WHOAAAA!

 I think my man Wacky Wally is workin' too hard.

Look at what he just sent me!

Are you dizzy, yet?

GARDENING

My wife, She Who Must Be Obeyed, has told me and others many times over the years that she was raised not to plant new seedlings until after her birthday, which is on May 12th.

She noted that from then on it's full speed ahead.

Which puts us, she said, in the most ferocious time of gardening season.

I don't know if Wacky Wally, one of the most proficient contributors to my Humor Bank, knew that or not but he's right on time with this contribution he sent me today.

Happy gardening, everyone!

THE DELLS

 This is a small portion of the Granite Dells.

Commonly known as just "the Dells" to locals, it is an area of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual, lumpy, riddled appearance.

At least, so says Wikipedia.

In the early days of Hollywood, the cowboy actor Tom Mix had a home nearby and filmed some of his movies in this area.

Nowadays the area has become popular with hikers and rock climbers.

Two lakes, Watson and Willow, are actually reservoirs formed by man-made dams.

(Above photo by Kevin Spencer of Phoenix)

You may have noticed electricity poles and it's true, not all of the Dells are as remote as one might imagine.

There are a number of private homes scattered through the area, many with spectacular views.

Thirty years ago, when I was much younger and much more agile, I clambered around on these boulders.

I'm not as old as the Dells.

The granite has been dated at 1.4 billion years old.

But age has taken the spring out of my step and in these times I'm content just to watch.

STREETSIDE BEAUTY

 While on a drive yesterday, we ventured into a fairly new subdivision of Prescott that houses many medical offices.

And found this.

Just planted by the side of a street.

No placard.

No explanation.

Just a bit of beauty by a developer, we can assume.

Here's another one.

It's nice to see that someone rates flora right along with all those steel and glass and concrete buildings.

Very nice.

Norsk uavhengighetsdag

That seemingly meaningless conglomeration of letters titling this post is actually Norwegian, for Norwegian Independence Day.

In Norway it's more commonly called Syttende mai: Seventeenth of May; or Nasjonaldagen: National Day; or Grunnlovsdagen: Constitution Day.

It marks the day in 1814 when the Constitution of Norway was signed.

It is the third oldest written constitution still in use.

There are parades past the Royal Palace and throughout the country.

Wikipedia tells me people eat hot dogs, waffles and ice cream on this national holiday.

Hot dogs?

As a Norwegian American I can tell you that lefse (a soft flatbread spread with butter and sugar and rolled up), meatballs, and rutabaga are culinary delights of the day.

But many of my Norwegian friends and relatives would scorn me for telling you to never, ever try lutefisk (cod cured in lye and served with lots of butter).

The smell alone would kill you.

But that's my final negative warning for the day.

By the way, it's also the 126th birthday of my late uncle, Zenas Howland Taylor.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Yes.

The blue bag is still up in the tree.

Actually, as many of you already know, it is separated by the winds of time (or Prescott Valley) into two pieces, both caught high in a tree I can see from my desk.

Either that or a second blue bag has joined the first, but I doubt it.

Unfortunately I have no photograph of this phenomena today but I think y'all know what it looks like by now.

What I DO have is a collection of Friday Funnies!

Wait just a second!

Did those guys just before the Trekkies think they ARE Trekkies?

Oh well, have yourselves a finely tuned or hilariously random weekend, Gentle Readers.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . oh, yes, I know how that feels . . . )

MOM'S DAY

My wife, Judy aka She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO) is not a sentimental cuss.

She has always said Mothers Day is the busiest restaurant day of the year and a great time to stay home.

So we did.

I fixed or rather heated some Mandarin Orange Chicken and Seeds of Change (brown rice and quinoa) and she fixed a mango-apple salad and we dined at home.

Peacefully.

But today was her birthday and since we figured everyone had spent all their energy and money on meals for mommies yesterday we should go to a favorite Mexican restaurant for her dinner today.

AND a Margarita each!

They make BIG Margaritas there! 

Sorry I didn't think to photograph it until it was half gone.

I was surprised when SWMBO told our waitress early on that today was her birthday.

Then I was amazed when she revealed her usually well kept secret: her AGE!

It's 89, folks

89 years old!

The waitress told her she would get a free dessert for the celebratory day and she said "Flan. Always flan!"

At the end of our meal the flan arrived.

Along with a Mexican sombrero which was clapped on her head as all of the waitresses joined in singing her the Happy Birthday song.

Fortunately there were only a couple of other people in the restaurant at the time so she wasn't too embarrassed.

Our waitress was excellent.

She earned a nice tip and a great time was had by all.