RECOMMENDATIONS

I don't often recommend books for you to read but when I do it's for a good reason.

Here's my list of good reads.

 

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

Catch-22, by Joseph Heller

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison

The Odyssey, by Homer

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

I must admit that I've read most of them over my many years.

But the real reason for that list?

They were all listed on the American Library Association's report on books that were either challenged or banned last year.

I happen to think this could also be a list of exemplary writings.

I'm a liberal when it comes to books; I think you should read widely and without imposing personal prejudices.

But that's just me.

Take my recommendations for whatever you like but be reminded that this is Banned Books Week.

What better time to enjoy a classic.

CURIOUS

 I woke up early this morning and remembered a short shopping trip planned for today.

So I got dressed and drove out into a very grey morning.

Got to the grocery store and quickly piled stuff into my cart.

A Sunday New York Times and an Arizona Republic, a package of crammed-in grocery store croissants, and a bottle of vodka.

I can't help wondering what the checkout girl is thinking.

Light rain began on the way home.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 That audit of the votes cast in Arizona's Maricopa County in the last presidential election is finally done and it shows President Biden's margin of victory was actually LARGER.

For the Trumpers, it wasn't supposed to turn out that way.

Which makes me realize . . .

Hi, Gentle Readers, and welcome to the Friday edition of Fun and Frolic.

Let's linger no longer.

And with those two earworms for you, I will scuttle my way out of here.

But not before advising you all to have a sensational, trouble-free weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

PALS

 Just a pair at twilight.

Photographed from a distance, in weak light, with a weak camera, so these pics ain't goin' on no museum walls.

But still . . .

Ain't they sweet?

FALL HAS FELL

 

As I am writing this it is 7:15 in the morning here in Arizona's Central Highlands and the temperature is 53 degrees Fahrenheit.

As of around mid-day the Autumnal Equinox will arrive and officially will be the beginning of our Fall Season.

As usual, though, someone forgot to tell the Weather Gods.

The mercury here is forecast to top out in the 80's today and for the upcoming several days.

Nevertheless the nights will be cool enough to open the house once again, eventually the leaves will begin changing colors and then falling to the ground and, hopefully for our long drought-stricken area, snow will occasionally drop from the sky.

For those of you who love autumn, it's time for your Happy Dance.

IMAGINE

 

Today is World Peace Day.

Get it?

A MEAL

 A full sheet pan heading for the oven.

Juicy, spicy deliciousness upon emerging from the cauldron.

That gal of mine can cook!

JUST A THOUGHT

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Surprise!

As Willy Nelson sings, "I woke up still not dead again today!"

You could be forgiven for wondering since I haven't posted since last Sunday.

I guess there's nothing much going on here at the old Bar None Corral.

But there are still a batch of cartoons, most sent in by my Comedy Contributors.

You're all appreciated.

So let's take a look and see what's here.

(I know, I know. It's supposed to say "biting". And the apostrophe's in the wrong place. It's so hard to get good help these days.)

And with that, I shall bring this attempt at levity to a close.

Now y'all have a wonderful weekend and remember: Always. Keep. Laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

EL GORDO

 I apologize.

I have been negligent in reporting on the Taylor Family Garden.

So today I have some (not very artistic) photos of our gourd plant.

It has successfully climbed the arbor and is now putting out mammoth gourds day after day.

At least they're mammoth to me, who has never grown a gourd.

(By the way, you'll notice I have included the window from which I take photos of the birds at the birdbath.

You will kindly NOT notice how dirty the window is.)

I keep wondering why the gourds don't fall to the ground but SWMBO says the stem is thick and strong.

I included my mitt in this last picture not because I'm proud of it but to give you some idea of the size of these things.

In my mind this plant shall always be known as El Gordo!

SMOKIN' SAT'DAY

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 TGIF!

Yes it is.

I know.

The days seem to fly by faster and faster.

For me as well as you.

So let's make the most of them.

Let's laugh a little.

So that's it for this week, ladies and gentlemen.

I hope you all, each and every one of you, will endeavor to have an energetic, not enervating, weekend.

And remember the sage words of the Catalyst: always keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, c'mon, just try it, it's healthy!)

REMEMBER PIZZA PARTIES?

 Matty came rushing in the moment I opened the garage door this morning but I'll spare you another photo of him napping on the couch.

Instead I'll tempt your taste buds with a photo I found on my phone yesterday that I'd forgotten about

As you may recall, I prepare pizza most Friday evenings but not the way true pizza cooks do it.

Mine starts with a frozen pizza from the grocery store and is then "doctored" with more pepperoni, a mixture of diced mini-peppers, some mozzarella, sometimes some cherry tomatoes or red onion, and some basil and Parmesan cheese tossed on at the pre-slicing moment.

As I was beginning this post I was thrown back to the 1950's when pizza finally had made it's way to the cultural backwash where I grew up.

We college-age kids used to have what were called "pizza parties" where the pies would be created, baked and devoured while we listened to Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck records.

We felt soooooo sophisticated!

I realize now that that was typical of many college sophomores of the era, full of "great wisdom" imparted by our reading Jack Kerouac, J.D. Salinger and dipping into some Kafka.

I remember reading "Metamorphosis" aloud to a friend as he drove us somewhere on a North Dakota highway.

That was long ago now in an increasingly fuzzier memory.

But I still love my Friday Night Pizza.

Have a slice!