I BET YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T COMING BACK

But then how could I after making such fast cyber-friends with all of you?

Our move is complete.  Well, that means we're in our new home in northern-ish Arizona.  We still have much of our life packed in boxes scattered through the house and garage but we're slowly getting it together.

The weather was perfect for the move and the high temperature here is in the lower 60's day after day.  I can live with a winter like this. But having lived here before I know about February and early March snowstorms so I'm prepared.

But wait!  It's Friday!  That means the Friday Funnies!  This may be how Judy (SWMBO) feels.  Or it may be how I feel.

This next one is for the people we left behind in mega-Phoenix and for others who live in large cities with traffic jams.

Just so I don't get in trouble I need to tell you that those were both courtesy of the New Yorker magazine, which has the absolutely best cartoons and you should run right out and buy a copy or a subscription.

The next one was titled "Running Low on Toner".  Think about it.

And finally, how could I overlook the travails of New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie.

(This was sent to me by diehard Republican Beau Jack!)

I think I like it even better than the one of a Christie-like figure sitting on a stool facing into the corner with a bright orange traffic cone on his head.

I'm glad to be back.  Have a wonderfully frolicsome weekend, folks!

TWO DAYS TO GO

Our stay in Phoenix will come to an end in less than two days now. We move on Wednesday, just shy of 10 months after we moved here from Prescott Valley.  Now we will return there, though to a different home. People have asked why.  There are reasons.  We found the cost of living here much higher than we had expected and much higher than in Prescott Valley.  And the BRD lives in Prescott . . . just about 10 miles from PV . . . and was disturbed to see us move away.  She had, after all, left her 20-year adopted home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to move out here to be nearer to us some 13 years ago.  So, late learners that we are, we decided to return to her new environs, where she is settled and happy.  Now (perhaps) she will be even happier.  I think we will. And Phoenix, with its museums and concerts and restaurants will only be 100 miles from our new home . . about an hour and a half distant on relatively high speed highways.

So there you have it.  Plus, on our last visit to Prescott a week or so ago, we tried a tiny new restaurant . . Prescott Lobster & Seafood . . and found their Connecticut Lobster Roll sandwiches exquisite.  Not to mention the gelato that finished our lunches.  It's a great addition to the local dining scene and we hope they will enjoy success and a long life in the city.  We know we will be back.

Oh, and by the way, if any Mainers (residents of the state of Maine) are reading this . . they have Moxie!

This is reputed to be a special soft drink with health-giving qualities. We didn't try it on our visit but we will in the future.  And I just like the name.

So tired as we are right now and will be even more in 48 hours, we're looking forward to our new adventures in our old/new home.

We have done this before.  Too many times to count anymore.  But after all.  We've got moxie!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

You wouldn't think I would have enough time to scrounge up a bunch of funnies but I guess the people I steal from my friendly contributors have been more active this week.  So without further ado . . .

Then there are my buddies, the cats.

Speaking of "old", I've always been of the persuasion that the older one gets, the wiser one becomes.  There's proof of that belief all around us. For example . . .

Enjoy your weekend, folks!

THE NO-POST POST

Since you got two last night, you don't get one today.

But never fear!  Tomorrow is Friday and you know what that brings?

The Friday Funnies!

ADDENDUM

Just after I published my last post, SWMBO came in and said "Look on the table."

Blackwell says "Don't even THINK about leaving me behind!"

THE MOVING BLUES

As you all know by now, we're moving.  Again.  The last time we moved I swore it would be the last time.  That was 10 months ago. 

As everyone knows moving is one of those experiences one should never repeat.  I have moved somewhere around 30 times in my life. My brother has lived at the same address for probably 40 years.  Or more. So which one of us is the smart one?

Of course, it's really not all that bad.  We have hired a crew to come on moving day and fill the truck for us.  The BRD has volunteered to drive it to our next home, about 100 miles away.  And another crew has been hired to unload it.  So all we have to do is pack up all our life's possessions.  Not bad, right?

Dream on.

The constant packing is a chore.  And as we fill box after box, we begin to ponder the all important question.  Did we rent a big-enough truck? Or will it look like . . .

But I'm not worried.  Not really.  It will all be fine and will work itself out.

I grant you.  Sometimes my patience wears thin and I raise my voice. But then I'm reminded of this and I calm down fast.

Only a week to go, folks.

A BORROWED BLOG POST

We are moving.  In one week.  I'll bet you know what that means. Among other things it means my blogging will be sparse.  But I have friends.  And they send me things.  My dear Lori sent me a bunch of WOW photographs today.  I picked out a few to show you.

Like the tenacity of the humble tulip.

Or of those insane people who climb mountains.

Even more insane, in my view, are these people out for a casual bicycle ride.

Along with a strange mind, that trip requires absolute nerve and steady hands.

Then there's this picture of Manhattan.

And the amazing power and wonder of nature.

And, impressively, over my state's very own Grand Canyon.

Lastly (you already know I love cats) this amazing picture.  "Baby turn my brown eyes blue."

Thank you, Lori.  Luvya!

ONE MORE TIME

A good friend of mine, Alaska Jerry, posted a terrific picture on Facebook today.  I thought I'd share it with you.

With the death of Phil Everly making news yesterday, this really does have a special impact for me.  And just to remind you how good the music of "way-back-then" was take a look and listen to these remarkable harmonies from Phil and Don Everly in concert.

Never a note off, these two guys were simply sensational.

(And their pants fit!)

SO LONG, PHIL

When I was a teenager, these guys made a difference.

The Everly Brothers

Phil is gone now.  Don lives on.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

May your next two minutes be frolicsome and fun!

MY BUDDY

Show me the Lord of the Manor, settled into a recliner in front of a television showing the latest football game . . . and I'll show you a huge black cat that leaps up (sometimes unexpectedly) into his lap, kneads until he's quite sure it's comfortable and then lies down for a nap. That's my Blackwell.

"And yes, I know I'm handsome."

OLIO

"Olio" is a crossword puzzle word that means a mixture, or medley or hodgepodge.  Actually I prefer "hodgepodge".  At any rate, that's what you're getting to mark the beginning of a new year.

Last night's New Year's Eve feast was baked potatoes, my semi-famous Pepper Steaks, a nice mixed salad prepared by SWMBO, and a baguette, all complimented by a tasty bottle of red.  

Strangely, the only photo of the meal is this one of the somewhat depleted red wine.

SWMBO was busy with the slow cooker this week.

Ham and beans!  Yum!

And her delicious corn bread to accompany them.

Oh, by the way, she has it in her mind to hire some off-duty firefighters to load our truck when we move.  I can't imagine why.

I thought you might like to see some products of our back yard.

Well I really need to get away from this computer and watch some football.  

Ouch!  Okay, help my wife with some packing.

ONE DAY - BIG DIFFERENCE

SWMBO is now calm.  The Credit Union approved our line of credit today at the amount she wanted.  I finally reached the realtor in Prescott Valley and learned that we have the house.  We will move on January 15th, if not before.

Here's our new "cottage".

I say "cottage" because the front of it has that sort of "cottage-ey" look to it.  But it's actually a quite large house with a two car attached garage in the rear.  And there's a great view of the Black Hills to the northeast.  You can't see Mount Rushmore, though.

O.K.  I know.  THOSE Black Hills are in South Dakota.  But someone named these the Black Hills, too.

At any rate, we're headed back to cooler but milder weather in just a couple of weeks so I'd better get busy packing.

Oh and one other bit of business from yesterday's post.  Texas Tech's Red Raiders thoroughly humiliated the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Holiday Bowl last night.  I turned the television off when they intercepted a pass in our end zone with about 3 minutes left in the game.  So much for my pre-game bravado and, apparently, the opinions of a lot of sports pundits.

So now I think I've covered everything.

Happy New Year, everyone!

NOTHING NEW

SWMBO is beside herself.

We don't know if we have a new home or not.

I emailed the realtor today and asked her.  She has not responded.

Then we went to our Credit Union to apply for a small loan to cover our moving expenses.  We have not heard yet.

Judy (SWMBO) is having the dreads.  I try to keep reminding her that we are doing this in the midst of the holidays.  People (even realtors and money loaners) have other things on their mind.  Just wait until Thursday (I say) when it will be a New Year and the bloodsuckers will be hungry for new meat.

Oh, that's unkind of me.  I apologize.  (Heh-heh-heh)

So, basically, I have nothing to report to you, dear readers.

Except . . . it is December 30th.  In a little over an hour, the mighty Arizona State University Sun Devils will begin their domination of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in this year's Holiday Bowl telecast on ESPN.  I will be pleased.  

SWMBO will be closeted somewhere else.

Tomorrow will take care of itself.

All is well.

CHRISTMAS 2013

Christmas for us this year was one of uncertainty as we pondered a move from the Phoenix we've enjoyed back north to the Prescott area. But we spent a great Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the BRD and her Beau Jack at her beautiful Prescott home.

My bride, SWMBO, clad in holiday red.

The BRD, mugging while wearing her dog Wrigley's Christmas antlers.

And a bit later, preparing her traditional Christmas Eve feast of steak and lobster.  Yum!

The next day we gathered once again for Sunday brunch.

This wonderful fruit was just one portion of another delicious meal.

The always smiling Beau Jack and I took simultaneous pictures of each other.

This is one of my favorite pictures, showing the beauty of this woman in repose, contemplating an afternoon nap.

And finally, one of many sets of salt-and-pepper shakers the BRD owns with magnets that allow a formal kiss.

It was a lovely Christmas and the next day we found what we believe will be our new home in Prescott Valley.  More on that later.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Bet you thought I'd forgot, huh?  Not a chance.  Roll 'em, CB!

Y'all have a good weekend and frolic freely, folks!