Hikin' Near SanTan Mountain

Hello~

Been a few days since we posted, because... we didn't do anything interesting for awhile. So, today, we got up early and took the pooch to the SanTan Recreational Area. Basically, an untainted chunk of the desert over by SanTan Mountain, just about four miles down the road. Since it was our first time over there, and since we are out of shape (time for the immortal words of Homer Simpson, "I'm in shape. Round is a shape."), and since we didn't know how the pooch would do in the heat for any period of time, we took the shortest trail, toward Goldmine Mountain. About a mile out and a mile back.

We stayed on the trails and didn't see any rattlesnakes! So that was good. Here is one picture and a short video.

A Page from the Blair-Eichhorn Saga

Just finished (I think) designing the album pages for Jennifer and Eric's wedding album. I particularly like this spread.

The Dog Day of Summer

Finally took Cosmo to Cosmo's Park in Gilbert (?). Nice dog park. Water area, dry(-er) area, timid dog area, sort of an agility course area. Cosmo, as you may know, is a bit squeemish about the water, but he was semi-brave and ventured in up to his doggy ankles, anyway. There was a steep drop-off and he didn't want to go into the deep part. But kudos to him for trying. One pic and a short video for you.

Dawn Lurkin' Good in Mesa

So we went into Mesa today to see what they have, and, among other things, they have a couple of excellent doors that seemed like a swell background and a vehicle for popping Dawn's beautiful baby-blues at ya. So brace yourselves, she's mighty purty!

(Wile E.) Coyote

This isn't my picture, but it might as well have been! Yesterday evening, I was on my way to a P.U.G. meeting (Pictage User Group [Pictage is a photo service I use]) in Mesa and 100 feet ahead of me, a coyote crossed the street! Clear as day in full daylight. And he looked an awful lot like this one! Wild!

What do "effluent" mean!?!

So, we found some grass for Cosmo to run around on and we found some water to look at, just look at.  Turns out it's "effluent" water, which, at best, is not good.  Should have figured that a big batch of frivolous man-made water just sitting there in the middle of the desert wouldn't necessarily be a good thing.  But it looks pretty as you drive past it at 50 mph!

Runners But Not Roadrunners

Ok, sorry this one isn't completely clear, but he was the last one and I had to hurry! Must have been about a baker's dozen of these birds literally running around the golf course today. Any bird folk out there? I think it's a quail, but let me know.

Tempe-tation

Went into Tempe yesterday just to get out of the house and met up with cousin Glenn. In the park over by the lake, they had a sort of memorial display for 9/11 victims. One U.S. flag for each victim spread out over the whole park with a little info on the person represented. Rather impressive sight.

Then you have the moon over the building where Glenn met Annette. And... then Dawn,,, and me and Glenn.

Then, of course, we scurried home to feed Cosmo! Ok, later!

Come To The Islands, Mon

Well, it ain't Jamaica. I think it was Antigua. I think it is pretty much the same thing but with less ganja.

Valley of Dust

Take a look at the weather from last night here (across the WHOLE valley!). It even shut down the airport for a spell.

Valley Duststorm video

Equal Time

The 'Mo wants equal time on all blogs, so here is the little stinker. If he knew how to type, I suspect it would be all Cosmo posts all the time. Problem is, he doesn't always have a lot to say for himself. He pretty much gets by on his looks. I know, me, too....

Link: Old Creepy Ads

Stumbled across this site (I know I already sent it to some of you)....

Old Creepy Ads These are simply not to be missed. One example at left (I know Heath liked this one).

I'm only 41 but I get the senile agitation just about every day. Somebody sign me up for the sedative of the month club! Quick!

For the Sake of a New Post...

Hello All~

Really nothing going on, but, just for the sake of a blog post, I will post to the blog. It's Tuesday, about 12:45 p.m. and a sunny 95 degrees (when MI starts to really get chilly I'll stop rubbing your faces in it).

Dawn is at school and I just wrapped up some headshots for her principal. Turns out he co-wrote a book (regarding education, of course) and is working on his Ed. D. He does some speaking on such things as childhood obesity and the transition from grade school to middle school. Kind of interesting. I tried some new lighting techniques for the shoot and that was interesting. Like popping a speedlite flash through a diffusing umbrella all handheld at the end of an offshoe cord (I know.... what??!?!). Same as a hotlight, but more portable. Could theoretically run-and-gun it. Anyway, worked out and I have a new toy in the bag without buying anything new. Oh, wait! I was supposed to leave the photography stuff for the other blog! ~sorry~

Cosmo is lying on the couch and has nothing to say for himself. Except, "woof!"

OK, well that's it for today. Stay tuned!

Weekend Update with Itchy, Scratchy, & Fleabag

Friday Ramblin's

Hello~  TGIF!  Long week even though it was a short week, if you know what we mean!  Dawn's been working superhard in the classroom.  Report cards were due this week.  I've been listing the photo business on a bunch of wedding vendor websites.  That should be good.  

This one is especially good looking.  Just have to see if they get any traffic:

http://www.weddingwire.com/vendor/VendorViewProfile?vid=3ad45ac1c97372f1

I know you're all interested in the desert weather, so....  It was 73 at 7 a.m. dog-walkin' time, but we're looking at a high of 108 today.  And sunny and bright.  One day we're going to conduct an experiment to see if we can actually cook an egg on the mid-day asphalt in the street.  I think it will work.

The golf forecast is somewhat grimmer.  Speeding golf carts are expected in the mid afternoon with scattered flying five irons (I actually saw a guy throw his club in disgust today.  Then he hopped into the golf cart and did donuts around it - never a dull moment in the new Old West).

Hope y'all have a great weekend and, if I can talk Dawn into it, we'll be posting another short video soon.

Love,

Ron, Dawn and the 'Mo

We're Just A Pair Of Grizzled Old Prospectors

...and when we comes upon a right nice little nugget of gold, we head right into town and sell it! Then it's sasparilla and baked beans until our money's all gone and that fancy warbler fella's throat goes dry. Yup, it's a prospector's life for we.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Hello All~
Today, Labor Day '08, we meandered to the sleepy little town of Superior, AZ, specifically to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Pretty interesting little chunk of the desert with, of course, plenty of desert plants, some scurrying animals. crazy rock formations, a wee bit of water, and oodles of sun.

Here are Dawn's photos from our hot and thirsty little adventure.