BLUE SKIES

As I have said too many times to count, when it snows in my part of Arizona it never lasts very long.  Before a day or two the temperatures have risen, the skies have cleared and the snow is melted away.  Yesterday's snow barely had a chance to stick to the ground and today it's back to temperatures climbing into the 50's, sunshine and plenty of blue skies.

And speaking of changes, who would have thought . . years ago . . that a raspy-voiced British rock star would become a ballad singer? Who indeed?

SNOW AGAIN?

8:00 this morning in my neighborhood.  (Arizona foothills)

THE BEARD - #7

All right, folks, here it comes.  

The 7th and (to paraphrase what Tina and Amy said on the Golden Globes last night) the last photo of The Beard.  

It has reached a point where I don't feel further progress reports are necessary.

And just to satisfy all those thousands of you who have been begging me for a smile . . .

Kind of looks more like a grimace to me.

Like someone who has just eaten something he didn't like the taste of but is trying to make his hostess happy.

And for those of you without instant recall, here's how this whole thing started out.

Your very own Catalyst on December 1st, contemplating growing his beard out.

Thanks for watching!

FIERY FOLIAGE

These three photos are all of the same plant in our back yard, lit by the sun to blazing glory.

As usual I forget the name of it but it's a dazzler.

And finally, the innermost view.

The last one reminds me of Br'er Rabbit's plaintive cry from that Uncle Remus book of my youth, "Oh, please, don't throw me in that briar patch!"

I LOVE A RAINY . . UH . . .DAY!

A rainy day in my part of Arizona.

Just to put some music to it . . .

REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST

The leaves of summer, the snow of December, both now gone.

(I swear.  Some day I'm gonna read that feller Proust's books.)

One more thing gone.  The Arizona Cardinals great season.  For those of you who still have a team in the mix . . good luck this weekend.

I'll be waiting for baseball season to start.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

It's been a tough week in the news but if we stop laughing who knows what would happen.  
So . . here are this week's Friday Funnies.

And with that box of cattage, I'll bring this week's moment of hilarity to an end.  Along with, of course, my usual thanks to contributors and theft victims alike.  Have a wonderful weekend, folks, and always remember to keep a smile on your face.