VISITORS

The legendary Diane Kalas and her Wonder Dog Rags stopped off at the manse for a visit on her way from Flagstaff back to Sun City today.

It's always nice to see friends during the holidays.

(l to r, DK, Rags & SWMBO)

CHRISTMAS WITH THE "KIDS"

We spent Christmas Eve with the BRD and her Beau Jack.

Their house was decorated lavishly with twinkly lights and a sizable collection of Santas.

One of the resident menagerie, Jet, didn't seem impressed.

Nor did Wrigley, grown old and mostly blind and deaf now.

I'm not proud of my photographic skills last night but I did get a nice mood shot of our hostess and host, I think.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE DUKE

One of the biggest thrills of my 30+ years in broadcast journalism came back in the 1970's when I got a chance to interview John Wayne.

The meeting took place on the bayside patio of his home in Newport Beach, California.

The story that brought about the interview doesn't matter now, all these years later, but Wayne was as nice as could be to a couple of long-haired youngsters from Arizona.

But the other day I was surfing through the t.v. channels and came across a promo for "Christmas with the Duke".

All day and all night on the AMC channel there will be non-stop movies starring John Wayne.

Well I had to alert my friend, Timmer, who was the videographer with me on that day long ago.

He responded by sending me a picture of a picture that I took showing him with Wayne.

That's a blow-up of the picture that Tim has on the wall in his house.

Like I said, a couple of long-haired kids in the 70's.

The hair is much shorter and sparser now, the waistlines have expanded and John Wayne passed away not long after honoring us with that interview.

But I doubt if either one of us will ever forget that day.

And who knows, maybe we'll have to take a look at AMC tomorrow and see some of that shootin' and fightin' and lovin'.

Christmas with the Duke!

Yee-haw!

PHOTO MANIPULATION

SWMBO called my attention to something in the back yard the other day.

The tree that stands there had finally lost nearly all of its leaves and the afternoon sun was casting a shadow of the tree on the concrete block wall at the rear of our property.

I took a photograph of it.

It was somewhat striking but then I wanted to crop it down to show just the wall and I found some enhancement techniques available in the photo editing suite.

So I tried this one.

That sort of cast a bluish hue over it and emphasized the shadows a bit more.

Then there was another filter called for whatever reason by the name "Zeke".

This one really changes the look of the photo, adding a golden tint but also a certain graininess.

I can't decide which I like better.

What's your favorite?

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Ah, Gentle Readers, I guess you know what time it is.

That's right.

Just about time to begin your Christmas shopping.

Lessee . . . .

Whew, you contributors nearly wore me out this holiday season.

But that's fine, keep it up.

In the meantime, this is it - the big holiday weekend so let me wish you all the very merriest of Christmases, lots of goodies under the tree AND on the table.

Raise a glass and always remember to keep on laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, you knew it didn't you.)

YAH SURE YOU BETCHA!

PRINE TIME

Well, Gentle Readers, it doesn't seem like I've had much to say this week.

It's been kind of musical.

So, I figured as I inspected my brain pan today, why not continue.

And since it's getting close to Christmas I figured a song about the man of the season would be timely.

No, not Santa Claus, you heathens.

The other guy.

Here's an early John Prine to tell you about him.