HARBOR ARBOR UPDATE

The backyard Harbor Arbor now has some "real" foliage around it.

On the left a Wisteria vine, on the right a Honeysuckle.

The honeysuckle is wearing what I call it's long underwear.

Not to keep it warm but to protect the tender shoots from the heat.

At least that's what SWMBO claims and I do not argue with her.

That stuff up on top is still artificial but the birds don't seem to mind.

There's another healthier Honeysuckle over against the wall.

When it has blossoms we've seen the occasional hummingbird hovering around it.

We've added some stepping stones and more bark to beautify the area somewhat.

I was worried that all that foliage and ironware might confuse the birds seeking a drink or a bath.

But they've shown their innate ability to weave under and around and prove me wrong.

( Did I just hear him say "Who's the birdbrain around here?" )

CAT HUMOR

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Gentle Readers you may wonder, if this is the day for The Friday Funnies, what I can offer up to top yesterday's post.

Wonder away cuz I have contributors who keep me well stocked.

As in . . .

See, I told you there was some more humor in this silly old thing we call existence.

Now elect excellence, eminence and ebullience in your ever elated eloquence and endeavours this end of the week.

In short, have a great weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Okay, today we're going back 30 years.

But I warn you: this story may be considered NSFW (Not Safe For Work).

Read at your own discretion or close it now.

It relates to when Judy and I were living in Guadalajara, Mexico.

We had become acquainted with a cosmetic surgeon (plastic surgery doc) who treated many clients from the United States.

He had signed up several gringo expatriates who would provide housing and food for the patients during the time they were in Mexico.

The clients paid the hosts directly for the service, which included taking them to the doctor's office for daily checkups following their surgeries.

The incident in the following story was related in a letter to our friends Timmer and The Beaner (Tim and Jeanne).

Today Tim sent it back to me and said use it on TBT if you dare.

Okay, here goes.

We had several more patients before we returned to the U.S. but never again an experience as, uh,  titillating as that one.

A DAY OUT . . AND A WARNING

SWMBO and I went for a rare outing yesterday.

She was starting to get that look on her face that was beautifully described by Raymond Chandler in his detective story "Red Wind" writing about California's Santa Ana wind season: 

"Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks."

Well, maybe she wasn't to that point but she was getting testy and anxious to see some of the world other than that inside the four walls of our home.

So we headed out with a picnic lunch in a cooler, looking for cooler temperatures.

The BRD had suggested Goldwater Lake, south of Prescott, so I drove there.

The tiny park was fairly crowded and, even at close to 6,000 feet, the temperature was in the low 90's on a sunny day.

We sat in the air condtioned car watching kayakers and ducks on the lake, then left and headed further south and higher.

Beautiful scenery of towering pine trees in Groom Creek and the summer camps areas but when the highway lost it's pavement I turned around and headed back.

Still hot as we passed an elevation sign that put us at over 6,100 feet.

We saw a young deer muching his lunch right beside the road.

He didn't flinch as we came by, just gazed at us and kept chewing.

We came back down from the heights and found a parking place on the famed Courthouse Square in central Prescott and people-watched as we ate our picnic lunch in the car.

Finally back home again.

We agreed that it had been a good day, lightening the dark moods caused by months of self-isolation, face masks and social distancing.

But here's the thing: even though I had my smartphone with camera I never thought to take a single picture.

Am I an idiot or not?

So, I was grateful for the contribution from the Cheerful Monk (you can find her blog listed to the right).

Here's one of what she sent and don't say I didn't warn you.

Happy trails!

JUST PASSING BY

If that massive cloud shed any moisture, none of it fell on my street.

MORBID MONDAY

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

This little birdie was enjoying the new Harbor Arbor the other day.

While this one was eyeing it carefully and with suspicion.

(Sorry. 2nd picture accidentally over-cropped in editing.)

SATURDAY IN SCOTLAND

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Well isn't this jolly?

Yeah, I know.

Phoenix set a new record for the date yesterday: 117 degrees!

I think it only got to 103 here in the Central Highlands.

And we still have August to live through.

Nevertheless, SWMBO decided to go out alone to a store for the first time since mid-March.

Actually she only went to the garden shop but she came home with a potted wisteria vine and a trunkload of other heavy stuff for me to cart around to the back yard.

More on that in the ensuing days.

But for now, let's look at your weekly dose of the bright side of life.

O.K. dat's enough uh-dat!

Have a spectacular, toasty, maybe watermelon-fueled weekend, everyone, and always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

HARVEST

Tomatoes and Shishito Peppers.

HE LIKES IT

Our rent-a-cat, Matty, came by yesterday to inspect the new Harbor Arbor.

As he joined the Blue Cat in a brief catnap, he seemed to be giving his approval.

HARBOR ARBOR

When we lost our backyard tree to high winds and Dutch Elm Disease our avian friends lost their perching site by the bird bath.

Though the birds (and the occasional cat) continued to visit the water site, the lack of foliage bothered SWMBO.

So we planted an artificial tree next to the bath.

Prescott Valley's frequent high winds soon began stripping he artificial leaves from the artificial tree.

So recently SWMBO began shopping for an arbor and she found one, bought it and it arrived a few days ago.

Yesterday evening, we "planted" it.

The boss topped it with some webbing and some of the leaves blown off that pitiful "tree".

And, like parents of the bride, we are pleased to announce that it was promptly visited by a house finch and a goldfinch.

This morning nearly as soon as I opened the window I spotted a bird at the top of the arbor surveying the scenery and shortly after another bird drinking down below.

I think Harbor Arbor is going to be a success.

STICKING POINT

Take a look at this!

That's a brightly flowering cactus on Beau Jack's patio.

Maybe I'll have to change his name to Cactus Jack!

GREETINGS

Allow me to introduce you to the BRD's kid sister.

Caryn and her husband Big Russ have recently made a big move, from their home in Oregon to a new retirement home.

Now this picture, taken on the rear deck of their home, appears to show a pretty nice area, doesn't it?

There's a canal there which winds it's way right out to the Gulf.

Wait, did he say "Gulf"?

Yes, these young retirees have moved from cool, rainy and snowy Oregon to the sun-dappled shores of Padre Island, right next to Corpus Christi, Texas.

And you know what's going on there today, don't you?

Yep, the first hurricane of the season.

I spoke with Caryn this morning and she was laughing and saying it was only a Category 1 storm so they've battened down the hatches and plan to ride it out.

As the BRD said, "Welcome to the Gulf Coast!"

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

All right then, we've collectively nearly reached the end of another week safely.

Well.

I can speak only for myself and only hope you're all following along.

Be that as it may (whatever that means), it is time once again for your weekly dose of silliness, otherwise known as TFF.

On that (hic) note I declare an end to this frivolity.

No alliteration this week, just a heartfelt wish that you all will have a marvelous weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . speaking of mindless drinking . . )