A LOSS IN THE FAMILY

Please forgive the use of the word "family" above but it seems that once you get to know someone really well through the blogosphere, they become part of your family.  One such person is Meggie, away down in Australia.  She has just recently lost her husband, Les, after 45 years of marriage.  He was known as GOM, for Grumpy Old Man, on her blog.  They had some rough times together, as he would pull up her plants, mistaking them for weeds, or rearrange the kitchen according to HIS wants so Meggie couldn't find things.

But they had many, many good times together, too.  Many of those good times Meggie related on her blog as well.  Now she has to slowly accustom Les/GOM's favorite dog, Leo, to the fact that his master is gone.  Time and the love of friends, family and "strangers" from all over the globe will help Meggie through the difficult days.

So, if you knew her from her blog, Life's Free Treats, or from anywhere else, be kind and send her a message or a comment on her blog.  She needs us now.

HACKED!

I know.  Those hackers are taking over the Internet and causing a lot of problems.  I shouldn't feel this way.  So, I'm sorry.  But this story tickles me pink!

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/602525/

WEARY WRIGLEY

I'm sure I know how a number of you, up in years, feel when the grandchildren come to visit.  They are full of energy while you get progressively more and more tired, even if you're just sitting watching their animated activity.  By the end of the day you're exhausted while they're still going.  We had some of that experience last weekend when our grandkids were here for a visit.  But it may have been even worse for the BRD's dog, Wrigley.

You see, Lesly arrived with a new Yorkie, about six weeks or so old and he was absolutely full of energy.

This was one of the few times all weekend when he was relatively quiet though you can tell by looking at his face that he was "ready to go."

Well, Wrigley . . . whom I have said probably should have been named Wiggly . . . didn't quite know what to make of this small bundle of manic behavior.  (By the way, his name is J.B. and I think he'd been drinking some!)  J.B. ran circles around Wrigley, challenging him from time to time to one game after another.  Wrigley tried to ignore him but it just didn't work and by the end of the day, he could just stand and stare, though his tail was still in motion.

I knew just how he felt, though my tail wouldn't have been waggin', it would have been draggin'!

THE BIG WEEKEND

Who would have believed it?  I haven't posted here since Tuesday!  Can't say I've been busy so I guess lazy is the term.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and for former Indiana residents it's time for this year's running of the Indy 500.

This is one guy who won't be in the race with his classic roadster.  Noting the "Hoosier" labels on his tires, I asked him if he was one.  He said he wasn't.

Lots of activities going on in the area this weekend.  An Indian festival, arts events, music everywhere.  Here's some homegrown art in an alley next to the parking garage in downtown Prescott.

Hope you all have a happy Memorial Day weekend and don't forget the men and women in uniform.

MAG 67

Now, this is an interesting bunch.

First there’s that pompous poseur with his monocle, staring affectedly up towards the light.

The young lady, ignoring her platter of chicken . . or is that pigeon . . , follows his gaze. But not without some disinterest and boredom.

The paid lute player to her left is rapt in his music, or in the cash that he will earn for this gig.

There’s a waitress (or waiter, who can tell these days), dressed in typical New York goth black, trying to do her/his job.

And then there’s the guard, who’s doing what he should be doing: keeping his eye out for interlopers.

So, what does this painting tell us?

Well, I’ll tellya what I think. I think these are a bunch of outta work hacks who are trying to become art objects. But, y’know, I think they’re mostly extras who stumbled into this scene in the hopes of winning the artistic “American Idol” competition.

My vote? They haven’t got a chance.

Except for the guard. He’s got an interesting face and I think, if he can carry a tune, he might be okay to lead a rock band.

We’ll see.

============================================================
 
More at Magpie Tales.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB

Bob Dylan is exactly one year and one month younger than I am. 

I still prefer his music from his beginnings.

WE ARE FAM-I-LY!!!

Our grandson, Sgt. Russell "Rusty" Milburn paid a visit to Arizona this past weekend, accompanied by the love-of-his-life, Kayla.

Well!  That brought a gathering of the clan together.  Rusty's twin sister Christina (Christy).

And his older sister, Lesly.

And her son, the handsome and precocious Donovan.

Of course, the BRD was in attendance.  Actually she hosted most of the weekend at her lovely home.

She and SWMBO planned the entire event for days in advance.

The BRD's Beau Jack aided in the hosting and competing with Donovan at a yard game.

I think I have revealed in the past a fascination with women's painted toenails.  This weekend I was in, as they say, hog heaven!

Although we all had great conversations with our soon-to-be civilian and his lady, I noticed that they never strayed far from each other.

And one final shot of the young-uns as cars were about to take to the road for different directions.

It was a great weekend reunion and everyone left happy.