THROWBACK THURSDAY

Although the house is decorated for Christmas and my uncle, Zenas (far left) was visiting from San Francisco, this was a less than happy time.  I was 12 years old and recovering from surgery and a hospital stay for a ruptured appendix.  I still had a drain tube and had to be carried downstairs from my room to join the rest of the family.

Next to Uncle Zenas is my mother, my grandfather and my father. My older brother took the picture.

1952.  Not a very good year.

HAPPY . . er . . MERRY . . er . . ???

Yesterday my blogger friend Judy posted this picture.  I thought the city of Prescott might be rushing the season a bit.  But then when I was in town, I noticed that the gang at the Jersey Lilly also had begun the festive celebration.

On his balcony overlooking the Courthouse Square, owner Tommy Meredith has his carol singers up and at 'em.

But we can forgive Tommy since he is the main impetus behind the fund raising every year to make sure the Square is lighted and decorated for Christmas.

Meanwhile, downstairs at the Palace Restaurant and Saloon an old west lookalike was maintaining a vigil.

We chatted about the decorations and he said the Palace would soon be sporting decorations as well.  

Merry Christmas, everyone, even though it's only November 19th and a week before Thanksgiving!  I guess it's never too soon to start in Arizona's Christmas City.

ALL DRESSED UP AND . . .

. . . only a trip to the dentist.

I LIKE THIS

LIFE IN NEW YORK

To those of you who faithfully read my Friday Funnies, are you laughing yet?  Or still laughing?  Well, if not, take a look at this.

And thanks to the BRD for sending it to me.

___ REASONS TO READ MY BLOG OR THREE STRIKES, I'M OUT!

There are days like today when my mind is empty of ideas to write about or picture in my blog.  When I first rose this morning and looked out the window, it was foggy out over the savannah.

That's what SWMBO has named the open field or pasture or whatever down at the end of our street.  This picture was taken some time ago and doesn't show any fog.  That's because we live far, far away from the sea or any other large body of water and it very rarely is foggy.  All of which gave me the idea to take a picture for today's blog posting.

But by the time I got my coffee and had taken my morning pills and heated some water for SWMBO's morning cuppa and a few other things, I'd forgotten all about my plan to photograph the fog.  Plus the sun was up and it had probably all burned off anyway.

So.  Strike one.

I start each day by reading Mike Allen's morning Playbook from POLITICO.  That's a good way to get my blood going.  Then I scan the headlines from the New York Times and occasionally read an article or two.  Then I run quickly through my local newspaper and take a quick look at Facebook and read a few emails that have accumulated.  Then it's on to the most pleasant part of my morning: working three crossword puzzles on-line.  They're not very difficult, usually.  The first is called the Daily American Puzzle, the second from the Washington Post and the third from the Los Angeles Times.  The experts say working crosswords keeps your mind from slowing down.  I don't know about that but I know it keeps my stock of curse words intact.

I've recently subscribed to a site called Bloglovin, which keeps track of the 10 or 20 blogs I have over there on the right and updates the list whenever one of those bloggers posts.  That way I can read all the latest posts and keep up to date with my e-friends.  And then it has become time for me to write a blog post.  And nothing has stirred my imagination.  I check my photo file.  Nothing there.  So, what to do?

Now my wife, SWMBO, frequently tells me "you know you don't have to write something in that fool blog of yours every day!" Which probably just goads me to write something every day.  I love Throwback Thursdays and the Friday Funnies because I can always find some material for them.  But days like today?  Blank.

Strike Two.

But wait.  Here's another email from Bloglovin, a weekly one that suggests other blogs I might find interesting.  As I scan the list, I notice a similarity.  The 15 Most Surreal Travel Destinations, 5 Steps to Take When You're Burned Out, 13 Genius Tips For Decorating a Small Space, 10 Sunny Travel Destinations You Should Visit Before the End of the Year, 5 Days in Hawaii.

I get it.  I should just write or photograph a list of stuff.  I look around my den.  Ho hum.

Strike Three.

I guess I'll just have to settle for this.  It's something I found on the Internets, printed off and SWMBO framed for me.  It hangs directly over my desk and inspires me every day.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

T.G.I.F.

Thank Gandalf It's Friday.

(and I've never even read any Tolkien)

At any rate it's time to go into the Chuckle Box once again and see what we can find to get us all through the weekend.

O.K. folks, the Chuckle Box is empty.  Oh, wait!  I almost forgot the obligatory kitty picture.

O.K.  That's really all she wrote.  Have an extremely amusing weekend, folks, and, as always, thank you to my contributors.