INK

For at least the second day in a row, His Sleekness came by for a long water drinking session.

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.