MY LATEST ATTEMPT AT SOLVING AN OLD PROBLEM

SO LONG, JERRY

I just learned that a Valley of the Sun legend named Jerry Riopelle died in his sleep recently at the age of 77.

He was a guitar player and singer who played with many of the greats.

I first saw him at the Celebrity Theatre as an opening act for David Bromberg and his band.

His New Year's Eve concerts in Tempe became legendary.

Here is a clip that combines both Celebrity Theatre (which featured a revolving stage) and New Year's Eve in 1975.

During a crazy age Jerry was loved by his fans.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

To all of you Gentle Readers, lurkers and contributors of great humor to this blog throughout the many past days, I give you my most grateful thank you and my sincere and enthusiastic wish for a peaceful holiday season and a fulfilling 2019.

CHRISTMAS JOY

I come from a family of stoic males.

This is my father in Mesa, Arizona.

This is his brother in San Francisco.

This is my brother in Minot, North Dakota.

This is one of his sons in Washington state.

This is another of his sons on a visit to us in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

And this is me recently.

See what I mean?

There's a certain kind of "it's me against the world" attitude showing.

But in spite of all that stoicism in the Taylor family I remember Dad introducing our family to this Christmas song and playing it year after year.

It's become my tradition now so brace yourselves.

Dad's been gone a long time, now but I have a feeling he'd still get a kick out of that tune.

Re-run

Now if you folks read Cranky Old Man's posts regularly you know that he frequently goes back in the history of his blog and re-uses some.

Today I was lumbering around trying to come up with a post and I went back to the beginning of this blog.

That was in March of 2008, nearly eleven years ago.

And it was the second time I had written a blog.

The first one got wiped out when I got tired of struggling and decided to end it.

Anyway I started reading those beginning posts and found one I liked and decided, ala Joe, to give it another shot.

And I didn't write it originally but lifted it from somewhere else.

So here goes with "The Marines Need A Few Good . . ."

LETTER FROM A FARM KID
(NOW AT Camp Lejeune NC . MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING.)

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. 

Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water.

Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you til noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much. 

We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice but awful flat. 

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. 

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,
Carol

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Today, December 21st, 2018, marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of light of the year.

On the other hand, to those of you in Oz and other parts of the world south of the Equator, it's the Summer Solstice, the longest day of light of the year.

Confused yet?

Let me add to your puzzlement.

While the coasts of the United States of America, both east and west, are struggling with rain and storms, here in the Medium High Country of Beautiful Arizona it was 68 degrees yesterday and the sun shone brightly all day .

Winter?

Pfaaff, I say.

Now let's see, there was something else.

Oh, yes, THE FRIDAY FUNNIES.

Well I guess that mess of mirth put you all in the holiday spirit.

Now, meander merrily along into a mouthwateringly avoidance of malnourishment, whether in a mountainous region or the margins of your mighty land, seeking munificent and magnanimous gifts under the tree.

In other words, Gentle Readers, have a great weekend and a Merry Xmas.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oops, there they go . . . .)

THE ARTISTIC FAMILY

You've read my posts about SWMBO, aka Judy, and her work on the mural she painted on an old fence in our back yard.

And you may recall that I said the artistic talent runs deep in her family.

Two daughters and a son all have incredible artistic veins in their bodies.

The latest evidence?

The BRD's latest totem, a ceramic display that she created in her home workshop.

The photos show the two sides of the totem.

I think this piece is absolutely beautiful.

I hope you like it too.

(BTW, for those of you who may not have been paying attention, the BRD stands for Beautiful Rich Daughter.

Her real name is Gayle.)

FROGGIE WENT A-COURTIN'

SANTA CLAUS CONFUSION

I was looking through my picture file and ran across a strange collection of photos.

Of a Santa impersonator (yours truly).

I couldn't make up my mind which picture to use.

So, could you give me a little help here?

Here are your choices.

Mad Santa

Sad Santa

Bad Santa

and Silly Santa

So?

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

All right, all right, Gentle Readers, un-bate your breath, I'm here.

I forgot for awhile that it was Friday and then I had some business to take care of but now I am back in the virtual saddle, ready to satisfy your yearnings for a chuckle, a tee-hee, a guffaw.

Yes, my friends, it is time once again for the Friday Funnies.

To begin . . .

As you can see I am absolutely overcome with the Christmas spirit(s).

Remember this: it is that time of year when we pack on the pounds.  

So prepare with professionalism, preserve your preadolescence, avoid prohibitionists, and pontificate no phurther (sorry, I cheated with that last one.)

In short, Gentle Readers, have a marvelous weekend!

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THINKING AHEAD

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF THERESA MAY

A MODERN CHRISTMAS SONG

BOO-GIE WOO-GIE!

In Germany one elderly couple, Nellia and Dietmar Ehrentraut, haven't let advancing age slow them down.

Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC (sorta)

I don't know but somehow . . . in the age of Trump . . . this lovely Christmas carol just seems appropriate for the season. 

What do you think?

Merry Christmas, y'all!

MEMORIES

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THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers!

Y'know earlier this week I mentioned that I start every day with a cup, or two, or three, of coffee.

That got a somewhat mixed response but I insist I have a reason for my practice.

And also . . .

On another subject, I read on the Interwebs this week that the happiest times in Washington these days are when there's a funeral.

But moving right along, the holiday season is underway in earnest.

And also here in Arizona.

(ba-da-bing-tssss!)

But seriously (not really), I hope you're enjoying the festive season.

Turning back to the news of the week, we're back on Mars with another camera and got an astounding scientific image!

Also in recent news the government in my neighboring city of Prescott has made it illegal to use a smart phone while driving.

I just wonder how that will be enforced.

Okay, okay, I hear you, enough!

I'm a little late this morning so I'll lower the level of alliteration and levity and wish you a lovely and lucky weekend, whether lounging and loafing with your lovebug or lapping up liquor or other liquids.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

COFFEE TIME

It's how I start my day.

Every day.

6:30 a.m. today.

I slept in.

AND OTHER HOLIDAYS

I should have mentioned in my outpouring of emotion about the Christmas season yesterday that there is another holiday occurring right now.

Hanukkah began last night.

And IT lasts for 8 whole days and nights!