WEDNESDAY WEATHER

Autumn and the indications of winter are definitely present here in Arizona.

The land of scorching heat has taken a turn for the cooler weather we will have for a few months now.

Yesterday was a day of constant rain showers and intermittent, though brief, sunshine.

The big tree in our front yard has become its name - a red maple.

It contrasts nicely with the green and gold leaves of other neighborhood flora.

The view toward the mountains is framed with those colors.

I couldn't help but think of my California plein air painter, Lana, when I gazed at that view.

Further north in Flagstaff there has been a light dusting of snow.

Old Man Winter is not far away, I fear.

TUESDAY TRAVELS

Do I have a couple of friends named Timmer and The Beaner?

Yes, I do.

Here we all four are in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, waiting for a train.

Timmer's real name is Tim, The Beaner's is Jeanne.

And no, we weren't waiting for that train to rob it.

Tim and Jeanne were living in Denver and we had come up from Phoenix to take a train over the mountains to Glenwood Springs for a little spring break.

Time? Some time in the early 1980's.

DAY OF THE DEAD

Today, November 2nd, is a public holiday throughout Mexico and in many other countries around the world.

It is a day chosen for people to honor the memories of their deceased relatives and friends.

It is traditional to build private altars, called ofrendas and to decorate graves with sugar skulls, marigolds and favorite foods and beverages of the departed.

Relatives bring their own food and drinks and music, often spending the night at the cemetery in a sort of melancholy picnic atmosphere.

These pictures were taken at the cemetery in Ajijic, a small village on the north shore of Lake Chapala where we first lived when we made our excursion to Mexico.

It was an interesting and somewhat macabre introduction to the native culture for us.

I have since read that the origins of the holiday date back thousands of years to indigenous peoples and an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess.

COSTUMERY

Yesterday being Halloween, a number of service employees around town wore their costumes to work.

For instance, this jungly mail carrier.

I don't know that giraffes wear sunglasses but never mind.

Here's a "wonder-ful" young lady.

A local hair salon had a number of costumed cutters.

And a grocery store yielded a few more.

This lady went all out with her princess dress and wig.

You may have noticed that all of the tricksters were women.

Well, not quite all.  There was this scary guy in the meat department.

As for trick or treaters last night, our doorbell only rang twice.

Yum!

More candy for me!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Most of the rest of these are signs on actual businesses.

Or they've been Photo-Shopped.

I think that last one is my favorite.

But then, of course, there is the obligatory cat cartoon, this week featuring a couple of "Lion Kings" and a little (or big) poke at Chicago baseball fans.

So ends this week's hilarity. Thanks to my contributors and theft victims who make these weekly forays into fun 'n' games possible.

Have a great weekend and keep smilin', Jack.*

*old comic books reference.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

She had to then go through a Senate confirmation hearing.

Since she was from Arizona, KPNX-TV in Phoenix sent a crew to Washington to cover it.

Photographer Wally Athey, reporter Ron Talley, anchorwoman Linda Alvarez, field producer Bruce Taylor.

We were on top of a building which housed the editing facilities and the satellite uplink we rented. I think there was a view of the Capitol somewhere in the distance.

A quiet moment of conversation between Talley and Taylor in the hallway outside the hearing room.

Here's a little tale about Ron Talley. His real name is Ron Thompson but when he came to work at KTAR-TV, the station had an anchorman named Ray Thompson.

So they changed the young reporter's name and he became Ron Talley for evermore.

The station also changed its name, later becoming KPNX-TV.

Oh, and Sandra Day O'Connor?

She was confirmed and spent 25 years on the high court.