IT'S NOT ALL DESERT IN ARIZONA

I took this photo many years ago, high atop the Dread Mogollon Rim, in northern Arizona.

Not a cactus in sight.

BTW, if you get a political ad at the beginning of the video below, I'm sorry.  Just ignore it.

CATS ALWAYS FIND HER

It is the BRD, of course.

But I've been told by her mother that I need to explain where and when the photo was taken.

So, it's in Oia, on the Greek island of Santorini, where she was on vacation recently.

She said there were cats everywhere but this one "adopted" her.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Sorry, Starbucks.

Well, Gentle Readers, it is Friday once again and time for uncontrolled hilarity.

I think we'll devote this week's session of fun and frolic to The Little Woman, which is what the feminine gender used to be called by their Lords and Masters.

In days gone by.

Not today.

Take a look.

So there you have it.

Now I want you all to rendezvous for a romantic rapprochement, resurrecting your relationship with your resident royal ruler, with no rebellion, only ribald resonance.

In other words, have a great weekend and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Oops)

FACEOFF

IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME

The BRD and her Beau Jack returned from two weeks in Greece Monday and are slowly recovering from the effects of jet lag.

Greece is 10 hours ahead of Arizona so you can sympathize.

Today Jack sent over this photo, taken at what appears to be a fairly liquid lunch on the island of Santorini.

The participants (l to r) are Jack's son Jeremy, Jack, Gayle (the BRD), and Jeremy's wife Marina.

Fun in the sun!

STILL BLUE HERE

Mostly.

He's certainly blue.

 

Spooked and preparing for take-off.

FROM THE AUTUMN OF MY YEARS

Another seasonal change . . .

Happy Autumn, everyone!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

I don't dance like that anymore.

Actually I never danced like that.

But these days I have less energy than I did years ago.

Why?

That may be it.

But nevertheless I shall live up to my duties, Gentle Readers, and try to bring smiles to your faces.

Let us begin, shall we?

But enough!

My ministration now is for you and all your minions to enjoy a monstrous, melodramatized, musical weekend full of mirth and miracles, minus any melees.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh dear)

A VISITOR FROM THE TRIASSIC ERA

I spotted this grasshopper on a distant wall yesterday and scurried in for my camera.

He was about 2 to 3 inches long, a huge hopper.

He waited patiently for me to finish photographing him.

I used my photo editor to rotate the above picture to give you a better look at this rascal whose family dates back 250 million years, the oldest living chewing herbivores.

He appears to be a well-armored fighting machine.

Brrrrrr.

IMMIGRATION

This handsome fellow enjoying our bird bath is a Eurasian Collared Dove.

I looked him up on the Great Google and learned that his breed migrated from the Middle East to Europe in the 20th Century.

Then, so the Audubon folks say, it was accidentally brought to the Bahamas, thence to Florida and is now prevalent in most of the United States.

It certainly is prevalent in my neighborhood.

Incidentally there was a Mourning Dove sitting down in the middle of the birdbath cooling off this morning.

I chased him after he'd had his dip because a lot of smaller birds like to use it and he seemed to be keeping them away.

I'm batching for a few days as SWMBO is house (and cat) sitting at the BRD's place while she enjoys the pleasures of Greece with Beau Jack.

BREAKING NEWS!

Dateline: September 2018 - Athens, Greece

Parthenon being refurbished.

Arizona Realtor Beau Jack, accompanied by the BRD, checking out investment opportunity.

AN OLD FAVORITE

SWMBO and I had business in Prescott today and afterwards we went to brunch at our favorite restaurant.

I can't go into this place without having at least one of something the BRD introduced us to many years ago.

Their legendary Bloody Mary.

It's the best I've ever had anywhere.

Today I had a cup of gumbo that I'd never tried before our friend Tom introduced us to it last May when he and Lana were visiting us.

With andouille sausage and chicken and okra and other things, it was as good today as it was back then.

Judy had Allen's Favorite - poached eggs on English muffins with Canadian bacon topped with Hollandaise sauce and crumbled crisp bacon and green onions.

I then followed my gumbo with a particular favorite that is always listed as a special - Blackened Catfish with a remoulade sauce.

(Sorry about the fuzzy picture - it may have been that drink I had.)

It was delicious, as always, and after our meal I was chatting with the owner and she said she goes through about 30 pounds of catfish a week.

Incidentally another gentlemen was talking with her when I barged in.

He said he'd been driving by the cafe almost every day for 29 years and hadn't stopped in until today.  

He said he expected a country-style restaurant and was planning on ordering biscuits and gravy until he saw the gourmet menu.

Instead he had Crab Cakes Benedict and absolutely loved them.

Finally we both went on our way but not before assuring the boss lady that we'd be back.

A NEW DAY

The sun is coming up.

It looks like another beautiful weekend in Arizona.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Hey, Gentle Readers, sit back and relax in a comfortable chair.

This is going to be a long one.

I would guess all Internet browsers have become used to this changing sign in front of a business.

Well, there's a new challenger on the scene.

It's the Indian Hills Community Center, up around Evergreen, Colorado.

And whoever changes the sign has a wild and wacky sense of humor.

And finally, if you're still with me, this one is my personal favorite.

That's it, folks.

I know you're tired so I'll spare you the alliteration this week.

Just have a great weekend and always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, wow, one catscan coming up!)