THE DECORATOR

 At least someone (SWMBO) in our home has a wee bit of the Christmas spirit.

Me: "Yingle Bells, Yingle Bells, Yingling all der vay . . ."

She: "Oh, shut up!"

BRUCIE'S BAKERY

 When we woke to a chilly house yesterday and our maintenance request was met by a report from a backed up heating company that they could probably come by Monday afternoon we panicked a bit.

(It's 21 degrees outside as I am writing this!)

A second call to our rental management company got a visit from the nice lady who handles things with a couple of electric space heaters.

We already had our small fireplace going and the oven was on in the kitchen.

But a short time later a second call from the heating company told us they'd had a cancellation and a guy could be coming by within the hour.

Elation!

He came, he climbed to the roof, he fiddled and tested, he came down and said the circuit board was failing but he had managed to jerry-rig (or jury rig) it and the furnace was once again throwing out heat.

A new circuit board apparently is in our future.

There is still heat this morning so we can wake up smiling.

Now there's an even bigger smile on the face of this story.

I made about 5-1/2 dozen Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies yesterday!

They come from an old recipe found in SWMBO's recipe box, which includes dry oats to give them body, raisins to make them chewy, chocolate chips to give them their name and a combination of brown and white sugars and a slash of vanilla to make them . . well, you know, to make your dentists as happy as you'll be eating them.

SWMBO, who usually prefers a shortbread version of the classic cookie, has declared these the best ever.

And praise from that master of the kitchen is well-received by this rookie.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 So how's every little thing this morning/afternoon/evening where you live?

Not too bad here except, as every year at about this time, our furnace seems to be acting erratically.

Not good when the cold weather is upon us like a shroud.

But there is one thing good about today.

Oh, and of course there are "The Holidays".

That's it for this week, Gentle Readers.

Now try to keep your holiday angst at large and enjoy a snow-white weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(er, kitty-kitty-kitty . . .)

HOLIDAY BAKING

 Okay, so we've been baking.

Today I attempted some Thumbprint Cookies.

As I was lining up a shot, Judy snarled, "You didn't TAKE any pictures of my Pinwheel Cookies."

So I did.

They're actually Date Pecan Pinwheel Cookies.

And while neither of the batches would win any awards for beauty, I can tell you that they're all delicious.

This is the one part of The Holidays that I like.

DECEMBER BLUES

 Blast!

It's that time of year again.

I seem to remember a time when I liked December.

Many, many, many years ago.

Now I'm overcome with ennui, facing the Xmas onslaught.

I made a batch of cookies about a week ago.

SWMBO has made a batch of different cookies today.

It doesn't do anything for me.

Yesterday, or was it the day before, I found a message on my telephone answering service, noting that I hadn't blogged recently and wondering if I was okay.

I didn't even have the energy to call my inquirer back.

I emailed a brief note, indicating that all was well.

That's a lie: the weather has turned cold.

(For Arizona. High temperatures in the 50's.)

The past two days the mail delivery has revealed a few Christmas cards.

I've been saying it for years but I think this year I really mean it: I'm not going to send cards this year.

I suppose some people will be offended though I'm not sure anyone will even notice.

I read a few blogs this evening but couldn't think of anything to say in the comments so I didn't.

Perhaps the most likely response that comes to mind is a famous or infamous one: BAH! HUMBUG!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Reflecting on the state of the world this morning, I couldn't help but be reminded of a song from the 1950's: The Merry Minuet, as performed by the Kingston Trio.

You could Google it, if you're so inclined.

In the meantime, it is the end of the week and my job is to bring you this:

So we prepare once again for the furor that comes with holiday shopping but I caution you: take it easy, relax and try to have yourself a wonderful weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(hmmm)

THROWBACK THURSDAY

 As the sand continues to run through the hourglass and your Catalyst grows ever older, he tends to look back more often.

At least as far back as he can remember.

Many of those memories are faded into oblivion now but some linger on.

For example, I think it was in 2000, some 21 years ago, that a party was held, a reunion of sorts, at a nightclub/restaurant in Phoenix for some of the then old crowd.

It was occasioned by a visit to the old metropolis by one Ron Talley (nee Ron Thompson) from the East Coast.

Accompanied here by his lovely wife, Joanne, and one of his daughters, I don't think he had drunk enough at this point that he needed that post he's clutching to support him but who knows.

Ron was a reporter at our television station who had gone on to fame and glory in Washington, D.C.

He's retired now in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Some others in attendance included the late Bill Stull, anchorman-reporter-and-legendary ad libber on many election nights; Al Macias, who may still be employed in "the biz"; and a young pup known far and wide to readers of this blog as Baseball Steve, Mr. Torbeck by actual name, a fine photographer and friend of more than 40 years.

Smiling right into the camera, this is the always-stunning Cheryl Parker, a reporter and anchorwoman.

(Another reunion held some years later at her house drew a huge crowd!)

Here we find the photographer/assignment editor and news director  far and wide Roger (Rajah, as I call him) Ball; your beered and bearded scribe; and another who is gone too soon, reporter and chief partier Bill "Boom Boom or Boomer" Blannon.

I remember more than one party from back in the day when Boomer would show up with a bottle of tequila, margarita fixings and a blender!

And here we find my fellow traveler, Wacky Wally, surrounded by the highly amused Mr. Macias and your mugging host.

Wally Athey was a Texas transplant, a steady photographer (at least when not finishing whatever was in that glass, and a companion of Mr. Talley and myself on many trips to political events around the country.

And lastly a couple who were not from the t.v. crowd but good friends indeed, the beautiful Penny Pfaelzer and her husband Paul Dean, a newspaper writer extraordinaire.

It's good to look back, now and then, but as the ranks thin, a bit sad too.

Raise a glass to your friends, whether here or departed.