Back in February, 2016, we were traveling the desert southwest. Tucson was of course a required stop! One evening we took a drive to the Tucson Mountain District of the Saguaro National Park. It was a visual delight to watch the desert turn from the bright sunlight of the day into the subdued lighting of dusk followed by yet another night.
The shadows lengthen
One by one the cacti lose the sun’s warmth
The golden hues of the day’s last light
We’ve been watching a pair of robins constructing and setting on a nest in the crook of the old maple tree outside our back door. We had yet not seen any blue egg shells on the ground. Discarded shells often indicate that the clutch has hatched.
At least two hungry mouths visible demanding food
Today while taking a break on the swing after some weeding I saw one of the robins returning to the “empty” looking nest. Immediately little wide open beaks appeared wanting to be filled with some tasty morsels. No more wondering: we have a clutch of baby robins. We’ll try to get some more photos soon.
If you saw this black head coming over the plant, you might be worried…
Make you shiver??
This is a Great Black Wasp
They are “diggers”
These large wasps are diggers, meaning they dig tunnels where the females feed their young. These are good as a single female can sting and kill up to 16 grasshoppers each day. That is a great help keeping the population of the grasshoppers down. The good news is they only sting people if they are provoked.
Today I noticed a couple of strange looking dandelions in our backyard. Instead of individual stems for each brilliant yellow bloom several had grown together in one solid super stem. You could sort of feel the cluster of stems in these large “stems”.
One big stem, multiple blooms
Another large stemmed one…
There are plenty of “normal” dandelions nearby. Any botanists or agronomists or anybody who knows anything about these dandelions? I’ve never seen anything like this. Appreciate any comments or answers.
June 20, 2020
June 25, 2021
May 26, 2022
April 26, 2023
This Black Cherry was one we got free from the Conservation Service and Indiana DNR. The first picture was taken on June 20, 2020 shortly after we planted it in our backyard. The sapling was then in a cage for protection, and the top visible rung on the cage is less than 2 feet high. The second picture was taken on June 25, 2021. By then the tree was a little over 6 feet tall. The tree reached a little over 10 feet in height by the end of May, 2022. Today, April 26, 2023, has the tree measuring a full 14 feet tall. According to what we have read, after about 7 to 8 years of growth we should have Black Cherries to pick.
A look back at our visit to the Seattle area in early fall 2021. You know we love birdwatching…
Like us, this gull enjoyed just watching the water
One thing you can always count on at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is seeing birds. We mean seeing lots and lots of birds. When we visited we saw crows, pigeons and of course different species of gulls. We saw them everywhere.
Staking claim to a picnic table
Stretching its wings
It was interesting to note that these birds were so used to people, dogs, and moving vehicles. When we drove through the parking lot birds were in the unoccupied parking spots, but kept the drive lanes clear.
What???
The picture above shows the public boat ramp and twin docks. So what is the deal with the birds here? What is wrong with the right dock, or what is so appealing to be on the left dock? The gulls were still boycotting that right side dock when we left.
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis is a wonderful venue that not only provides top notch live musicals but also a delightful buffet dinner to start your evening’s entertainment. Doors open at 5:30 and the buffet is available soon after you are seated.
Four lines, hardly any waiting at the buffet!
As part of the available libations from B&B’s full bar are themed cocktails fitting of the production on stage. Custom designed for each show, we always order one to start our evening at the theater.
Appropriate for this show!
“Foot Loose” had both alcoholic and non-alcoholic designer drinks!
For “An American in Paris” we both enjoyed drinks with a Parisian flair
An evening at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is a marvelous way to spend an evening of good food, drink, and professional theater. Check the B&B website for details.
The Thomas Family Winery in downtown Madison, Indiana is housed in, appropriately, a vintage 1850’s old stable and carriage house. The interior is most welcoming, with tables set amidst a rustic motif, and there are outside tables as well for your pleasure.
This winery takes a bit of a different philosophy concerning their wine creations than other establishments. From the Thomas Family Winery website: “We feel that wine is food, and fills its greatest role as a mealtime beverage. We craft our wines in the European tradition of finesse, balance, and structure which particularly enhances the variety of flavors in meals.” Steve Thomas told us that they do not have any sweet wines, rather wines for pairing with meals. He expanded on their European style of wine making.
Maj tasting Gale Hard Cider
Owner Steve Thomas with our purchase
Owner Steve was most gracious and took plenty…
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Do you like dance live on stage? Do you appreciate the brilliance of George and Ira Gershwin’s music compositions? Head out to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre for the currently running production of An American in Paris. Set in Paris immediately after the end of World War II it follows the story of an American GI who decides to stay in Paris and have a go at a career as an artist. Yes, he finds a girl.
An American In Paris Lise and Jerry
One of the first things we noticed when we arrived at the theater was the larger than usual stage area that had been prepared for this show. Every square foot of the stage was utilized by Ron Morgan’s dynamic choreography and direction. This show was filled with dance. The depth of talent in this cast is exceptional and showcased by awesome choreography. The precision displayed during mass numbers is amazing, as are the scenes featuring couples. Cast members even utilized dance moves while placing props during set changes!
Jerry Mulligan (Jon Rose), center, sings “Beginner’s Luck” out of joy to have fallen in love with Lise
Milo Davenport (Sarah Hund), right, asks Jerry (Jon Rose) if she’s enough for him
The 1951 movie, An American in Paris, won Best Picture that year, and debuted classic music pieces from George and Ira Gershwin. The Gershwin songs in the B&B’s production also include “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not for Me,” “Stairway to Paradise” and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “2nd Prelude,” “2nd Rhapsody,” “The Cuban Overture” and “An American In Paris.”
Henri Baurel (Ian Black), center, imagines himself to be an authentic “song-and-dance man” while singing “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise”
Our GI, Jerry (Jon Rose), is smitten when he meets Lise (Sophie Aknin), a beautiful Parisian girl. Lise is engaged to Henri (Ian Black), and is also desired by Adam (Austin Glen Jacobs) another American. The convoluted love stories are artfully told by means of the music and dance. The backdrop to the storyline includes references to the hard truth that Paris had just endured several years of Nazi occupation.
Adam Hochberg (Austin Glen Jacobs) center, declares that he, Jerry Mulligan (Jon Rose), left, and Henri Baurel (Ian Black), right became the “Three Musketeers”
Lise (Sophie Aknin) completes the lift at the conclusion of the “Paris Ballet”
The Gershwin music is just wonderful. The dancing is superb. You’ll say “Wow” after each scene! You’ll marvel at the quality of the ballet and other styles of dance. We really enjoyed the depth of talent that shows in the entire cast. It may sound like a cliché, but this is one show you don’t want to miss!
Lise (Sophie Aknin) auditions at the Ballet du Chatelet as Jerry (Jon Rose) watches
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of An American in Paris is now on stage through May 14 . Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ buffet and select beverages. Visit Beef & Boards website for pricing and availability, or call the box office at 317.872.9664.
This romantic musical finally is back on stage at Indianapolis’ beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Scheduled for 2020 and shut down by the pandemic, Gershwin’s music filled An American in Paris will open for 47 performances starting March 30th and run through May 14th.
Based on the 1951 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, An American in Paris brings breathtaking dance and music to the stage. Jerry Mulligan, a young American soldier, is doing his best to make it as a painter in the bustling city of Paris following the end of WWII. But when Jerry meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret, his life becomes complicated.
The cast of the Arizona Broadway Theatre production of An American in Paris
The City of Light’s streets become a dancefloor for the music of George and Ira Gershwin, including great tunes like “I Got Rhythm,” “But Not for Me,” “Shall We Dance,” and “’S Wonderful.” Of the impressive 11 Tony Award nominations it received,
An American in Paris won four, including Best Orchestrations.
We’re looking forward to enjoying these Gerswhin masterpieces and the accompanying story and dancing choreography on opening weekend. We’ll add our take then. Brisk ticket sales are already limiting seating availability for some performance dates. We suggest that you go to the Beef & Boards website and reserve your time for this classic movie-based show.
Roadtirement 