THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT

 For all of you foodies, or just plain old cake lovers, here's what my birthday cake looked like after the first tasting yesterday.

It's my favorite - carrot cake.

Judy's recipe includes some dried apricots and apple butter.

If it looks dense, it is.

Densely packed with delicious flavor.

I had two slices on my natal day.

CHANGES

 

Once upon a time I used to challenge myself, clambering around on rocks like these.

Here's the proof.

As Judy learned early and friends Timmer and the Beaner later, I liked to climb up and perch on rooftops.

Why?

The challenge perhaps or (in my mind) to improve the view.

But time wounds all heels, as the old expression is twisted.

Today I am more likely to be found in a posture reflected in this rare picture from my past.

More snoozing than scaling.

Challenging myself not on mountains or rocks or rooftops.

But at the table.

For today, I completed another voyage around the sun and reached the previously unthinkable age of 82.

Onward and upward!

ROAD TRIP

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 'Tis here, m'dear, the weekend!

Not, I might point out, the Weeknd.

You people of the Canadian persuasion might be disappointed but them's the facts.

So, let us begin to lighten with levity, shall we?

Oh, stop with the booing.

Boo-hoo-ing is allowed though.

Listen, I only put out what you, my faithful followers and playful providers, send me.

All right?

So listen, take yourselves out for a walk (watching where you step, of course) and eat and drink well this fabulous weekend.

Come to think of it, have YOURSELVES a fabulous weekend.

And always, no matter how gross the humor, remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . and you thought it was bad up until now . .)

Oscar Peterson - Hymn To Freedom

I have said for years that the pianist with the fastest hands I've ever heard was the legendary Oscar Peterson.

I was reminded of that again this morning when a newsletter I receive from the Washington Post included a link to this extraordinary performance in Denmark in 1964.

It's just shy of 7 minutes long but hang with it.

Also featured are Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums.

For those of you concerned about the Crooks Fire burning in the Prescott National Forest south of here, it's grown to 2,000 acres and the firefighters are concerned about high winds again today and tomorrow.

Keep them in your thoughts.

There have been some evacuations but I don't believe any homes have been burned yet.

The Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff, about 80 miles north of here, however has claimed a number of homes outside of the city.

It is early with a long fire season ahead.

FIRE SEASON

 

This is the view this morning toward the Bradshaw Mountains from the end of my street.

(Sorry about the power lines.)

The Crooks Fire started about 14 miles south of Prescott sometime yesterday and was only 4 acres at mid-day.

But by this morning it had expanded to 750 acres and there is a Red Flag Warning for all day today because of high winds and low humidity.

The Weather Gods say winds could gust as high as 50 miles per hour.

And Arizona is in the midst of a multi-year drought.

So there you go.

It could be a long, hot summer with more of these fires happening.

If you're in a hazardous area, stay safe.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

 Yup, you guessed it.

It's TAX DAY!

It's that joyous time of the year when, unlike yesterday, we have to figure out how to pay for all our sins of the previous year.

It's a wonderful day for Certified Public Accountants.

Not so great for the laggards who have put off the pain until the last moment.

One of the wonderful advantages of being a very old man and of having very little income is that I filed, electronically, as soon as I received the necessary forms in the mail.

Back around February 1st.

And, while I neither have to pay the Feds or receive anything back from them, I do get a pittance from a couple of state returns.

So I'm done early and (moderately) happy with the results.

For the rest of you, Happy Tax Day!

Easter Dinner went (relatively) swimmingly yesterday with the addition to our table of The BRD.

SWMBO did her usual stellar performance in the kitchen and the table was creaking with delicious comestibles.

Your Catalyst, the congenial host, forgot (once again) to take any  pictures so you will just have to use your imaginations.

As part of my atonement however I will share with you a photo sent to SWMBO from Devastating Diane.

That is something over 100 cinnamon rolls she baked for a "mini" brunch after Easter morning services at her church!

Diane is just about a month from celebrating her 90th birthday!

Can someone please find this woman and get her out of the kitchen!