Accidental skull?

Oh, the strange things one sees when out walking around Prescott. What could it be? Any of you who recall seeing shapes in the clouds as a child ought to be able to come up with possibilities.

Misc. Links: In case you haven't seen the mysterious spiral of lights in the Norwegian sky, Space Weather has a still image; the Berman post includes videos that show how the lights developed, giving a very different picture of what happened; the final two of the three videos are best. In a less serious moment, you might take a look at a huge domino run over at YouTube.

Come on, baby, light my fire

Brr! The AccuWeather blogger is predicting back-to-back winter storms next week, storms of an El Nino persuasion. We might even get a wee bit of moisture in Arizona. Further, he suggests that at last, we might be in for the usual long series of storms we expect in El Nino years.

Today the cold really arrived. When my companions and I arrived at the Lynx Lake restaurant for breakfast this morning, we were greeted by this wonderful, warm fire.

The fireplace is made from local schist; unfortunately, in getting this picture, the flash overpowered the flames!

Another major feature of the restaurant. Too bad this massive hearth has been turned into furniture; can't you imagine a fire or even a gas log in that empty space? I have wondered if this piece was imported from Europe by the German couple who own the restaurant and store. The pictures below show details; enjoy.

But wait! There's one more fireplace out at the Lynx Lake emporium -- the biggest honking chimenea I've ever seen. It's a new addition to the outdoor eating facilities.

Pretty Pictures, a Crazy Cat & Other Links: Neat picture of peeling manzanita branches from Karoliina; Del, up in Flag got his camera extra close to a great horned owl. Next, mosey on over to Catalyst, who is showing the weird way a French cat has figured out to drink its fill of water; thanks, Cat-A for posting the clip so I could link to it. The last link is for the bicycle enthusiast; Avus is the proud owner of a 60s Rudge-Superbe, a gentleman's bicycle. He recounts its story, accompanied by detailed images.

Things I never noticed...

...at the local WalMart. Maybe that's because they weren't there previously. Maybe because I wasn't looking or, if looking, not pointed in the right direction. Whatever. So -- in the unlikely event that we ever get another rain here in droughty Prescott, a plastic bag specifically designed to cover our wet umbrellas. This I see as much an amenity for the store (no ruined merchandise) as for the customer.

And a totally local touch. Pretty high up, in the midstore entranceway. My question for all of you Prescottonians out there: how many of you have ever seen a badger in the wild? In the Prescott area? I've become convinced that it is a mythical critter, like the roc, though teams from around the country are often called The [xyz] Badgers and never The [xyz] Rocs. I wonder why?


Skulls & Other Links: Tucson has a mighty excellent Dia Los Muertes parade; Warren has covered it in three grand posts. Speaking of skeletons & skulls, are you familiar with the great skull out the Date Creek Road? I've known the skull for a long time, but the Goa entranceway lions were another matter; Anil introduced them in his most recent post from India.

Autumn harvest icons

We're still in autumn mode here in Prescott, though there are only a few more days that I would be entitled to post these pictures. As the years have gone by, I've noted increasing emphasis on farm produce that is symbolic and/or decorative rather than edible. Or, at least the current use is symbolic. I'm pretty sure that, in a pinch, a good cook could make a decent pie from those baby pumpkins and that the decorative Indian corn could be ground into a meal suitable for muffins, fry bread or porridge.

On the other hand, I don't know about all those cute gourds. I think they serve better as a centerpiece than hollowed and dried to use dipping water from a spring. Too dang small. Still, a music group might like them fashioned into colorful rattles for the rhythm section. All very authentic, you know.

(Above) among the more unusual gourds spotted at a Prescott Farmer's Market this fall...and among the more usual (below).

Also making an appearance in the market this week -- brightly polished pomegranates. This fruit from ancient times is enjoying a mini boom, thanks to the food faddists having recently discovered some new magical nutritional value. My own memory of pomegranates from childhood is that because of the seeds, they are frustrating to eat (though tasty) and that my mother hated the stains on my clothes.

Linkage: Those of you with a divine itch that requires a luxurious scratching will empathize with (and envy) the little owl in this YouTube video. And here's another video for those of you who love old cars. And don't overlook the Moscow Cat Circus.

Beaded bangles

I seldom visit the western kitsch shoppes on Whiskey Row. However, sson had a request from his dotter for a prime Row item and off we went.

I could not resist the bright colors and bold designs of cheap 3rd world beaded bracelets.

My favorites were in the basket above.

Necklaces aplenty, as well. Very different from the delicate work done by friends who are deeply into beading. Both varieties, however, are quite photogenic.

Catching up on links: Several interesting new Prescott blogs, starting with Prescott Streets, a photo chronicle of graffiti and similar street art. Scott sends local snapshots from his Blackberry to Prescottscott's Posterous, while someone associated with the master gardener program posts periodically at Yavapai Gardener. It would appear that an entire class over at Yavapai College has been challenged to enter the blog world; you'll find an opening door at Joan's EDU255. Check her blog, then the other class members on her blogroll. Freeskool offers a list of free classes for October. Finally, take a trip out of town to Santa Fe and a series of beautiful chapel pictures taken by Quilted Dog.

Mogs R Us

Seeing as how the Sson will be visiting next week. And. Seeing as how he plans to retrieve his Pinzgauer from T Lo, who has had the vehicle in the shop several months for a general tweaking and check-up, it seemed time to pull out those photos shot last summer when I visited mogsRus with the Sson and his wife.

Located over on Iron Springs Road near Watter's, T Lo specializes in Mercedes Unimogs and Steyr Pinzgauers and Halfingers. Definitely vehicles for the rugged outback. Owner Thilo Kass is a German mechanical engineer with over 26 years experience. And the trucks he deals in are very, very German. Four square and engineered to the nth degree.

The Unimog, with its big box at the back, reminds me of WW2 movies showing the invasion of, say, a French town with mean looking trucks with loudspeakers atop making pronouncements. In reality, the Mog was originally designed as an agricultural workhorse shortly after the war ended.

T Lo's web site explains that the Unimog is not a "slow truck" but a "fast tractor". Period. Keep that always in mind when considering a Unimog. It is extremely capable of doing things no other vehicle, including the Pinzgauer, can do. It can go over severe rocks and pull incredible loads. It is relatively small and heavy. It's pulling capacity is amazing (how about a 365 ton Boeing 747). But it's not meant for I-17 or any other high speed roadway. And you can guess about gas consumption.

This Mog (above) served as an ambulance at one time. The machine below is an open truck...

...and this modern Unimog comes complete with a working blade. Great for clearing snow in one of our bad winters.

There were also motor bikes on display, though I didn't learn much about them. This visit was definitely all about 4x4s.

Moving inside, here is T Lo's own Pinzgauer, very workmanlike...

...compared to these handsomely (and expensively) outfitted excursion models (above, below). Both were for sale when we visited last June. Wonder if a buyer has shown up for either.

Machine tools -- just a small sample of equiment in the big shop. (I could have spent several hours just photographing tools, tooling and machinery. Great subjects!)

Sson and DIL inspect the undercarriage of the yellow Pinz.

T Lo and my kids spent some long while talking vehicles while I wandered the shop, looking for pictures. A great way to spend an afternoon -- thoroughly different from the more usual Prescott event (though the car and 4x4 culture is indeed alive and well up here in the mountains.) BTW, among other things, this Wikipedia article explains why almost all Pinzgauers in the USA are 25 years old or older. All 400 to 600 of them.

Linkage: Remember Cmdr. Data on Star Trek--the Next Generation, played by Brent Spiner? Well, I was advised by my daughter that he's using Twitter to write a science fiction story, 140 or less characters at a time; of course, you have to scroll down to start the story and read each post in ascending order. After you've read what he's written thus far, wander in a different direction to see the birth and babyhood of a pair of hummingbirds. Last, great photos from the mesas and canyons of southern Utah by Rich; be sure to take a look.

Marilyn

I should have taken a picture of this picture when I related the saga of the Apple Pan too. The lady in the teal blue shirt is Marilyn, who for many years presided over the popular restaurant. I dropped by on Friday to score a couple of oatmeal cookies before heading on to an appointment. Sue Ann, the present prop. of the cafe, was good enough to get the photo down and hold it while I took its picture. She said she had not heard word of Marilyn recently. Anyone out there have word?

Linkage: First, interesting posts from recently initiated local blogs: Sam in Az explored the old smelter area down in Humboldt, while Doin' Time blogs about forensics and local law enforcement. A third newcomer, A Bumpy Ride In My Own Mind, does a steady business in book reviews, as well as wondering what the big bacon meme is all about. Other posts that caught my attention: the Mad Bioneer on geeky gardening and my dotter, who met some sandhill cranes up in Alaska.

Veggies with attitude

It's been some weeks since my friend and I happened across a sign at Gurley and McCormick that shouted "free vegetables!" Once we made the turn onto McComick, there was the follow up, at the Catalyst Infoshop. Figures.

I would expect that at the end of August there would be a larger selection of veggies than we saw that morning. We felt just a tad put off that the sign shouted "free", but laid a guilt trip with that donation cup at the point of purchase. Figures.

End of August Links: Warren is showing some mighty pretty cactus blossoms at Touch Wind. Jim Morgan continues to post Arizona wildflower pictures with ID on Picasa. And, from the sublime to the ridiculous, Toilets of the World, in pictures -- a travelogue of sorts.

Hey -- I just found a real goodie -- a Wikipedia entry all about hurricanes whose leftover bits and pieces have dumped rain on Arizona. There's a similar list for California. Some surprises in both. Not mentioned is that Octave (1983) washed out the Kirkland-Skull Valley Road and really dumped on the west side of Granite Mountain (something like 14 inches, if I remember correctly.) It also cost Prescott the end of the Santa Fe link into town.

Beautiful critter

Once again, my open window policy has paid off. This curiously patterned moth has been hanging about in my kitchen, where the portable air conditioner requires an open, unscreened window. I'm sure the critter showed up to enjoy the bright lights of Chez GrannyJ.

I had not realized how showy this insect was until it opened its wings. Wow! Time for pictures. After flying about, said moth landed on my left hand, while I somehow managed to get the camera operational with my right. Oops, wings closed. One picture, then two and three. I had to poke at the critter to get it to display its spectacular set of R.E.D. rear wings for this view.

As well as the red and black abdomen. Q: do all moths have those lovely silky hairs where wings meet abdomen? Below, a close up view of the pattern on the wing. Note how the grey color is achieved by alternating lines of black and white scales. Very much like old fashioned newspaper half-tones.

For the record, this particular moth is called the painted tiger moth or, officially, arachnis picta. Why arachnis, which sounds pretty spidery to me, I don't know. Googling, I found physical specs for the critter and plenty of pictures, but nothing about how it makes a living. However, one insect collector in American Fork Canyon, Utah, had posted a splendid series of 12 life-cycle pictures. Starting with a female who laid 400 eggs in the first week of September, subsequent pix followed the caterpillar and pupa stages on to emergence of a new generation of arachnis. Great stuff!

Links for the End of August: The site where I found those pix was most interesting: Insect Net, a network for insect collectors (which means primarily butterflies and beetles, of course.) Forums, photo galleries & videos, news, shopping -- all in one place. While in the realm of nature, a picture from NASA of a curious cloud formation down under in Queensland -- they are called morning glory clouds, though they look more like rolled up crepes. Closer to home, I found a set of Flickr photos of our Citizens Cemetery.