THE GRAY AND THE BLUE

 Earlier this week the skies overhead were a dusky dark gray color as a low front headed our way from dread California.

If you've been keeping up with Oddball you will know they brought us a touch of snow the other day.

But today Old Man Sun is back with us.

Believe what you may, that is not a ship manned by extra-terrestrials from far distant worlds on the left-center.

Just a reflection on the camera lens.

So blue skies are back again.

Except for the white streak of a contrail or two from high-flying jets passing overhead.

As I said to SWMBO the other day, I enjoy a cloudy day from time to time.

But I'm always glad to see the sun come out again.

WINTER

"There'll be a change in the weather . . ."

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas . . ."

Those two old songs had their Great Conjunction a few days late but the weather did change a bit yesterday.

Coming on the 28th day of December made it a little late for those wishing for a traditional holiday and, typical for my part of Arizona, it only left a dusting but it was fun while it lasted.

Fun to watch from inside a warm home, that is.

The snow has moved on now, heading east where it will drop much larger amounts so drive carefully or just remain at home, safe and sound.

MUSIC AMERICANA

 Y'say you need a little somethin' to get your Monday Morning in between holidays off to a good start?

I can't think of anything better than a little bit of music from Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

(thanks to Sam Sifton of the New York Times for the tip.)

LOOKING BACK

 So how was your Yuletide?

Ours went pretty well.

Well, other than my putting a just barely opened bottle of Prosecco into the refrigerator with that red wine bottle stopper plugged into it.

On it's side.

On top of a crate of eggs.

And it blew up.

And SWMBO opened the door to the fridge and most of the bottle of Prosecco shot out onto the kitchen floor.

Well, all except the quantity that had dripped down into the crate of eggs.

And onto the trays below.

And into the trays in the door.

But the inch or less left in the bottle still tasted good.

It helped to wash down the ashes in my mouth.

Now you're not going to believe this.

SWMBO actually suggested we get another bottle for New Year's Eve!

I have a feeling though that she'll insist on opening it and pouring it and corking it and setting it upright in an ice bucket we've got around here somewhere.

Women!

They've always got a better idea.

Right, guys?

THE DAY AFTER

 Just when you thought it would end . . .

CHRISTMAS

 It's finally here - the Big Day.

The Christmas Cartoon Countdown reaches its Climax.

So let us delay no longer as we welcome Kris Kringle's annual arrival and celebrate with THE FRIDAY FUNNIES!

And now that we've got the puns out of the way, here's my favorite of the day.

Caramba!

We have connived in a chorus of chortles in this cheery Christmas celebration, cackling away as we characteristically circumnavigate Camelot among the clouds.

Now let me wish you a candlelit Christmas, a wonderful weekend and a feast-filled Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

JINGLE-JINGLE

 It's less than 24 hours now until I can put this to a rest.

And avoid arrest.

By the Humor Police.

So let me slink off quietly.

CHRISTMAS EVE EVE

 It's getting so close now I can almost smell the egg nog.

So continuing our gigantic Christmas Cartoon Countdown we find . . .

ONLY A FEW SHOPPING DAYS LEFT

 The Cartoon Countdown Carousel Continues to Circulate until Christmas Comes Closer!

FOUR TO GO!

 Only four days left until Christmas!

Which means only four days of the Christmas Cartoon Countdown left.

Are you sad?

Or glad?

Which ever, I think we've neglected one of the holiday participants.

It may be because I live in Arizona but it is, of course, the snowmen!

So on today, the shortest day of the year and the Day of The Great Conjunction, here's to Frosty and friends.

C MINUS 5 (OR 6)

 Depending on your habits and your calendar, there are now only 5 or 6 days until Christmas.

Call it a handful.

At any rate, here's today's Countdown Cartoon.

Oh and for those who asked, my back is much better.

Stretching and another one of those C's helped.

Not chocolate.

Not champagne.

Codeine!

THE CARTOON COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS CONTINUES

 The title of this blog post makes it seem like I'm C-zing the day, doesn't it?

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

To tell the truth I don't feel very funny this morning.

I'm dealing with a severe lower back pain and it's a real pain in the - well, you know.

Nevertheless I have taken on the responsibility of providing some laughs to ease you into the weekend and I shall not shirk.

Rather, join me in a shriek. 

(or two)

I know what you're thinking: he forgot the cartoon countdown to Christmas.

Uh-uh.

And with that, I'll issue a cease and desist order to this week's frivolity.

Now try to have a wonderful weekend but in a masked, socially distanced way.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THE FUN CONTINUES

 Day three of my personal tick-tock to Christmas finds problems in the reindeers' locker room.

STILL TICKING

 Day Two of my Cartoon Comedy Countdown to Christmas.

TICK, TICK, TICK

 Since there are only about 10 days left until The Big Day, I think I'll start the holidays Cartoon Countdown.

Enjoy!

Oh and feel free to keep sending them.

I can always use them.

TIS THE SEASON

 TIME Magazine chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as it's People of the Year.

I saw one comment that said the honor should have gone to health care workers.

To remedy that miscarriage of justice, here is just one of them, my nephew Tim who, along with his wife, is a nurse in Washington State.

And, also in the spirit of the season, here is a short video of something I'm sure Tim would never do.

 

WHY?

 Now here's one that will drive you crazy.

Beau Jack sent it along with a bunch of other funnies and both I and SWMBO tried it and had the same result.

Give it a shot and see what YOUR brain does to you.

SATURDAY

 My part of Arizona has had some odd weather this week.

This morning it's overcast once again but without the fog which shrouded us earlier.

For example this view of Glassford Hill, our iconic and extinct (hopefully) volcano.

Trust me, it's there, hidden by that low-hanging cloud.

Then a day later, I believe, these were the (non)-views in my neighborhood.

Kind of makes me want to re-write the lyrics to that old song, "San Francisco, open your golden gates, send all that fog right down to me."

Well, I love fog so it was okay with me.

I read a lot of Sherlock Holmes stories when I was a kid and it brings back (fictional) memories of dark doings afoot on the moors.

Those clouds do have a bright side though.

They make beautiful sunsets.

Now just to leave you with a chuckle, take a look at this meme the BRD sent me this morning.