TANKING UP

 We had a pre-Halloween visitor this morning.

The notorious black cat who allegedly terrorizes Matty came by for a drink before continuing his nefarious neighborhood rounds.

He always seems very thirsty as he spends a long time at the kitty tank drinking.

But finally sated, he first looks right . .

. . then left . .

. . and then he leaps to the top of the wall and he's gone.

A HARD FROST IS GONNA FALL

 It had to happen, sooner or later.

The overnight temperature dropped suddenly into the mid 20's F.

The result - frozen plants.

The Serrano and Shishito Pepper plants - history.

And the tomato plant, the same in spite of being wrapped with a flannel sheet.

The master gardener harvested what she could and we'll see what happens.

Actually we used a green tomato or two as a substitute for a tomatillo in an avocado salsa we brewed up in the blender and it was pretty darned good.

And there were some survivors - the hardy Marigolds planted to protect the tomatoes from insects.

And our basil plant seems to have mostly survived the frigid night.

And so to bed, waiting for Spring and new growth.

THEY'RE COMING!

 

IT'S COMING!

I bet you thought I meant Election Day!

BLUE ON BLUE

 So you thought Mr. Robin was a testy splasher!

Well, he has competition from a big bluejay.

He got right into the water and seemed to be captivated by his own reflection before doing something that makes me cringe.

DON'T DRINK THE BATH WATER!

But then, thirst slaked, he got onto it, splashing merrily.

After every incident of revelry from a bluejay or a robin, I feel like I have to refill the bird bath.

But Mr. Jay doesn't care.

He just admired his reflection one more time before darting off.

THE CYNIC

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Well, now, I betcha thought I'd never get here.

It's my memory.

See what I mean?

But now that I AM here, let's get on with the humor, shall we?

And with that horrific pun, I will slink back to my dark den of desultory destruction, departing drearily to dreamland, doting on dreams of days past of dining in delicatessens and other diversions.

But before I go let me wish you all a spectacular weekend and leave you with this thought: there are only 11 days to go!

Oh, yes, and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(. . . oh, not quite yet, pussycat.)