Bob

A Hardy Feast for Fathers Day

It is interesting that “Fathers Day” and “Hardy Feast” are anagrams of one another; that is, each phrase contains all the same letters in a different order.

In fact, the entire weekend – Friday the 13th, Flag Day and Fathers Day each featured a “Hardy Feast.” Patty Melts on Friday, a Seafood Bake on Flag Day and Beef Tenderloin Steaks (a.k.a. Filet Mignon) with a green salad on Fathers Day.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Granddads and Great Grandads out there. If there are any Great-Great Granddads left, then a special shout out to y’all.

Desert House in 3D

It has been a while since I posted any 3D photos, so here is an image pair I took this morning with the Samsung Galaxy S23 camera phone. It was a little after nine AM and the sun and shadows were nice at this camera angle.

If in case you don’t have a pair of red/cyan 3D glasses, here is the 2D image:

Click on either image to enlarge in a new tab.

Memorial Day 2025

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan

Honoring the Fallen

As we observe Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Their ultimate act of service is a testament to the enduring spirit of patriotism and courage that defines our nation. From the Revolutionary War to the present day, American heroes have fought and died for our country, leaving behind families, friends, and communities forever changed by their loss.

Let us reverently remember them on this Memorial Day.

Flower and Squirrel

These are a couple of candid shots from around the property this morning:

The Pride of Barbados shrub, also known as Caesalpinia pulcherrima, is a beautiful and fast-growing plant native to tropical America. It can grow up to 10 feet tall as a shrub. Our three in the courtyard have been with us for about thirteen years and still going strong. We trim them to the ground in late fall and they come back in the spring boasting flowers in May through late fall when they get trimmed back again.

Overall, the Pride of Barbados shrub is a stunning addition to any garden, with its vibrant flowers and fast growth rate making it a great choice for those looking to add some color and texture to their outdoor space.

The white-tailed antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) is a small, diurnal species of ground squirrel found in the southwestern United States and the Baja California Peninsula of northwestern Mexico.

  • Habitat: They inhabit arid regions with hot and dry climates, often living in burrows and using them as shelter from extreme temperatures and predators.
  • Diet: White-tailed antelope ground squirrels are omnivorous, feeding on foliage (10%-60% of their diet), seeds (20%-50%), arthropods, and vertebrates (mainly lizards and rodents).
  • Behavior: They are active during cooler parts of the day, avoiding midday heat and using their burrows as a refuge. They are solitary animals, but may live together in burrows during winter.
  • Reproduction: They reach sexual maturity by their first year, breed from February to June, and typically have one litter per year with 5-14 young.

From AI:

The name “white-tailed antelope squirrel” is somewhat misleading because the tail of this species is not entirely white. Instead, the underside of the tail is white, while the outer surface is brown to gray with two white stripes from the shoulder to the hind end. The white stripes on the sides of the body and the white underside of the tail are distinctive features that help identify this species.

Spring Rages On

And with it is a couple of new flower pictures.

Hedgehog flowers, also known as Echinocereus, are a captivating group of cacti native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. These unique plants are characterized by their cylindrical stems and vibrant, tubular flowers that bloom in a stunning array of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white. The flowers typically emerge in spring and attract various pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, thanks to their bright hues and sweet nectar. Hedgehog flowers thrive in rocky, well-drained soils and are often found in desert landscapes, where they add a splash of color to the otherwise muted surroundings.

Flowers produced by the Palo Verde tree (Parkinsonia florida), are a striking feature of this iconic desert tree found primarily in the Sonoran Desert. The flowers are small, bright yellow, and grow in clusters, creating a stunning contrast against the tree’s green bark and foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, these flowers not only provide a beautiful display but also serve as an important food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The Palo Verde tree is well-adapted to its arid environment, with deep roots that access groundwater, making it a vital component of the desert ecosystem and a popular choice for landscaping in dry regions.

Paragraphs authored by DUCK AI.