Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Arizona

First Day of Winter 2024-2025

Today marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere. It is also the shortest day for us with only nine hours and fifty-six minutes of daylight.

In Wickenburg, we’re enjoying a nice sunny day and expecting a high temperature today in the mid-70s Fahrenheit. It is also The Sabbath, God’s Day of Rest. We will be preparing our feast of “Gumbolaya,” which is a combination of Gumbo and Jambalaya, two very favorite Southern (Cajun) stews. If we add okra to the Jambalaya, it becomes Gumbolaya.

Tomorrow, for Sunday Dinner, we will be having Crockpot Roast Top Round of Beef. Check the Food Blog for photos of the eats.

Clickable Image above: Waning Gibbous Moon over the big Saguaro Cactus in front of the Garage.

21 Dec 2024 by Arizona Environment Food & Dining 0

2024 Cops Who Care
   Classic Car Run

Damsel and I attended the annual “Cops Who Care” Toyz for Totz Car Run and Show today. We were early, and the entire field had not yet shown up, but since we were both a little under the weather, we did not stick around too long. However, Between Damsel’s Camera and my Samsung phone, we managed a few good shots of some of the action.

First, who can remember 55¢ Big Boys and 30¢ shakes from Bob’s Chain in the 60s? Good times.

And how about this good lookin’ 1957 Ford Panel Truck?

And there were many other old classics, most notably this old red and yellow roadster …

… and a seldom seen REO roadster. Click on any image to enlarge.

Before leaving, we deposited a couple of unwrapped toys for the kids that benefit from the Car Run.

08 Dec 2024 by Arizona Charity Classics Nostalgia Photography Something Shiny 0

Beyond Infamy — 83 Years ago

December 7th is the date we post about when it comes around each year, because we choose not to forget “a date that will live in infamy” and because of the massive historical significance of the surprise attack on the US Fleet in Pearl Harbor. Not only that, but the effect that it has had on the lives of many of us that lived during that era and the memories we have of it. My memories are kind of limited, since I was actually born after 1941, so we can discuss those perhaps on the next December 7th — or the one after it.

The image above (found somewhere on the internet), is another aerial view of the final resting place of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. What I did not know until I did some research for today’s post, was that some of the assets of the Arizona went on to provide support in the ongoing war in the Pacific after the initial bombing.

From the National WWII Museum of New Orleans:

USS Arizona’s Last Salvo

Famously, the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) was only in combat for minutes before a Japanese armor-piercing bomb struck the ship’s forward magazine, causing an explosion that devastated the “super-dreadnought” and killed 1,177 officers and crewmen. The hulk of the vessel, battered and burned, became a symbol of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

While other warships at Pearl Harbor were recovered and refitted, the Navy quickly abandoned the idea of reviving the Arizona in its entirety. But crews worked on the wreck for months, removing equipment, cutting away mangled metal, searching for bodies, and reclaiming weaponry.

The report goes on to describe the salvage and reassignment of some of Arizona’s armament for use by the Territory of Hawai’i and other US Naval vessels.

On this day, we pause to reflect on the lives lost, the resolve of the American people and to thank the Lord above for the eventual outcome of the conflict. We further pray that in these times of reckless global policies of the US that the incoming administration may stay any further escalation of war or other forms of terror on the American people.

07 Dec 2024 by Arizona Military Nostalgia Notions Patriotism 0

Grilling Weekend

And here’s the stickers on the grill:

We’re running out of room on the cooler places of the backyard grill for decals identifying us as an Arizona Redneck – LOL. At any rate, it is a beautiful weekend with temperatures finally below 100°F. Very nice grilling weather. Today, we enjoyed a grilled pork loin filet drizzled with honey mustard sauce. Damsel prepared sides of broccoli salad and braised (in bacon drippings) Brussels sprouts (Rose Cabbage in some cultures). Delicious!

Tomorrow’s faire will include Beef Steaks – Hers a Filet Mignon and mine a Tri-tip. Damsel will prepare a green salad on the side. I may update this post with photos after tomorrow.

Click on either image to open the image viewer for larger size.

UPDATE: Steaks on the Grill.

12 Oct 2024 by Arizona Food & Dining Notions

Second Spring

The weather outlook in our little patch of Arizona looks to be cooling off somewhat; that is, high temps of less than 100°F. In our experience, this indicates not autumn, but our “second spring” for the next few weeks. As you can see in the image above, cactus flowers are now appearing on our “Devil’s Tongue” (ferocactus latispinus).

My camera caught some other interesting things as seen below . . .

This is a Black Hawk which soared above our place yesterday. They look similar to turkey buzzards, but they lack the bright red head the buzzards are known to have.

And, as fall advances, the fruit on our lemon tree are beginning to ripen. We will be making Limoncello around year’s end.

Some of the most commonly seen birds in the area are doves. This Mourning Dove perched in the mesquite tree where we place bird feeders year around.

Click on any image to enlarge.

14 Sep 2024 by Arizona Critters Environment Flowers

Classic ’58 Chevy Convertible

We may have posted a classic Chevy like this one years ago on the Minstrel site when we saw it in Torrance back then. Today, however, this classic rolled up into the parking lot while we were collecting mail from the PO Box. A very nice gent allowed as how he would be OK with Damsel taking these photos of his treasure.

Images: 1958 Classic Chevrolet Impala Convertible with Continental Kit in mint condition – credit Damsel – click on any image to view enlarged.

29 Aug 2024 by Arizona Classics Nostalgia Photography

Monsoon Days Are Upon Us

As of a few weeks ago, our Monsoon Season has brought us a few showers, but not in the usual summertime quantity nor have they been very intense. We’re not complaining about the lack of damaging rainfall at all, but as to not getting a good soak now and then. The image above (I later learned) is of a cell located over Yarnell, AZ, a town 30 miles north of here. They had a good prolonged rainfall just up there around eleven AM local, while we have had didley squat.

Later in the day, some intense, dark clouds drifted over us, but again, no significant precipitation. Damsel took the following photo of a Turkey Buzzard circling overhead beneath the clouds:

After the time of the previous photo, I took the dogs for a walk and distinctly smelled wet creosote, but observed no rain. I presume that the Good Lord will eventually bring gentle, soaking rain our way as He always does.


Image courtesy Foxtrot Mike Products

In other news, we have been monitoring some of the court proceedings regarding our rights to keep and bear arms. There are some good decisions and some bad decisions about various aspects of arms and accessories. We anticipate that one of these days the US Supreme Court will gather their collective cajones and grant certiorari for one or more of the “Assault Weapons” cases where various Communist states (California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, etc.) are unconstitutionally restricting the right to keep and bear those “commonly in use for lawful purposes” firearms. Maybe I will live long enough to see that become a reality.

03 Aug 2024 by Arizona Beltway Kabuki Environment Firearms

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