SAINTS PRESERVE US

Today bein' March 17th it's the day for the wearin' o' the green. (And corny fake Irish accents.)

So, don a shamrock, grab a pint and join in the fun.

Not everyone has an Irish leprechaun to wish them well. But I do.

His name is Jerry Michael Welsh, better known as Big Jerry. I met him through my good friend Reed. Jerry is truly Irish from his year- round shorts and Hawaiian shirts down to his huge, welcoming smile. His emails always sign off the same way.

Forever and For Always Irish!!!

Yesterday's email included an Irish Friendship Wish:

May there always be work for your hands to do;

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you;

And may you be in heaven a half hour

     before the devil knows you're dead.

Jerry is a kind friend of animals as he is a friend of any man or woman. He is a true leprechaun.

It seems strange to thrust such praise on a man I've only met once in my life. Maybe it's Irish magic.

I had another Irish friend many years ago, a fine news reporter with a dogged and quirky personality. He's gone now but I'll always remember Will Murphy.

To them and to you, I wish a happy St. Patrick's Day.

ON THIS DAY . . .

. . . little Jimmy Madison was born.

Well actually, his given name was James Madison and he was born on March 16th, 1751. He later in life became known as the Father of the Constitution, though he referred to it as a product of many heads and many hands.

Madison served two terms as the fourth President of the United States and, though he tried to keep the country out of war, he was plagued by a second battle with the British for independence known as the War of 1812. The British captured Washington and burned the White House in 1814 but Madison's plucky wife, Dolley, managed to save a portrait of George Washington before fleeing.

They were a pretty good pair, the Madisons. So let's strike up the band and salute them both today.

This next picture has absolutely nothing to do with the Madisons but something about the brilliant display of white blossoms made me think of Jimmy so . . here it is.

The tree is just one street over from my back door and I was struck by it while out on my daily walk the other day.

By the way, today's date also marks the day Judge Roy Bean, the so-called "Law West of the Pecos", died in Langtry, Texas, in 1903. I haven't found a hanging tree to commemorate him. But there is a namesake watering hole in Prescott named after Bean's legendary saloon.

So, maybe after saluting the Madisons, we might all stop off at the Jersey Lilly and raise a glass to the old reprobate, "Judge" Roy Bean.

GO AWAY, SKATEBOARDERS!

Over at the Prescott Valley Civic Center, where government lives, there is a lot of concrete. The plazas and hillsides in the area would be ideal for skateboarders, you might think. But No! There are pedestrians around here and the town leaders don't want them run down.

Hence, the unfriendly sign.

As you can perhaps tell, some in the younger generation have not taken kindly to the admonition.

But the town means business and here is one example of the force of law. A nice curving ramp has had stones cemented to it to deter the rapscallions from using it for an adventure course.

So begone, skateboarders!

But cheer up. There is a fine skateboarding facility designed for your use.

Unfortunately it's in Prescott, eight miles away.

THE BIRDS AND THE BEE(s)

This is our birdbath (and our flagstone walk) in our back yard.

This is a closer view.

Hey! I said BIRD-bath!

Who let that bee in here?

Dear?  There was a bee in our bath and he's left me feeling all fuzzy.

Where is he? I'll take care of him!!!

So ends today's saga of the birds and the bee(s).

What? You were expecting something different?

FRIDAY (THE 13TH) FUNNIES

Oh, drat! I hate when I have to tell you that it is Friday the 13th. A day filled with omens and portents and all that bad stuff.  "Twaddle!", says I.  "Superstititous twaddle!" Let us not be fearful of a simple date on a calendar. Let us march forth into the fray, fearful of naught! Let us go into battle armed with smiles on our faces and carrying with us . . . THE FRIDAY FUNNIES!

I'm not so sure who "IM" is (didn't catch that, didya?) but I'd avoid him.  Or her.

Let us not forget, this was the week that we were able to spend a ridiculous amount of money on yet another amazing new technology item.

That guy looks like John Goodman, doesn't he?

How much money does one need anyway?

I mean, after the first million.

I saw Princess Kate on t.v. last night and SWMBO reminded me that she was "expecting" a baby soon.  "The Spare", y'know.

Me? It's nearing Saturday, the usual day when the Bible Beaters begin ringing our bell.  But, expecting them, this year I've got a secret weapon.

There is nothing like a cat to set them right.  Right?

That's all, folks.  Keep smiling and thanks to all of my contributors (and victims of theft.)

Oh, and if my little attempts at humor offended anyone, what did you expect?  It's Friday the 13th!

ThrowBack Thursday

Mexico Days - Guadalajara - the 1980's.

A couple of cats - Our newly acquired Chulapay and I - buddies.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY