Patterns

Sharon has some interesting photographs on one of her blogs today and it made me think of this photograph I took in our front yard a couple of days ago.

Apparently it is uninteresting, though, as evidenced by SWMBO's shrug reaction to it when I showed it to her.

Perhaps this picture, taken instead of pointing the camera down but up, is more interesting.

I wanted to photograph the gray, cloudy sky and was luck enough to have a couple of big black ravens fly over as I clicked the shutter.

I cropped the picture down later to better show the birds.

Quite obviously they don't flap their wings in a coordinated manner even though they were flying side by side.

The first picture fills one's spirit with a sense of impending gloom or doom against that slate grey sky, though.

(Today it's blue with lots of sunshine.)

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Well, here we are once again.

The end of the week and nothing to show for it except a few extra pounds (of pie).

But it's time to look the ogre dead in the eyes and amp it up, Gentle Readers.

Time to get . . .

Hey, was that the phone?

So that's it, Gentle Readers, progress in the technological era.

Here's an idea for a great weekend: turn your phone OFF for a couple of days and look around you.

You might be surprised.

But whatever, always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Oh, no, you too?)

FIVE AMIGOS

The years keep piling up but the Rock Springs Cafe gatherings live on.

Today was another such lunch at the Palace of Pie by these five survivors of the media wars at KPNX-TV in Phoenix.

Steve Torbeck, Wally Athey, Lew Ruggiero, Karl Kindberg and Bruce Taylor.

All a bit grayer, certainly more rotund.

As for the pies, you think I lie?

These are just some of the pies being readied for the big Thanksgiving rush.

I had a slice of Chocolate Cream today while the other lads, (huh-huh-huh), watched their waistlines.

VIEWS AROUND THE CASA

A colorful early morning sky through the leaves at dawn.

My constant companion keeps an eye out for birds and wandering cats.

And one of our favorite repeating dinners Judy discovered a recipe for recently.

Smoked paprika shrimp with scallions and garlic.

How's life around your house?

AVIAN ANTICS

I had just finished filling the bird bath with fresh water this morning when this rascal showed up.

He looked to his right.

He looked to his left.

He looked straight at where Blackwell and I were watching him through the window.

What was he so cautious about?

Aha!

Bath day.

Some birds are more modest than others, I guess.

MY GIRLS

The BRD has been experimenting with her hair-do's recently.

This is the latest: bangs!

As I told her, I've always loved bangs.

Know why?

Like daughter, like mother.

THIS WILL FOOL YOU

Click on the link:

ARE THEY WET YET?

I'd seen this before but when my friend, Lori Across Town (formerly Down the Block) sent it to me today I thought maybe some of you Gentle Readers hadn't seen it yet.

As the email said:  

This is a holographic projection of a Whale. It is a photographic process that produces images thanks to the differences between 2 laser beams. These images are projected into a gym using a special camera. There is not a drop of water in this room, let alone a whale.

Spooky what science can do, isn't it?

THE SEASON OF FOOD

Regulars at this blog (Gentle Readers) know that I love food.

I love to read about it.

I love to occasionally try new recipes.

I especially love to eat SWMBO's cooking.

So if you're warming up your kitchens for the holidays, let me show you some throwback pictures from our various kitchens over the years.

Some recipes call for Julia Child's favorite ingredient: but-tah!

The big eating day of the year is Thanksgiving, just down the road a bit and in most homes that means turkey.

Years ago we came to an understanding that roasting a whole turkey is more work than it's worth and turkey breast became our holiday meal.

But not everyone likes turkey (like my wife) so maybe throw tradition to the wind and go with boneless orange pork chops.

Or maybe some grilled fish and asparagus.

Fresh-baked bread is always a treat.

And, of course, veggies are a must no matter how they're part of your meal.

Of course, at Thanksgiving there's only one way to end the meal . . . with PIE!

It might be the traditional pumpkin pie.

Or a Key Lime Pie.

Or you may want to go way out in left field and make a Chocolate Truffle Pie!

Let me tell you, couple a slice of that with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce and you will remember it in your dreams.

I don't know about you but I'm hungry!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Okay, Gentle Readers, hang onto your hats.

I've got a big opening for you this week.

Are.

You.

Ready?

There.

I bet you're feeling better already.

Let's not procrastinate.

Let's get started.

I love that one.

What's your favorite?

All done, Fellow Followers, now the rest is up to you.

Proceed to the gate, enter the Wild and Wooly Weekend and have yourselves a great one.

Not a good one.

A GREAT one!

Oh, and always remember to k-e-e-p  l-a-u-g-h-i-n-g!!!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, no)

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Back to the 60's.

Cruising in my MGB.

Headband, mutton chops and a smirk.

And That's Jazz!

Roy Blount Jr., in his book "Save Room for Pie", states that the following is the greatest music video ever made.

An all star celebrity sing-along from the 1988 prime time PBS pledge drive special. The catchy song was written by Chris Cerf and Norman Stiles.

The celebrities, in order of appearance: John Candy (as Yosh Schmenge from SCTV), Andrea Martin (as Edith Prickley from SCTV), New York Mets Keith Hernandez & Mookie Wilson, Jane Curtin (of SNL and Kate & Allie), Madeline Kahn, Joe Williams, Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman), Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Wynton Marsalis, Celia Cruz, Ihtzak Perlman, Gordon Jackson & Jean Marsh (as Angus Hudson and Rose Buck of Upstairs Downstairs), Paul Simon, Jeremy Irons, Pete Seeger, Rhea Perlman and Danny Devito, and NY Giants Sean Landeta, Mark Ingram, Karl Nelson and Carl Banks.

Quite a cast.

MAXIMUM CATTAGE

For the second time (that I know of) our bird bath had a non-Avian visitor this morning.

The big fluffy orange and white neighbor calmly strolled across the yard, climbed up on the back of the Blue Cat and balanced herself with her front paws while drinking long and steady.

I had seen her do this one other time recently.

This time it was Blackwell, gazing longingly out through my window, that alerted me to the visitor's presence.

When she had finished drinking, she got down and started away until I tapped on the window.

Then she walked across the yard again to come up to the slider in SWMBO's room.

Blackwell dived down and scurried into the other room to see what she was up to and met her nose to nose.

Muggles, from her vantage point on the bed, also got a look.

There is never a dull moment when one has cats in and around the house.