ZOOLOGY 101

I photographed this image on my patio the other night.

It looked familiar to me but I couldn't pin down the name.

Some checking around the Great Google found the answer.

That's the loveable face of the Proboscis Monkey.

Scientists tell us the longer the nose the more attractive he is to the female of his species.

Oh, and the top picture?

That's our 3-wicked candle which is said to repel gnats and mosquitoes and other pests trying to interrupt the peacefulness of my cocktail hour.

And make me think of weird monkeys.

So ends my lecture today.

Class dismissed.

A RHYMING FLOWER

A very gold Marigold

(Allegedly protecting our tomato plants from bugs)

FEASTING

I just discovered this photo on my camera last night and I knew you'd want to know that I was well-fed on the Fourth of July.

We finally finished off the leftovers last night and it was still delicious.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Arizona's Monsoon Season begins on July 4th but this year we've had no rain yet.

So, the heat continues as we launch into the middle of another long weekend.

There's a Ladder-Backed Woodpecker working over the tree right in front of me (sorry, no picture) and it's time for me to work over the Friday Funnies.

With that to think about, it's time to tinker and toy with your transfiguration, harking always for the tremulous tones from tintinnabulation.

In other words, have a great (continuing) weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, he seems excited . . .)

A LESSON FROM THE PAST

Happy Independence Day, America

And to our friends in the United Kingdom, it's nothing personal.

Then, as now, we just didn't want to be ruled by a king.

READY FOR THE FOURTH

Brats, Buns & Beer

RODEO WEEK

Here in the heart of Ye Olde West, it's rodeo week.

It began last night in the neighboring town of Prescott, Arizona, but don't worry if you missed it.

There are a total of eight "performances" running all week.

Hang on to your hats.

And, as is tradition, your beers.

SKY SIGHTS

Did you see that strange sight in the sky last night?

I couldn't tell at first if it was a UFO (Flying Saucer) or a Great Grey Whale, though I had no idea why a whale would be cruising around in the sky.

My wife wisely stated, it's a cloud, silly!

That's why she's known as SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).

But there were some weird shapes in the sky.

I don't know what you'd call those long flat shaped clouds.

I'd probably call them pancakes.

(Yeah, SWMBO is scoffing at that too.)

Meanwhile, the other direction the sky was lit up like a wildfire as the sun was going down.

Meanwhile back on Terra Firma, my friend Jocko the Mockingbird did not seem impressed.

He just gazed at The Blue Cat as if to say "Is this water fresh?"

CAR GUYS

I visited a car show at the local Walmart parking lot this morning.

There were classic old touring cars.

Cars of many colors.

A mellow yellow 1931 Model A Ford.

Would you believe this tiny jitney is a BMW?

This pickup truck with a wicked looking front bumper attracted this guy.

While he was studying the engine I admired the twin stacks behind the passenger compartment.

This car apparently was rigged for some heavy duty dirt-track racing.

Check the roll bars.

This one, in basic black, was a beauty.

As was this curvilinear cutie.

A Cadillac from the days of b-i-g cars displayed it's very wide grille.

Faint memories came drifting back from this era.

I don't know but this car's owner seemed to be showing off some Corvette-envy.

The real thing was nearby.

Here was a fine example of a shiny engine so big a hole has to exist in the hood to accomodate it.

Many classic car owners have a sense of humor to go with their styling touches.

I loved seeing an old Hudson, a car brand long since confined to the ages.

And I especially liked it's vanity license plate.

Here's a better look.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

The first two Democratic debates are over.

Do you know who won?

I have my ideas but, as someone frequently says, "we'll see."

So enough yelling, let's get down to the REAL business of the day.

The rare few moments of hilarity in a week.

Starting off with the traditional question for this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere where I live, "Hot enough for ya?"

Okay, okay, if we're going to get rowdy here, I'm calling a halt to it.

Now listen, you lissome lovers of languor, lethargy and liquification, it is past the legal limit of lolling like a lummox.

Get out there and have a fabulous weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

No, no, no, not you guys.

Yeah, here's the actors: