SUN PROTECTION

 As the mercury has spent several days climbing to and exceeding the century mark here in Beautiful Central Arizona, I have received questions about how anyone can stand the 100 degree heat.

I have tried to explain that the humidity is exceedingly low here.

As I'm writing this at midday the Weather Gods tell me it's 18 percent.

And that's pretty high for Arizona.

But that explanation - - a version of the proverbial "But it's a dry heat" - - doesn't seem to calm people down.

So I post a photo of myself just after sweeping branches and twigs from a dead tree out of my driveway.

I probably shouldn't have worn a black t-shirt but the other part of my "costume" was good protection.

When I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I told my wife "that probably scared the neighbors."

She took a look at me and agreed, "that IS scarey."

So it goes in the land of sunshine and glee.

A HOT WEEK

 Here in my part of Arizona, the Central Highlands at around 5,000 feet elevation, our summers are hot but not this hot.

100 degree days have become commonplace for about a week.

Being retired, we stay inside our air-conditioned home most of the time.

And it's supposed to drop into the 90's in a few days.

But in the meantime, this meme has real meaning to me.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 So yesterday being a holiday here in the U.S. of A. I bet most of you have forgotten that today is Friday.

But not me.

And just to make it a special Friday, today I'm devoting the entire post to food and drink.

Bon appetit!

And with that slightly extended version of the menu, I shall leave you to your barbecue grills, your kitchens and your Pepto.

I hope your holiday (if you celebrated it) was full of fun and now you have a couple of days to sleep it off.

Whatever, always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . but, what about your kibble? . . . )

CONFUSION

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

(Flag photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)

ALLIUM CEPA

 I was stunned by what I observed in my home yesterday.

And no it is not a cross section of a human brain.

Never fear.

It was this.

A simple . . no, never dare I use that word "simple" . . a very *complex* red onion.

A thing of beauty.

It waited on a cutting board, next to its executioner.

Not executioner either.

But a tool to make it creatively appetizing.

But in the meantime . . in the rare moment when it awaits its fate, it is truly a thing of beauty.

And you wonder how I spend my days.

"I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP"

 I walked into Judy's room the other day and found a freshly made bed in bright colors.

And, of course, right in the center of it, Miss Sweety-Pie.

Our latest little cat came to us weighing a paltry 7 pounds or so and no matter what or how much we feed her she has not seemed to gain much weight.

Apparently she's a small cat and she will remain that way.

But like any cat, she knows where she looks best and the contrast of the colored sheets and pillowcases and that little black cat called out for a photo.

She is not a tuxedo cat with a patch of white.

She is just solid black.

With her brown eyes, it is often difficult to tell whether they are open or not.

So I zoomed in to see if I could tell.

They are still difficult to see but, yes, they are open.

Watching the photographer carefully to see what he's going to do next.

By the way, this spot on Judy's bed is her preferred spot for her lengthy afternoon naps.

But whenever or wherever Judy or I meet in our home to chat, she inserts herself exactly between us.

For that reason we have also named her "Little Miss In-Between".

Cats.

Sometimes confounding, sometimes maddening, but always lovable members of our family.