DOWN TO THE VALLEY

 This pandemic struggle has made us a bit stir crazy.

I say a bit because our last road trip was to Cave Creek, a suburb of Phoenix, over a year ago.

Here is a link to my post about that trip in December of 2020.

Since then we've been for the most part cooped up here in our duplex, except for trips to the medicos, the grocery stores, occasional visits to fast food drive-throughs, and the rare visit to the BRD's digs.

So, as we're not getting any younger, yesterday the BRD, SWMBO and I journeyed once again down to The Big Valley.

It's bigger than the last time we were there, the traffic is insane but the views where we went were spectacular.

Those are some of Arizona's famed Saguaro cacti (cactuses) framing a view of the Papago Buttes on the east side of Phoenix.

The view is just one of hundreds in a very special park situated right next to the Phoenix Zoo.

Fellow blogger Sharon, who lives in The Big Valley, is a member and frequently blogs wonderful pictures and prose about her visits to the DBG.

My photographs hold no comparison to hers but they will give you a clue or two to what this wondrous place holds.

The Desert Botanical Garden has become a favored location for exhibits by the blown glass artist Dale Chihuly and his artistic creations appear here and there throughout the park, frequently sharing the colors and the shapes around them.

I took a lot of pictures and in the days ahead I'll show you more of them, both of the natural and the created beauty here.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

(He:)  "Oh, oh, the weather is warming up.  Can Spring be far away?"

(She:) "It's February, you idiot."

(He:)  "Well, it's Friday so can the weekend be far away?"

(She:)  "Sheesh! Talk about a weak end."

And with that we launch the Comedy Cavalcade!

And finally, because this Sunday finally brings the agony of a long and disappointing season to an end, one more.

And that's it, Gentle Readers.

Now no matter who you root for or how you spend your time this Super Sunday, have yourselves an absolutely splendid weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

CLASSIC

It was a sunny day with a high in the mid 60's.

It brought me and a host of others to the car wash.

This was drawing some attention in line.

Why the Flaming Skull, you're wondering?

It might have been the paint job on the front of the car.

Not to be missed in the crowd.

DINNER

 

The beginning.

A couple of soon-to-be grilled cheese sandwiches to accompany a mug of tomato soup and a fruit salad.

A slight variation on the standard bread slathered with mustard and topped with American "Cheese" (cheese food).

We tried some shredded extra sharp Vermont white cheddar on top of the American.

Not bad.

Sorry for the lack of later photos.

Appetites took precedence.

MO SNO

 oh-HO!

So you say you like snow creatures, do you?

Well I've got more!

Okay, okay, that's enough.

And if she gets a ride, that'll be the end of this snowman saga, right kitty?

(oh, man)

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 I was watching the weather channel yesterday with a little bit of suppressed glee.

It was showing snowstorms in Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Little Rock; Oklahoma City and Dallas.

I sent an email to Easy Ed in Indy, where I once lived for a few years, saying I didn't miss that kind of snow at all.

Or the kind where his wife and I come from, in North Dakota.

But today I'll put my gloating aside and show you snow people how to enjoy the days.

After all, it's time for the weekly cartoons!

Those are the jokes, folks.

And a special thank you to L.L., aka Cross Town Lori, a native Michigander, for all those wonderful snowmen and women.

Now here's the message for this weekend: whether it's building your own snow people or sledding or skiing or snowball fights, get out there and enjoy yourself as best you can.

I'll be down here in Arizona basking in the . . . well, no, I'll be inside by the fire!

But always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

PROGRESS (?)

In 1877, a mere 145 years ago, a young man named Thomas Edison introduced a new invention, the phonograph.

He demonstrated it by playing a recording of a poem he had recited.

Today we have Rap.

Thanks, Tom.

ONE MORE

 For William, and for all the rest of you.

(By the way, Punxsatawney Phil reportedly did see his shadow today and subsequently predicted six more weeks of winter.)

GROUNDHOG DAY

 Tomorrow (or today), February 2nd, is Groundhog Day.

If you don't know, and how could you not, it's the day when a rodent called a groundhog is pulled out of his wintertime siesta to see whether he sees his shadow or not.

The result of that unlikely occurrence will (supposedly) tell we "believers" whether there will be six more weeks of winter or not.

C'mon, folks.

Does anyone really believe that?

Oh, and there's a movie starring Bill Murray where a television weatherman gets trapped in a time loop and has to relive the day repeatedly.

Now you might expect me to have a great post about this today.

Well you'd be wrong.

Because one of my fellow bloggers has vanquished me without a fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the new and forever champion of Groundhog Day.

Check his blog by clicking his name.

William Kendall

THE FAMOUS(?) LEMON SHEET CAKE

 Okay, friends, neighbors, Gentle Readers and fellow gourmands.

You asked for it.

Judy made it Sunday and here's how it turned out.

In addition, some of you asked for the recipe so here it is.

Lemon Sheet Cake

Ingredients

• 1 package lemon cake mix (regular size)

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 can (15-3/4 ounces) lemon pie filling

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

• Colored sugar, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix and eggs until well blended. Fold in pie filling.

Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread over cake. If desired, sprinkle with colored sugar. Store cake in the refrigerator.

Just to further pique your taste buds, here's how it looks on the plate.

Very briefly.

Enjoy!

A HOAGY SKY

 

Yesterday's clouds made a spectacular display in the sky.

Whenever Judy or I see a sky like this we're reminded of Hoagy Carmichael, who performed the song "Ole Buttermilk Sky" in the movie "Canyon Passage".

Carmichael was an Indiana native who earned a law degree at Indiana University but found his forte in songwriting.

He and Jack Brooks wrote "Ole Buttermilk Sky".

With many partners, he also is credited with writing "Stardust", "Georgia on My Mind", "(Up A) Lazy River", "In the Still of the Night", "Lazybones", "The Nearness of You", "Heart and Soul", "Two Sleepy People" and dozens more.

But somehow we always think of him when we see a sky like this.

An old buttermilk sky.