A BORROWED BLOG POST

We are moving.  In one week.  I'll bet you know what that means. Among other things it means my blogging will be sparse.  But I have friends.  And they send me things.  My dear Lori sent me a bunch of WOW photographs today.  I picked out a few to show you.

Like the tenacity of the humble tulip.

Or of those insane people who climb mountains.

Even more insane, in my view, are these people out for a casual bicycle ride.

Along with a strange mind, that trip requires absolute nerve and steady hands.

Then there's this picture of Manhattan.

And the amazing power and wonder of nature.

And, impressively, over my state's very own Grand Canyon.

Lastly (you already know I love cats) this amazing picture.  "Baby turn my brown eyes blue."

Thank you, Lori.  Luvya!

ONE MORE TIME

A good friend of mine, Alaska Jerry, posted a terrific picture on Facebook today.  I thought I'd share it with you.

With the death of Phil Everly making news yesterday, this really does have a special impact for me.  And just to remind you how good the music of "way-back-then" was take a look and listen to these remarkable harmonies from Phil and Don Everly in concert.

Never a note off, these two guys were simply sensational.

(And their pants fit!)

SO LONG, PHIL

When I was a teenager, these guys made a difference.

The Everly Brothers

Phil is gone now.  Don lives on.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

May your next two minutes be frolicsome and fun!

MY BUDDY

Show me the Lord of the Manor, settled into a recliner in front of a television showing the latest football game . . . and I'll show you a huge black cat that leaps up (sometimes unexpectedly) into his lap, kneads until he's quite sure it's comfortable and then lies down for a nap. That's my Blackwell.

"And yes, I know I'm handsome."

OLIO

"Olio" is a crossword puzzle word that means a mixture, or medley or hodgepodge.  Actually I prefer "hodgepodge".  At any rate, that's what you're getting to mark the beginning of a new year.

Last night's New Year's Eve feast was baked potatoes, my semi-famous Pepper Steaks, a nice mixed salad prepared by SWMBO, and a baguette, all complimented by a tasty bottle of red.  

Strangely, the only photo of the meal is this one of the somewhat depleted red wine.

SWMBO was busy with the slow cooker this week.

Ham and beans!  Yum!

And her delicious corn bread to accompany them.

Oh, by the way, she has it in her mind to hire some off-duty firefighters to load our truck when we move.  I can't imagine why.

I thought you might like to see some products of our back yard.

Well I really need to get away from this computer and watch some football.  

Ouch!  Okay, help my wife with some packing.

ONE DAY - BIG DIFFERENCE

SWMBO is now calm.  The Credit Union approved our line of credit today at the amount she wanted.  I finally reached the realtor in Prescott Valley and learned that we have the house.  We will move on January 15th, if not before.

Here's our new "cottage".

I say "cottage" because the front of it has that sort of "cottage-ey" look to it.  But it's actually a quite large house with a two car attached garage in the rear.  And there's a great view of the Black Hills to the northeast.  You can't see Mount Rushmore, though.

O.K.  I know.  THOSE Black Hills are in South Dakota.  But someone named these the Black Hills, too.

At any rate, we're headed back to cooler but milder weather in just a couple of weeks so I'd better get busy packing.

Oh and one other bit of business from yesterday's post.  Texas Tech's Red Raiders thoroughly humiliated the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Holiday Bowl last night.  I turned the television off when they intercepted a pass in our end zone with about 3 minutes left in the game.  So much for my pre-game bravado and, apparently, the opinions of a lot of sports pundits.

So now I think I've covered everything.

Happy New Year, everyone!