Incompatibility

 

 

Two incompatible functions taking place at the kitchen sink and counter.  Cooking and cleaning.  I guess it’s okay if food gets in the way of the cleaning, but I cringe at the thought of a splash of dish soap compromising our food prep!

 

 

Quinta Mazatlan

 

 

A huge adobe mansion from the 1930s.

 

The City of McAllen saved the mansion and grounds in the 2000s and now it’s a history and education center.

 

 

 

History and nature together.

 

 

 

 

 

Becky and Brian

 

 

Standing on a lake.

 

Sal del Rey.  The King’s salt. 

 

Hypersaline lake.  Source of salt for centuries.  Probably for all of human habitation in this area and for local animals from long before.

 

They’re here at Sandpipers visiting us this week, before they go back to the island.

 

And the bad hair day

 

 

Of a yellow-crowned night-heron.

 

 

Picture the stealth hunting

 

 

Of the great blue heron.

 

Standing stock still for an hour, if need be, waiting for the perfect ambush.

 

Then watch the tri-colored heron.  No stealth-hunter, this bird.

 

No standing around waiting for food to swim by.

 

This bird is going after it!

 

 

 

 

Hal is a clever guy

 

 

Judy and I were hanging out with Victor, our friend in Mexico.  Instead of taking a selfie recently, we each took a picture on my phone, and Hal assembled all of us together for a group photo.

 

 

I like that.  It helped Andy and me, from two thousand miles apart, get ready for football together today.

 

Two weeks from now, it was supposed to be the battle of the lucky ponchos.  Poncho a poncho.

 

Okay then.  Go Hawks!

 

It finally got here

 

 

At noon, it was 80 degrees.  At noon-thirty, it was 60.  Even in South Texas, a forecast low of 28 by tomorrow night.

 

The outside house plants are having a hall party for the next few days.