IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS

It looks like we're going to have a White Christmas in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

The rain just turned to snow and began to stick even though the temperature is still 38 degrees but dropping.

Time: 2 p.m. Christmas Eve, Mountain Standard Time.

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2:15 p.m.

THE EVE

Christmas Eve prompts one's mind to drift back into memory land.

To remember holidays good and merry and bright and some that didn't achieve that distinction.

Gifts I remember from my childhood like the Erector Set that I was convinced from shaking the wrapped box before Christmas was a box of rocks.

My big brother might have had a hand in that, too.

The year I got a magic set, embarking me on an interest in the dark arts that has lasted all my life.

I still enjoy watching a good magician on television these days.

Huge turkey dinners and a competition to see who could get to the couch (we called it a davenport) for a nap and to rest an overstuffed belly.

Some Christmases spent totally alone, far from family and friends.

Not good, those.

And so it goes.

We shall spend some time this evening at the new home of the BRD and her Beau Jack.

(Yes, they're back together.)

Remember this thought as you all celebrate Christmas this year.

If you, like SWMBO, hate puns, place the blame on Lori Down the Block, who shared this with me last night.

As for myself, I love it.

Happy Hollandaise!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Ha Ha and Ho Ho Ho

Who's that out there in the snow?

Why I believe it's Santa Claus!!!

Well, it may be Bad Santa.

At any rate, here we are on the final sleigh ride toward Christmas and it's Friday.

Guess you know what that means.

I sincerely hope all of you Gentle Readers have the merriest of Christmases and that you fill them with peace, joy, good food and laughter.

Thanks to the many contributors who made today's post and Friday Funnies posts throughout the year possible.

Remember, whether it's amusement or bemusement always keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THROWBACK THURSDAY

The big day is drawing nigh, which takes me back to a miserable Christmas I spent in the year 1952.

I was 12 years old and recovering from an emergency
surgery after my appendix ruptured.

I had spent a week in the hospital (things were done differently in those days) and was now at home but still an invalid.

My bedroom was upstairs in our house and I had to be carried downstairs and settled in on the couch for Christmas morning.

Surrounding me in this picture were my uncle Zenas from San Francisco, my mother, my grandfather and my dad.

Mom wrote on the back of the picture "Doesn't Bruce look pale?"

As you can see the house had been gaily decorated to cheer me up.

I don't look very cheerful though, do I?

THE BIG BLACK BANK

While driving in to town yesterday, I noticed what appeared to be a new paint job on one of the local banks.

It was so stunning to me that I had to stop and photograph it.

You can see one of the presumed painters just above the entrance.  

It appears the entire building will get the new color.

And just in time for Christmas.

As I commented to a man in the parking lot . . . "well, it's distinctive."

"We like it," he answered.

ROBIN REDUX

The robins were back again yesterday.

First this big fella, who kind of seemed like The Leader of the Pack.

Then this slightly smaller one, perhaps a female.

And, perhaps, her mate?

One drinks while the other watches for marauders.

Then the other takes his turn.

Then apparently satisfied that no peril is near they both drink as much as they can hold.

One has flown away but the other apparently has something else in mind.

Ah, nothing like a nice cool bath even though the air temperature was right around 30 degrees.

I noticed this time a curious trait.

The bird would sit in the water and flick the water up and around with his tail.

And he seemed to be saying "Are you lookin' at me? Well, are ya?"

Of course that could just be my poetic imagination.

I was so disgusted with the smears on the window inside and out that once the robins left I went out and washed the outside and wiped off the inside.

The spots on the inside, SWMBO helpfully pointed out, were probably "kitty snot".

Thanks, I needed that.

SUNDAY DINNER

Caribbean chicken, glazed carrots, mix of Arborio rice and Quinoa.

My wife is a damned fine cook.