PUZZLE

I imagine you are all busy keeping track of the Snowcopalypse '16 along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

To someone who spent the first 29 years of his life in the Dakotas, most of that in North Dakota within 50 miles of the Canadian border, I'm not all that impressed.

But be that as it may.

With snow and ice and cold dominating the television screens it seemed like a perfect time for you to figure out what is depicted in this photo.

Make your guesses.

I'll have the answer for you tomorrow.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Yassuh, yassuh, yassuh, it's that time of the week again.

Time to cozy up to something (someone) warm and try to preserve your body heat.

Well, at least in some parts of the world.

It is forecast to be sunny and 63 here today. (heh-heh)

Hey, if I've irritated some of you so far, I have a solution.

But since (at least to my knowledge) there is no Champagne truck yet, there is another way to go.

Or . . .

All right.

Enough.

Try as best you can, Gentle Readers, to have a delicious weekend, keep laughing and, above all, stay warm.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

Thanks to all my contributors with a special thanks to Seattle Lori this week!

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Criminy!

I must be getting old.

I almost forgot to post today!

So let's go back.

Way back.

Way, way, way back.

To when I was slim enough to wear a shirt with horizontal stripes.

I can't tell you when the photo was taken. 

Some time in the early 1980's, I believe.

That's me on the right.

The good looking guy on the left is my son, Scott, who came for a visit with us when we lived in Phoenix.

He is not to be confused with Judy's son, Scott, who just visited us recently.

Just one of those strange coincidences of life.

BEEP-BEEP!*

For the second time this week our yard had a visit from what appears to be a local.

No, not the cat.

It's the shadowy image behind him and the sage.

Aha! He's nearly out from behind his cover.

Still keeping a wary eye on me, shooting through the window.

But I suspect he sees me.

And then . . .

. . . the full profile.

Just after that photo, he hopped through the gate and went on his way.

I saw him, or another member of his family, later when I went out for a walk.

In case you didn't know, that's the Arizona Roadrunner.

And contrary to some opinions, it's NOT the State Bird of Arizona.

That's the Cactus Wren.

It is, however, the State Bird of neighboring New Mexico.

Go figure.

And for all of you cartoon watchers, I'm not sure where Wile E. Coyote is right now.

Probably shopping at the Acme Corporation.

*Post title suggested by SWMBO

TUESDAY TRAVELS

About to board a train enroute to Salzburg, Austria in April of 1985.

A ticket taker at the Tower of London tweaked us about our bush jackets, commenting "On safari, are we?"

But they were very useful with their multitude of pockets.

We loved Salzburg, especially for the chocolate and for the coffee.

MLK DAY

FOOTBALL

Well the scene is set for the National Football Conference championship game next weekend.

Arizona vs. Carolina.

I just hope the Cardinals team that won quickly in overtime last night will meet the Panthers who went scoreless in the second half today.

Meanwhile condolences to the Packers and Seahawks fans.

There's always next year.

And special condolences to my Gentle Readers who have no time for sports.