Backyard sun bathers

We took delivery on a half dozen tomatoes and a very red pepper from our neighbor's garden yesterday. Bud and Paula's beauties will rest briefly on our countertop before being incorporated into a nice salad and maybe even a BLT. What's left will be salted and eaten like popcorn.
Nothing like a juicy, thin-skinned homegrown tomato.

Bud was particularly busy yesterday. The brand new retiree still sparkles with the honey dew enthusiasm that drives him through an ambitious list of do-good activity. The rookie redid some association flower beds, erected a flagpole, sanded down his garage door and, after lunch, rescued a confused painted turtle foolishly seeking winter refuge in a drainage pipe.

We're not sure when this tornado will tire, but we're happy to watch the action while comfortably seated on our porch across the way, cold beer in hand, making wise remarks and placing bets. "Please pass the tomato slices, dear."

The painted turtle was trapped in the drain pipe at left,
 unable to get any traction on the PVC pipe.
Bud put a gloved hand inside and pulled it out,
then released it to the wilds of Abbey Point.
Bud's not squeamish. He's wearing gloves because he read
somewhere that turtles can carry salmonella. OK.