In The Land of Cooler Climes

 July 10, 2026

   Here we are in the land of cooler climes. And when it's 112 degrees in your hometown, anything that is within driving distance is a vacation.

    And where do you go for cooler climes in Cactusland? We prefer Flagstaff, Arizona at 7,000 feet above sea level. And how do you know you are actually in Flagstaff?

Hippie Brad at Your Typical Flag Hippie Cafe

   We came up to Flag with our son, Thomas, who is visiting with his family from Thailand.

T. Bell at Cholla Bay, 1985

  Tomas attended NAU some twenty years ago. This was about six decades after this photo was taken.

Harry Truman wearing an Open Road, early 50s

   T. Bell and his old man south of Tucson. . .

T. and BBB at Amado, Arizona

Meanwhile, since we are lounging in 75 degree comfort (I have a parka on) I have been revisiting some earlier paintings stored deep in my laptop.

Daily Whip Out: "Billy's Querida"

"The only thing new in this world is the history you don't know."

—Harry Truman