MUM'S THE WORD!

Believe it or not, this is a chrysanthemum.

Part of a beautiful plant brought to our Sunday brunch by our guests, the BRD and her Beau Jack.

As I was photographing them this morning, I was being carefully observed by my assistant, Blackwell.  He's always Johnny-on-the-spot when something new is happening.

SUNDAY BRUNCH

We had a brunch today.  SWMBO and I and the BRD and her Beau Jack.  BJ had a new jersey.

That's Larry Fitzgerald's number with the Arizona Cardinals.  Unfortunately the Cardinals were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers today.

But that's okay with the BRD, who has long been a Steelers' fan.

But the true objective of this event was FOOD.  SWMBO outdid herself.

A couple of quiches, ham steak, muffins, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas.

Good food, good drinks, good friends.

A good day.

TGIF

Here it is Friday eve and I can't think of a thing to blog about.  So, in times of stress, do what I do.  Turn up your volume and hit the arrow and dance like no one is watching.  You'll feel better.

STILL SMOKY

Apparently the wind has shifted.  Today the smoke from the continuing controlled burn south of Prescott is blowing over Prescott Valley, making for a very smoky day.

BUNNY HOP

Sometimes, with the profusion of buildings and cars, one forgets that we still live in the country.  Witness, for example . . .

Did you see him?  Way down there at the far end of this meager stretch of grass next to a medical building and its adjoining parking lot?

Take a closer look.

Yes it's a bunny rabbit.

He would hop a few steps, then stop and look around, nose twitching, checking for any sign of danger.  But I stayed quietly inside my car as he kept hopping closer.  Finally, he stopped directly in front of me.

And, thanks to the marvels of photo editing, I got my close-up.

It's a long time until Easter, granted, but . . . oh, heck, Gene, sing it!

SMOKY SKIES

This is not fog.  Nor is it a low-lying cloud.  It's smoke.

Here's a pulled-back view that gives you a better idea of its scope.

The smoke is billowing up over the Bradshaw Mountains from a controlled burn in the Prescott National Forest south of Prescott. The Forest Service hopes, by doing these burns, to prevent an out-of-control wildfire. The forest comes right up to Prescott and could do serious damage.


A few years ago, just such a fire scared the daylights out of a lot of people in Prescott and several outlying homes were lost.

So, in spite of a certain number of people who complain about the smoke drifting into town every time there is a controlled burn, it's probably a pretty good idea.

AUTUMN

Some afternoon sunlight through a screen door.

Changing colors in a bamboo plant

Fall colors on leaves

Ivy climbs a fence

Pampas against a blue sky

A wider screen view

The underside of a mimosa tree

And a mimosa pod

Autumn, sweet autumn