Happy Birthday Arizona!

Arizona celebrates its 97th birthday as a state today. It became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.

Seems like there's something else we're celebrating today, too. What the heck was it? Oh, I remember.

Happy Valentines Day!

Triskaidekaphobia

You might want to check today's date. Unless you're superstitious. Then you definitely don't want to look and, instead, flee back to bed under the covers.

Today is Friday the 13th. Wikipedia tells us that is occasion for triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13. Specifically fear of Friday the 13th can also be termed "paraskevidekatriaphobia" or the always popular "friggatriskaidekaphobia." I'm not kidding! You can check it and much more out here. Of course, not everyone believes in Wikipedia but then not everyone is superstitious either.

Some Christians trace the fear of that number 13 back to their belief that Judas Iscariot, who later allegedly betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to sit at the table at the Last Supper.

But, y'know what? Not all Christians believe in this number 13 stuff. For a prime example, there is Kurt Warner . . the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. He's one of those "Born Again" types who always thanks God for every victory. This has been his uniform number for years.

'Course you might note that Warner's team lost this year's Super Bowl. But hey! Who would have thought the Cardinals would even be IN the Super Bowl?

If you are superstitious, here's something you might want to consider. Assuming you get/got through today all right, you might want to gather your strength. There's another Friday the 13th just four weeks away!

February 12th

Today is Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Happy Birthday, Abe.

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KARL ROVE, the bogeyman of the George W. Bush administration, praises Republicans for opposing the spending bill in Congress. He adds that House Republicans have used the stimulus bill to redefine their party.

Yes, they sure have. Sort of like fiddling while the country burns. One can only hope that future voters will remember that all but three Republicans refused to help out the country or the taxpayers in the face of an economic disaster that Republicans brought about.

(End of rant)

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One can only wonder why this guy (below) is smiling. Not only is it cold and snowy but his message isn't one to cause joy in anyone's heart. Maybe it's because he has a job, no matter how degrading it is.

Snow fields

Just a couple more photos from yesterday of our snow-covered town. I post these mainly for Miss Kitty over in England, who has been agonizing over my previous sunny day photos while she's been hammered with snow and ice and blizzards. See, Kitty, we do get it too. Once in awhile. Though this is the first snow of this winter for us.



It was a bright sunny day yesterday and it's mostly sunny today so I expect most of this white stuff is gone by now. Fine by me!

Oh woe, it's snow!

Regular readers of this sainted blog may recall that I have said I'm originally from North Dakota and that I've seen all the snow I ever want to see in my life. So I moved, many years ago to Arizona. So what do I get this morning?

That's right, folks. That ain't a warm sunny day in the desert! That's snow.

Look at this poor pampas grass.

Nice day for lounging on the patio? I don't think so.

A neighbor said he was worried about the bamboo in his back yard. I assured him that as soon as the snow is gone (and it can't be too soon for me!) the bamboo will spring right back up again.

And I have evidence that a kitty - - possibly Smoke - - visited sometime this morning.

So, how much snow did we get? Oh, I'd say 2 or 3 inches.

Well, I suppose I shouldn't complain. It's the first snow of the winter and probably won't last long. Except the weatherman is saying there are more storms on the way.

Bah, humbug!

Bloggers United!!!

Granny J of Walking Prescott has successfully organized another bloggers' gathering. That's her in the lower center of the picture with her back to you. .


About 20 people attended today's fete at the Casa Sanchez restaurant and a great time seemed to be had by all. The waitresses were very patient as they kept adding tables and chairs as more and more people gathered. And then everyone had to have an individual check but the ladies handled it beautifully. I'm sure the group will return.

The lady with the dashing white hair is Judy Arrar of Prescott Area Daily Photo. Her husband is on her right and to her left is Rob of Lemegeton.

Here is local photography guru, Rich Charpentier, who blogs at Airstream Chronicles Continued and computer programmer Dagny Romer of Dagny's Desk.

And last, but not least, the effervescent Sadira, a.k.a. Chickenbells of Foolsewoode and the ever-hungry Tom Check of Tombo's Blog.

There were more but your intrepid reporter failed to get all the information. At any rate this has begun to be a monthly gathering. No minutes, no agenda, just companionship and a chance to see the real faces behind the blogger screens.

Thanks, Granny J, for putting it all together!

Art Opening

SWMBO and I stopped in at Framers Market in Prescott to see an old friend as she opened a show of her art for the rest of February. Sid Freeman is a very talented artist whose present show is filled with her calligraphic art. Here is an article in yesterday's paper that tells about the show and Sid's art.

It's a bit difficult to photograph mylar-wrapped art in a gallery because of reflections but here's one of her works.

Sid learned to carve in rock a few years ago and many of her pieces reflect that training.

Many of the works illustrate Sid's study of various Eastern religions. She told us she had made a trip to Nepal this year and has a photo of herself standing next to one carving out of rock of one letter that is far taller than herself. Of course, Sid is small in stature but she stands tall in the art world.

I'd call her . . . . a rock star!

As always, the photos expand if you click on them.

Just a nice day

Nothin' much to report today. Just a nice day in Arizona with some slightly fleecy clouds in the sky.

Pretty much the same view, a little closer.

As you can tell from the grasses in the foreground, it's still dry here in Arizona. But HEY! It is a desert, y'know.

Baseball Season!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that great time of year. Baseball season is coming! Oh, I know. Spring training isn't even underway yet. But today, several of Our Arizona Diamondbacks came to my town.

First picture, left to right, broadcaster Mark Grace, players Justin Upton and Stephen Drew, former player Jay Bell, and pitching coach Bryan Price.

That's broadcaster Darren Sutton on the left.

And here he puts his Sharpie skill to use to sign the back of a fan's jacket.

J-Up, Drew and Bell, all smiling about the upcoming season.

First time in many years I've had the chance to see some of my heroes up close.

There was a huge crowd and long lines throughout the Fry's store but everyone seemed to be in a great mood.

Play ball!

Afternoon at the lake

I stopped off on a sunny afternoon at Watson Lake recently. Gorgeous day.

There was a young couple taking a boat ride.

And some of the professional floaters enjoying a swim.

Yes, a beautiful day. And it was still January!

Desert Botanical Garden

Some photos of the "natural" beauty of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.

Chihuly at the Desert Botanical Garden

SWMBO and I made a trip to Phoenix yesterday to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden. The garden is a spectacular place on its own but the amazing glass art of Dale Chihuly brings it to new life. With, as they say on television these days "limited commercial interruption", take a look. (As always, the photos are much more spectacular if you click on them and expand them individually.)

Keep in mind that everything you see is made of glass. These next objects are hollow and, therefore, so light they actually float on the water in a pond.

If you'd like to more know about the artist and his work, you can find it here.