JUST A NORMAL WEEKEND

Prescott, Arizona, is a magnet on hot summer weekends. This one is no exception as a big arts and crafts fair has set up for business on the Courthouse Square and thousands of visitors and probably even some locals have clustered there.

Residents of the baking hot desert cities to our south probably make up most of the visitors, enjoying somewhat cooler temperatures under the huge leafy trees on the plaza.

Local buskers show off their musical talents as they try to fill up an instrument case with donations.

Adding to the "state fair" atmosphere are the food booths, filling the air with savory aromas.

But it's not all burgers, barbecue and tamales. This year some newcomers have sprouted up to satisfy different tastes.

In the crowd of ballcaps and sun hats and sandals, some people are maintaining their individualism.

It's a fun day but all this walkin' and gawkin' makes a fellow tired.

I think I'll head for home and a nap.

Good idea?

HIPPITY-HOP-HOPPING

We had a couple of visitors to the yard this week. We had seen either them or others like them for weeks in the neighborhood but I put a little water in a dish and these two quickly discovered it.

We watched them for a long time and were amazed at how patient they are. While they did play a little, hopping around after each other, they often sat absolutely frozen for minute after minute, gauging their surroundings and listening for any possible danger.

The one in front seemed to be dominant and he eventually hopped around to the other side of the dish and positioned himself for a sip.

And finally, after endless minutes of his watchful state, he bent down and drank.

It must have pleased him as, when he finished, he scampered about, playing with his companion for awhile before I came outside to fill the dish and they both ran through the gate and away.

I suspect they'll be back.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Here we go again. Pickin' on us older folks.

All right, folks, that's it. Have a fantastic and funny weekend and always keep laughing!

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Swimming, anyone?

Me (left) and my buddy, Jim, at Lake Carlyle, Saskatchewan, Canada, in the 1940's.

Forty some years later. A snorkeling trip with my buddy, Baseball Steve (not shown), off the coast near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The dapper pilot's name is lost in the shrouds of memory.

FUN AT THE LIBRARY

In the lobby of the Prescott Valley Library is a wonderland of art objects. In previous posts, I've shown you the dragonfly and the bottlebrush tree. Today we wind it up with the true stars of the show.

If you use your imagination, you can almost see that big fish swimming under water.

But his neighbor, inching along, says there is no water.

Unless, of course, he's a sea snail, wearing his heart on his front.

TUESDAY TRAVELS

Home at last!

Right back where I began in 1940. Moved away in 1969. Returned (for a visit) in 1988.

And this retires the "shorts" pictures.

Oh, no! 

There's one more.

Next week. 

I know you can't wait.

BOTTLEBRUSH TREE

Actually someone (me?) was having a bit of fun with this art creation at the lobby of the library.

Here's what a real bottlebrush tree looks like.

It's beautiful in full bloom. But messy.

It molts, you see, and drops its blossoms all over your patio or yard. Cleaning it all up is a real chore.

Better the one at the library.

STAY AWAY!

I'm not sure what this cactus plant is called (perhaps some of my readers know) but I don't believe I would want to argue with it. It looks like it would make a good hedge to keep critters and humans out of your yard. Several of these have been planted in front of the Prescott Valley Library but they're just decorative. There are sidewalks around them.

LONESOME DOVE(S)

Nice piece of music to go along with a great story by Larry McMurtry and acting by Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Lane, Angelica Huston and many others.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, it's gonna be a great day.

How could it not be?

Today we get the Friday Funnies!

Just to get the day started right, I'm going to lead off with my favorite this week.

I don't know about you but I think that's funny.

O.K.  Onward!

I think that one's my second favorite.

And speaking of cat . . .

Have a great weekend, Gentle Readers, and always, always remember to keep laughing!

THROWBACK THURSDAY

50 years ago today a bill was signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson creating Medicare and Medicaid. It was signed in the Truman Library with former President Harry S Truman on hand.

In this picture taken at the signing are President Johnson, former U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield, Lady Bird Johnson, President Truman, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and Bess Truman.

All of them are gone now.

But Medicare lives on to benefit the citizens of the United States of America.

WET WEDNESDAY? I WISH.

The monsoon has been returning to Arizona and there are rain predictions for my part of the state today and tomorrow. But I took a look at the radar predictions and, typically, while there are indications that there will be rain all around us . . it doesn't look like any of that necessary moisture will fall "on" us.

So I guess I'll have to use the hose once again to drop some water on SWMBO's new mint plant.

The plant sits in a pot right underneath the hose faucet so it gets a few drops whenever the hose is turned on or off and I spray some more on it when I'm filling the bird bath. So it appears to be doing well.

There's nothing quite like the wonderful smell of a freshly torn-off leaf and the taste of some diced-up in a fruit salad.

And then there are the words of a young woman poet named Lauren, whose work I found on the web.

"i was never a big fan of mint, but after you kissed me, with those sweet spearmint lips of yours, i was hooked."

Now that alone should make you want to start your own mint plant!

TUESDAY TRAVELS

As promised last week, today we're going abroad.

Well, not far abroad.

Just across our northern border to Canada.

And in deference to our polite neighbors, NO SHORTS THIS WEEK!

Next week, we'll complete the trip.

Stay tuned.

BUZZZZZZZ

Busy as a bee.

SNARLED

Where would you rather live?

Los Angeles?

Or Phoenix?

Looks like a toss-up to me.

HAWK SHOP

My neighbor, Lori Down the Block, had a lucky break the other day. She has a nice fountain in her front yard, directly out from her kitchen sink where she does dishes. As she was doing that on Thursday she glanced up and saw this out the window.

This hawk had his eagle eye right on her so she ducked down and hurried to get her camera, then returned and snapped a couple of shots before he flew away.

It's probably a Cooper's Hawk. They seem to be prevalent to the area though one doesn't usually get this good a look at one.

She sent me the photos with great excitement and gave me permission to post them on my blog.

I used my photo software to crop them a bit and make the bird bigger on my screen.

Since these birds spend a lot of time in the air I'm not sure why his feet would be hot but he certainly seems to be enjoying soaking them in the cool running water of the fountain.

He may be a scavenger but he seems like a noble creature as he posed for his photo.

Thanks to my neighborhood Hawk Host and Photographer Lori for the quick work.