ONE MORE TRIP AROUND THE SUN

I became 78 years old today.

Still crazy after all these years

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Uh-oh.

To those of you Gentle Readers who are not well-versed in Cheech and Chong movies, today is April 20th.

i.e. 4-20.

And 4:20 is a universal code term for the smoking of marijuana dating back to some California teenagers who used to meet for that purpose when their classes ended at 4:20 p.m.

Here in the United States, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York today plans to introduce a bill to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level.

There are some negatives about the use of "weed".

But despite it's popularity, some people still stick to old favorites.

And some of those deleterious effects mentioned above may not be the result of your particular taste in "moral decay".

So I'll leave you to your choices for romping riotously through a ribald weekend but remember . . . always keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

AT THE SPRINGS

Ah, Gentle Readers, today was a day like any other day.

Any other day, that is, when an infrequent meeting of the Rock Springs Rumble is held.

Baseball Steve organized this lunch gathering at the famous Rock Springs Cafe.

Steve is shown here accepting the plaudits of the other participants.

Or perhaps doing a perp walk, one can never be sure.

Others on hand included Legendary Lew Ruggiero.

That's just water with lemon, not a gin and tonic.

And King Karl Kindberg, here about to attack a giant plate of nachos.

Karl told me today I should drop that "Gentle Readers" crap from these posts.

In spite of my high regard for the man who for reasons I can't explain acquired the nickname "Doc", I shant.

And a new "mystery guest" to these gatherings, as Steve put it.

One of our number who still actually works for a living, Al "Bert" Macias.

Oh, yes, and your scribe was there too, though my photograph comes from my files.

And though it may resemble it, not from beyond the grave.

As usual many tales of long ago were told.

Some of them true, one would guess.

I shall not repeat any of them here, regardless of the statute of limitations.

Suffice it to say a good time was had by all, as always, and none of us got arrested.

POTPOURRI

That ought to wake you up and get you prepared for mailing off your 2017 tax return, if you haven't already done it.

I e-filed mine back in early February.

It's a pretty simple return and I haven't had to give the IRS any money for years.

One of the advantages of a retirement income.

* * * *

SWMBO had an ear ache yesterday, following a couple of days of a runny nose, apparently caused by spring allergies, which are rife here in the Central Highlands of Arizona.

So this is for her.

Actually, I think it's about over.

* * * *

On the political front, the best headline of yesterday came from the Stephen Colbert show: Hannity Insanity.

"Who, me?"

* * * *

And for all of you Gentle Readers who have grown fond of my birds-at-the-bird-bath pictures, let it be known that I have been bested not once but TWICE by my companions on the Great World Wide Web.

This morning it was Steve in London, who posted these amazing pictures from LONDON on his blog Shadows & Light.

And yesterday my friend Lori, who used to live down the street but now is across town since we moved, sent me this link to an eagle's nest in Decorah, Iowa where three eaglets have been born and are being raised by a pair of adults.

The live camera views are simply fascinating.

So I've been outdone, not once but twice in less than 24 hours and may have to retire my bird bath photography.

Oh well, I've still got my cats.

AVIAN-ONICS

Red stopped by this morning for a dip in the pool.

After a soak and some vigorous splashing he perched on the edge and slaked his thirst.

Guess he'd never heard mama saying "Don't drink the bath water!"

And then he flew away again.

And this afternoon, just a few minutes ago, we had another visitor.

A mockingbird!

But no bath for this nervous fellow.

Just a couple of quick sips and a rapid departure.

A TEENSY HELPFUL NUDGE

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Gentle Readers, please relax, in spite of the day/date.

You must remember that triskaidekaphobia is only a superstition.

Nothing to worry about just because it's Friday the 13th.

After all what can happen?

Well, yes, there is that.

But let us persevere and move on to some jocularity.

Oh sure but can he/she do the Downward Dog?

While you're pondering that, Gentle Readers and Yoga Practitioners, let me wish you a scintillating weekend full of frolicking among the flowers.

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Hmmm, a bit of a tight fit . . .)