It was a crazy, wonderful, beautiful day in the Greater Phoenix area. Clean, clear, and cool. I grabbed my rake and headed first for the front yard, where I cleaned up piles of pine needles I’d left last evening. It got dark too early and I had to quit raking.

Once I completed my work, I jumped in my red Kia Soul and headed for a favorite shopping area on McDowell Road in Avondale. On the way, I passed fields of lush green sorghum, and stopped to take a few shots. I stopped further south and took some shots of a huge cotton field, but those pix didn’t turn out that well.

On to shopping, then back north. I drove through the Glendale Industrial Park to check out the duck and goose population in one of the ponds. Got a few good shots, but my favorites, the white-crested ducks, were missing, as were all geese.

The city had emptied the pond recently and perhaps they bring back the various species at different times. Or not. I’m going over tomorrow morning when the sun is lower in the sky, and hope to get a few really good shots.

Back to work, then time for lunch. Front door wide open. Cats parked contentedly at the front door watching birds, people, vehicles, and who knows what else.

All through the day, I kept thinking of my son, Ron Simpson, who celebrated his birthday today. He is something special. Happy Birthday again, Ron!

I didn’t have to close the house up until late this afternoon. Eighty-four inside was a bit much.