At Minimum

It's a beautiful duck. That's all there is to say. Presently in the water myself, I wish I were so luminous. Wish there were more subjects for portrayal. Pretty wishy-washy, huh?

The Long View

I am not a thief. Went shopping to replace flip shades. Unable to find a deal, was tempted to simply put the damned thing on my glasses and walking out. Strong inclination not to. Would it have been loss of self-esteem?

Lovely morning, the birds chirping and hooting. The view from my humble abode. Not much. Fixing to go to church. Esteem intact. Ordered a pair of shades online. Went to park. I am an artist.

Took a Break

Ah... the zero-sum game of stuff. Last Saturday, while shopping, I placed my flip-shades down somewhere as I futzed about. Forgotten. Gone. Last night, at the gym, I stole a pair of shorts someone left behind. About an equal value, not to mentioned the shorts I've left behind myself.

In Bible study, I reflected about this. You think you deserve a break. You intellectualize it as a zero-sum game. You are really just a thief. It'll come out of my hide somehow.

Since this was all the commentary I could come up with, layed off a few days. Have quit smoking. More than a week now. The picture above somewhat a mistake. Range-finding the first shot and the battery kaput. Did what I could. Significant insofar as I sat for several minutes deep breathing. There must be ozone in the air as I got a little high. Feel pretty good. Looking to do some cardio workouts.

Saints In Heaven

Have no party plans upon Patrick's Day except for helping out at church. Had a meeting the other day confirming membership. Nice people. I mentioned the idea of getting involved in some ministry; yesterday went to  Literacy Program for to volunteer as a GED tutor. They'll get back to me.

Here's a nice green picture, all things considered. Been overcast lately and life very laid back. Oh... quit smoking. A week now. Good show!

Good Night

Mountains were very misty early Sunday morning.
The clouds later lifted and coalesced into layers above.
Got to a vantage point. Lucky shot. Went home. Took nap.

Went to a concert this evening. Sam Rotman. Gave a testimony at church.

Beethoven's "Sonata Pathétique", 2nd movement - Adagio cantabile.
Among others. My video evidently too large to post. Just pulled this up.

More Spring

A quiet, rainy Saturday. Slept in until noon. Potted around the house all day but did get the laundry done. LLL

And did the oil change Thursday afternoon. All systems go for an excursion. Didn't want to deal with weekend traffic and, hey, it rained. Good choice.

Went to take some shots midtown PHX. The above turned out real good.

On Post

Here be another critter hanging at the ranch. The feral cats seem to get along with the rabbits and, I'm sure, steer clear of the roosters. Meeces galore in the groves nearby and gophers under the turf.

Myself? Hanging at a coffee place. Whatever.
Have to get back and change the oil in truck...
haven't done that yet. All supplied for filters, etc.
Want to take a ride up to Mogollon Rim, Verde Valley.

They're Budding

Took a walk in Sahuaro Park.
Glad to see the roses have been pruned.
Many buds; soon to bloom.

Here a gladiola. Sole survivor.

A bantam owns the place. Fearlessly approached. (He did. I futzed.) 

Was amused to read that Silicon Valley moguls were into raising chickens. 

This fella's not too plump but sure looks honery.

Clean Bill

Just came from my physician. All is well. BP OK. He said the lose some weight - the issue being my diet Italianate. When not Orientable hence rice. And good bread with soups and cheese. So... spend a while on fruits an veggies and salads.

Here we see oleander sees erupting. Hmm; garnish my vittles? Naa, but I think I'll plant some and see what happens.

Making Up Mind

Put a little work into the front yard. Am contemplating doing a xeriscape; not too complicated and I can do most of it myself. But don't know if I'll be staying here. Thinking about Oregon increases as the temperature goes up. But I've gotten so settled in my ways and everything paid for. 

Found this aloe for 5 bucks and split it in two. Ha... that's a faux palm stump. Found that too but don't recall how and where. 20 years ago! Am nurturing many cacti for implantation. The bermuda is quite dessicated - haven't watered in ten years but the roots still there. Some expense to roto-till them out and dethatch before a rock or composite covering.

Silver dollar cactus and a nice succulent. The tiny one (I forget.) off a parent.

Ach... another one I forgot it's name. I do that all the time, taking them out of the plastic sale pot and into clay ones, forget to keep the tab with watering instructions. This didn't even have that. It's rather stressed. The guy at the cactus nursery said it hadn't been watered in a while but still wanted his $5.

Taken

There it was. Just waiting for me. A starling. Had missed a jay earlier in the day.

Went to a cactus nursery in South Phoenix. Claimed they were having a clearance sale but the prices no great deal - the plants stressed as well. But I did get a few of them and got the repotting done before sundown. Expect to post a few pictures of new arrivals tomorrow.