HORSING AROUND

A couple of steeds readying themselves for the big rodeo weekend in Prescott Valley.

Matinee and evening performances of the Turquoise Circuit Finals get underway at the huge Event Center today.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Some days I sit down at the computer and wonder what I should blog about or if I should, indeed, blog.

And then I am reminded . . .

So I'm going to take my $2.17 and try to buy a good time this weekend.

Y'all do whatever you want for the next several days but make it fabulous!

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THROWBACK THURSDAY

A sneaky-Pete photo of a much younger Catalyst enjoying a well-earned snooze.

You will note the reddish brown hair and beard.

Time has taken it's toll, as a more recent photo reveals.

A DOVE

I was asking SWMBO the other day if she'd seen many birds lately.

It had seemed to me that the crowds had thinned as cooler temperatures are here and perhaps the sissies among them had headed South for the winter.

But she said she still sees flocks come in during the late afternoon to get their last drinks.

(It's always 5 o'clock somewhere, right?)

Then a short time ago I was visited by this sleek creature just outside my window.

Just after that he was up on the bird bath, checking the water temperature with one foot.

And I remember as a young lad in North Dakota, the sparrows used to be present all year around so I don't think they'll be leaving to avoid what we Arizonans jokingly refer to as cold weather.

(It's 73 Fahrenheit as I'm typing this at nearly 5 in the afternoon.)

IS IT ORANGE?

I read on another blog (O.K., William's) that today's theme for the first of a month is "Orange".

And since I've been playing around lately I figured "Why not?"

So here's my take on Orange.

Make of it what you will.

SOFT FRIENDS

I had a treat yesterday, along with a lot of other people.

I visited the Peaceful Prairie Alpaca Ranch, just a few minutes from my home.

It was National Alpaca Farm Day and three alpaca farms within a few miles of each other in Prescott Valley were all having open houses.

The owners of this ranch raise about 80 alpacas.

Visitors were allowed to wander the grounds, watching and photographing the animals.

Some of you may be wondering what the difference is between alpacas and llamas.

The owners of the ranch anticipated that question and, tongue in cheek, have posted a sign answering it.

SHOES?

Here in Arizona there's a lot of talk about The Old West and Cowboys and there are some groups of people who put on what they think are clothes of the folks who patronized this part of the country in the 1800's.

But every once in awhile I've come across a true Son of the Old West and today was one of those days.

I visited a small Farmers' Market and saw stands of ceramic wind chimes and jewelry and dog food and various knicknacks and homemade cookies.

Not what I think of as a farmers' market.

But there was also this fellow.

His name is Eric Leblanc.

He lives in Chino Valley and he has made a living for more than 50 years shoeing horses.

I asked him if he could make a living at that these days.

He said "Oh, yes.  I make a living for myself and (I think) over 40 animals."

He said he had grown up "cowboy-ing" in the nearby Verde Valley and after attending college he came back and began his present occupation.

What attracted me to him was his luxuriant facial hair.

He also had a pony tail that hung down to the middle of his back.

And he said he still wears the same size clothing that he did when he was in high school.

(I told him I hated him for that.)