RED ALERT

The sky was full of smoke from the Sheridan Fire burning in the Camp Wood area northwest of Prescott last night.

It made for an impressive sunset.

Unfortunately either my little point-and-click camera or the photographer manning it made a blurry picture.

But you get the idea.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

RE-BIRTH (sort of)

When Mother Nature performed an execution on our poor sick elm tree recently, we received a number of expressions of sorrow and condolence.

But wait!

The ever-concerned-about-beauty SWMBO came up with a solution when it became apparent that our landlord was not going to replace said tree.

She found a Fake Ficus at a thrift store and we dug a hole and planted it in the same approximate place that the elm had occupied.

It's not near as big but it does wonders for the appearance of the yard.

That's Japanese Honeysuckle in the background.

It's *not* a fake and she's trying to train it to thrive and bush out and grow to the top of the wall.  

If this blasted weather would break she may have a chance.

Meantime there's this.

We're hoping the Fake Ficus doesn't shed any more of it's leaves.

SUMMER SALAD

Judy says our tomato plants are into their final days of this long hot summer.

But there are still enough popping to create these delicious salads, complemented with some cucumber.

PEACHES

SWMBO made a peach cobbler yesterday.

Doing it the "modern" way, she found a recipe on the Internet.

She said it was different from the way her mother used to make them but it came out beautifully.

Paired with some vanilla ice cream last night, it was delicious.

I may have to have some for breakfast today.

SULTRY SATURDAY

Day after day the mercury climbs into the 90's and what clouds we get don't contain any rain.

They are picturesque though.

And at least it cools off enough at night to open the house and turn off the air conditioning.

Good sleeping weather, my Dad used to say.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

As you have have guessed by now, this is my favorite day of the week.

Yes, it is time once again to celebrate . . . to whoop and cheer and dance and, above all, to smile!

So shall we begin?

(And once again, let me give credit to The Humorist From Harlingen, who keeps my comedy bank well-filled.)

All right you graduates and grandfathers, let's get out there and gracefully germinate a guiltless, garrulous, glamorous, gorgeous, generous, greathearted WEEKEND!

And never forget to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Oh, if you keep doing that your face is going to stay that way!)

STILL BAKING

Yes, it's hot in Arizona but I'm still turning on my oven to bake.

Two loaves of white/whole wheat English Muffin Bread done yesterday.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

SO WHERE'S THE RAIN??!!!

Some pictures of a sweet evening sky.

ARTS & CRAFTS

The Courthouse Square in downtown Prescott, with its huge shade trees and beautiful green lawn, is an ideal spot to hold an arts fest.

Many are staged here throughout the summer months as tourists from hotter parts of our state fill the city.

This weekend was no exception as the Mountain Artists Guild organized its 69th annual juried Arts and Crafts Festival.

A small bluegrass combo provided some impromptu entertainment.

There were food booths scattered through the area, including this one drawing a crowd with free samples.

And, as always, there were a variety of hats worn by the fairgoers.

This fellow from Peoria told me he bought his a year and a half ago at a hat shop just across the square as he prepared for a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, home of a big motorcycle rally.

But it looked right proper for today's festival around the historic Yavapai County Court House.

After all, before the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, some of the Earps and Doc Holliday spent time gambling right across the street in bars on the legendary Whiskey Row.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Here we are again, Gentle Readers, after a bleak and bloody week.

So let's put our minds to rest for a few moments and try to find some humor.

This Friday we'll take on the Battle of the Sexes!

All right, enough.

I don't know why the cartoons seem to pick on the women cuz it's not that way in life.

It's more like . . .

Now listen, folks, turn off your television, don't read the newspaper or Facebook or Twitter.

Just for the weekend so you can enjoy it.

Okay?

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

COOL BREEZE

There was thunder much of the afternoon yesterday but only a drop or two of rain.

And that was during cocktail hour as we sat on a surprisingly cool patio.

A gentle breeze blew under a dark and cloudy sky.

We opened all the windows and slept well.

But if you're suffering through hot August weather, I have some relief for you.

It's a photo taken some time ago at the BRD's home.

Enjoy!

MONSOON SKY VIEWS

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

So, the week just ending . . . good one or bad one?

I guess it's debatable.

So while you Gentle Readers do that, I'll dish up some humor.

Maybe.

Or maybe not.

Okay, folks, now have yourself a wild, wacky and wonderful weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .