BLACK CATS

I suppose this post should have appeared yesterday, on the 13th, long associated with superstition as are black cats.

So, just pretend it's the 13th today and see what happens when a 10 pound cat comes across a 5 pound box.

Why she snuggles right down into it, of course.

I don't know of any cat that can resist a box.

That's Opal, one of the BAD's feline tribe.

And actually I suspect she may weigh more than ten pounds but don't say anything.

We wouldn't want her to be embarrassed.

Meanwhile, over at our abode, the contest to get a decent picture of our much smaller Sweetie-Pie continues.

I think I surprised her with my camera-phone this time.

But, as SWMBO pointed out, our little kitty seems to be frowning.

So I tried again, calling her by name and holding up my free hand to get her to look up.

And THAT was the result.

Maybe I'll learn my lesson some day: never ASK a cat to pose for a photograph.

They will tell you "I ain't havin' any!"

JUST ASKING

 The summer weather just seems to bring out the nastiness in some folks.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Aaaahhhhh, there's good news today!

Our high temperature is only forecast to hit 99!

And for the next ten days it will only be in the low to mid 90's.

Fire up the fireplace, put the flannel sheets on the bed, dig out your earmuffs!

Well, okay, it might be a teensy bit early for that.

But if that blasted monsoon season, which we thought had started early in June and now appears to be delayed beyond the normal July 4th onset, would just get going and bring us some rain we'd feel a lot better.

'Course then we'd have to worry about flooded washes and mudslides.

There's just no escapin' the weather, I guess.

So, now that you've had the weather report . . . what am I here for?

Oh, yes, to remind you with reckless abandon what day it is.

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

Strike up the band!

I know some of you non-Trekkies are wondering how long this can go on.

These guys winding things up each and every week.

Well . . . they say space is timeless and they've been cruising around out there for a lot of years, communicating only once a week back to earth.

Earth being the environs known as the home of Oddball Observations and its minion, Catalyst.

So I can do no other than to present their weekly wisdom.

In the meantime, I'd like you all (or y'all, if you like) to have a positively theatrical weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . this week reminding you that you can lie on your resume but still get the job . . . )

SUN PROTECTION

 As the mercury has spent several days climbing to and exceeding the century mark here in Beautiful Central Arizona, I have received questions about how anyone can stand the 100 degree heat.

I have tried to explain that the humidity is exceedingly low here.

As I'm writing this at midday the Weather Gods tell me it's 18 percent.

And that's pretty high for Arizona.

But that explanation - - a version of the proverbial "But it's a dry heat" - - doesn't seem to calm people down.

So I post a photo of myself just after sweeping branches and twigs from a dead tree out of my driveway.

I probably shouldn't have worn a black t-shirt but the other part of my "costume" was good protection.

When I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I told my wife "that probably scared the neighbors."

She took a look at me and agreed, "that IS scarey."

So it goes in the land of sunshine and glee.

A HOT WEEK

 Here in my part of Arizona, the Central Highlands at around 5,000 feet elevation, our summers are hot but not this hot.

100 degree days have become commonplace for about a week.

Being retired, we stay inside our air-conditioned home most of the time.

And it's supposed to drop into the 90's in a few days.

But in the meantime, this meme has real meaning to me.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 So yesterday being a holiday here in the U.S. of A. I bet most of you have forgotten that today is Friday.

But not me.

And just to make it a special Friday, today I'm devoting the entire post to food and drink.

Bon appetit!

And with that slightly extended version of the menu, I shall leave you to your barbecue grills, your kitchens and your Pepto.

I hope your holiday (if you celebrated it) was full of fun and now you have a couple of days to sleep it off.

Whatever, always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . but, what about your kibble? . . . )

CONFUSION