The neighbors house is on a two-acre spread, most of which is natural desert flora and fauna. Among those is this nice Beavertail Cactus (opuntia basilaris) which just started displaying its beautiful bright pink flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
I took this photo of Verna taking the above photo. When she sees our Beavertails flowers opening, I’m sure she will post some nice close up cactus flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Sometimes after we go for a walk, the Daddy will pick me up and carry me to the house. If I don’t want to be picked up, I will squirm until the Daddy puts me down again. Today I wanted to be picked up. Click on the image to make us big.
Our little watchdogs were on high alert this afternoon when they spotted the neighbor’s dog milling around in the field across the road. The other dog eventually went away and our little troop resumed napping on the sofa and loveseat. Click on the image to enlarge.
Except for a few days when the weather involved a chance of rain and it was overcast, we have had a delightful January and February (thus far). The forecast calls for more warm days (in the 70’s) for the next week. Tuesday, prior to heading to the doctor down in Litchfield Park, Bob put on his shorts and T-shirt to cope with the few degrees warmer it gets down in the valley.
I took this photo of Bob and Cabela on the road that day. We were taking the dogs for their last run before leaving them “home alone” for the few hours it would take to get down to the valley, have the appointment with the doctor and the drive back home. Fortunately, one of the doctor’s staff told us about the opening of the new SR 303 Loop all the way to the road near the medical plaza. We made good time having avoided the traffic and all the signals on Grand Avenue and Litchfield Road. Click on the image to enlarge.
The best part of the trip to the doctor was having him give Bob a clean bill of health and, after from one more minor procedure on Friday, will relieve us of the constraints that have limited our ability to doing some recreational travel. YAY!
This is one of several beavertail cacti that we transplanted from the hill behind our house to various places around the landscape. This one, the largest of the cacti, has sprouted new flower buds and cactus paddle buds. We should be getting some flowers on this one pretty soon, maybe in less than a month from now.
The desert weather has been just gorgeous here for the past several days and is forecast to stay nice until the next rain or cool air comes through. For the time being, we’ll take the 80 degree days and mild nights. Click on the image to enlarge.
I had to sit out the parade today since I’m still a little wimpy from the surgery last Monday. However, Verna hiked down to the parade route and took a lot (>300) of photos of the festivities. As usual, The topless Cadillac with a very large steer on board was featured near the start of the parade. Click on the image to enlarge.
I reviewed many of the pictures from today and wish I could have gone. I made a slideshow of last year’s parade in which many of the parade units that marched then and today can be seen.
