THE RAIN THAT NEVER QUITE GOT HERE

Yesterday . . . it looked like rain . . .

But, as so often happens in Arizona, the rain never quite touched the ground.  Today it's sunny and windy.

HI-YO SILVER (CLOUDS)

Purple mountains, aqua-blue sky, billowing clouds . . . it's the Wild West, pardner.

THE TALE OF THE CAT

Last night about 10:30 or later I heard some loud thumping noises coming from just outside the house.  (It was probably a neighbor dumping some garbage into his bin.)  But being the brave warrior of my hearth, I opened a sliding door and was peering out into the inky darkness.  I saw nothing.  Except a (not so) small dark shape zip past me and out into the yard.  It was this inky evildoer.

Blackwell is an inside cat.  He KNOWS that.  But he can't resist an open door and will go through it if it stays open too long or if the door opening person isn't on alert.

So last night, when our neighbors were either sound asleep or preparing to sleep, there was Blackwell outside and me too, calling his name.  Fortunately he was apparently frightened as he kept crying whenever I would call.  I went inside to secure a flashlight, then opened the garage door.  I was afraid the noise of that door opening would scare the cat into running but he was still out there, somewhere.  Tracking the sound of his voice I quickly spotted him and called him home.  He obediently (strange for him) went into the garage, up to the door into the house and as I opened it he proceeded inside.

It had all occurred in about five minutes and I was frankly quite amazed by his quick return.  

So, after being scolded by SWMBO for "letting him out" we all settled down and resumed our normal breathing once again.

Meanwhile, Blackwell's older sister Muggles apparently slept through the entire adventure in her favorite spot.

FUN-DAY SUNDAY BRUNCH

SWMBO invited the BRD to have a Sunday brunch with us.  We went to a favorite place, the Iron Springs Cafe.  A spicy Bloody Mary was just waiting for me.

SWMBO snapped a picture of the BRD and I.  Those Bloody Marys may account for the somewhat silly looks on our faces.

Good drinks, good food, good conversation, good times had by all.

NATURAL BEAUTY

It's a beautiful day where I live and I took a little drive around with my camera.  Here's what I found.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

I don't know why but some of these don't seem as funny as I thought they were.

To begin with, to those of you who are keeping track of the NCAA basketball tournament, I lost out on Warren Buffet's one billion dollar award when Dayton beat Ohio State in the first game played.

But that's all right because I hear SWMBO has a special treat for me.

Actually she's not my ex-wife but that one may have a place for me too.  It may go back to a conversation we had one day . . .

My New Year's resolution about exercise may help me out here.

Finally, to one of my friends (Quilted Dogs) who thinks because I posted pictures of dogs on two consecutive days this week that I may be becoming a "dog person", I must say I'm quite happy with cats.

Here's hoping you all have a furry, fun-filled weekend, folks!

THE MORNING AFTER

My friend, Phil, sent me this picture today and called it "another night on Whiskey Row."  (see Tuesday)