Sunday, January 7, 2018

ROCKIN' ROBIN

It seems like a long time until Spring but I guess as long as the temperature hovers in the mid 60's I will get visits from this guy and his relatives and friends.



This robin red breast made several visits to the bird bath this morning but not to bathe, only to drink.


He seemed very nervous and kept looking through the window glass at me.


I find it curious that when he puts his head down to take a drink, he appears from the expression on his face to be angry and ferocious.


Once he got his fill, he changed his position to be looking out into the yard before flying away.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

WHAT'S THIS? POLITICS?

Regular readers of Oddball Observations know that I generally avoid politics on the blog.

But sometimes it just overwhelms me and comes spilling out.

So forgive me for this one day of observations on the current political scene in these United States of America.

Our president is a genius, you know.

He just told (tweeted) us so.




Even with all the jibberish coming from our leader's mouth, he still has his followers.


And finally, here's one more for my friends in California.

And Oregon.

And Washington.

And Nevada.

And Colorado.

And Massachusetts.

And the District of Columbia.


Where would we be without our cartoonists, eh?

Friday, January 5, 2018

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

At this time of year, the beginning, some people of more hope than experience will be setting down their resolve of how to improve their lives in the coming months.

Here at the international headquarters of Oddball Observations we call these people "delusional".

But be that as it may, go ahead and make your New Year's Resolutions but remember the reality expressed in the following pie chart.


Or here.







On that daring note, I shall bid you adieu, Gentle Readers.

Please have an exciting and fulfilling weekend and always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, no, bail money again)


Thursday, January 4, 2018

TBT: THE SAGA OF AMBROSE BIERCE

When I lived in Mexico, back in the 80's, I used to mess around with doggerel.  Here's one I wrote in August of 1989.


Ode to Ambrose Bierce

When you go down to Mexico
     away down in the Tropics,
          you'll find no friendly Texaco
               and the folks aren't philanthropics.

In Ajijic or San Miguel
     there's music in the air.
          The beer is cheap, tequila's swell
                and gringos everywhere.

The sun is bright, the palms are green,
     the ladies are so Spanish.
          But the nights can turn a little mean
               and sometimes people vanish.

A lot of them just disappear
     without a lot of traces
          and no one sheds a single tear
               and no one knows their faces.

So when you cross the border
     to cantinas that are fierce,
          be careful what you order
               and remember Ambrose Bierce.



(Explanatory note: Bierce was a journalist and fiction writer who traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1913 to gain first-hand knowledge of the Mexican revolution.  The 71 year old Bierce disappeared and was never seen again.)

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

DAWN


As one lonely soul sets out to begin the day.  

And the year.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

A NEW BEGINNING

So now the year of 2018 truly begins, Gentle Readers.

I wonder what it will bring.

Monday, January 1, 2018

2018 HATH ARRIVED


SWMBO and I marked the occasion last night with a meal of seared scallops and steamed asparagus, both topped with homemade Hollandaise sauce and a nice bottle of Prosecco.

Lovely.

Sandwiched around that was a movie about Emily Dickinson, A Quiet Passion, starring the daughter of an old friend, Cynthia Nixon.

While she delivered an exquisite performance, we found the movie somewhat dreary.

She's been getting rave mentions, though, that may lead to an Oscar nomination.

We saw a brief flurry of the early (8:30) fireworks from the city complex, then watched the "ball" drop in Times Square in New York City on television before calling it a night shortly after 10 p.m.

And so on to another new year.