SATURDAY IN SCOTLAND

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Well isn't this jolly?

Yeah, I know.

Phoenix set a new record for the date yesterday: 117 degrees!

I think it only got to 103 here in the Central Highlands.

And we still have August to live through.

Nevertheless, SWMBO decided to go out alone to a store for the first time since mid-March.

Actually she only went to the garden shop but she came home with a potted wisteria vine and a trunkload of other heavy stuff for me to cart around to the back yard.

More on that in the ensuing days.

But for now, let's look at your weekly dose of the bright side of life.

O.K. dat's enough uh-dat!

Have a spectacular, toasty, maybe watermelon-fueled weekend, everyone, and always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

HARVEST

Tomatoes and Shishito Peppers.

HE LIKES IT

Our rent-a-cat, Matty, came by yesterday to inspect the new Harbor Arbor.

As he joined the Blue Cat in a brief catnap, he seemed to be giving his approval.

HARBOR ARBOR

When we lost our backyard tree to high winds and Dutch Elm Disease our avian friends lost their perching site by the bird bath.

Though the birds (and the occasional cat) continued to visit the water site, the lack of foliage bothered SWMBO.

So we planted an artificial tree next to the bath.

Prescott Valley's frequent high winds soon began stripping he artificial leaves from the artificial tree.

So recently SWMBO began shopping for an arbor and she found one, bought it and it arrived a few days ago.

Yesterday evening, we "planted" it.

The boss topped it with some webbing and some of the leaves blown off that pitiful "tree".

And, like parents of the bride, we are pleased to announce that it was promptly visited by a house finch and a goldfinch.

This morning nearly as soon as I opened the window I spotted a bird at the top of the arbor surveying the scenery and shortly after another bird drinking down below.

I think Harbor Arbor is going to be a success.

STICKING POINT

Take a look at this!

That's a brightly flowering cactus on Beau Jack's patio.

Maybe I'll have to change his name to Cactus Jack!

GREETINGS

Allow me to introduce you to the BRD's kid sister.

Caryn and her husband Big Russ have recently made a big move, from their home in Oregon to a new retirement home.

Now this picture, taken on the rear deck of their home, appears to show a pretty nice area, doesn't it?

There's a canal there which winds it's way right out to the Gulf.

Wait, did he say "Gulf"?

Yes, these young retirees have moved from cool, rainy and snowy Oregon to the sun-dappled shores of Padre Island, right next to Corpus Christi, Texas.

And you know what's going on there today, don't you?

Yep, the first hurricane of the season.

I spoke with Caryn this morning and she was laughing and saying it was only a Category 1 storm so they've battened down the hatches and plan to ride it out.

As the BRD said, "Welcome to the Gulf Coast!"