SUNSET

When I first came to Arizona, back in 1972, (Wow!  That was 41 years ago!) I landed a job at a television station in Phoenix.  At first I was a producer but then went back to being a reporter, which is what I really liked to do.  Somewhere shortly after I began covering the news I became aware that Sun City, Del Webb's paradise for seniors on the edge of Phoenix, was the scene of an unusual number of suicides. Seniors were supposed to be enjoying the good life in their golden years.  Instead, an unusually high number of them seemed to be finding life too much for them.  I proposed that I do a documentary on the subject.  I even had a name for it:  Sunset in Sun City.  I thought it would be great.  Obviously someone above me did not share my opinion.  The documentary, not to mention any single news stories on the subject, never saw the airwaves.

I still think it would have been a great idea but . . . that was just one of many disappointments in my broadcasting career.

All of which brings me to the real subject of today's blog post.

A semi-beautiful sunset.

Last night's was better as the sky turned crimson.  I spotted it too late to grab a camera but I was ready tonight.

No matter where you live, if you're a photographer . . professional or amateur . . your files are probably full of sunset pictures.  Everyone thinks they have the best ones.

Let me tell you.  The best sunsets are in Arizona.

And once again, I must apologize for those power lines marring the view.  Sorry 'bout that.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . .

One second left on the clock.  Alabama and Auburn are tied at 28 apiece.  Alabama will try a 56 yard field goal to win the game.  Now watch.

I don't know who that announcer is but I hope he finally calmed down.  I mean . . . all that southern food and then this type of excitement?

PHOENIX VS. EDMONTON

Want to see how my Canadian neighbors spend their vacation time in Phoenix?  Cheryl posted this picture yesterday.

That's a nice glass of cerveza with a slice of lime.  Happy hour.

Back where they're returning tomorrow, Edmonton, Alberta, the current temperature is 25 degrees.  Here...70 degrees.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Not a lot of humor out on the Streets of Fear on this Black Friday. I've seen some photos and videos of the madness in stores.  Glad I don't shop.

So, here's a couple to help you forget all that and put a smile on your face.

And I never forget my fellow Cat Lovers.

Have a fun weekend, folks!

THANKSGIVING IN ARIZONA

Much of the eastern United States is dealing with winter storms this week.  Snow, ice, rain, high winds, even a tornado - - pretty much all bad.  Meantime in Arizona . . .

These foolish turkeys had better stay out of the road or they're going to wind up on someone's Thanksgiving dinner table.  Perhaps outside.  By the pool.

Yes, some people do like to rub it in about our wonderful fall and winter weather.  But certainly not me.  (Our high temperature today is supposed to be close to 75 degrees.)

I just heard from our neighbors.  They're going to barbecue steaks for their meal today.  But we can forgive them.  They're Canadian, after all, and their Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October.  This year that was the 14th.

As for our house, it will benefit from the wonderful aroma of . . . (wait for it) . . . meat loaf!  Due to a good price at the grocery a few weeks ago, we had a turkey breast with all the trimmings then and having finally just finished off the leftovers the Thanksgiving menu at our house was changed.  But I'm not complaining.  SWMBO makes a great meat loaf. And she did make a pumpkin pie yesterday.  'Course we had to sample it last night.  But there's still some left for dinner dessert today.

Whatever you're eating today and wherever you are and however your weather is . . . I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

CHILLY WEDNESDAY

Know the feeling?

Well I do have to clean out that slow cooker from yesterday's semi-disaster.  I mentioned yesterday that I was making a mac and cheese recipe in it.  About halfway through the cooking I decided to stir it. EGADS!  The pasta-cheese mix seemed to be turning very brown on its edges and sticking/burning to the sides of the cooker.  At that point I realized with dismay that I had overlooked the first step in the recipe: "Coat inside of slow-cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray."

Oh, man.  I confirmed with SWMBO that there was nothing I could do at that point but she sweetly pointed out that I was going to have a helluva time getting the bowl clean.

Well the mac and cheese was wonderful and my bride did give me a tip: pour in a half-cup of baking soda, fill the bowl with hot water and let it sit overnight.  Most of the "crud" has come loose and off and I'm now going to tackle it to remove the rest.

So if you try a new recipe, don't overlook any of the instructions.

BTW, it's not really that chilly here.  The thermometer just hit 65 degrees and the sun appears to be shining.  

TURKEY WEEK . . . OR NOT

2013.  One of those rare years when Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same date.  The "wags" are dubbing it Thanksgivukkah. Now you have to decide what to serve for dinner that day - turkey or pastrami! SWMBO has made her choice.  We're having meat loaf. Actually the reason for that is because there was a great price on turkey breasts a few weeks ago and we had our turkey meal of the year.  She doesn't really like it.  I love it but when I have to eat ALL of the leftovers, enough is enough.

She's always thought my family was a little crazy because when I was a kid we had roast turkey on Thanksgiving, on Christmas and again on New Year's Day.  I'm not sure why.  We weren't turkey farmers.

But I'm okay with meat loaf anyway.  I mentioned our menu choice to several people in the grocery store today and they all responded "I LIKE meat loaf!"  (I didn't invite any of them to join us.)

I'm trying out a new recipe today which SWMBO shook her head at when I mentioned it yesterday.  Slow cooker macaroni and cheese. She said it only takes about an hour to turn that meal out on the stove top.  But we have a new slow cooker and I wanted to try it. Besides instead of just the standard bright orange cheese you get in a boxed dinner of the stuff, this has a combination of American, Cheddar and Gruyere.  My mouth is already watering.  And it still has about two hours to go.

So have a happy Thanksgiving, folks, no matter what you're eating and remember this: