One Cool Cat

Our cat, Snowflake or Snowy as we tend to call him, takes advantage of an open drawer to nap in comfort.

One Hot Snowy Egret

Apparently its not all fun & games being a bird in the desert. Just as a dog has little opportunity to sweat to help it cool off, this poor fella has taken to panting in the shade. Cool looking tongue.

Flowers - in Spite of the Heat

Went to a conference this week for Parks and Recreation and it was at the Camelback Inn . The grounds are nicely manicured and I was there early, so I took some pictures....

Not your typical bouganvilla (or bougainvillea, if you prefer to use the proper spelling of the genus), this is much more shrub-like than vine-like. And the flowers have a nice cluster. Here is a typical planter. I shouldn't really say that since they have numerous settings with cacti and palms. Not your lush flora you might find in some flower gardens, but much better than you'll find in most desert landscapes!

These two shots are from a kaleidoscope attached to a planter which you rotate to get differing views. I honestly didn't think of getting a shot of the planter with the kaleidoscope until I was uploading these pictures. It was unsual looking to say the least.

1st Day of School (for Jake)

The look is feigned indifference (at best) but I couldn't get him to smile for the camera. He was happy to go two of the three days this week. We are hoping for a better percentage of good days this year. So far he does seem to like it...That often changes toward the equinox (both Fall & Spring).

Getting Back in Gear

Karen has already started back at school. Jake starts next week Wed. Erik the Monday after that. Jake has a new teacher after two years with the other. He has had a relatively good summer - we can only pray that his 4th grade school year starts off well and he likes his teacher. Erik starts a new school (7th grade), which should take him all the way through HS.