SERENITY

 

The BRD's family - Lily and Mimi - enjoying the peace and quiet of their new home.

IT HAS TO BE A MISTAKE

 The MacArthur "Genius Grants" have been announced.

Once again you've been left off the list.

"You've got to be kidding!"

RECOMMENDATIONS

I don't often recommend books for you to read but when I do it's for a good reason.

Here's my list of good reads.

 

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

Catch-22, by Joseph Heller

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison

The Odyssey, by Homer

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

I must admit that I've read most of them over my many years.

But the real reason for that list?

They were all listed on the American Library Association's report on books that were either challenged or banned last year.

I happen to think this could also be a list of exemplary writings.

I'm a liberal when it comes to books; I think you should read widely and without imposing personal prejudices.

But that's just me.

Take my recommendations for whatever you like but be reminded that this is Banned Books Week.

What better time to enjoy a classic.

CURIOUS

 I woke up early this morning and remembered a short shopping trip planned for today.

So I got dressed and drove out into a very grey morning.

Got to the grocery store and quickly piled stuff into my cart.

A Sunday New York Times and an Arizona Republic, a package of crammed-in grocery store croissants, and a bottle of vodka.

I can't help wondering what the checkout girl is thinking.

Light rain began on the way home.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 That audit of the votes cast in Arizona's Maricopa County in the last presidential election is finally done and it shows President Biden's margin of victory was actually LARGER.

For the Trumpers, it wasn't supposed to turn out that way.

Which makes me realize . . .

Hi, Gentle Readers, and welcome to the Friday edition of Fun and Frolic.

Let's linger no longer.

And with those two earworms for you, I will scuttle my way out of here.

But not before advising you all to have a sensational, trouble-free weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

PALS

 Just a pair at twilight.

Photographed from a distance, in weak light, with a weak camera, so these pics ain't goin' on no museum walls.

But still . . .

Ain't they sweet?

FALL HAS FELL

 

As I am writing this it is 7:15 in the morning here in Arizona's Central Highlands and the temperature is 53 degrees Fahrenheit.

As of around mid-day the Autumnal Equinox will arrive and officially will be the beginning of our Fall Season.

As usual, though, someone forgot to tell the Weather Gods.

The mercury here is forecast to top out in the 80's today and for the upcoming several days.

Nevertheless the nights will be cool enough to open the house once again, eventually the leaves will begin changing colors and then falling to the ground and, hopefully for our long drought-stricken area, snow will occasionally drop from the sky.

For those of you who love autumn, it's time for your Happy Dance.