Seattle Opera is presenting Tosca this month. I don't much care for Tosca but I'll give them credit—they did a good job with the "shabby little shocker."

I like the Lego version better. It's shorter. The rest of the Lego Tosca is available here.

photo by Ballard Avenue

I can't help it. Too many westerns in my impressionable youth. Whenever I'm hiking in the Arizona hills, I see these sorts of rock formations, and think Geronimo and his band of Apaches are going to pop up and take issue with my presence on their land.

photo by Ballard Avenue

You'd think it was the state flower. Everywhere you go in Arizona, even here 5000' up the side of Mt Lemmon, you find those damnable plastic garbage bags.

Have faith friends. Someday there'll be Ballard content again, but until such time, enjoy this performance by the Nicholas Brothers in the movie "Stormy Weather." Fred Astaire called this "the finest dance performance ever filmed." Your jaw will hit your desk.

I suppose you could call this "Howard Wakes Up."

While the weather in Ballard has been lovely this week, we're told it's lovelier in Arizona and warrants an in-person visit for confirmation. We leave you with Howard the Sleeping Cat, and hope your dreams are as peaceful as his. See you soon...

photo by Ballard Avenue

No one wants to play with the blue boat.