A FOGGY EXIT

 The year 2022 is about to come to an end.

With it today we learn of the deaths of Benedict, the retired pope, and of Barbara Walters, the American television personality.

Once again the day is dark and dreary with fog.

It is fitting as we say goodbye to the old "twelve months" that the weather conjures up the words of Edgar Allan Poe in "The Raven" or the mood in the novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Arthur Conan Doyle.

I can almost see Sherlock Holmes and his confrère Dr. Watson pursuing the hound over the moors.

But that's for another time.

I shall take these few moments to thank all of my "elves", as someone put it recently, who supply me with the humor that keeps us all entertained.

They know who they are so I shall not name them here.

And I want to thank all of you readers who have tarried here, whether commenting or not.

I wish you all the most splendid days ahead as we turn the calendar page one more time and greet a new year with hope and great anticipation.

But hark! What is that baying sound I hear echoing?

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Golly, I bet you've been waiting and waiting for this: the last Friday Funnies of 2022.

But it's not a bit different here in Catalyst's Cave, just the same old, same old.

Hilarity reigning supreme.

Whatever that means.

At any rate, here are some memes to try to tickle your funnybone.

Ah yes, the penultimate punster is still here to wind up the week's venture into laughter and groans.

Now this is the big one.

The final weekend of the year when danger lurks everywhere, what with holiday parties and their uncontrollable consumption of eggnog and Tom-and-Jerry's and holiday punch and all those bottles of bubbly.

Fun and games, right?

But beware: the DUI police are going to be out in force and they've heard all the stories about "But I only had two beers, Ossifer!"

So be careful and take care of yourselves and come back and see us in the New Year.

Oh, but always remember to keep laughing!

Happy New Year, everybody!

Here kitty-kitty . . .

(awwwwww)

SUNNY, HOT ARIZONA

 Not always.

Yesterday the sky was down to the ground, or so it seemed.

The nearby park is known as Mountain Valley Park and a school that abuts it is known as Mountain View Elementary.

But the mountains were not visible yesterday.

This morning, the mountains once again were invisible as a misty fog enveloped the town.

The high temperature has been hovering in the 50's Fahrenheit.

So as Arizona becomes more and more crowded I invite you to  join me in spreading the word: sometimes our Southwestern paradise ain't like those photos from the tourist bureaus.

A RAINY DAY

 

Yes, it's a gray, rainy day here in the Central Highlands/Mountain Foothills of Arizona as the first of three consecutive winter storms blows in.

Up at Flagstaff, 80 miles to the north and a couple of thousand feet higher in altitude, it's a winter wonderland as snow fell throughout the night.

We're expecting maybe a dusting from one or more of the future storms but as for today, it's just a drizzling rain.

At this rate it won't do much for our drought but it's a welcome sight anyway.

DUCK!

 I was scanning through some of my fellow bloggers' posts today and saw this one from RedPat up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, being surprised about the absence of ducks in a favorite spot.

Quite by coincidence, Judy and I happened upon this scene at one of our local lakes.

I have been by this lake many, many times and never have I seen this many ducks on it.

The surface was covered with ducks, everywhere we looked.

Judy commented that RedPat's ducks must have all flown south for the winter and landed on our little lake.

Right down in front of us was a small cluster of birds circling over something.

They were drawing quite a bit of attention from other waterfowl that swam over to see what was going on and some even joined the pack and circled with the rest.

Meanwhile, a young lad was being encouraged by his parents to toss some food to a bigger swarm and he was complying.

All in all, a surprising but good day at the park.

(Sorry we stole your ducks, Pat!)

BOXING DAY

 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CATALYST

 I know what you're thinking.

"Sheesh. How much longer can he keep this up?"

But it's not me.

Or anyway it's not only me.

You see, as I have explained before, I am only the curator.

My "staff" supply all or most of the humor on this blog.

I just present it.

So probably for the last time this year here are a few more Christmas presents.

LAST CHANCE

 'Tis Christmas Eve.

If you haven't shopped for gifts and stocked the larder by now, you really may be on Santa's "Bad" list.

So, last chance, get after it.

Or . . .

Even in these days of light and joy, though, there are some who still haven't received the wisdom of the season.

Some who still maintain their cynicism, their lack of belief.

But for those who DO truly believe in Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas or Père Noël, there's some advice out there on the Interwebs.

Now I know much of the world is enjoying traditional holiday weather this weekend: snow, ice, high winds, sub-zero temperatures, even tornadoes in some areas.

And here in Arizona, where the weather is sunny and warm, we feel for you.

We really do.

After all, it's the season of giving.

So, in parting, here's a little rhyme.

I've had fun this holiday season, trying to pique your humor vein and I appreciate all the ha-ha's and ho-ho's and thank you's.

May you all have a very happy and rewarding holiday.

Merry Christmas!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Oh, joy to the world, it's a special edition of The Friday Funnies, just because it's (nearly) Christmas.

That time of year when the consumption of alcoholic drinks soars, that time of year when Uncle Ned and Dad nearly come to blows over the groaning table, that time of year when a lot of mothers and wives deem divorce not to be such a bad idea.

Oh you know I'm kidding.

A little bit.

But let's take a look at what my co-conspirators have come up with for this special Friday.

Okay, friends, that's the best we can do.

For now, anyway.

Let's remember, at this blessed time of year, that Christmas is on Sunday so a three-day weekend has been declared.

I think.

Never mind how many days it is, just contrive to have a fabulous time.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Oh I might have known)

TICK-TOCK

 Time is running short.

I'm heading back in the kitchen today.

The stores are full of Christmas shoppers.

Candles are being lit.

As we saw yesterday, trees are falling and even if no one but the cat was there to hear it, that tree definitely did fall.

So let's get on it procrastinators.

Time is running short.

A LONG DARK NIGHT

 Winter Solstice has arrived!

That means the longest night of darkness in the year.

But there's good news too.

From here on, each day will be light a little bit longer.

Well, at least for the next six months.

Of course if you live south of the Equator the situation is exactly reversed so brace yourselves.

Did you recognize what yesterday was?

12-20-2022.

Try saying that out loud.

Meanwhile, on the Christmas watch . . .

"Hey, it was dark! Very dark! I just stumbled into it!"

SHE HATES THIS!

 SWMBO will come after me for posting this one because she hates the television commercial which is running constantly which echoes this scene.

But it's funny in The Christmas Story movie, isn't it?

Anyway, here goes.

SO THERE!