ELECTION DAY

Today is Primary Election Day in Arizona.  But if you are a Democrat, as I am, it doesn't mean much.  For example, in the governor's race there are six Republican candidates vying for the nomination.  On the Democrat side there is just one.  In Yavapai County, where I live, there are four Republican candidates for two seats in the State House of Representatives.  On the Democrat side, just one.  For a member of the Blue Man party, life in a predominately red county can be frustrating.

Still I voted.  And I have the sticker to prove it.

There are more independents than Republicans or Democrats in Arizona now.  They may be leaning left because one news story I read this morning said only 6 percent of them had requested early ballots.  With no, or very few, races on the Democratic side of the ballot, they may just be sitting this one out.

The real test will come in November, at the General Election.

By the way, I have a friend in Phoenix who registered many years ago as a Republican.  I berated him loudly until he told me he did it so he could vote in the Primary Elections for the weakest Republican candidate.  I wonder how many like him are out there.

WATER FEATURE

A QUIET SUNDAY

This was one of my mother's favorite piano pieces.  I doubt she'd have appreciated Victor Borge's introduction of it as the Moonlight Son-of-a-nata.  I liked Borge but I also like the serious performance of the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.

WHA????

A small water park in normally hot and dry Arizona.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Yes, it's that time of the week again.  Brace yourself, first for a failed Ice Bucket Challenge.

Now, if you've stopped laughing at/with that poor girl, let's get on with it.

SWMBO has been telling me for years that I should watch my nutrition and eat more healthy foods.  So . . .

And for dessert . . .

Have a great weekend, folks, and remember - keep a smile on your face.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Normally on TBT I post a picture of myself from my past.  But this Thursday I'm changing the format a bit.  First, from some time back and I'm not even sure where this occurred . . probably Iraq or Afghanistan . . my grandson, then-Sergeant Russell Milburn with the late Robin Williams.

Then a couple of pictures I received just this morning.

Sergeant Milburn, you see, is now a civilian.  That's a photo of him and his lovely wife, Kayla, and the new addition to their family, Alexis Marie.

She was born last night and I (and her parents) think she's a stunner.

Please accept this slight deviation from the norm from a proud great-grandfather.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY