CATALYST, THE (not so) HANDYMAN

 When we moved into our new abode 2-1/2 months ago, we were told we had to have smoke detectors and that there were none in the duplex apartment.

Well, upon looking around we found that not only did it have smoke detectors but that were three of them.

So one early morning . .  it's always early in the morning isn't it . . one of them began chirping.

We've learned that that means the battery is going down.

So we replaced the batteries in all three of them and they still chirped.

So we found a guy who does all kind of work and he came and did a couple of projects and then we asked him to take a look at the smoke detectors.

He couldn't stop them from chirping and said since they had probably been installed when the house was built . . twenty-some years ago . . they had outlived their usefulness.

He said they can just quit working after ten years or so.

And he had a good solution: new smoke detectors of a type that just stick on the wall or ceiling with some kind of adhesive.

Easy-peasy.

So I ordered three of them from a local store and then picked them up.

Today I ripped open one of the packages and found that they did not have some kind of adhesive backing.

What they had was a detailed instruction sheet and two rather long screws.

Well, I have fixed things over the years and I have a plethora of tools, a number of which I gathered to take on this project.

What I didn't have was one of those handy-dandy battery operated power screwdrivers, which would have either made this job a lot easier or have caused enough damage that a wall would have had to be replaced.

So I hammered and screwed (don't get ahead of yourselves) and eventually the new smoke detector was mounted to the wall just a foot or so from the ceiling-mounted old machine.

I still have two more to go but, as SWMBO said, quoting Miss Scarlett O'Hara, "tomorrow is another day".

(For you younger folk: Scarlett O'Hara was a character in a famous movie from back in the Dark Ages called "Gone With the Wind". You should watch it.)

WHAT'S THE USE?

 My loving wife Judy, aka SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed), unexpectedly dusted and vacuumed the house today.

I complimented her, told her it looked so clean it just sparkled.

But then . . .

MONDAY MEXICAN

 For a mid-afternoon comida a visit to a neighborhood favorite, the much heralded Mexican restaurant Casa Perez.

SWMBO, aka Judy, enjoys a bowl of Chili Verde, one of her favorites.

The menu description: Lean chunks of pork simmered in green tomatillo sauce with bell peppers and onions. Served with rice, beans, pico de gallo, and tortillas.

I had Chili Relleno de Camarones: A Mexican poblano pepper stuffed with prawns, mushrooms, pepper and a cream sauce. Served over green sauce and sour cream with rice, pico de gallo and tortillas.

(Sorry, no photo. My appetite superseded one.)

We each prefaced our meals with one of the delicious House Margaritas and accompanied them with Negra Modelo cervezas (beers).

It's a great restaurant but don't tell anyone.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK . . .

 

I noticed Christmas decorations up on light poles around the Civic Center, the Police Station, and the Public Library yesterday.

Those candy canes look a little the worse for wear but the spirit of Christmas is still there.

TEA FOR TWO (or three?)

 Christmas baking season has begun at the vaunted Taylor Bakery & Experimental (and sometimes hazardous) Kitchen Laboratory.

Here's today's result.

Lemon Berry Tartlets

A puff pastry shell with the center pushed down to make a hollow for some lemon curd, topped with a blackberry and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar.

A little fussy but de-lish-us!

Let the holidays begin!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Y'know, after a feasting day things kind of slow down so I'm a little late with this edition of comedy and fun'n'games.

So how did your big meals go yesterday?

Here's a photo of our Thanksgiving turkey.

Yeah, those are actually slow cooker barbecued ribs and they were delicious.

And just to show you the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree, here's a photo of the BRD's pumpkin pie.

Yep, those are Chocolate Scones (before glazing).

So you see, tradition doesn't run very deep in our family.

Whatever you ate yesterday, I hope it was as good as ours.

And now let's prepare you, especially if you're Black Friday shoppers, for the weekend with some Friday Funnies.

We begin with an offering from Wacky Wally.

I love that one that I found in my mailbox just this morning from the Nuclear Humorist.

Now folks, if those didn't put you in a good enough mood to face the culmination of the year and the true onset of the holiday chaos, maybe you're just not tryin'.

So let's gird our loins (what???) and have ourselves a wonderful weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Just one more time, let's return to the true meaning of Thanksgiving, thanks to Comical Carol.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

FEASTING DAY

 

All joking aside, we'd like you to have a great day wherever you are in the world, whether it's Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or just another normal old Thursday.