VIEWS FROM ABOVE

This is Prescott's signature sight - Thumb Butte.

It doesn't look very much like a thumb from this direction but from the north the resemblance is better.

The much more impressive sight is to the north - Granite Mountain.

The next several photos were taken, as were the previous two, from atop Prescott's parking garage.  I think you can see why they're not included in brochures from the Chamber of Commerce.

The next one is kind of an exception to that rule when one crops out the wires and other stuff atop the building.  It's the rear of the Jersey Lilly (second floor) and the Palace Saloon (ground floor).  The owners have done their best to convey the western image.

But, looking toward the picturesque county courthouse, the view across rooftops returns to the ugly.

We just have to face facts.  While somewhat interesting, the views of rooftops just aren't very scenic.

MY BIRTHDAY GIRL

SWMBO had a birthday this week.  She is still as beautiful as ever.

Happy birthday, J.G.

TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIANS - COVER YOUR EYES!

Some of you observant types may have noticed that today is a day the superstitious fear - Friday the 13th.  I am not one to fear it and, therefore, bring greetings from two of my cats.

Which brings me to a story.  Once, long ago, we were giving a party.  An African-American co-worker arrived at the door and when I opened it to him, Primo - a former very black feline in our family - slipped out.  My co-worker, Ron, reacted with a shudder and asked "How can you have a black cat in your house?"

I said "Why not, I'm letting you in, aren't I?"

(Ba-da-boom!)

BIRD BRAINED

Call me what you will but I can't resist my avian friends.

These are bluejays.  Or mountain jays, to be specific.  They were either friendly or mating.  I'd suspect the latter since they don't often seem very friendly.

A bit later this big-breasted robin showed up.

He took an interest in the bird bath.

Apparently being accustomed to such appliances, he knew that fresh cold water wasn't just for drinking.

Having splashed most of the water out onto the ground, he turned and glared at me, as if to say "Hey, do I stare at you when you take a bath?"

SPEAKING OF BIRDS . .

. . . yesterday I wrote briefly about birds in the hand.

Today it is about one bird in not exactly the bush but in our as yet unbloomed Mimosa tree.

In this next view part of a twig makes it appear as if he has four eyes.  I assure you it is an optical illusion.

And then there's cookery.  Last night I cooked Chicken Saltimbocca.  For those not familiar with it, chicken breasts are flattened to a quarter of an inch or so, salted and peppered, layered with several small basil leaves, topped with prosciutto, lightly floured and sauteed in butter and olive oil.  When they are golden, a sauce is prepared consisting of white wine, lemon juice, chicken broth and a bit of flour for thickening.  Yum.

SWMBO fixed a pea risotto to accompany the chicken.  Delicious!  And, joy of joys, there was enough to have it again tonight!

Now, here's a puzzle for you.  Can you figure out what this is?  It is baked in a 12-inch (or so) black iron skillet.

The second photo should give it away. 

It is a Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie! 

I swiped the recipe from Melissa at Alosha's Kitchen.  Hers looks better than mine because I think I baked mine a bit too long.  All I know is that the half I have left is hard as a rock.  But it is tasty!

Magpie 65

He gazes at the birds
In his hand.

He wonders.

What has nature wrought?

He thinks.

This is all that life means.

Birds . . .

In the hand.

Others.  At Magpie Tales

IN A HURRY

O.K.   But what's the rush?

MOTHER'S DAY 2011

My Mom

Hattie Loretta (Hylland) Taylor

1904-1953

A Western Mom

Instructions for all Moms

Here's hoping you all have a

Happy Mothers Day!

Patterns

THE LEADER OF THE PACK

I spotted this group of motorcycles this week and couldn't resist a photo.

Parked nearby all by itself was this lovely white Harley.

Of course, I couldn't be sure but the contrast to the bright colors of the other bikes could mean that this belonged to "The Leader of the Pack!"

THE 3 STAGES OF ALERTNESS

Blackwell was taking a breather from his toils of the day, lying in the shade on the back patio, nearly asleep.

So you thought.  But without changing his position, he was suddenly awake.

And then . . in a blink . . on alert.

What stirred him to this stage?

Need you even to have asked.  Just look at that plump, prime target.

But the story ends well.  The bird, dumb as it is, flew away to safety before Blackwell started his charge.

And another day slows to a conclusion.

WOOD YA'?

These photos are products and proof of an idle mind.

THE DEATH OF BIN LADEN

In the past 48 hours, the world has changed.  Again.  I had resolved not to write about the killing of Osama (Usama) Bin Laden.  But I just read a good posting by a blogger friend of mine, Dana of Bug's Eye View.  She referenced several other bloggers who have written, meaningfully, of this event.  So rather than trying to come to grips with this event myself, I refer you to her blog.  Good job, Dana.

NAMESAKES

While I was out this past weekend, I passed a road construction project with a bunch of my namesakes parked until Monday.

What's that, you say?  You don't understand what I mean by "namesakes"?  They're road graders, aren't they? 

Well, yes, but it's the name of the road grader.  In case you missed it, here's a close-up.


To further clarify, they are Caterpillars . . shortened to Cat, just as my pen-name, Catalyst, is by some of my readers.

All hail Cats!

Mystery Train

Ever seen a railroad crossing like this one?

There don't seem to be any tracks!

And I gather this is some type of switching tool for changing tracks around but one of you old time railroad buffs will have to either confirm or correct that.

Well the fact of the matter is that this was once a roadbed for a railroad line but it's long abandoned and now has been converted into a trail for hiking.

Now that's nice but did you read the fine print carefully?

With that type of warning I think I'll confine my hiking to a nice enclosed shopping mall!