YUP, IT'S A MILLION SELLER

As I was semi-preparing our evening meal awhile ago I began to sing an old song from my childhood.

But I forgot a couple of lines so, as is my wont, I made them up.

(Just think the verse of "You Are My Sunshine".  If you're old enough.)

The other night, dear,

As I lay sleeping

I dreamt I held you in my arms.

But when I woke, dear,

I clutched my pillow,

And it sure doesn't have your charms.

Hello, Nashville.

I'm on my way.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

I can remember the days when I could jump around like that.

I think.

Not about the jumping.

About the remembering.

Ah, yes, the good child.

You know who you are.

Well, Gentle Readers, it is time once again for me to bid you a beautiful, bountiful, benevolent, braggadocious weekend.

And never, ever forget to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, man)

THE LAST GIRL STANDING

After many years of being owned by cats, we have decided that when our last one crosses the Rainbow Bridge, that will be all.

Here is our last one.

The lovable Muggles, in black and white.

She has always favored SWMBO but she's taken to my pettings in recent days.

And without Blackwell to chase her, she's venturing out into the house more often, instead of just holing up on or under Judy's bed.

It's coming a bit late in her life.

She's 15 years old now.

But, after going through a health scare a couple of years ago she now seems healthier than ever.

And she talks more, DEMANDING that I pet her whenever I come near.

She has a loud raspy voice these days.

But she's still as soft and lovable as ever.

THE MURALIZED FENCE (continued)

I know, I know.

You're just keeping your silence because you know how important that is to the artist.

F.Y.I., SWMBO, aka Judy.

When she began it was just to daub some paint on a decaying board fence in our backyard and make it a bit more pleasant to sit out there with a cocktail in the cool (ha!) of the evening.

But then it grew.

And grew.

And grew.

Therefore, here are the latest photos just taken.

There are more and more trees and, lo and behold, a bobwire (barbed wire) fence!

More trees, a more defined lake, brush, a ridgeline . . .

And what's that down in the far corner?

Is it . . . a . . . tree?

Why indeed it is.

You might say she just has an abundance of green paint.

But she's a Hoosier girl.

She loves trees.

But it's not done yet.

There's more to come.

Stay tuned.

NEW (to me) MUSIC

I am indebted to the Food Editor of the New York Times, Sam Sifton, for introducing me to these wonderful musicians.

JUPITER AND OKWESS

Click the link and enjoy.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

So, Gentle Readers, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped below 4 percent, official news twister Rudy Goofy-ani will be crowing on cable news, football is back, and heat, fires and flooding are filling the news.

What's there to be happy about?

Oh, yeah, the Friday Funnies!

Okay, had enough?

Now my weekly benediction, please enjoy your blessed weekend, don't be bashful but bamboozle your friends and neighbors with bombastic, bewitching blowouts and always . . . always . . . remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THE BAKERY

The other day the BRD, after admiring the Cherry Clafoutis I made and blogged about recently, said she was going to get a big bunch of blueberries and trade some to me for the recipe.

I had mentioned in my blog that the recipe came from renowned pastry chef David Lebovitz and was readily available on the web.

But what the heck.

Free blueberries?

I quickly printed off a copy of the recipe and made the swap with her.

Here is her BLUEBERRY clafoutis.

We still had a handful or two of cherries left and SWMBO convinced me to make another one of the French desserts with them and some of the blueberries.

So here's mine.

Oh and a couple of loaves of English Muffin Bread that I whipped up after the clafoutis was done.

I'm finding great joy in baking as long as the recipes are easy and both of these fit that bill.