Photo of the Day, Etc.: Is that a pistil you're packing? Or are you just happy to see me?

Laurie TOLD ME NOT TO DO IT, but I just couldn't resist putting a happy little daffodil with an impressive pistil as the photo of the day! I'm not a big fan of daffodils, but this one was hanging out there begging to be photographed — besides it was about the only flower I got in focus in the high wind today.

I was going to irrigate, but when I was out on the ditch checking out the water level, the ditch rider came by and locked up the gate. He said with all the wind so much stuff was being blown into the ditches that he was locking up all the gates so the debris could flow through. He said when enough debris piles up against a closed gate it can cause the ditch to overflow. I would be surprised if that happened, but I did remove two large branches caught in the gate before he locked up the gate.

Beaker, our 18 year old gold cap conure, let me take some close ups of him. He's usually pretty camera shy, but I had given him some goodies and he decided the camera didn't bother him when there were delectable morsels to be had.

Stretch did his imitation of "Jail House Rock" for me when I got home. He meowed out his own tune while sitting behind the blinds. I told him that the bars in jails are vertical, but he thought I was being a bit of a charlatan for not getting the cat impression and statement by using blinds as a symbol of bondage. Besides, if I would care to notice, the picket fence outside is vertical and acts to keep him out of the neighbors yard and is as oppressive as bars in a jail and blinds and screens on windows! Uppity artists are no match for cats.

Weather changes have been making my bones hurt, dust and pollen have left my sinuses a wreck, and the time change has totally messed up my sleep. Other than that, I'm been feeling pretty well.