CHECKING IT OUT

 A big fat robin took a quick bath in our new pool this morning but the sun was on my window so I couldn't get a photo.

But I got a couple yesterday.

We disagree on this bird.

I originally thought it was a Say's Phoebe but now am not sure.

SWMBO thinks it's a Cowbird.

Expert advice is requested.

But there's no doubt about this fellow.

He's a male House Finch.

There are many of his kind, male and female, enjoying the new facility.

THE NEW POOL

 Bet you thought I'd forgotten, didn't you?

As they say on Broadway, "No, No, Nanette".

My short term memory is as good as my long term memory.

Well, that may not be such a good comparison.

At any rate, as promised, here is the first photo of the new bird bath in our back yard.

It's rather plain but it *is* the blue that is beloved by, most importantly, SWMBO; but also by House Finches, Phoebes, Robins, Goldfinches, Bluejays, Doves and an occasional Cowbird, as well as whatever else turns up in the neighborhood.

Oh, and bees.

The bees love it and they don't bother me as I fill it just inches from them.

(I've even fished out a few who've fallen in, apparently overcome by vertigo upon staring lovingly at their own reflections.)

So you've seen the rear view, as indicated by the Blue Cat's head (lower left).

Now here is the front view, glorious in its simplicity but stunningly blue, complemented by a chalky white edge rim, all the better for those little bird feet to grip.

Ta-da!

Once again the birds and the bees have a spot to bathe, drink and (who knows) arrange assignations.

ANOTHER OUTING

 Yes, we who have been fully vaccinated for a couple of months are beginning to feel our oats.

We went out again today, SWMBO to shop fruitlessly in a couple of big box stores for the eternally difficult-to-find ceramic bird bath.

But then I suggested Jay's Bird Barn in Prescott, known to birdwatchers far and wide.

And lo, we found a birdbath that she liked, that she wanted, though for an exorbitant price.

I convinced her that we would save all that excess money by not driving far and wide searching for a cheaper one and to, for cryin' out loud, just buy it!

She did.

We brought it home and have installed it and . . . wouldn't-ya-know-it . . . I forgot to photograph the damned thing.

That will be corrected by the morrow and ye shall have a photo of it then.

Trust me to say that, in spite of SWMBO's wisdom in bird matters and the fact that this is a considerably deeper bowl, there does NOT need to be a rock in the center of it for the little goldfinches to perch on to avoid drowning.

They mistrusted the rock, not knowing what it was and fluttered around but would not light for a drink.

Finally I convinced her highness and she of usually greater wisdom than mine to remove it.

Nearly instantly the goldies began perching and drinking and squeaking "thank you, humans, we thought that thing was a goldfinch munching sea monster or something."

So I have no photo for you today.

WAIT!

Yes, I do.

After the mental and physical strain of shopping for and purchasing said bird bath we strode bravely into a downtown Prescott bistro for something to calm our shattered nerves and repair our hunger.

For the nerves, a sizable and mighty Margarita for milady and a forbidden gin and tonic for me.

Then for the hunger, a Reuben sandwich for myself and this monster for, predictably, SWMBO.

That is billed on the menu as a Hot Club and it features, from bottom to top, grilled turkey, Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise.

Plus, of course, a bun.

Needless to say, she brought half of it home, along with about half of the French fries that accompanied it.

Also needless to say, I devoured all of mine.

It was good to be out.

Til tomorrow then.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Ahhhh, Friday.

It makes me want to break out into song.

"Dah Dah Dah Dah

  da-da-da-dah,

              da-da-da-dah" 

Hmmm, maybe I'll just stick to humor.

Well that's it for this week, Gentle Readers.

Now let's all get out into the Natural World (no, no, not the Marlon Perkins one on t.v.) and have ourselves a flawless weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, yeah)

DANDY, LION!

 After the glory of all those herb plants yesterday, I must return to another of those nasty but beautiful weeds that crop up through the gravel in our yard.

You may remember the  spikey guts of one I showed you about 10 days ago.

Here's one about to show off his interior with a bud of another one just behind.

But never fear, this one at least will not propagate.

I yanked him out of the ground and tossed him in the dumpster!

HERBS

 A short time (about a week) ago, I promised you a look at our herb plants.

Actually, since she did all the work, they should be called SWMBO's herb plants.

And if you're looking for a nicely weeded and carefully tended plot of land, think again.

These herbs are planted and thriving in pots.

So without further ado . . .

Chives

I suppose you're going to quibble so I'll face up to it right here.

Those last two aren't technically herbs, they're chiles, Poblano and New Mexico.

I don't know if the latter are Hatch chiles but I suspect we'll find out.

As opposed to rude basil, I suppose.

And this is not Emon Hyme, it's Lemon Thyme. but I suppose you figured that out yourselves.

I wonder what the other kind is.

Drunken, slatternly Rosemary, do you suppose?

In a larger pot right below the faucet and in this case a hose end, is mint.

It seems to love the space and the moisture.

And the Tomato Pot, with this year two kinds of tomatoes, Cherry and . . . some other kind.

Protecting them (allegedly) are a couple of volunteer Marigold plants from last year.

So that's it, our little effort to grow some of our own herbs and veg.

Just yesterday when I was reading Judy a recipe that called for copious quantities of fresh Tarragon, she interrupted to say "Oh, sure, you find a recipe that calls for an herb I *didn't* plant!"

Hmm, seems a bit testy to me.

MEANWHILE . . .

 . . . back at the Taylor Family Bakery, there was this.

My latest attempt turned out very well and tasted great.

It's called Blue Cheese Swirl Bread.

And yes it has blue cheese baked inside of the swirls.

If you like Blue Cheese, you'll love this loaf.

I do and I did.

CELEBRATION (continued)

 When you reach a milestone birthday, the celebration can last for days.

The much adored Judy, aka SWMBO, has been enjoying just that.

Yesterday her daughter, the BRD, took her to lunch at a new-ish restaurant in Chino Valley.

Essence, though located in the dry high desert of Arizona, specializes in seafood and that is what the girls dined on.

The honoree enjoyed a favorite of ours, Blackened Catfish with a Creole sauce, roasted corn and black beans.

Her daughter selected Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, drizzled with a lemon ginger vinaigrette.

I say "pretty good eatin'".

Meantime, back in Sedona a few days ago, let me show you some more of the beauty of the Tlaquepaque shopping village.

It is truly a photographer's paradise and there are many places to pose one's model.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Finally!

I'm getting so tired of computer problems.

I may just have to take mine out and blow the three years of dust out of it.

But now let's get on with the end of the week hilarity.

There!

That ought to keep all you pun-lovers happy for the weekend.

You groaners will just have to suffer along.

But whatever, I hope you *all* have a simply marvelous weekend.

And never forget: keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .