I was out digging up elm trees, pruning roses, and fixing one of the drip systems in the wee hours of the morning. While walking between my different tasks, I noticed a few Buckeye Butterflies feeding on the little morning glories growing in the mulch. I grabbed my camera, and followed one around as it flew from one morning glory to another.
It didn’t open its wings other than to fly or do quick flutters to catch its balance against a sudden breeze. I had to catch it in flight or while it was catching it’s balance to get photos of it with its wings open, so there is movement in some of the shots.
With it 100º F (37.8º C) at our house, we hopped in the Mazda Miata MX-5, put the top down and headed for the hills — well Sandia Crest at 11,000 feet (3352.8 meters) above sea level. The drive to the top was a blast as the MX-5 hugged the corners well above the posted speed limit. We could see the clouds swirling above us, and hear the birds singing with the top down, as rounded one hairpin turn after another on our way to the top. Once at the top of the Crest, the temperature was 55º F (12.8º C) with drizzling rain and cold wind. Quite a contrast from the sunny, hot valley below. We walked around on the mountain top and noticed there were lots of wild flowers blooming.
Here’s various scenes for the sidewalks in Downtown Albuquerque. I’m finding the Tiled Mosaic for presenting a group of photos is convenient. You can click on a photo and view all the photos as a slide show.
Here’s a matrix of various new blooms I took while irrigating tonight. WordPress is acting up on me. I made comments on several blog posts last night and most of the comments didn’t post. It’s quite discouraging.
Sometimes when a good deal comes along, you just can’t pass it up. And when the deal happens to be your dream car, you really don’t pass it up. I’ve been looking at the Mazda Miata MX-5 RF (retractible fast-back), but I figured it would be awhile before I bought one. I saw a gray MX-5 RF for sale in a lot on my way home Thursday, stopped, photographed the vin, and sent it to Tristan to get the history of the car for me. Tristan works at Garcia Honda in Albuquerque, and, as it turned out, they got an MX-5 trade-in that was a much better deal. I went up and drove it, and that was it, Tristan sold me the car Friday afternoon, and I picked up the car and drove it home this afternoon after the inspections were completed. Now I’m the proud owner of a 2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 RF with 7,700 miles on it. It’s like brand new.
After I got it home and got it insured, Laurie and I went out for a drive about 4:00 PM. We stopped at her parent’s house to show them the car, did a few photos (below), and then drove around with the Bose stereo blasting out tunes from my phone (bluetooth connection). After we got home about 6:00 PM, I decided I needed to write a song about the car. I scribbled down the lyrics, went into my darkroom/music studio, came up with the music, and recorded the song “Me and My MX-5” (above).
Me and My MX-5
Lyrics and Music by Timothy Price
TimothyPrice: vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass and electronic percussion
Me and my MX 5
Oh how we like to drive
Don a hat, hide the top
Drive and drive, we never stop
1st gear roars off the line
2, 3, 4, 5 takes no time
6th gear gets me in the jive
cruising along at 95
Driving my MX-5
Makes me feel like I’m alive
In Soul Red, black racing stripe
The really cool, sporty type
Off Center & Not Even 