DAY AFTER DAY

 

The clouds build up and roll in, 

the thunder echoes across the sky, 

and the rain comes.

GREEN, WHITE AND BLUE.

 I wanted to take a couple of daylight pictures to show you our blue, blue sky and the glorious green on the savannah/meadow/flood-plain and on Glassford Hill in the distance.

SKY-FULL

 This year's monsoon season has been one unlike any in my memory.

In a normal year, we get an occasional thunderstorm and a few random days of showers.

But this year it's been day after day and night after night of showers and thunderstorms for most of the past few weeks it seems.

The meadow and the hills resemble Ireland.

At least that's what this green-starved Arizonan is fond of saying this year.

And the skies . . the SKIES . . are something to behold.

Just moments ago I stepped out into a very light misty rain and snapped these pictures.

There was a rainbow earlier but that's just become "old hat" to me so I didn't think to take its photo.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 I was just thinking, "After all that talk about lightning yesterday, maybe now IS the time to move!"

But let us ignore the scary stories today for today is FRIDAY!

And I think you all know what that means.

And with that medical report from the Universe, we bring these happy moments to a close.

Now I would be pleased if you all (y'all, Southern U.S.) would have a pleasant weekend.

Watch out for lightning, make yourself some banana bread, admire the flowers and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(. . . oh, yes . . .)

LIFE AROUND HERE

 Not much to report from here.

We're still looking to move next month to new digs.

As probably you all know, that's an agonizing ordeal. And it seems to get bigger as one gets older.

But if move we must, then move we shall.

Meantime SWMBO'S straggly Morning Glory plant finally popped a bloom today.

It's up at the top of the arbor but at last and at least she got one bloom out of the stubborn plant.

The Honeysuckle plants are putting out multiple blooms though.

We think they're enjoying the cooler weather and the monsoon moisture we've been getting nearly every day.

But the rains can bring some bad things too.

The other day I was sitting in the living room watching television and listening to the rumble of thunder outside when a tremendous CRACK of thunder accompanied simultaneously a brilliant white flash of light outside the front window.

I knew it had struck near us but it wasn't until a couple of days later when I discovered how near it was.

My across-the-street neighbor, where our visiting cat Matty lives, told me once he had planted a tree in his front yard and it had grown and grown and grown until it dwarfed his house.

The lightning bolt had struck that tree and split the top of it and thrown splintered branches everywhere.

I haven't spoken to him yet but I imagine that huge tree will have to be completely taken down.

I just know that's the closest I ever want to be to a lightning strike.

In brighter news, I went to the Taylor Family Bakery today and made a favorite of mine: Double Chocolate Banana Bread.

It's a recipe from Deb at the Smitten Kitchen.

I was experimenting a bit, baking it in our Toaster Oven instead of the big one.

I found it could have been baked a bit longer but the taste, as confirmed by SWMBO (who likes her chocolate!), was exquisite.

A TINY VISITOR

 I went out to change the water in the bird bath this afternoon and caught a sudden very quick movement out of the corner of my eye.

Aha!

A lizard!

But this must have been part of a new family.

He was tiny!

You can tell just how tiny he is by comparing him with those spindly stems and fronds of a parsly plant growing from a pot on the patio.

I estimated him at between 2 and 3 inches long, with most of that being his tail.

The lizards which thrive around our back yard are legion but we tolerate them because they do no harm and they eat bugs, we've been told.

And they're amusing to watch as they dart around at manic speeds and at other times lie basking in the sun for lengthy periods.

Just part of life in Arizona.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Well lads and lassies it's that time again.

Time to lay all your troubles down and smile awhile.

Let's get on with it.

And with that wonderful one from the annals of the theatre (actually I swiped it from Jolly Jeff), I shall encourage you to have an exciting and eventually enervating weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

PUBLIC SERVICE

 Here in Arizona, we're used to the heat.

But many places are getting blistered by it more than we are in this summer of climate awareness.

So in the spirit of philanthropy and charity for which I'm known, I have pulled a short video from my files to give you folks who are sweating and steaming this weekend a brief break.

You're welcome.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Another week, another day, another Friday.

I woke up this morning.

That's the good news.

 

And that, dear friends, is this week's compilation of humor.

Now my weekly edict: have yourselves a wonderful weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

COMIDA

 The Spanish word comida translates to food or meal or lunch or dinner or . . . .

Lots of things, it seems, but when we lived in Mexico and ever after we used/use it to mean the main meal of the day, more frequently eaten in our senior years in mid to late afternoon.

For example, tacos and/or tostadas.

This is a tostada for the ages.

 

From the bottom up then: a crispy tortilla, refried beans, ground beef with homemade taco seasoning, grated cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, avocado and shredded lettuce.

That may be gilding the lily but I was assured that it tasted great.

If a bit messy. (Where's the hose???)

😄😄😄

BEAUTY

 

I call her The BRD, for Beautiful Rich Daughter.

I had to explain recently that she is not rich in the financial sense but she is certainly rich in artistic talent and in loving kindness.

She has volunteered at a food pantry, worked in hospice care and on election duties.

And, as this photo which she recently posted proves, she is most certainly beautiful.