PROGRESS (?)

In 1877, a mere 145 years ago, a young man named Thomas Edison introduced a new invention, the phonograph.

He demonstrated it by playing a recording of a poem he had recited.

Today we have Rap.

Thanks, Tom.

ONE MORE

 For William, and for all the rest of you.

(By the way, Punxsatawney Phil reportedly did see his shadow today and subsequently predicted six more weeks of winter.)

GROUNDHOG DAY

 Tomorrow (or today), February 2nd, is Groundhog Day.

If you don't know, and how could you not, it's the day when a rodent called a groundhog is pulled out of his wintertime siesta to see whether he sees his shadow or not.

The result of that unlikely occurrence will (supposedly) tell we "believers" whether there will be six more weeks of winter or not.

C'mon, folks.

Does anyone really believe that?

Oh, and there's a movie starring Bill Murray where a television weatherman gets trapped in a time loop and has to relive the day repeatedly.

Now you might expect me to have a great post about this today.

Well you'd be wrong.

Because one of my fellow bloggers has vanquished me without a fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the new and forever champion of Groundhog Day.

Check his blog by clicking his name.

William Kendall

THE FAMOUS(?) LEMON SHEET CAKE

 Okay, friends, neighbors, Gentle Readers and fellow gourmands.

You asked for it.

Judy made it Sunday and here's how it turned out.

In addition, some of you asked for the recipe so here it is.

Lemon Sheet Cake

Ingredients

• 1 package lemon cake mix (regular size)

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 can (15-3/4 ounces) lemon pie filling

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

• Colored sugar, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix and eggs until well blended. Fold in pie filling.

Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread over cake. If desired, sprinkle with colored sugar. Store cake in the refrigerator.

Just to further pique your taste buds, here's how it looks on the plate.

Very briefly.

Enjoy!

A HOAGY SKY

 

Yesterday's clouds made a spectacular display in the sky.

Whenever Judy or I see a sky like this we're reminded of Hoagy Carmichael, who performed the song "Ole Buttermilk Sky" in the movie "Canyon Passage".

Carmichael was an Indiana native who earned a law degree at Indiana University but found his forte in songwriting.

He and Jack Brooks wrote "Ole Buttermilk Sky".

With many partners, he also is credited with writing "Stardust", "Georgia on My Mind", "(Up A) Lazy River", "In the Still of the Night", "Lazybones", "The Nearness of You", "Heart and Soul", "Two Sleepy People" and dozens more.

But somehow we always think of him when we see a sky like this.

An old buttermilk sky.

CAKE, ANYONE?

Today the extremely overworked Catalyst takes the day off and turns Oddball over to his beloved Judy, aka She Who Must Be Obeyed.

 

A while back we acquired a recipe for a "Lemon Sheet Cake" that has become a favorite for many reasons.  

It is quick and easy to make and it tastes great.  

But it requires a boxed cake mix AND a can of lemon pie filling.  

Therein, we find, lies the problem.  

Canned lemon pie filling has become elusive and very hard to find in our area.   

Maybe all of our neighbors are making the same cake.  

It could happen.

This week when we did our online grocery order from Walmart (to be picked up in the parking lot), we tried again.  

As the order was being finalized we were informed that the lemon pie filling was not in stock in this store, but they would ship it to us.   

What?   

No, No,  just cancel that!  

But there was no way on that page to do that.

Sooooooo.....four days later the doorbell rings and lo and behold, there is a box containing ONE CAN OF LEMON PIE FILLING.

Shipped all the way from Sparks, Nevada!

Now, someone is going to have to bake a cake!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Curiously, just this morning I received an email from LL, aka Cross Town Lori, containing a batch of puns.

I say curiously because just last night I had decided that today's edition of the Comedy Cavalcade would be all puns.

So, with a special dedication to Lori, and apologies to all the pun-haters out there (SWMBO included), here we go!

This first one is actually just for Lori's husband, who happens to be named Rick.

So is that enough for you?

Here in Groanland, the applause is deafening.

Or is that deaf to me.

Well that's my destiny.

I know what you're saying: Stop! Stop! Stop!

So I'll pull out all stops to wish you a very organ-ic weekend full of total enjoyment, fun and frolic.

And never forget: Always Keep Laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .