While the official high temperature in Albuquerque was 101ºF (38.3ºC), the temperature in the east side of the building when I left the office was 107ºF (41.7ºC). I stopped by Costco on the way home and parked in the shade under their solar panels. When I got in the car to leave, the temperature still read 107ºF. The temperature did not change until I got home and it went down to 99ºF (37.2ºC).
Black bamboo sprouting in Julie’s Giant Dr. Huey has a Japanese look to it.
I went out a 4:30 am this morning to let in the irrigation water. The sunrise had a bit of color. A vulture circled over head eyeing me the whole time. I assure him, no matter what he thought I looked like from getting up a 4:30, I was alive and kicking. I got to work late because of the irrigating, and left work late getting work done. Alameda Blvd was at a standstill at the office, so I went south to Paseo Del Norte, which was slow but moved along. It took me 30 minutes to get home instead of 15 minutes. I would have probably been in traffic for an hour or longer on Alameda. The sunset was not very colorful, but I did take it from the four cardinal directions.
We had our 8th Annual Corrales Rose Society Dr. Huey tour in person this year. Susan came out in the late afternoon, and we walked around and looked at all the Dr. Hueys on the property, which are many this year. I also photographed other roses and Ladybugs.
Julie’s giant Dr. Huey in front of Rebecca’s black bamboo, and Marina’s Incognito pear tree blending in on the side.
Sleepy Owl was perched in a tree
Leaned forward wide eyes askance
Then the little fella
Puked up a pellet
“Oh! What a good owl am I!”
Gigi’s tree in the foreground with Resa’s and the neighbor’s trees in the background.
As with most parodies, Purple Stain started out to be humorous. However, the lyrics took a turn toward the more serious aspects of life. Purple Stain was inspired by Holly at House of Heart in the Fall of 2020 when we were commenting back and forth on images and poetry. I thought for a long time about how to do a video to go with the song. I finally worked it out.
Many of us don’t fit “Normal” as defined by Miriam Webster*:
Conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern: characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine.
According with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, procedure, or principle.
Approximating the statistical average or norm.
Generally free from physical or mental impairment or dysfunction: exhibiting or marked by healthy or sound functioning.
Not exhibiting defect or irregularity.
Within a range considered safe, healthy, or optimal.
For we who have fallen outside almost all of the above definitions of “normal” at one time or another throughout our lifetimes for various reasons that are often outside of our control, we have dealt with “normal” people who do not understand the issues surrounding the problems we have had, problems we have to deal with continually, and the problem of being different and trying to fit into a “normal” world.
Purple Stain By Timothy Price Inspired by Holly Rene Hunter
Cleverly we put off until tomorrow Wearily the things that make us go insane Fondly running into the waves and splashing Fondly raising our glasses, waking with a purple stain
Purple stain, Purple stain Are we insane? So insane Purple rain, Purple stain
So here we are scrubbing and washing out that purple stain.
Forever longing wanting to be like others Our sensitivities make us like the strangest friends Unfortunately we feel our sensibilities are plundered Again the same our glasses raised as we pretend
Purple stain, Purple stain Are we insane? So insane Purple stain, Purple stain
Funny how we see, we see how things are changing purple stain
You and I we need to live as two Look! Something new That time we had to greet her She stared at us like we’re insane I thought you were going to lose it As it was all about it was all about our purple stain
Purple stain, Purple stain Are we insane? So insane
Yeah!
Let’s get us out of here purple oh the pain Walking hand in hand
We only want, we only want our sanity
We only want our sanity
Storm clouds built up in the early afternoon, with a constant rumble of thunder as the clouds rolled in. I took the above photo at 1:30 pm and the temperature was 81ºF (27.2ºC). Thirty minutes later the clouds pelted us with hail and heavy rain that lasted for thirty minutes or so. The temperature fell to 55ºF (12.7ºC) in a matter of minutes. Needless to say, our poor peonies got beaten up by the hail.
Thirty-nine wild skies. One for each year Laurie and I have been married. Be sure to click on the gallery to view a slide show of the photos.
All of the clouds to the north at sunset tonight were contrails.
The owlets were lined up tonight in their order of age. Major Tom Peepers on the highest branch in front. Mona Lisa in the middle, and Sleepy mostly hidden farthest back.
Off Center & Not Even 