THROWBACK THURSDAY

Criminy!

I must be getting old.

I almost forgot to post today!

So let's go back.

Way back.

Way, way, way back.

To when I was slim enough to wear a shirt with horizontal stripes.

I can't tell you when the photo was taken. 

Some time in the early 1980's, I believe.

That's me on the right.

The good looking guy on the left is my son, Scott, who came for a visit with us when we lived in Phoenix.

He is not to be confused with Judy's son, Scott, who just visited us recently.

Just one of those strange coincidences of life.

BEEP-BEEP!*

For the second time this week our yard had a visit from what appears to be a local.

No, not the cat.

It's the shadowy image behind him and the sage.

Aha! He's nearly out from behind his cover.

Still keeping a wary eye on me, shooting through the window.

But I suspect he sees me.

And then . . .

. . . the full profile.

Just after that photo, he hopped through the gate and went on his way.

I saw him, or another member of his family, later when I went out for a walk.

In case you didn't know, that's the Arizona Roadrunner.

And contrary to some opinions, it's NOT the State Bird of Arizona.

That's the Cactus Wren.

It is, however, the State Bird of neighboring New Mexico.

Go figure.

And for all of you cartoon watchers, I'm not sure where Wile E. Coyote is right now.

Probably shopping at the Acme Corporation.

*Post title suggested by SWMBO

TUESDAY TRAVELS

About to board a train enroute to Salzburg, Austria in April of 1985.

A ticket taker at the Tower of London tweaked us about our bush jackets, commenting "On safari, are we?"

But they were very useful with their multitude of pockets.

We loved Salzburg, especially for the chocolate and for the coffee.

MLK DAY

FOOTBALL

Well the scene is set for the National Football Conference championship game next weekend.

Arizona vs. Carolina.

I just hope the Cardinals team that won quickly in overtime last night will meet the Panthers who went scoreless in the second half today.

Meanwhile condolences to the Packers and Seahawks fans.

There's always next year.

And special condolences to my Gentle Readers who have no time for sports.

FAMILY REUNION NIGHT OUT

I wrote earlier in the week about Judy's son coming out from Indiana for a visit.

He flew back home yesterday.

But he took us out for dinner at The Palace in downtown Prescott the other night.

I kid him a bit about his hair loss but he takes it well.

We had a good meal and more chatting with his sister, the BRD.

Our waitress was a little cutie and I couldn't resist taking a photo of her.

Judy and I don't go out at night very often and we hadn't had a chance to see the Christmas lights on the courthouse square just across the street from Whiskey Row, where the Palace is located..

Fortunately they hadn't been taken down yet.

Much of that lighting is due to a fund raiser Tommy Meredith puts on every year before the holiday.

Tommy is the owner of the Jersey Lilly Saloon above the Palace.

This year was his best ever as he raised over 30 thousand dollars for the holiday lighting.

Prescott is a neat little town with a lot of good people.

It was fun to visit once again.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Yea, though I travel through the valley of Republican political debates, I shall attempt to find some humor in life.

There now. That wasn't so hard after all.

Have a scintillating weekend, Gentle Readers, and always remember to keep chuckling, chortling and guffawing.

Here Kitty, Kitty . . .