ThrowBackThursday

A blast from the (distant) past.

Dewey Hopper, Roger Ball, Bruce Taylor, Jerry Foster, Carol Lynde, Diane Kalas

The occasion was a retirement party for Mr. Ball and it really wasn't the distant past.

It was May 12, 2012 . . . only about 6 years ago.

But the people pictured go back a lot further than that.

They all spent time at Channel 12 . . . KPNX-TV and prior to that KTAR-TV in Phoenix, Arizona.

But I left in 1985 and I think only Foster was still there at that time.

So these are truly some old veterans of the television wars.

WINTER IN ARIZONA

Wintry weather has finally made an appearance here in the Central Highlands of Arizona overnight.

When I arose this morning and peered with dread out the window, I saw that the worst of my nightmares had come true.

There was snow on the ground.

It coated the fence between ours and our neighbor's properties.

And when I went out to the front my fears were confirmed once again as I saw the shrubs along my driveway were covered in the white stuff.

So okay, it's not like a blizzard came through.

And now at 11 a.m. the temperature has risen to 43, headed for a high today of around 50 degrees and the middle 60's by the weekend so most of the traces of Old Man Winter's wrath are already gone.

And you know what?

That's just fine with me, a native North Dakotan who lived through too many winters up where it really snows.

And stays.

LAST NIGHT'S TV

Alabama wins national college championship game (again - sigh) with a long touchdown pass from a freshman quarterback.

In overtime!

Catalyst is stunned.

A FIERY DAWN

Dawn arrived this morning with fire and fury.

Not what you may think but just a cloudy sky lit up with the brilliant light of a rising sun.

Were I to be a little higher on the hill I might be able to get rid of some of those power lines.

But then I think they provide a nice contrast.

A few minutes later, from my back yard, the violence of the preceding pictures had faded to a gentler appearance.

Call that one "the soft fuzzy."

And so another day and week begins.

ROCKIN' ROBIN

It seems like a long time until Spring but I guess as long as the temperature hovers in the mid 60's I will get visits from this guy and his relatives and friends.

This robin red breast made several visits to the bird bath this morning but not to bathe, only to drink.

He seemed very nervous and kept looking through the window glass at me.

I find it curious that when he puts his head down to take a drink, he appears from the expression on his face to be angry and ferocious.

Once he got his fill, he changed his position to be looking out into the yard before flying away.

WHAT'S THIS? POLITICS?

Regular readers of Oddball Observations know that I generally avoid politics on the blog.

But sometimes it just overwhelms me and comes spilling out.

So forgive me for this one day of observations on the current political scene in these United States of America.

Our president is a genius, you know.

He just told (tweeted) us so.

Even with all the jibberish coming from our leader's mouth, he still has his followers.

And finally, here's one more for my friends in California.

And Oregon.

And Washington.

And Nevada.

And Colorado.

And Massachusetts.

And the District of Columbia.

Where would we be without our cartoonists, eh?

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

At this time of year, the beginning, some people of more hope than experience will be setting down their resolve of how to improve their lives in the coming months.

Here at the international headquarters of Oddball Observations we call these people "delusional".

But be that as it may, go ahead and make your New Year's Resolutions but remember the reality expressed in the following pie chart.

Or here.

On that daring note, I shall bid you adieu, Gentle Readers.

Please have an exciting and fulfilling weekend and always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, no, bail money again)