DA BOYS

 Well, once again the "old boys" got together for lunch and a special "so long".

But there was a difference this time.

A couple of days before, I came down with an intestinal "bug" and didn't feel I could leave the house.

Our previous gatherings had been held at the Rock Springs Cafe (aka The Pie Place) that I had selected because it was (theoretically) halfway between me in Prescott Valley and the rest of the gang all in Greater Phoenix.

Since I was out for today's gathering they were free to hold it in the Valley of the Sun this time.

So at a restaurant in North Phoenix this crowd gathered today to eat, drink, lie, laugh and bid a fond farewell to The Legend: Lew Ruggiero.

Left to right, they are Rick DeBruhl, Wally Athey, Lew Ruggiero, Steve Torbeck, Al Macias, Roger Ball and Chuck Emmert.

What's with all that grey hair, you're asking?

It comes from the intensity with which they all did their jobs at the same television station.

Well, okay, it comes with age, too.

The alums all departed KPNX for greener pastures at differing times in the past.

Some in the distant past.

Now about Lovely Lew.

After 45 years enjoying Arizona's healthy sunshine, he and his wife are moving back to California to be closer to his kids and grandkids.

He will be missed by this gang, by many other co-workers, by nefarious outlaws and scofflaws, and by all who have stood in his shadow and marveled at his deeds, this writer for example.

'Course, he will also be thought kindly of by the owners and workers at numerous 7-Eleven stores who, in his honor, could have coined the slogan: A Slurpee (or two) a day keeps the bad guys away!

Happy landings, Lew.

Mindless Monday

Somewhere today it's Columbus Day.

And somewhere today it's Indigenous People's Day.

But here at Oddball, it's nuts to you.

STILL BAKING

Just to let you know, I'm still baking.

Earlier in the week, I made a couple of loaves of banana bread.

This one is getting smaller by the minute as SWMBO, my official taster, has pronounced it delicious as one slice after another disappears.

But not to fear, the second loaf is in the fridge, so far untouched.

That same evening I finally squoze (Taylor vernacular for squeezed) 18 limes and made my first ever Key Lime Pie.

Half of it remains but it won't last out the weekend.

Don't tell anyone but the "whipped cream" that tops each slice comes out of a can.

SWMBO pronounced it equally delicious.

This morning I tried a new recipe I found for Maple Oatmeal Muffins.

Mine were studded with dried cranberries instead of the cherries the recipe called for and I didn't have pastry flour so used a mix recommended of half and half whole wheat and regular white flours.

No word from the official taster yet but she scorned them before I made them because she claims not to like maple syrup in baked goods.

I snagged a small corner as we were removing them from the pan and I loved it.

So we'll see.

I can not by any means be classified as a master baker but as SWMBO might say, "it keeps him out of the bars and off the streets."

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

With yet another humongous storm in the southeastern United States, it's been another of those weeks you don't want to write anything about in your diary.

Which may explain the absence of entries in my blog for the past several days.

But each day I wake and open my eyes with surprise and some degree of elation so I hope passing on some humor will help those in nature's angry path and those with friends and family in those areas.

So, once again, here goes.

Well, that's the best I can do, my friends.

Now let's all take care of each other and try your best to have the bestest of weekends.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . oh, c'mon, that was good advice . . . )

PONIES

This past weekend was the time for not only the Fall Harvest Festival I told you about yesterday.

It was also when a Pony Only show was held just a short distance away.

For those of you not in the know, a Pony Only Show is where owners of the Ford Mustang automobile get to strut their stuff.

You're probably thinking "Are they all red?"

And though it is a popular hue, the answer is "no".

They come in all colors.

This "pretty in pink" model even had a "pony" posing under the hood!

The owner of this Shelby Mustang doesn't want his hood stolen.

Notice that heavy chain holding onto it?

Speaking of hoods . . . the promoters of this show encouraged Mustang owners to bring their cars in no matter the condition.

They said whether it runs or not, needs to be towed, hauled on a trailer, is in process of being restored or not . . whatever the condition, bring it in.

One owner apparently took that invitation seriously.

AUTUMN IS HERE!

Yes, Autumn is finally here.

So the temperature outside as I am writing this is 91 degrees here and 108 in Phoenix.

But I can assure you that Autumn has arrived.

How can I say that?

Because I looked in on Prescott Valley's official Harvest Festival yesterday.

These three stalwarts were viewing the flurry of activity at the town's Civic Center as the finishing touches were being put on the set-up for the Fall Festival.

Recorded music was blasting out over the grounds but equipment was being put in place and hooked up for the live music coming later in the day.

The police were putting on a bike rodeo, there were pony rides and a small train taking people around the grounds, a cornhole game had been set up and was attracting players, bounce houses were installed and active and delighted shrieks and screams were coming from the passengers in this whirling carnival ride.

And best of all for this reporter, there were a variety of food trucks!

This heart-adorned little girl seemed to be thinking, "Will he just hurry up and take his picture so I can get into that treat!!!"

Yes, my friends, ignore the temperatures.

Autumn is here!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

 

Hmmmm, what shall I bake?

Suggestions?