Sunday, March 30, 2014

A (MOSTLY) SLEEPLESS NIGHT

For some unknown reason, in my retirement years I've taken to retiring for the night earlier than I have for many decades and rising at the crack of dawn, or earlier.

Last night, I turned out the light before ten o'clock after reading a bit in my current book and promptly went to sleep.  Until about 3 a.m. 

I wakened then, as I frequently do, and made the middle of the night visit to the bathroom.  Then back to bed.  Where I rolled and tossed, as the expression goes, for half an hour becoming more and more awake.  
Finally I gave up.  I rose, went to my den and turned on the computer.  I checked the Powerball numbers, learned once again that I was not a zillionaire, read a couple of emails, scheduled a couple of payments for next month, scanned the Sunday New York Times digital edition, worked two crossword puzzles from the L.A. Times, checked the current news to see if any legitimate sign of that missing airplane had been found yet (it hadn't), and finally turned the computer off at about 5:30 and went back to bed.  Now, I'd finish my night's sleep, I reasoned.

I reasoned wrong.  About 45 minutes of sleeplessness later my right foot, which suffers from neuroma or nerve pain, was driving me nuts.  It suddenly occurred to me that I might have forgotten to take my "night pills" before turning out the light.  I checked.  I had overlooked them. Included in my night pills is an over-the-counter sleep aid and not taking it last night apparently caused my wakefulness.  So I rose, took my "morning pills", which includes something for the foot pain, sighed mightily and got dressed.  Outside to pick up the print edition of the Sunday New York Times.  Warmed a cup of coffee and here I am about 2-1/2 hours later.

 I just related my experience to SWMBO and she noted correctly "It sounds like a nap day."  It does indeed and I hopefully will enjoy one. Or two.

But I was just thinking as I wrote this:  "Damn!  This growing old business is not a lot of fun!"

Friday, March 28, 2014

FRIDAY FUNNIES

We begin this week with thanks to Bill Maher, who suggested as the perfect Republican presidential candidate in 2016 . . . this man.



While trying to get that picture out of your mind, you may find yourself staring at the sky like the creatures here . . .


I wonder if thse two aren't the offspring of that couple in my banner photo.



Here's how I sometimes feel after I've visited the barber.


And mustn't forget the kitties.


And finally, this next guy could be my avatar.



Have a great weekend, folks, and don't forget to laugh a little.

Or a lot!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

THROWBACK THURSDAY


Apparently my affection for cats started at an early age.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

THE RAIN THAT NEVER QUITE GOT HERE

Yesterday . . . it looked like rain . . .









But, as so often happens in Arizona, the rain never quite touched the ground.  Today it's sunny and windy.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

HI-YO SILVER (CLOUDS)

Purple mountains, aqua-blue sky, billowing clouds . . . it's the Wild West, pardner.


Monday, March 24, 2014

THE TALE OF THE CAT

Last night about 10:30 or later I heard some loud thumping noises coming from just outside the house.  (It was probably a neighbor dumping some garbage into his bin.)  But being the brave warrior of my hearth, I opened a sliding door and was peering out into the inky darkness.  I saw nothing.  Except a (not so) small dark shape zip past me and out into the yard.  It was this inky evildoer.


Blackwell is an inside cat.  He KNOWS that.  But he can't resist an open door and will go through it if it stays open too long or if the door opening person isn't on alert.

So last night, when our neighbors were either sound asleep or preparing to sleep, there was Blackwell outside and me too, calling his name.  Fortunately he was apparently frightened as he kept crying whenever I would call.  I went inside to secure a flashlight, then opened the garage door.  I was afraid the noise of that door opening would scare the cat into running but he was still out there, somewhere.  Tracking the sound of his voice I quickly spotted him and called him home.  He obediently (strange for him) went into the garage, up to the door into the house and as I opened it he proceeded inside.

It had all occurred in about five minutes and I was frankly quite amazed by his quick return.  

So, after being scolded by SWMBO for "letting him out" we all settled down and resumed our normal breathing once again.

Meanwhile, Blackwell's older sister Muggles apparently slept through the entire adventure in her favorite spot.


Sunday, March 23, 2014

FUN-DAY SUNDAY BRUNCH

SWMBO invited the BRD to have a Sunday brunch with us.  We went to a favorite place, the Iron Springs Cafe.  A spicy Bloody Mary was just waiting for me.


SWMBO snapped a picture of the BRD and I.  Those Bloody Marys may account for the somewhat silly looks on our faces.


Good drinks, good food, good conversation, good times had by all.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

NATURAL BEAUTY

It's a beautiful day where I live and I took a little drive around with my camera.  Here's what I found.





Friday, March 21, 2014

FRIDAY FUNNIES

I don't know why but some of these don't seem as funny as I thought they were.

To begin with, to those of you who are keeping track of the NCAA basketball tournament, I lost out on Warren Buffet's one billion dollar award when Dayton beat Ohio State in the first game played.


But that's all right because I hear SWMBO has a special treat for me.

Actually she's not my ex-wife but that one may have a place for me too.  It may go back to a conversation we had one day . . .


My New Year's resolution about exercise may help me out here.


Finally, to one of my friends (Quilted Dogs) who thinks because I posted pictures of dogs on two consecutive days this week that I may be becoming a "dog person", I must say I'm quite happy with cats.



Here's hoping you all have a furry, fun-filled weekend, folks!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

THE MORNING AFTER

My friend, Phil, sent me this picture today and called it "another night on Whiskey Row."  (see Tuesday)


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

A COWBOY TOWN

Prescott Valley, Arizona, where I live, has only been an incorporated town since 1978.  36 is a pretty young age for a town in the Southwest.  For example, there is the much more well known town of Prescott, just up the road.


It will be celebrating its sesquicentennial this year, or 150th birthday. Actually that's stretching it a bit since it wasn't incorporated as a town until 1883, which is a mere 131 years ago.  But who's quibbling.

Back in the day, Prescott was a rough and ready town and it's most famous street was Montezuma, named for a Mexican Indian chief who never came within thousands of miles of it.  It was filled then with dozens of drinking establishments, which gave the street its nickname.


The Earps and Doc Holliday and many others drank and gambled here then.  The gambling has moved to a couple of Native American casinos on the east edge of town now but there are still plenty of places on "the Row" to wet one's whistle.







But if you're not of a mind to sip a potable, there are plenty of other places along the street to relieve you of your money, all with the Old West theme.












I'm not sure about the name on this next store.


A couple of businesses have a stern guardian outside their front doors.


And if all of this sightseeing has given you a sweet tooth attack . . .


You can find the occasional buskers, probably more often on weekends.


Finally just to bring you back to the present day there was this poster for an upcoming event.


Monday, March 17, 2014

EVERYBODY'S IRISH TODAY

Dinner at my house yesterday (one day early).


Corned beef


Cabbage


Irish Stout


Happy St. Patrick's Day!