COLD

Winter doesn't officially begin for 5 more days but the frigid weather has already descended on us.

Now I know that a low temperature overnight in the 20's (Fahrenheit) may not seem "cold" to many of you in other parts of the world.

But here in Arizona I can feel it in my bones.

Those chunks of ice the cat is surrounded by came out of the birdbath yesterday morning.

And as I gaze out the window this morning, 24 hours later, they're still lying there, unmelted.

The metal container I put on the ground with water for visiting cats (and skunks and whatever else stops by in the dark of night) suffered the same fate.

The mercury will be steadily rising throughout the week to reach a high of near 60 by the weekend but then comes another slide into the icy depths.

The furnace ran several times during the night, according to SWMBO, and that or some other irritant kept me awake most of the darkness hours.

Like Ebenezer Scrooge I say, "Bah! Humbug!"

PUTTING ON THE POUNDS

I'm not sure why "the holidays" compels the home baker to produce items that are guaranteed to show up on the scale.

Some of it is baking for friends and neighbors.

But a lot of it is just consumed at home.

It may be the influence of television shows and commercials and magazines and newspapers with their sugarplum fairy habit of showing cookies and cakes and candies that you, too, can make.

At any rate I'm no exception to the rule and the immediate result is this Lemony Turmeric Tea Cake that came first from the New York Times and second out of my oven.

It was very tasty even though I am paying for it in increasing poundage.

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN

Sunday morning in my town.

And in the imagination of a master songwriter.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

The end of another frightful week has come and we can now turn to the joyful side.

Oh, no, it's Friday the 13th.

Did we ever need the funnies more?

Well maybe last week and the week before and . . .

Okay, let us begin.

There now, feeling better?

Time to get back to trimming the tree, baking cookies and candy and other stuff you'd never eat, finishing the Christmas cards, attending the kids' and grandkids' holiday extravaganzas, last minute shopping, and wrapping presents.

Meanwhile, I'll just lean back in my recliner and watch "It's A Wonderful Life" for the umpteenth time.

Whatever is your wont, have a wonderfully warm weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(awwwww . .)

A SECOND LOOK

I keep having these weird feelings that someone is watching me.

ThrowBack Thursday

SWMBO saying good night to Carol Burnett's grandmother.

IN LIEU OF WISDOM . . .