Babbitt's ~ Flagstaff, AZ

I ran across a couple of these ghost signs, or brickart, while on my recent trip to Arizona where I visited  Flagstaff, my old hometown.  This one seemed to be advertising both Babbitt's Department Store and Babbitt's Drug Store.  The Babbitt brothers were prominent in business in Northern Arizona in the 1800s, involved in trading posts on the reservations, ranching, and the mercantile business.   They were one of the pioneer families in this area and Bruce Babbitt, a native of Flagstaff, served a Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton administration.  Babbitts have been known for their public service through several generations, most recently including Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton administration. 

Big Mouth Bass Mailbox

I wouldn't choose it for my own mailbox but you gotta admit, this one is rather unique!

Old Barn

At one time this appears to have been a very large, substantial barn, something a bit uncommon in this part of the state.  But today it looks like a visit from the Big Bad Wolf might bring it down with just a few huffs and puffs.

No Dumpster Diving Allowed

Evicted from where?  The dumpster? 

Actually this sign was posted at a self-storage facility so I'm sure that's what it means.  

However, I thought it was pretty funny just by the language of a dumpster and eviction.

Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad is depicted by a painting on the side of a building in Rusk, Texas.  Established in 1881, it is now part of the American Heritage Railways and offers pleasure trips through the Piney Woods of East Texas.  One of the trips even features a visit by the Lone Ranger who protects passengers from a gang of robbers. 

B is for Black-Eyed Susans ~ ABC Wednesday

Black-eyed Susans are often seen growing wild along country roads in the South during the summer.

Come join me and others at

ABC WEDNESDAY

Naptime II

I guess I'm on a kitten kick.  This little bundle of purr-fur was spotted at our vet's office, quietly getting in some shuteye up on the reception counter.  But wait!  Before you let out too many oohs and awws, I have something to tell you.  It's a fake!  It's not a real kitten!  It's so real looking evidently many people came up and petted it before they realized it was a stuffed toy!

Naptime

Mr. Green Eyes

Farm Cat

Signs ~ Do Not Block Driveway

... because someone may come by who wants to buy some of this sheet metal!

Photographed in Hemphill, Texas

Best Friends

I think this pair does everything together, goes every place together, and has long talks at the fence line, things like "Do you think we should be suspicious of that weirdo lady who has that thing she holds up to her face and punches and then there is a bright flash of light that hurts our eyes?"  "Nah, she's got white hair, is a little chubby, and she doesn't look like she could ever climb up on a horse, so I think she's probably harmless."

A is for Agapanthus ~ ABC Wednesday

Agapanthus

aka Lily of the Nile

photographed at Dragonfly Nursery

Nacogdoches, Texas

After two years of photoblogging, I have decided to participate 

in one of the weekly alphabet blogs.

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ABC Wednesday

Swallowtail on Azalea

 

I took this photo this spring at the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.

20/100 Dogs ~ Lavender ~ Chihuahua Mix

What originally attracted me to Lavender was a little triangular-shaped tuft of hair right behind the the center of the crown of her head. I thought she was an unusual breed, so I asked the representative of the shelter at the PetsMart I was visiting about her.  She replied that Lavender was a Chihuahua mix but quickly pointed out some very critical injuries that Lavender was recovering from, a split skull and several areas of skin which had been ripped from her little body by a vicious attack from another dog.  The tuft of hair was the result of suturing her scalp back together in the area of the skull fracture.  Her prominent underbite made her look more than a little bit mean but there was just something about her that drew her to me.  The foster mom said she didn't have a mean bone in her body and that she was a lover of lovers.  I wanted to bring her back to Texas with me but now was not the time.  She didn't find a forever home the day I met her but I'll bet she's found the perfect human by now!  The next time you want to add a pet to your family, please remember all the wonderful animals that are available in shelters and through rescue organizations.