A NEW VIEW

We have moved to the Stoneridge development of Prescott Valley. This is our new view to the northeast.

Those are Arizona's Black Hills, with Woodchute and Mingus Mountains being the highest points, on the left.  I took the photo last night as the sun was beginning to set.  There's a lot of open space between us and the town of Prescott Valley, which you can see down there in the distance.  If you click on the photo, it will enlarge to give you a better idea of the view.

Right now...it's back to football.  At halftime, Denver is leading New England 13 to 3.

I BET YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T COMING BACK

But then how could I after making such fast cyber-friends with all of you?

Our move is complete.  Well, that means we're in our new home in northern-ish Arizona.  We still have much of our life packed in boxes scattered through the house and garage but we're slowly getting it together.

The weather was perfect for the move and the high temperature here is in the lower 60's day after day.  I can live with a winter like this. But having lived here before I know about February and early March snowstorms so I'm prepared.

But wait!  It's Friday!  That means the Friday Funnies!  This may be how Judy (SWMBO) feels.  Or it may be how I feel.

This next one is for the people we left behind in mega-Phoenix and for others who live in large cities with traffic jams.

Just so I don't get in trouble I need to tell you that those were both courtesy of the New Yorker magazine, which has the absolutely best cartoons and you should run right out and buy a copy or a subscription.

The next one was titled "Running Low on Toner".  Think about it.

And finally, how could I overlook the travails of New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie.

(This was sent to me by diehard Republican Beau Jack!)

I think I like it even better than the one of a Christie-like figure sitting on a stool facing into the corner with a bright orange traffic cone on his head.

I'm glad to be back.  Have a wonderfully frolicsome weekend, folks!

TWO DAYS TO GO

Our stay in Phoenix will come to an end in less than two days now. We move on Wednesday, just shy of 10 months after we moved here from Prescott Valley.  Now we will return there, though to a different home. People have asked why.  There are reasons.  We found the cost of living here much higher than we had expected and much higher than in Prescott Valley.  And the BRD lives in Prescott . . . just about 10 miles from PV . . . and was disturbed to see us move away.  She had, after all, left her 20-year adopted home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to move out here to be nearer to us some 13 years ago.  So, late learners that we are, we decided to return to her new environs, where she is settled and happy.  Now (perhaps) she will be even happier.  I think we will. And Phoenix, with its museums and concerts and restaurants will only be 100 miles from our new home . . about an hour and a half distant on relatively high speed highways.

So there you have it.  Plus, on our last visit to Prescott a week or so ago, we tried a tiny new restaurant . . Prescott Lobster & Seafood . . and found their Connecticut Lobster Roll sandwiches exquisite.  Not to mention the gelato that finished our lunches.  It's a great addition to the local dining scene and we hope they will enjoy success and a long life in the city.  We know we will be back.

Oh, and by the way, if any Mainers (residents of the state of Maine) are reading this . . they have Moxie!

This is reputed to be a special soft drink with health-giving qualities. We didn't try it on our visit but we will in the future.  And I just like the name.

So tired as we are right now and will be even more in 48 hours, we're looking forward to our new adventures in our old/new home.

We have done this before.  Too many times to count anymore.  But after all.  We've got moxie!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

You wouldn't think I would have enough time to scrounge up a bunch of funnies but I guess the people I steal from my friendly contributors have been more active this week.  So without further ado . . .

Then there are my buddies, the cats.

Speaking of "old", I've always been of the persuasion that the older one gets, the wiser one becomes.  There's proof of that belief all around us. For example . . .

Enjoy your weekend, folks!

THE NO-POST POST

Since you got two last night, you don't get one today.

But never fear!  Tomorrow is Friday and you know what that brings?

The Friday Funnies!

ADDENDUM

Just after I published my last post, SWMBO came in and said "Look on the table."

Blackwell says "Don't even THINK about leaving me behind!"

THE MOVING BLUES

As you all know by now, we're moving.  Again.  The last time we moved I swore it would be the last time.  That was 10 months ago. 

As everyone knows moving is one of those experiences one should never repeat.  I have moved somewhere around 30 times in my life. My brother has lived at the same address for probably 40 years.  Or more. So which one of us is the smart one?

Of course, it's really not all that bad.  We have hired a crew to come on moving day and fill the truck for us.  The BRD has volunteered to drive it to our next home, about 100 miles away.  And another crew has been hired to unload it.  So all we have to do is pack up all our life's possessions.  Not bad, right?

Dream on.

The constant packing is a chore.  And as we fill box after box, we begin to ponder the all important question.  Did we rent a big-enough truck? Or will it look like . . .

But I'm not worried.  Not really.  It will all be fine and will work itself out.

I grant you.  Sometimes my patience wears thin and I raise my voice. But then I'm reminded of this and I calm down fast.

Only a week to go, folks.