is near Prescott's Victorian homes area and directly across the street from the Public Library and that cat.  I wouldn't mind living here.

Monday, September 22, 2014

YUM YUM BRUNCH

Here is just one reason that I refer to my wife, Judy, as SWMBO or She Who Must Be Obeyed.  When proper attention is paid to that title, she turns out dishes like this.


That, my friends, is what I used to refer to back in my bachelor days as a Puffy Omelet.  But this went far beyond my attempts in a tiny kitchen.  This was a recipe from "allrecipes" magazine and was called a Baked Denver Omelet.


The egg mixture contained ham, cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and peppers.  Paired with a side of hash brown potatoes it was a brunch fit for a king.


I warmed up some of it today that was leftover and spiked it with Sriracha sauce.  My tongue is tingling but my tummy is smiling.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Saturday, September 20, 2014

PRESCOTT WILDLIFE

Spotted in Prescott yesterday . . .


Not to fear.  He's been bronzed.


Friday, September 19, 2014

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Once again, same as last week, it's the day you've all been waiting for.  And in honor of TGIF, here are a random selection of signs seen outside pubs.






And my personal favorite . . .


I probably shouldn't make so many jokes about alcohol.  As we all know it can cause problems.




Just to mix things up a bit, an early visit by the kitties.


The overabundance of pet cats may not be the only reason for that.


In tribute to the historic vote in Scotland yesterday (voter turnout over 80 per cent!)  and anyone who hates bagpipes . . .


And finally, one any cat owner can appreciate . . .


That's all, folks.  Have a gorgeous weekend and thanks once again to all of the contributors.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

THROWBACK THURSDAY


This photo of me was taken around 1958 or '59 at Jamestown College (now the University of Jamestown) in North Dakota.  So why, you might wonder, am I so full of glee and not at my desk poring over my lessons?

Because this was a time of crazy pranks, like seeing how many adults (!?) could cram themselves into a Volkswagen Beetle and still make it move.


My memory may be foggy all these years later but I believe our figure was 16.  Truly a clown carload.  (Check out those snazzy argyle socks.)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Monday, September 15, 2014

HERE WE GO AGAIN


Rainy skies and a bit of a rainbow just to the east of us.


A slightly closer look.

Another hurricane over Baja apparently is driving some rain ahead of it up into Arizona.  The next couple of days may be wet and wetter.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

SUNDAY NIGHT THANKFULNESS

Things that I am thankful for this evening.

That the Arizona Cardinals beat the New York Giants today and are 2 and 0 on the year so far.

That Billy Horschel won today's golf tournament and also the Fed-Ex Championship as Player of the Year.  Oh, and about 13+ million dollars.  His wife is due to have their first child in about two weeks. He'll need all that money.

That the Arizona State Sun Devils beat Colorado last night and are now 3 and 0 on the year so far.

That my wife, who wrote to a friend today that I have been hogging the living room t.v. watching football and golf all weekend so she's been holed up in her bedroom, hasn't said one cross word about it to me and came out to make us a fabulous dinner tonight.

What more can one man ask for?


Saturday, September 13, 2014

FAVORITE MUSIC

It's a special Saturday treat.  (or not)  

This is some of my favorite music.





and . . .




and also . . .




and then, there's . . .



Yes, I know about "The Thrill is Gone" and I love it but I like that one, too.

And if you're still with me, a change of pace . . .




and I haven't even really got to the jazz or some of the country yet.

Now laugh if you will but I grew up on this on television . . .




Let me tell you, I could have been (was) a great disk jockey on one of those free-form radio stations.

Friday, September 12, 2014

FRIDAY FUNNIES

You probably heard on the news about Phoenix highways flooding after a 3 to 5 inch rainfall this week.  It was awful.


Speaking of strange occurrences with critters . . .


Life can be confusing sometimes . . .





Ah life.  The people around us.  Kinda weird, actually.


But I shouldn't be critical.  After all, they're just like us.




In times of trouble, pet owners always have someone to lean on.


Dogs for unconditional love, cats for silent wisdom.


Thanks to my contributors.  You know who you are.  Have a great weekend, folks, and keep chuckling.