THROWBACK THURSDAY

Up until last night, the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

Congratulations, Cubs fans.

The number of days left in this awful presidential campaign.

TIMING AND PROBLEMS AT THE LAKE

Only six days left in this year's presidential election campaign in the United States of America.

Otherwise known as the Silly Sweepstakes.

But on to other matters.

I took a drive over to Fain Park the other day and this is what I found.

The "lake" looks terrible due to lack of water.

It was drained a few months ago in order for work to be done on the drainage system at the dam.

But it was full again in August.

Now it's down again.

I guess problems continue.

In spite of this sign, I noticed a couple of people had climbed over the fence and were trying in vain to snag a fish or two in the lowered water.

Some folks apparently can't read.

TUESDAY TRAVELS

We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972 and lived there until 1987.

Then, in 2013 we moved there again.

It had changed a lot in those 26 years.

In 1972, downtown Phoenix was a quiet place that was "dead" in the evenings.

No more.

Nowadays it is a modern thriving city with a vibrant inner city atmosphere.

Restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs, and more and more condos and apartments fill the downtown area these days.

Arizona Center brings a park atmosphere to the heart of this city of a million and a half residents.

(The metro area brings the population up to well over 4 million, as of 2010.  Probably more now.)

Landscapers have brought a touch of beauty to all the modernist surroundings.

Not a bad place to live, if you can afford it.

And if you can stand month after month of living in a climate of triple-digit temperatures.

We couldn't.

We only lasted 10 months before returning to our refuge in Prescott Valley once again.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

SLEEPY SUNDAY

SATURDAY SKIES

The photographs were taken on different days . . just to confuse you!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

So smile already.

There are only 11 days remaining in this year's election cycle in the U.S.A.

Then we can count the votes, cheer or cry, and get going on the 2020 campaign!

In the meantime . . .

Oh, thanks for reminding me.

Wait, you didn't remind me?

Then who was that breathing behind my shoulder?

Uh, oh.

Yeah, Halloween is coming.

Once we get rid of the trick or treaters and eat all of the candy we hid from them, we can begin preparing for the Super Bowl of Over-Eating . . . Thanksgiving!

Oh, man, I've told those guys to stay out of the driveway or I may have to plan a pig roast.

But before all of those culinary holidays roll around, let me encourage all of you Gentle Readers to have a truly "special" weekend, thanks once again for all of your contributions to my weekly humor post and always . . . . . ALWAYS . . . . . remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

Uh-oh, he must have heard me talking about those javelinas.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Back in the day, when KPNX-TV in Phoenix was still known as KTAR-TV.

Some of you younger Gentle Readers (if I have any) may be wondering what that instrument I'm playing was.

Here's your first (and only) clue.

Actually the typewriters in my high school typing class didn't have power cords.

They were called manual typewriters and relied on a bit more force to make an imprint.

That's a habit I never got over and I still pound away on my poor computer's keyboard.

I WONDER . . .

I was out roving around recently and took a picture at a restaurant in the Entertainment District.

It was of a replica of some of our former presidents.

I was just looking at it and noticed something.

Washington and Jefferson seem to be smiling, Roosevelt seems to have a wondering look on his face and Lincoln looks typically grave.

I compared the picture with one of the real Mount Rushmore.

Teddy looks about the same and Lincoln looks even less grave but I don't see those silly grins on Washington and Jefferson.

Maybe the newer representation shows their amusement at the current political shenanigans.

(Only 13 days to go, folks.)

TUESDAY TRAVELS

SWMBO and I took a drive the other day, after a shopping trip to Costco, into the Prescott National Forest on Walker Road.

Our destination was Lynx Lake, just a few miles south.

It had been quite a while since we'd visited the tiny lake and I'd forgotten how pretty it is with the pine trees surrounding it.

One of its arms is a favorite spot for anglers.

A group of ducks were playing and splashing around not far from shore.  

They're in the center of this photo though they're difficult to make out.

It's an idyllic spot but it was quite busy on this weekend so we only stopped for a moment, then headed out again.

We decided to drive a bit further south to the small vacation-cabin community of Walker.

When I decided to turn around we found ourselves at an intersection with a curiously-named road.

The reason for the name was quickly obvious just a few yards away.

The ancient and motorless auto, according to local lore, was once owned by a doctor who was also known as the town drunk.

When he rolled it once nearly 80 years ago he just walked away and when his insurance paid him for it he just abandoned it.

Someone painted it pink and there it sat when a developer began building cabins in the area.

Supposedly he asked the road grader operator to haul it away but was told that it was a landmark used by the power company, the telephone company, local residents.

So it stayed and when the road was put in the developer told them what to name it.

About five years ago the car disappeared one dark and stormy night.

(Well, I don't know about the stormy bit . . I was just overcome with literary aspirations for a moment.)

Amid much consternation the car was located and was discovered to have been the victim of a high school prank.

It was returned to its former location and there it sits today, somewhat bullet riddled but frequently getting a fresh coat of paint by residents of the area.

Pink, of course.

CHAPEL OF THE VALLEY

While out and about the other day, I paid a visit to Prescott Valley's Chapel of the Valley.

Take note: I am not religious but I've always enjoyed visiting chapels and churches in their "off-duty" hours.

I think it's the quiet which gives one time to meditate.

This chapel is a tiny one.

It was donated to the city by the Fain Family and it overlooks Fain Park.

The Fains were ranchers that once owned most if not all of the land where Prescott Valley is now located.

The chapel houses a handful of beautiful stained glass windows.

On the day I was there it was being readied for a wedding.

I can only assume that given the size of the chapel it would be a small affair.

I departed before the attendees arrived.

FOOD OR DECORATION?

As has oft been noted, this is the autumnal season of the year.

On a visit to Prescott, the now-smaller city to the west, we encountered a spare lot selling pumpkins.

Variety is the spice of life, eh?

The question then becomes "Are they for food or decoration?"

As I said in a different context yesterday . . you pays your money, you makes your choice.