St. James Infirmary - Another Version

Yesterday's post featured a version of the St. James Infirmary Blues, performed by Arlo Guthrie.

The classic has been recorded by almost everyone.

But my friend Gentleman Jim commented that he heard a version many years ago that had become his all time favorite.

That performance was by the legendary New Orleans trumpeter Louis Armstrong.

I'm sure I too had heard that version back in my younger days and since I, too, am a big fan of Satchmo I thought I'd offer it up here and give all of you readers, commenters and lurkers a chance to say which is YOUR favorite.

SATURDAY SATURNALIA

Just a little music for you.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Gosh it's been a long week.

But also a short week.

It seems like just yesterday I was posting about that sheet pan dinner that SWMBO prepared.

Well, sorry for my absence from your blogroll.

I'll try to make up for it as June has arrived and the gardening season with it.

So let me entertain you.

So you have now been entertained.

The weekend (back to a short one, dadblast it) is up to you.

Have a good time as you enjoy the outdoors before the blast of summer (or winter, if like River, you live in the Southern Hemisphere).

But always, always, remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . and that's what drives us crazy . . .)

DINNER

 Melissa Clark (my favorite red-head) of the New York Times is the master (mistress?) of the sheet pan dinners.

But she's got nothing on my Master Chef in Residence, Ms. Judy, aka SWMBO.

Witness:

Before

After

My plate

My salad (sliced fresh cantaloupe)

My witnesses

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

 In the United States of America this is the unofficial beginning of Summer.

So the feasting is on.

Barbecue grills with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn on the cob.

Desserts of rhubarb pie, strawberries over ice cream, watermelon.

Memorial Day, on Monday, is a federal holiday, thus we get a three-day weekend.

But the original meaning was a day set aside to mourn and honor those who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Services.

Originally called Decoration Day, the graves of those warriors were marked with small flags.

My only relative that I know who died in service is buried far away.

But I was up this morning putting in a couple of hooks so we too could fly our flag.

It's out there now in front of our home, fluttering in the breeze.

As we gather on patios and in back yards and swimming pools and ball parks, let us enjoy the good food and the good friends and the good times.

But never forgetting why we have this weekend.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Some weeks you get to thinking it's just been too stressful (Judy's pacemaker replacement) or too sad (Tina Turner's death) to find any reason to laugh.

But then there was that thing on Twitter (Musk & DeSantis) the other day that lightens the load.

So Fellow Travelers, let's get on it.

It's Friday!

Y'know I always wondered what life was like up there on Starship Enterprise.

Pretty funny, I guess.

At any rate, this is bringing an end to the week and now the weekend is staring you in the face.

And it's a THREE-DAY weekend!

So brace yourselves to start grilling season.

Have yourselves a great time and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . ahh, good plan . . .)

THIRSTY THURSDAY

 Arizona is preparing for a long hot summer.

The temperature in Phoenix climbed over the 100 degree mark the other day.

And it's still May.

Where I live it's about 20 degrees cooler.

But that means the low 80's.

And it's still only May.

So watch out for July and August.

There may be some unpleasant new records set.

Meantime, it's a pleasant day here, with a brilliant blue sky and a somewhat gentle breeze in an area of the country known for its windy days.